370Z Nismo Test Drive, Slightly Disappointed Coming From A 350

Sardis

I feel you on the Z4M. Driven it and loved it. Oddly, one of the best times I've had driving a car, was at the BMW Cancer Drive, when I was handed the keys to a simple Z4 3.0 with sports pack. I didn't expect much, but I bonded with that car. That M engine is a dream. The Z engine has all the tech, but the M engine has that and refinement.


To the op, I understand. It's hard coming from a 350, because the 370 is an evolution, the 350 sort of rocked the spot when it hit. I went to the Mitsu dealer to buy an EVO and they had a 350, drove it and bought it instantly.


My thinking is like this. The 350 may have more of an instant payoff, but the 370 is going to be even better when you start throwing some mods at it.

Everyone misses that torquey rush of the DE, but damn does it fall flat after that.

What I love about the 370 is you really get rewarded for some mods on it as evidenced on this forum. With the 350 DE you didn't get much for bolt ons, where as the 370 you can unlock its inner glory.

I agree on the seats, I loved the seats on the 350. They have certainly changed them for rotund Americans. I really wish they would throw some Recaros in there, like many other brands are doing.

For me the Z still represents an amazing bargain... A very focused performance car that can be unlocked for more and a great combination of many other cars in just the right package.

I am a bit puzzled by the times this car is putting out. I am reminded of the 97+ NSX with the 3.2 and 290 claimed hp. Multiple tests all had the car running around a 13 flat or even a 12.9 with very tight traps of 108-110. I know it weighs less, but you would think you would see the car falling off on the traps, but it doesn't.

Is it the tolerances, I would just expect this car to always nail a 106+. I know this is dangerous because of conditions etc, but I never had difficulty nailing the stock time in my Supra of 13.4 13-5 and 105 to 106.

Anyway this car is awesome, and I am very thankful to Nissan for producing it. We can say whatever want about the fine engineering over at Honda and Toyota, but they for the most part have abandoned their sports car efforts, whilst Nissan is still producing two high performance cars.