Hello All.... this is my first day here

SouthArk370Z

I have an '09 Touring w/7AT. No performance mods, but I did add some sound damping material (GTMat's free sample) to the rear area. I also pulled the fuse powering the steering lock unit and have a ScanGaugeII on top of the dash. Ie, pretty much a bone stock, middle-of-the-road 370Z - not a Base model, but no Sports package, either.

I think a stock 370Z would make a great DD for anyone that likes to really drive a car. It is well-behaved around town, has more than enough power to merge onto busy freeways, gets reasonable gas mileage (I average around 21-23 MPG, mostly in-town, and my foot is not very light), handles very well on winding country roads, and will put a grin on my face when I put my toenails in the radiator.

The main complaint I have is that it tends to run hot in stop-and-go traffic during South Arkansas Summers. Not a huge problem, but the ECM will definitely reduce power until you get moving at 40+ MPH speeds for a few minutes. High engine compartment temperatures and slow speeds can cause intake air temps to rise above the point where the ECM starts to pull timing advance.

From what I have heard, the marginal cooling system will not do the job if you drive the car hard for very long. An oil cooler and better fan management and/or bigger fans are needed.

Edit: I have to agree with an earlier comment about the blind spot to the right side. It can be a real PITA. /edit

I'd buy another one.

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Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Keyo Racing

lots of great stuff there guys.... I'm about 75% on this thing but again need to drive a few. Which believe it or not I kind of hate doing. What I mean is I'm not 100% sold on the car yet and I've always felt like I need to drive about 6 different models of a car before I get a feel of what they really are. You drive one and it's bad you're done you'll have a bad vibe for a car forever (at least I do) 5 or 6 and you can say "ok this is what this car is" and you either like it or you don't. Of course from all you guys I have some concerns about the blind spot and some what the over heating issues that still need to be looked into. But Corvettes have their little bumps too so i fully understand that.
The reason I hate test driving of course is sale people AGHHHHHH!
But it has to be done i guess.

You guys have been a big help... but still just so I know SHOULD I get at least an 11? Were the improvements that big a deal from the 09-10's?

Thanks again

4r3s

imo no. Also, since you're only going to DD the car you will not need an aftermarket oil cooler by any means. If you were thinking of tracking it, which you have made clear you will not be, then you would want/need an oil cooler.

SouthArk370Z

I may have overstated the cooling problems, but, since you have "Racing" in you username, I thought you should be aware. I have never had a serious problem with overheating (even with 100+F ambient), the ECM just reduces power until the temps come back down. From what I have read, an oil cooler is only required if you drive very hard for more than a few minutes, eg, at the track. I don't have a cooler, but I don't drive real hard.
For a DD that only sees spirited driving, it's not really a deal-breaker. I can zip through the corners and sprint down the straightaways all day with no problems, even during the dog days of Summer. It's only during stop-and-go or very slow moving traffic that the temp gets high.
Now that the ambient temps are down in the 30-50F range, no problems. She'll idle in the driveway for extended periods without getting hot.
BTW, if you plan on doing any tuning, the UpRev software will allow you to turn the radiator cooling fans on sooner and alleviate most of the problem.
Believe it or not, it helps to turn the A/C on - this kicks the cooling fans to high.

The blind spot is something you get used to and plan ahead for. I've driven other cars that were just as bad. Defensive Driving FTW.

All-in-all, it's a LOT of fun to drive.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Mt Tam I am

I drive a 2009 370 every day. Yes I have had cooling, oil consumption problems. Oil cooler and warranty fixed both. Look at my sig to what else I've done. I do track my car and a 2001 Corvette and I hang together on the track at Laguna Seca. He pulls a little on straights and I close on the turns.

Since you won't track the Z, you should be fine without any mods.

It is so unusual to see a 370, I recently had a Ferrari California checking the Z out in his rear view mirror.

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Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber