First 370Z test drive ... Mixed Emotions!

falconfixer · 08-18-2012, 11:39 AM

I'll try and add something intelligent before the facepalmers and snide remarks make their way in here.

Last vehicle I had was a Jeep Wrangler. Fell in love with the Z right away. This car has more than enough power and better gas mileage than what I was used to. I also test drove a Camaro 2SS and you want to talk about a bloated pig, IMHO.

The Z doesn't have the snap your neck power but it is very linear and will get you in trouble quick if you are not paying attention.

coltrain · 08-18-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconfixer

I'll try and add something intelligent before the facepalmers and snide remarks make their way in here.

Last vehicle I had was a Jeep Wrangler. Fell in love with the Z right away. This car has more than enough power and better gas mileage than what I was used to. I also test drove a Camaro 2SS and you want to talk about a bloated pig, IMHO.

The Z doesn't have the snap your neck power but it is very linear and will get you in trouble quick if you are not paying attention.

That's what I was thinking. Compared to the GTI, I know the Z is faster ... but maybe the power delivery is more linear, so it didn't kick my butt when I punched it.

Talking to myself >>> On the drive home ... I kept reviewing all the standard features and level of refinement on the GTI which was purchased for 22K ... and wondering why the heck wouldn't the Z have all the same and for 10K more. Doubting myself and then saying F*** it! The Z should be badass right? Maybe I need to find a friend with a Z and take a drive to Santa Cruz ... explore the open road and maybe I'll fall in love!

Mt Tam I am · 08-18-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltrain

That's what I was thinking. Compared to the GTI, I know the Z is faster ... but maybe the power delivery is more linear, so it didn't kick my butt when I punched it.

Talking to myself >>> On the drive home ... I kept reviewing all the standard features and level of refinement on the GTI which was purchased for 22K ... and wondering why the heck wouldn't the Z have all the same and for 10K more. Doubting myself and then saying F*** it! The Z should be badass right? Maybe I need to find a friend with a Z and take a drive to Santa Cruz ... explore the open road and maybe I'll fall in love!

I've passed on HWY 1 numerous times, where no one expected in a short span of road. Before they can prevent me, I am past them and gone.

The 370 will be close to a 997 Porsche base model. At least this is my experience from track days.

280z/300zx · 08-18-2012, 12:43 PM

Your used to the kick of a turbo. Turbos have turbo lag, and then when they hit boost you feel the sudden surge in power. The 370z doesn't have this, but rather has a very linear power curve. You will never feel the sudden rush of power with the Z unless you are going say 50mph and then drop it in 3rd and smash it. The car lacks the torque and doesn't have a turbo, so no rush in power. It's definitely faster than your GTI and fast enough for the street. It does take a little getting used to. Went from my 84 300zx and 280z, both modified, to a 06 WRX stage 1 to the 370z. Going from the old Z's to the WRX was a drastic change. After having the WRX for nearly 3 years going to the 370z was also a drastic change. The 370z just drives differently than the WRX or any other turbo car for that matter.

As for the bloated feeling, understandable. Going from my 280z to the 370z is a big difference. I'm not talking about the weight, because there is about a 800lbs difference between my two cars. I'm talking about just the size of the car. My 280z is a couple inches longer than my 370z (my 280z is bumperless by the way) and yet sitting in it it feels much smaller and confined. I like it better this way. The 370z feels much larger when behind the wheel in contrast. Haven't sat in the GTI for sometime so it's hard to remember but I would imagine it feels smaller than the 370z does.

NV370z · 08-18-2012, 12:46 PM

Drove a modified jeep wrangler for years, then a grand cheerokee (straight 6). A test drive will do nothing for you in terms of what this car was built for. Get on the highway (3-5 lanes) or even surface streets and you will realize the potential of this car. Forget blind spots, this car was built to be driven forward, on ramps, merging into traffic it's a fun car to drive and get you where you are going with a grin on your face. Modding the car is a must, really opens up some trapped hp and tq.

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08-18-2012, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
falconfixer Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: 10aC Posts: 978 Drives: Taco Rep Power: 78	I'll try and add something intelligent before the facepalmers and snide remarks make their way in here. Last vehicle I had was a Jeep Wrangler. Fell in love with the Z right away. This car has more than enough power and better gas mileage than what I was used to. I also test drove a Camaro 2SS and you want to talk about a bloated pig, IMHO. The Z doesn't have the snap your neck power but it is very linear and will get you in trouble quick if you are not paying attention.

08-18-2012, 12:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
280z/300zx Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 689 Drives: 280z, 300zx, Vette Rep Power: 274	Your used to the kick of a turbo. Turbos have turbo lag, and then when they hit boost you feel the sudden surge in power. The 370z doesn't have this, but rather has a very linear power curve. You will never feel the sudden rush of power with the Z unless you are going say 50mph and then drop it in 3rd and smash it. The car lacks the torque and doesn't have a turbo, so no rush in power. It's definitely faster than your GTI and fast enough for the street. It does take a little getting used to. Went from my 84 300zx and 280z, both modified, to a 06 WRX stage 1 to the 370z. Going from the old Z's to the WRX was a drastic change. After having the WRX for nearly 3 years going to the 370z was also a drastic change. The 370z just drives differently than the WRX or any other turbo car for that matter. As for the bloated feeling, understandable. Going from my 280z to the 370z is a big difference. I'm not talking about the weight, because there is about a 800lbs difference between my two cars. I'm talking about just the size of the car. My 280z is a couple inches longer than my 370z (my 280z is bumperless by the way) and yet sitting in it it feels much smaller and confined. I like it better this way. The 370z feels much larger when behind the wheel in contrast. Haven't sat in the GTI for sometime so it's hard to remember but I would imagine it feels smaller than the 370z does.

08-18-2012, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
NV370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: LV Posts: 57 Drives: '10 370z MT Spt Pkg Rep Power: 16	Drove a modified jeep wrangler for years, then a grand cheerokee (straight 6). A test drive will do nothing for you in terms of what this car was built for. Get on the highway (3-5 lanes) or even surface streets and you will realize the potential of this car. Forget blind spots, this car was built to be driven forward, on ramps, merging into traffic it's a fun car to drive and get you where you are going with a grin on your face. Modding the car is a must, really opens up some trapped hp and tq.