Getting a tune like uprev will fix that throttle delay and change the car completely.

It's all about perspective. I've been a happy 370Z owner for years now, but my mind wonders about other cars after I read the car mags, watch YouTube videos, and go to track days with faster cars all around. It's easy to feel like the Z is chop liver as time moves along. So much so that I went and test drove an E92 M3 and a Cadillac CTS-V last weekend. At the end of the day, my perspective had changed once again. Both cars were great cars. The M3 was just one notch faster than the Z (read: slightly faster but not dramatically so) while the CTS-V pulled like a beast. But the steering feel of the M3 was good but not as connected as the Z (I know, I know, it can't be so). Also, the interior was lackluster and boring...nothing that makes you inspired and connected to the car. The CTS-V couldn't disguise its extra 1000 lbs and felt like a behemoth in corners and braking. Wrapping in the price of these cars being double the Z's, I drove home in my 370Z again assured that I had made the right purchase 3 years ago. I can enjoy my Z as a daily driver, track car, and autocross car and never feel bad about abusing a really expensive vehicle. The CTS-V and even M3 are less than optimal for autocross while the Z shines. The Z can hold its own in corners and braking zones at track days, only to be trumped on long straights. I definitely bought the right car.

Great testament.

Thanks for the test driving.

I see you are in Indiana. I have heard that if a flat state with few bends in the road. Certainly the interstate (I90?) is straight. If this is true then a mussel car may be better for you. If not true then the Z is within it's element and you must have had one hell of a 240sx.

I've actually felt it too on occasion but I recently had it Uprev turned and I get torque everywhere now, which is great.

But I agree with everyone, with the linear curve, its deceptive...

Did your tuner mess with the throttle map?

I agree with your perception of the M3, a great car but the interior is very outdated and the Z's steering was heavier and more "sporty" feeling, they really watered down the e92 in terms of feel in comparison to the e46 m3. I guess they were hoping that the purists would over look all the padding in exchange for the additional displacement and power.

This all seems familiar to me. I bought a 2009 Cobalt SS about the same time my brother got a 370Z. I drove it a couple times and was not impressed with the acceleration but I did feel it was faster than mine. We compared acceleration times and we were about even. Sometimes he can pull away from me, but I pretty much beat him out of the hole every time. Both cars are very responsive, my Cobalt feels a lot lighter, but I don't have nearly as much confidence in the twisties with the 370. Then again it isn't my car. The rwd is more fun though. At the end of the day I'm happy with my purchase, and he's happy with his. I'm especially happy because my bank account wouldn't handle a 370Z.

I think with a little more torque and maybe some better rubber than stock, it would be a lot more interesting to me. I'm sure I wouldn't be disappointed with some FI on it either.

^^ I assume your Cobalt SS is turbo charged version?

He said 2009 so yea.

Looks wise the 370z has the cobalt beat. Also, I don't know about you but I'm not a fan of torque steer. The Z is stock form is very restricted, a set of test pipes, catback, intake and a tune will really wake it up.

What's "fast"? I think if you're not impressed with the speed of the 370Z you won't be impressed with much of anything coming out of a showroom south of $50K. You sound like you're looking for that off-idle neck-snapping torque and you probably want an LS3 for that, even the Mustang GT/Boss 302 isn't gonna do it for you for long, they're not that much quicker from the butt-dyno perspective, it's another engine you need to get up into the higher RPM range to make power, just like the Z.

Actually not a bad run...
2009 Chevy Cobalt SS (2.0L Turbo) 0-60 mph 5.7 Quarter mile 13.8

BURNED!!!
2009 Nissan 370Z (Automatic) 0-60 mph 4.5 Quarter Mile 12.9
:owned:

Where are these stats from?

Torque steer sucks.

As for the butt-dyno, I've even lost that feeling in my SRT. You get used to it and forget it even happens.

For me, I'm looking for something more mature. I still want something I can zip around through traffic if need be, but don't necessarily need that "pin you to the seat" feeling, as I don't have it anymore with a car that does it. Plus, I want to have fun in corners rather than taking off from a dig, etc. Corners are much more fun! :driving: