Is the new Z for me? Really, is it?

tag824 · 07-31-2009, 12:08 PM

So as you can tell I currently have a bimmer.
<--------
My car's a lease is up next year. I was looking very closely at the 370Z and am going to test drive one this weekend if possible. My question is other than the back seats, trunk and low end pull that the n54 has what am I going to miss? I've read conflicting reports that the Z has a nice ride while others say it's very rough. Also I've read that the tires are noisy and that the engine is loud and obnoxious while others say it's a nice rumbler.

I guess I'll answer these questions on my own if the dealer let's me WOT one on the test drive. Also are these cars usable in the winter as long as I get some wheels and winter tires or are they just too low to the ground? Just wanted to hear from you guys/gals. And if there's anything else I should know please do tell.

TIA

CBRich · 07-31-2009, 03:47 PM

You will find it to be a more pure sports car. It may be noisier but it is also much lighter and more raw. When you drive it you will know if that is a good or bad thing.

FricFrac · 07-31-2009, 05:07 PM

Test drive it and all will be answered. Take the G37 out as well for a comparison - it might be more of what you are looking for. The Z is pure sports car....

fuct · 07-31-2009, 05:14 PM

WOT test drive...

another reason to order one instead of buying whats out on the floor.

tag824 · 08-01-2009, 02:11 PM

Well I went to a dealer today and took a look up close and I love it. Definitely next to no trunk space and I thought there would be a bit more leg room but it's still all the room I need. What sucks is they didn't have any on the lot with the sports package for me to test drive. They offered a regular 370z but I declined. If I get this car it would be with the sports package. What's funny is the service. I don't know if all Nissan dealers are like this and maybe I'm spoiled coming from a Bimmer but they next to ignored me. Kind of pissed me off.

What surprised me about the 370z is the fit and finish to the car. First time I sat in the old 350z I quickly jumped out thinking it's interior was so cheap and plasticky; just sucked. The 370z however is a major improvement with a more refined interior and nothing that looked tacky or cheap. I was impressed. I did however notice there's no option for a sun/moon roof. That was a bit disappointing since the windows are so small that a roof would give some much needed airflow. Also I answered my winter driving question. The 370z's front bumper to my astonishment sits a full inch higher than my 335i so scraping snow like a shovel in the winter is no longer a concern.

I'll try another dealer next week and hope they have a Z with sports package I can test drive.

spearfish25 · 08-01-2009, 02:30 PM

I wish the 370Z had T-tops. Now that would be badass.

Viera · 08-01-2009, 02:55 PM

Drive one!!! Only way to tell...

Forrest · 08-01-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tag824

I've read conflicting reports that the Z has a nice ride while others say it's very rough. Also I've read that the tires are noisy and that the engine is loud and obnoxious while others say it's a nice rumbler.

Its a soft ride or i think it is, TO ME, it does not feel as stiff as my old 350z, this one feels soft.

The tires are noisey only on crappy roads, on good roads its fine, if you have all bad roads then yes its going to be noisey.

The engine is not loud and obnoxious.

355890 · 08-01-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tag824

What's funny is the service. I don't know if all Nissan dealers are like this and maybe I'm spoiled coming from a Bimmer.

The 370z however is a major improvement with a more refined interior and nothing that looked tacky or cheap. I was impressed.

I did however notice there's no option for a sun/moon roof.

The 370z's front bumper to my astonishment sits a full inch higher than my 335i so scraping snow like a shovel in the winter is no longer a concern.

For starters:

BMW service and Nissan service are a total different class, totally different type of customers. You can't even compare.

Improvement over 350...YES....Still the 370 interior is not to the same standard and quality as a BMW.

Moon roof ? How dare you. They have a soft top model now.

370Z Sport version is certainly lower than a 335i...which apparently you didn't have one to measure.

How about an M3 ? What a machine.

RCZ · 08-01-2009, 04:07 PM

I own a 370 and have driven the 335i several times. The 335i "feels" faster because of the torque. Interior is nice in both cars. I think the 370Z is more of a driver's car...you feel more connected to whats going on. The 335 is a lot of fun too though and can me made to go quite quick.

My prediction is that you are going to be very disappointed with your test drive. The truth is, its a car you're going to have to get to know. Once you drive it for a while, it becomes a very enjoyable experience.

Also depends on what you use it for...if its cruising around town, both are excellent, but I'd take the 335. If you want to drive it hard and you enjoy the drive then the Z.

355890 · 08-01-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

I own a 370 and have driven the 335i several times. The 335i "feels" faster because of the torque. Interior is nice in both cars. I think the 370Z is more of a driver's car...you feel more connected to whats going on. The 335 is a lot of fun too though and can me made to go quite quick.

My prediction is that you are going to be very disappointed with your test drive. The truth is, its a car you're going to have to get to know. Once you drive it for a while, it becomes a very enjoyable experience.

Also depends on what you use it for...if its cruising around town, both are excellent, but I'd take the 335. If you want to drive it hard and you enjoy the drive then the Z.

Good, honest comments.

tag824 · 08-01-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 355890

Moon roof ? How dare you.

I dare. Soft top??? How dare you!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 355890

370Z Sport version is certainly lower than a 335i...which apparently you didn't have one to measure.

Well truth be told I used a Starbucks grande coffee cup and my fingers, haha. Anyway the Z was not shorter. It measured the coffee cups and just under 4 of my fingers until I was touching the underside of the bumper. My car measured the coffee cups and just under 2 fingers to the underside of the bumper. So roughly an inch give or take. Yes, the 370Z had the sports package. Might I add my 335i also has the sport package which lowers it.

tag824 · 08-01-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

I own a 370 and have driven the 335i several times. The 335i "feels" faster because of the torque. Interior is nice in both cars. I think the 370Z is more of a driver's car...you feel more connected to whats going on. The 335 is a lot of fun too though and can me made to go quite quick.

My prediction is that you are going to be very disappointed with your test drive. The truth is, its a car you're going to have to get to know. Once you drive it for a while, it becomes a very enjoyable experience.

Also depends on what you use it for...if its cruising around town, both are excellent, but I'd take the 335. If you want to drive it hard and you enjoy the drive then the Z.

Haha, well yes my car is very, very quick. I've got some nice aftermarket 19's with sticky Goodyear summers and the PROcede CANbus tuner and cone air filters in it. That not only puts out some serious power but helps plant it too. She's putting out about 410hp; don't know about actually whp but I guesstimate around 340-50hp not to mention the gobs of low end torque it has. The f#cker literally screams off the line. You actually need to ease into it or else you'll toast your tires really quick. Took me some time to get launches down to where it just takes off like a slingshot instead of making a lot of noise/smoke.

Well, I hope I'm not disappointed in the 370z because I really like it. This is a car that I would purchase to own if I got it and would easily drop about 5k into it within the first few months of getting it.

FricFrac · 08-02-2009, 02:38 AM

Take a G37 out while you're waiting on a Z....

07-31-2009, 12:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
tag824 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 34 Drives: 335is Rep Power: 15	Is the new Z for me? Really, is it? So as you can tell I currently have a bimmer. <-------- My car's a lease is up next year. I was looking very closely at the 370Z and am going to test drive one this weekend if possible. My question is other than the back seats, trunk and low end pull that the n54 has what am I going to miss? I've read conflicting reports that the Z has a nice ride while others say it's very rough. Also I've read that the tires are noisy and that the engine is loud and obnoxious while others say it's a nice rumbler. I guess I'll answer these questions on my own if the dealer let's me WOT one on the test drive. Also are these cars usable in the winter as long as I get some wheels and winter tires or are they just too low to the ground? Just wanted to hear from you guys/gals. And if there's anything else I should know please do tell. TIA

07-31-2009, 05:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 228	Test drive it and all will be answered. Take the G37 out as well for a comparison - it might be more of what you are looking for. The Z is pure sports car.... __________________ '09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

08-02-2009, 02:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 228	Take a G37 out while you're waiting on a Z.... __________________ '09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

07-31-2009, 03:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	You will find it to be a more pure sports car. It may be noisier but it is also much lighter and more raw. When you drive it you will know if that is a good or bad thing.

07-31-2009, 05:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 23	WOT test drive... another reason to order one instead of buying whats out on the floor.

08-01-2009, 02:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
tag824 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 34 Drives: 335is Rep Power: 15	Well I went to a dealer today and took a look up close and I love it. Definitely next to no trunk space and I thought there would be a bit more leg room but it's still all the room I need. What sucks is they didn't have any on the lot with the sports package for me to test drive. They offered a regular 370z but I declined. If I get this car it would be with the sports package. What's funny is the service. I don't know if all Nissan dealers are like this and maybe I'm spoiled coming from a Bimmer but they next to ignored me. Kind of pissed me off. What surprised me about the 370z is the fit and finish to the car. First time I sat in the old 350z I quickly jumped out thinking it's interior was so cheap and plasticky; just sucked. The 370z however is a major improvement with a more refined interior and nothing that looked tacky or cheap. I was impressed. I did however notice there's no option for a sun/moon roof. That was a bit disappointing since the windows are so small that a roof would give some much needed airflow. Also I answered my winter driving question. The 370z's front bumper to my astonishment sits a full inch higher than my 335i so scraping snow like a shovel in the winter is no longer a concern. I'll try another dealer next week and hope they have a Z with sports package I can test drive.

08-01-2009, 02:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I wish the 370Z had T-tops. Now that would be badass.

08-01-2009, 02:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Viera Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 897 Drives: '09 M.Blue 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 264	Drive one!!! Only way to tell...

08-01-2009, 04:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1118	I own a 370 and have driven the 335i several times. The 335i "feels" faster because of the torque. Interior is nice in both cars. I think the 370Z is more of a driver's car...you feel more connected to whats going on. The 335 is a lot of fun too though and can me made to go quite quick. My prediction is that you are going to be very disappointed with your test drive. The truth is, its a car you're going to have to get to know. Once you drive it for a while, it becomes a very enjoyable experience. Also depends on what you use it for...if its cruising around town, both are excellent, but I'd take the 335. If you want to drive it hard and you enjoy the drive then the Z.