Anyone else not too impressed?

spearfish25 · 08-04-2012, 10:08 AM

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.

Mt Tam I am · 08-04-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

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.

UNKNOWN_370 · 08-13-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

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.

A Z with the proper subtle mods needed to level out the car and bring out its purity can trump most you throw at it (driving experience wise). The Z does need special attention in certain areas. But it takes a real driver to know what the Z needs to make it a near flawless driving experience.

Anyone one can throw a bunch of mods and make power. But it takes love of the car to balance it out and give it the exotic drive feel the Z has the potential to make. More mods don't make a better car, the right mods do.

you're repped.

Streetlife · 08-13-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

A Z with the proper subtle mods needed to level out the car and bring out its purity can trump most you throw at it (driving experience wise). The Z does need special attention in certain areas. But it takes a real driver to know what the Z needs to make it a near flawless driving experience.

Anyone one can throw a bunch of mods and make power. But it takes love of the car to balance it out and give it the exotic drive feel the Z has the potential to make. More mods don't make a better car, the right mods do.

you're repped.

shadoquad · 08-13-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

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.

I love my Z, and I plan on keeping it.

But I am looking to add a Corvette to the stable. I drove a Z06 this weekend and was surprised to find that it also lacks that punch in the lower back. That might surprise you, considering the car is making 505 hp and 475 ft-lbs of torque in a 7-liter v8. But that's the truth, the z06 is so well planted that the acceleration doesn't feel like you're gonna break your neck.

I think that cars with higher center of gravity or softer suspensions may give that feel, or turbo'ed cars. I remember feeling like the new Mustang GT and the Mazdaspeed3 were cramming me back into their seats. It's fun. But I like the planted, tight feel of the 370z and the track-ready Vette.

UNKNOWN_370 · 08-13-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I love my Z, and I plan on keeping it.

But I am looking to add a Corvette to the stable. I drove a Z06 this weekend and was surprised to find that it also lacks that punch in the lower back. That might surprise you, considering the car is making 505 hp and 475 ft-lbs of torque in a 7-liter v8. But that's the truth, the z06 is so well planted that the acceleration doesn't feel like you're gonna break your neck.

I think that cars with higher center of gravity or softer suspensions may give that feel, or turbo'ed cars. I remember feeling like the new Mustang GT and the Mazdaspeed3 were cramming me back into their seats. It's fun. But I like the planted, tight feel of the 370z and the track-ready Vette.

If you're looking for good punch. You're overdoing it with a Z06. The base vette NA engine packs it hard... maybe the supercharger is making power too linear.

ADVICE: Save cash, get the corvette GS (Z06 suspension) and focus on breathing mods & weight reduction. It might not be on paper as fast as the 06, but it will give you them ummph you're looking for... You can thank me later.

shadoquad · 08-13-2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

If you're looking for good punch. You're overdoing it with a Z06. The base vette NA engine packs it hard... maybe the supercharger is making power too linear.

ADVICE: Save cash, get the corvette GS (Z06 suspension) and focus on breathing mods & weight reduction. It might not be on paper as fast as the 06, but it will give you them ummph you're looking for... You can thank me later.

I think you're confused. I love the Z06, and I love the 370z, because they're quite fast without punching you into the seat.

The 2007 Z06 is not supercharged. It is a 7-liter 427ci v8 producing 505 hp. It's NA.

I'm not looking for extra oomph. I'm looking for speed, weight savings, and that delicious exhaust note

UNKNOWN_370 · 08-13-2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I think you're confused. I love the Z06, and I love the 370z, because they're quite fast without punching you into the seat.

The 2007 Z06 is not supercharged. It is a 7-liter 427ci v8 producing 505 hp. It's NA.

I'm not looking for extra oomph. I'm looking for speed, weight savings, and that delicious exhaust note

Yeah I got confused with the ZR-1 but at the end, I see what you're saying. Man the best way to go is weight reduction on any car, even the Z. Only thing. you will lose the stock looking interior and the real glass windows.

HDyoyo · 08-13-2012, 06:57 PM

All I know is I love my freakin 370Z!!! I love beating mustangs too...

Mt Tam I am · 08-13-2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I love my Z, and I plan on keeping it.

But I am looking to add a Corvette to the stable. I drove a Z06 this weekend and was surprised to find that it also lacks that punch in the lower back. That might surprise you, considering the car is making 505 hp and 475 ft-lbs of torque in a 7-liter v8. But that's the truth, the z06 is so well planted that the acceleration doesn't feel like you're gonna break your neck.

I think that cars with higher center of gravity or softer suspensions may give that feel, or turbo'ed cars. I remember feeling like the new Mustang GT and the Mazdaspeed3 were cramming me back into their seats. It's fun. But I like the planted, tight feel of the 370z and the track-ready Vette.

I too want more at the track and need a dedicated car not an all around like the Z. A Corvette may be in my future as well. If I need to tow this track car then I need a truck and trailer. Suddenly it starts to lose all the fun.

Having a race car that drives on the street is the only way this will become reality for me. As I write this a Ferarri 458 Spyder just past by. I hope shadoquad you find your stable mate.

08-04-2012, 10:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1858	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. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z Last edited by spearfish25; 08-04-2012 at 10:10 AM.

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08-13-2012, 06:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
HDyoyo Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 90 Drives: 09 370z SL Tr Rep Power: 15	All I know is I love my freakin 370Z!!! I love beating mustangs too...