First 370Z test drive ... Mixed Emotions!

coltrain · 08-19-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexshen1

which part of bay area u at

I'm located in Sunnyvale!

coltrain · 08-19-2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drallafi

Couple things to consider.

Firstly, if you are questioning whether or not you like it, you probably shouldn't spend 40k on it. That's how buyers remorse happens.

Now that that's out of the way, a couple questions. 1. Was the A/C on when you were driving the car? My experience is that the A/C being on saps more power and throttle response from the Z than any other car I've ever driven. It really is a different beast with the A/C off.

That said, the 370 will always be loud. The acceleration, while not torquey, is thrilling when the A/C is off. The vehicle is sexy as hell, and as another poster said, you will have a great deal of fun if you add some corners to your test drive.

The A/C was on full blast when the salesman pulled the car up. I was more concerned about driving than figuring out how to turn it off lol.

Let me clarify a few things ... this car is sexy! I jaw drop every time I see one. I fell in love with the look when the 350Z came out, now every tweak on that platform is just gold!

My only problem was the test drive didn't match my expectations based on the bad *** look of the Z. I've watched so many review videos on YouTube ... and there's only good responses on this car. At this point I have no doubt its a great vehicle, I just need more time to drive and tinker with the 370Z without the added dealership pressure of ''Are you going to buy it? ... Are you going to buy it?''

UNKNOWN_370 · 08-19-2012, 11:26 AM

I just want to make this comment on torque feel.

The cars instant torque sucks but once its broken in. If you can hit the throttle perfectly while up or downshifting, you can create a pretty strong push into your seat. Sadly, doing so is not as easy as hit the gas. I have an auto and in D, this car is ultra linear. Throw it in manual and shift just right? You're passengers will scream "slow down as they got tossed around with torque pounding them in there seat.

PS V8's make torque extraction so easy and torque feel is still higher in V8's.. You have to know what you're doing in a Z to feel this. But once you master it? It takes the Z to the next level.

coltrain · 08-20-2012, 10:27 AM

Is there anyone in the Bay Area that could give me a more in depth look at their 370Z?

It took less than 1 day for me to get excited about the 370Z again lol ... I think I'm hooked.

bigdog1250 · 08-20-2012, 11:20 AM

Definitely go drive the car again. If you want to feel power, get into second and cruise along just over 3k rpm... then punch it!

If you don't think it's fast then, then somethings wrong. Especially if you're coming from a GTI.

Both my brother and my good buddy have GTIs so I've driven them on many occasions, and it's such a different experience. You need more time behind the wheel. If you like everything else about the Z, you'll love it once you own it - trust me. Especially if you through a few bolt on mods. The stock sound is much too tame to be enjoyed.

I had test driven the 5.0 mustang before buying my Z and didn't think it was that much faster. Also I had previously owned the 350z in high school, then was carless for 3 years, then bought a Honda CBR600rr (nuts fast), then bought my 370z after college. In no ways is it lacking.

GET A Z!

bigdog1250 · 08-20-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltrain

Is there anyone in the Bay Area that could give me a more in depth look at their 370Z?

It took less than 1 day for me to get excited about the 370Z again lol ... I think I'm hooked.

I'm in San Francisco and could totally give you a full inspection/cruise. If you come meet me in the city I'd be happy to show you my baby.

Cuban Z · 08-20-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

I'm in San Francisco and could totally give you a full inspection/cruise. If you come meet me in the city I'd be happy to show you my baby.

That's what's up...good looking out BigDog.

coltrain · 08-20-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

I'm in San Francisco and could totally give you a full inspection/cruise. If you come meet me in the city I'd be happy to show you my baby.

PM'd

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuban Z

That's what's up...good looking out BigDog.

TypeOne · 08-20-2012, 02:14 PM

1.) First time you drove a 370Z ... How did it feel? Fall in love right away?

I drove my 04 STi to the dealership and drove a brand new one. Didn't care for it really... Felt heavy and underpowered.

I came back a year later and drove one after I had been driving an RSX Type S for a year and it felt amazing. I bought one.

2.) What car did you own before the 370Z?
04 Subaru STi (500whp) and 06 Acura RSX Type S

3.) Do I just need more time driving the 370Z? Or, if I didn't get that tingling sensation right away, should I just move on?
I have more fun in my Z than I ever have in all of my other cars. I've had cars that are MUCH faster than this one, yet the Z is more fun to drive. I love mine and probably wouldn't get anything else... except for a Cayman S.

Redglare · 08-20-2012, 06:21 PM

Same boat as you, currently drive a scion tC that I got for free.

1.) First time you drove a 370Z ... How did it feel? Fall in love right away?

No, I fell in love with the interior (not so much exterior, when it first came out I promised myself I would never buy this car, but then it grew on me and now I am ok with it, not in love but ok)
Ok performance wise when I first took one for a test drive it felt big + heavy and just not fast, no "turbo" feeling or "vtec" feeling. I know the car is fast for sure but it just doesn't feel fast - and if it doesn't feel fast then obviously the engineers missed something - I like driving a fast car that feels fast.

I took a base sport for another test drive 3 month since the first test drive and this time around after driving the scion tC the car now feels properly quick and I don't feel the weight much anymore (I think my s2k just spoiled me) But I still don't know whether to pull the trigger or just wait for the next gen of the Z (rumors float around that predict the new Z will be less weight/more power with a redesign)
So I keep going back and forth, I am sure if the right one pops up I will pick one up but right now I just keep going back and forth.
The only thing I am scared of is that I will buy the car for it's name and heritage rather then for what it is, or worse I will buy a Z right now and next year they will announce that the next gen Z will be 3000lbs or light with over 330hp.

I am in an interesting situation since I am driving my cousins scion tC, she signed a contract for a year with possibility of extension to three year which means In the meantime I am driving an essentially free scion tC (best part is that she prepayed her insurance)

So I am also looking for advice from fellow board members. I may make a new thread just due to my unique situation.

2.) What car did you own before the 370Z?
Ap2 s2000 (bolt ons), currently cruising in a scion tC waiting on my next move.

3.) Do I just need more time driving the 370Z? Or, if I didn't get that tingling sensation right away, should I just move on?

You should definitely take it for an extended test drive just like I did, make it clear to the dealer/seller that you have the funds for the car and are serious about buying it IF you like it. If you drive it and it just doesn't work for you then walk away, nothing worse then dumping 30k+ on something you will regret.
But you may also fall in love with it after you take some corners and realize that there is more to the Z then meets the eye.

UNKNOWN_370 · 08-20-2012, 06:32 PM

For me... I fell in love with the 370z first time I drove it. I just expected a slightly more powerful version of my G35c withbetter cornering. It turned out to be much more. Initially I was impressed with torque response. My first tester torque hit hard. My two testers after that didn't quite come up to snuff. But the Z was giving me what muscle cars couldn't at the time. A strong connection to the road. Cars like the S2k and miata weren't really choices and I didn't get into the AWD craze till recently. I hope to get an AWD sports car one day?. I've driven quite a few and they are awesome. The Z gave me the perfect combo of power and handling. It didn't do either perffectly, but combined both aspects for a completely "EXCLUSIVE" DRIVING EXPERIENCE." Pun intended.

edub370 · 08-21-2012, 07:53 AM

mine took me twice. the first time i was really "meh" about it. i drove a base model. then i hopped in a sport touring about 4 months later and really liked it

elmz · 08-21-2012, 09:35 AM

1. Nope, I had a similar experience, a bit underwhelming.

2. 350Z

3. Yes, hopefully you can push it harder the next time around and really experience what it's capable of.

Gauge · 08-21-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltrain

I've lusted over the 350Z when it was first released ... and now the 370Z is on my list of "must haves" for my next car purchase.

Long story short ... It's been one of my favorite cars for years now. After trolling the forum and refreshing New Posts for a while now ... I finally got the opportunity to test drive and explore the 370Z in person ... and I've been left with mixed emotions.

I hoped into a 2012 Sport 6MT. Initially, the car fits me very well. I'm 6'5" 270lbs ... and this car fit like a glove. My left shoulder has about 1/2" of room under the highest position on the B-pillar seat belt arm.

I've always excused the 350Z for not having the best interior quality, and from photos I've seen ... the 370Z seems to step up the level of refinement. In person (and just getting out of my GTI), the 370Z interior quality is livable.

So I start up the car ... while idling I'm poking around the interior ... checking things out before the engine warms up. The shifter stalk shakes a little bit and I could feel the large engine through the steering wheel ... Japanese Muscle

Such a different feeling compared to the 2.0T in the GTI. My dealership co-pilot only allowed me to take the car around 1 large square block. Hardly enough time to explore the car on the road. I pushed the car to 6k RPM's a couple times and then we were back at the dealership. During the drive, I kept waiting for the power to kick in. Super sharp design and aggressive styling ... but the whole car felt kind of fat and sluggish. Made a lot of noise but didn't MOVE like I had anticipated. Almost like the car is covering up for something ... super mixed emotions on this

Questions to the owners :

1.) First time you drove a 370Z ... How did it feel? Fall in love right away?

2.) What car did you own before the 370Z?

3.) Do I just need more time driving the 370Z? Or, if I didn't get that tingling sensation right away, should I just move on?

Any information from you guys would help ... because the 370Z is such an awesome car and I've wanted one for so long! The test drive was way too fast ... I don't know ... I'm so confused

1. Love at first drive. Guy took me on a round about and said gun it, and constantly said go faster she can handle it as I went around it. As I came out of the round about the guy was smiling ear to ear and I knew I had to have the car.

2. Ford Probe and a corolla GT before that.

3. Drive it in some bends and get on it. You will know you're in something special then. However, if you want the car to put you into the back of the seat, you might want to consider an American car.

otacon88 · 08-21-2012, 10:21 PM

i'll just chime in here. was in the market for a new car, in order of preference before test driving anything, my list was:

1. Audi A5
2. BMW Z4
3. BMW 3 series coupe
4. And the 370Z as a last afterthought

Test drove the Z last out of all those, and wow i fell in love immediately. Punched it on the road right out of the dealership and the pickup and acceleration blew my mind. It jumped to the #1 on my list, and ended up buying one couple weeks after.

Drove a scion tc before this car.

08-20-2012, 11:20 AM	#35 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 17	Definitely go drive the car again. If you want to feel power, get into second and cruise along just over 3k rpm... then punch it! If you don't think it's fast then, then somethings wrong. Especially if you're coming from a GTI. Both my brother and my good buddy have GTIs so I've driven them on many occasions, and it's such a different experience. You need more time behind the wheel. If you like everything else about the Z, you'll love it once you own it - trust me. Especially if you through a few bolt on mods. The stock sound is much too tame to be enjoyed. I had test driven the 5.0 mustang before buying my Z and didn't think it was that much faster. Also I had previously owned the 350z in high school, then was carless for 3 years, then bought a Honda CBR600rr (nuts fast), then bought my 370z after college. In no ways is it lacking. GET A Z! __________________ 350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

08-21-2012, 07:53 AM	#42 (permalink)
edub370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,458 Drives: 09 370z S/T 6MT Rep Power: 20	mine took me twice. the first time i was really "meh" about it. i drove a base model. then i hopped in a sport touring about 4 months later and really liked it __________________ 09 370Z ST 6MT//Injen CAI//Greddy CBE//TP//TSW's//Swifts//Stillen lip//Whiteline sways 326whp/268tq

08-21-2012, 10:21 PM	#45 (permalink)
otacon88 Base Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 155 Drives: Red 2012 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 13	i'll just chime in here. was in the market for a new car, in order of preference before test driving anything, my list was: 1. Audi A5 2. BMW Z4 3. BMW 3 series coupe 4. And the 370Z as a last afterthought Test drove the Z last out of all those, and wow i fell in love immediately. Punched it on the road right out of the dealership and the pickup and acceleration blew my mind. It jumped to the #1 on my list, and ended up buying one couple weeks after. Drove a scion tc before this car. __________________ Performance: FI CBE 18inch resonators and CF mufflers \| Pending - CAI Show: CF License Plate Frame, Amuse Rear Bumper and side skirts, Seibon SR Front lip, Aerojacket Vented Fenders\| Pending - SSR Type F, Springs, Tint, Sport Rear spoiler

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08-19-2012, 11:26 AM	#33 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	I just want to make this comment on torque feel. The cars instant torque sucks but once its broken in. If you can hit the throttle perfectly while up or downshifting, you can create a pretty strong push into your seat. Sadly, doing so is not as easy as hit the gas. I have an auto and in D, this car is ultra linear. Throw it in manual and shift just right? You're passengers will scream "slow down as they got tossed around with torque pounding them in there seat. PS V8's make torque extraction so easy and torque feel is still higher in V8's.. You have to know what you're doing in a Z to feel this. But once you master it? It takes the Z to the next level.

08-20-2012, 10:27 AM	#34 (permalink)
coltrain Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 111 Drives: Prospective buyer Rep Power: 14	Is there anyone in the Bay Area that could give me a more in depth look at their 370Z? It took less than 1 day for me to get excited about the 370Z again lol ... I think I'm hooked.

08-20-2012, 02:14 PM	#39 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1850	1.) First time you drove a 370Z ... How did it feel? Fall in love right away? I drove my 04 STi to the dealership and drove a brand new one. Didn't care for it really... Felt heavy and underpowered. I came back a year later and drove one after I had been driving an RSX Type S for a year and it felt amazing. I bought one. 2.) What car did you own before the 370Z? 04 Subaru STi (500whp) and 06 Acura RSX Type S 3.) Do I just need more time driving the 370Z? Or, if I didn't get that tingling sensation right away, should I just move on? I have more fun in my Z than I ever have in all of my other cars. I've had cars that are MUCH faster than this one, yet the Z is more fun to drive. I love mine and probably wouldn't get anything else... except for a Cayman S.

08-20-2012, 06:21 PM	#40 (permalink)
Redglare Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: FL Posts: 387 Drives: C172 Skyhawk GIII Rep Power: 174	Same boat as you, currently drive a scion tC that I got for free. 1.) First time you drove a 370Z ... How did it feel? Fall in love right away? No, I fell in love with the interior (not so much exterior, when it first came out I promised myself I would never buy this car, but then it grew on me and now I am ok with it, not in love but ok) Ok performance wise when I first took one for a test drive it felt big + heavy and just not fast, no "turbo" feeling or "vtec" feeling. I know the car is fast for sure but it just doesn't feel fast - and if it doesn't feel fast then obviously the engineers missed something - I like driving a fast car that feels fast. I took a base sport for another test drive 3 month since the first test drive and this time around after driving the scion tC the car now feels properly quick and I don't feel the weight much anymore (I think my s2k just spoiled me) But I still don't know whether to pull the trigger or just wait for the next gen of the Z (rumors float around that predict the new Z will be less weight/more power with a redesign) So I keep going back and forth, I am sure if the right one pops up I will pick one up but right now I just keep going back and forth. The only thing I am scared of is that I will buy the car for it's name and heritage rather then for what it is, or worse I will buy a Z right now and next year they will announce that the next gen Z will be 3000lbs or light with over 330hp. I am in an interesting situation since I am driving my cousins scion tC, she signed a contract for a year with possibility of extension to three year which means In the meantime I am driving an essentially free scion tC (best part is that she prepayed her insurance) So I am also looking for advice from fellow board members. I may make a new thread just due to my unique situation. 2.) What car did you own before the 370Z? Ap2 s2000 (bolt ons), currently cruising in a scion tC waiting on my next move. 3.) Do I just need more time driving the 370Z? Or, if I didn't get that tingling sensation right away, should I just move on? You should definitely take it for an extended test drive just like I did, make it clear to the dealer/seller that you have the funds for the car and are serious about buying it IF you like it. If you drive it and it just doesn't work for you then walk away, nothing worse then dumping 30k+ on something you will regret. But you may also fall in love with it after you take some corners and realize that there is more to the Z then meets the eye.

08-20-2012, 06:32 PM	#41 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	For me... I fell in love with the 370z first time I drove it. I just expected a slightly more powerful version of my G35c withbetter cornering. It turned out to be much more. Initially I was impressed with torque response. My first tester torque hit hard. My two testers after that didn't quite come up to snuff. But the Z was giving me what muscle cars couldn't at the time. A strong connection to the road. Cars like the S2k and miata weren't really choices and I didn't get into the AWD craze till recently. I hope to get an AWD sports car one day?. I've driven quite a few and they are awesome. The Z gave me the perfect combo of power and handling. It didn't do either perffectly, but combined both aspects for a completely "EXCLUSIVE" DRIVING EXPERIENCE." Pun intended.

08-21-2012, 09:35 AM	#43 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 17	1. Nope, I had a similar experience, a bit underwhelming. 2. 350Z 3. Yes, hopefully you can push it harder the next time around and really experience what it's capable of.