Advice on whether 370Z is the right car for me...

Adam_W · 01-05-2013, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forza370z

I'd say just get the car you want(vette). That's the most economy way. My Nismo is the first manual transmission car I've ever owned. I did stall it at the lights. I did get honked a couple of times. But there is no shame. Everybody got to start from some point even a professional race car driver. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to master a manual transmission on the road or even on the track. If you dump the fear that people is going to laugh at you when you stalling your nice car in the middle of the intersection, you will pick it up really fast. Plus even if you mastered how to drive a Miata, you still need to learn how to drive a Vette. Coz every car has its own limit and knowing your car's limit is one of the most important key to win a race on the track. To me, there is no point to get a 370 or even a beater.

I know what your saying and have definitely considered that. In fact, that was my original plan and I was *this* close to signing the papers on a new Corvette after spending a couple hours at the dealership haggling.

The reason for my seeking an "intermediate" car before a higher level sports car is that
1) I'm not 100% sure I want a Corvette Z06, over a 911 or other car (even though I'm heavily leaning towards Z06) and I figure once I learn more about what I like in a car I can make a more educated decision (who knows, maybe I'll prefer a Lotus), and
2) I want to learn more than just how to drive stickshift without stalling or lurching, I can already do that. I'm interested in learning how to drive stickshift *well*, i.e. heel toe downshifting, finding the racing line around a track, and gaining some experience turning corners at the limit. Granted, there is a learning curve with every vehicle, but the guys at corvette forum recommended against me getting the Z06 as my first foray into manual transmission sports cars. If I crash an old Miata at HPDE, I won't feel so bad (if I crash a 370Z I will feel very bad) but if I crashed a shiny 2013 3LZ Black on Black Z06, I just might shoot myself if I'm not already dead, and
3) I figure I can learn car control and driving better in a car that takes 8 seconds to get to 60 MPH than a car that takes 3.5 seconds in first gear.

As I learn more about the expenses involved in tracking cars, I'm wondering if I would ever want to track a Z06 or 911.

gsxr750 · 01-05-2013, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_W

I know what your saying and have definitely considered that. In fact, that was my original plan and I was *this* close to signing the papers on a new Corvette after spending a couple hours at the dealership haggling.

The reason for my seeking an "intermediate" car before a higher level sports car is that
1) I'm not 100% sure I want a Corvette Z06, over a 911 or other car (even though I'm heavily leaning towards Z06) and I figure once I learn more about what I like in a car I can make a more educated decision (who knows, maybe I'll prefer a Lotus), and
2) I want to learn more than just how to drive stickshift without stalling or lurching, I can already do that. I'm interested in learning how to drive stickshift *well*, i.e. heel toe downshifting, finding the racing line around a track, and gaining some experience turning corners at the limit. Granted, there is a learning curve with every vehicle, but the guys at corvette forum recommended against me getting the Z06 as my first foray into manual transmission sports cars. If I crash an old Miata at HPDE, I won't feel so bad (if I crash a 370Z I will feel very bad) but if I crashed a shiny 2013 3LZ Black on Black Z06, I just might shoot myself if I'm not already dead, and
3) I figure I can learn car control and driving better in a car that takes 8 seconds to get to 60 MPH than a car that takes 3.5 seconds in first gear.

As I learn more about the expenses involved in tracking cars, I'm wondering if I would ever want to track a Z06 or 911.

If you drive any of the performance cars and aggressively shift it a lot in a racing style you are prone to damaging them specially on the newer hi tech transmissions, they really don't stand up well to aggressive or track conditions for a long time.

If you buy any sports car make sure you get the best waranty you can buy , if you intend on driving it aggressively.

One car that is easy to work on and get parts cheap for would be an old c4 corvette with a 6 speed manual , you can pick them up cheap and most are as quick as the 370z and you could use it as a learning platform for buying the Z. Or even an older mustang gt, mildly set up for performance or a track car.

Before you buy any sports car you should really look at the BMW line up of sports sedans and coupes around.

Once you buy a 2 seat sports cars it ends up being just like a motorcycle or a boat and sits around unused a lot.

If you have a lot of money and you want to buy a ultimate toy, than get what ever you want.

But the reality is that unless the sports car is your only vehicle to drive every day, than it will sit around a lot.

I'm in the position that I could buy any car I want and own 3 cars and 4 motorcycles and my every day beater is Nissan Sentra and when me and the wife go out or take long trips we take a 2012 CRV.

forza370z · 01-05-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_W

I know what your saying and have definitely considered that. In fact, that was my original plan and I was *this* close to signing the papers on a new Corvette after spending a couple hours at the dealership haggling.

The reason for my seeking an "intermediate" car before a higher level sports car is that
1) I'm not 100% sure I want a Corvette Z06, over a 911 or other car (even though I'm heavily leaning towards Z06) and I figure once I learn more about what I like in a car I can make a more educated decision (who knows, maybe I'll prefer a Lotus), and
2) I want to learn more than just how to drive stickshift without stalling or lurching, I can already do that. I'm interested in learning how to drive stickshift *well*, i.e. heel toe downshifting, finding the racing line around a track, and gaining some experience turning corners at the limit. Granted, there is a learning curve with every vehicle, but the guys at corvette forum recommended against me getting the Z06 as my first foray into manual transmission sports cars. If I crash an old Miata at HPDE, I won't feel so bad (if I crash a 370Z I will feel very bad) but if I crashed a shiny 2013 3LZ Black on Black Z06, I just might shoot myself if I'm not already dead, and
3) I figure I can learn car control and driving better in a car that takes 8 seconds to get to 60 MPH than a car that takes 3.5 seconds in first gear.

As I learn more about the expenses involved in tracking cars, I'm wondering if I would ever want to track a Z06 or 911.

Gotcha. Then yes get a beater first like Miata or maybe even an old c4 corvette like gsxr750 mentioned. In any event, I wouldn't invest money on a 370z for that matter. Good luck and have fun on the track!

Nillaz · 01-06-2013, 11:39 PM

Like a couple others have said for a first manual I would recommend something like a Miata, at least for a little while. These are cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, and are still a blast to drive.

Knowing how to drive stick and knowing how to drive stick well are two different animals. The clutch in the Z is not exactly what I would call user friendly for beginners and without much daily experience you WILL make mistakes and put quite a bit of undue wear on the car. On a Z this can be a pretty expensive proposition for a car you don't even plan on keeping long term, not to mention a dangerous one....I taught my wife how to drive stick years ago and while she is competent, without regular practice there is no way in hell I would let her get behind the wheel of my car...I don't want to receive that phone call from the hospital (or worse). A stock Z may not be a track monster but any 300hp RWD sports car can get out of hand pretty quickly and put you in a world of hurt if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

After driving stick daily for a couple months/year then go get the sports car of your dreams. In the long run you'll appreciate it more and save yourself a ton of headache and expenses.

Just my two cents.

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01-06-2013, 11:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nillaz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 259 Drives: 2012 370Z M6 Sport Rep Power: 3371	Like a couple others have said for a first manual I would recommend something like a Miata, at least for a little while. These are cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, and are still a blast to drive. Knowing how to drive stick and knowing how to drive stick well are two different animals. The clutch in the Z is not exactly what I would call user friendly for beginners and without much daily experience you WILL make mistakes and put quite a bit of undue wear on the car. On a Z this can be a pretty expensive proposition for a car you don't even plan on keeping long term, not to mention a dangerous one....I taught my wife how to drive stick years ago and while she is competent, without regular practice there is no way in hell I would let her get behind the wheel of my car...I don't want to receive that phone call from the hospital (or worse). A stock Z may not be a track monster but any 300hp RWD sports car can get out of hand pretty quickly and put you in a world of hurt if you don't know exactly what you're doing. After driving stick daily for a couple months/year then go get the sports car of your dreams. In the long run you'll appreciate it more and save yourself a ton of headache and expenses. Just my two cents.