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-   -   Automobile Mag Nismo 370Z First Drive (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/8533-automobile-mag-nismo-370z-first-drive.html)

semtex 08-30-2009 07:17 AM
Automobile Mag Nismo 370Z First Drive
 
1 Attachment(s)
Fresh from my mailbox (and scanner):

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1251634487

JoeD 08-30-2009 07:49 AM
Pretty fair.

I will agree about the last blurb on the NISMO package...it's really not all that special. It has yet been proven that is faster or handles all that much better than the Sport. 18 extra HP is not much, the interior trimmings aren't all that great, the body kit simply isn't pretty, and the suspension seems to be stiff just for the hell of it.

Nissan screwed the pooch with the NISMO. It would have been nice if it was a more purpose-built model...perhaps an extra 25 HP bringing it a nice total of 375, Recaro (or just simply better) seats, wheels that actually looked different than the Sport's, better brakes, an oil-cooler(!), and perhaps trimming 80-100 lbs. $6200 on top of the Sport's price is significant, and other cars have been available in higher-performance models for less than that (think base C5 vs. C5 Z06).

Endgame 08-30-2009 07:59 AM
agreed..

Blown32 08-30-2009 09:07 AM
I have to agree with the article.Not alot for $6200 over the sport package?Don't get me wrong it is a great looking package but very overrated dollar and performance wise.
I have the sport package with the 6spd and I'am very happy with the handling and performance.There is room for improvements on the base 370Z don't get me wrong but overall a great buy for the money.
Also looking at the performance numbers I can't believe the 1/4 mile et.?
All reports I have read say the base 370 is running in the mid to high 13's?I have already seen that at our local track so it is for real.Who ever was driving the Nismo with 18 additional hp no less was obviously a first time driver of any vehicle.These numbers can't possibly be correct and if so thumbs down to the new Nismo!
Bottom line is I can think of many ways to spend $6200 on my 370Z and improve handling and performance beyond the 09 Nismo!
So not a good deal in my opinion!

Shunya 08-30-2009 09:55 AM
also agrees :)

Equinox 08-30-2009 10:02 AM
sadface.

I agree. It's a starting point for me. 14.1 quarter mile though? wow.

marcussoori 08-30-2009 11:33 AM
Why 0-60 in 5.5 seconds? I thought it was 4.7 manual and 4.6 auto?

kdo2milger 08-30-2009 12:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by marcussoori (Post 178134)
Why 0-60 in 5.5 seconds? I thought it was 4.7 manual and 4.6 auto?
nismo has slower times than the regular z

Shunya 08-30-2009 12:30 PM
yeah which is funny coz isn't it suppose to be a tuned version of the normal Z's?

frost 08-30-2009 12:30 PM
Pass.

Equinox 08-30-2009 12:48 PM
it's not broken in, so it's slower

spearfish25 08-30-2009 12:52 PM
It's also nearly 200lbs heavier than a base 370z.

Equinox 08-30-2009 12:54 PM
You callin me fat?

wakesnow 08-30-2009 01:52 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeD (Post 177875)
Pretty fair.

I will agree about the last blurb on the NISMO package...it's really not all that special. It has yet been proven that is faster or handles all that much better than the Sport. 18 extra HP is not much, the interior trimmings aren't all that great, the body kit simply isn't pretty, and the suspension seems to be stiff just for the hell of it.

Nissan screwed the pooch with the NISMO. It would have been nice if it was a more purpose-built model...perhaps an extra 25 HP bringing it a nice total of 375, Recaro (or just simply better) seats, wheels that actually looked different than the Sport's, better brakes, an oil-cooler(!), and perhaps trimming 80-100 lbs. $6200 on top of the Sport's price is significant, and other cars have been available in higher-performance models for less than that (think base C5 vs. C5 Z06).
Given that Nissan already uses the Damptronics on the GT-R it would be nice to have that option available on the Nismo, that would allow the car to have a suspension that can be both compliant as well as track ready at the push of a button. Bucket seats from the GT-R Spec-V. A real LSD instead of a VLSD would be a nice addition as well.

Sadly the beancounters/marketing geeks at Nissan probably won't go for it this early in the 370's production life. Maybe when the car is due for it's Mid-life refresh they will go for it to boost sales of their base models.

frost 08-30-2009 01:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Equinox (Post 178359)
it's not broken in, so it's slower
Hope you're right.

Lug 08-30-2009 02:33 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by spearfish25 (Post 178375)
It's also nearly 200lbs heavier than a base 370z.
The base Z is 3232, the NISMO is 3300.

JoeD 08-30-2009 03:55 PM
Another thing...they could have done without the entire body-kit. Yes, it is functional, but no grown-man would ever want to be seen driving one. I'm not saying it looks hideous, though...it's not ugly as it is so blatantly boy-racer.

Perhaps more subtle body-work (or even no change from the Sport) would have made the car more appealing.

Equinox 08-30-2009 03:59 PM
haha I got rid of my mazdaspeed3 and got a Nismo because I wanted to leave the boy racer scene, and join the grown up car scene. lol

frost 08-30-2009 04:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeD (Post 178666)
Another thing...they could have done without the entire body-kit. Yes, it is functional, but no grown-man would ever want to be seen driving one. I'm not saying it looks hideous, though...it's not ugly as it is so blatantly boy-racer.

Perhaps more subtle body-work (or even no change from the Sport) would have made the car more appealing.
Yeah, I think we all knew what to expect on the 370 by seeing the 350 though.

GaryTheSnail 08-30-2009 04:29 PM
I don't understand why there's so much hate for the body kit. I think it looks great on the 370z with the 19'' nismo rays. IMO the rear diffuser on the standard 370z looks horrible with the but hole since it just seems like an after thought.

Sardis 08-30-2009 05:09 PM
It's just disappointing when you are aware of what the Nismo name means in Japan and what that label has been put on before, to have a Nismo Z that laps Laguna Seca .5 seconds slower than a 135i is just hard to stomach.

It's still a Z, but the Nismo name deserves better

frost 08-30-2009 05:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryTheSnail (Post 178698)
I don't understand why there's so much hate for the body kit. I think it looks great on the 370z with the 19'' nismo rays. IMO the rear diffuser on the standard 370z looks horrible with the but hole since it just seems like an after thought.
I wouldnt say I hate it, I would just do it differently.

Mercennarius 08-30-2009 05:58 PM
Has anyone else considered the time of the year these cars are tested? I believe the original 370Z tests were all done during the winter months when it was colder and the engine would naturally make a little more power while the Nismo tests have all been done in the summer months where its hotter and the engines making a little less power. Because lets be honest, with the 18HP/6TQ the car should at LEAST be putting down equal performance #s as the regular 370Zs are even with the extra 70~lbs or so.

I must say though I do like the Nismo 370Z MUCH MUCH better then the Nismo 350Z....

frost 08-30-2009 06:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mercennarius (Post 178818)

I must say though I do like the Nismo 370Z MUCH MUCH better then the Nismo 350Z....
I would definitely agree with that.

Baddriver 08-30-2009 09:19 PM
I love the Nismo but I'm gonna have to replace the shocks to Coilovers if I wanna be comfortable in it. Ride is too harsh and reminds me of my stock evo. When you speak while driving fast, you sound like youre ju-ump-ing A--ro-und.

I now appreciate my Evo's Tein Flex with EDFC (adjustable).

1slow370 08-30-2009 10:04 PM
wider tires are nice but the aspect ratio sucks for any kind of acceleration from a stop. The suspension is stiffer which means less weight transfer to the rear to hold those tires down. It set up for drift plain and simple and you wonder why it's acceleration times went down? I think they should have just bumped the speed limiter and myabe offered a larger stroke VVEL system so that the parts would be available for retro fit onto our cars as thats all the nismo car is.

JoeD 08-30-2009 10:54 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryTheSnail (Post 178698)
I don't understand why there's so much hate for the body kit.
Perhaps because it makes the car look as if it's owned by a 17 year-old? It's not at all good looking and rather tacky.

JoeD 08-30-2009 11:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1slow370 (Post 179254)
wider tires are nice but the aspect ratio sucks for any kind of acceleration from a stop. The suspension is stiffer which means less weight transfer to the rear to hold those tires down. It set up for drift plain and simple and you wonder why it's acceleration times went down?
All I hear is excuse after excuse. Still doesn't top the "not broken-in" or "it was tested in the summer" though.

It only trapped 103 MPH. The traits you listed above do not negatively effect a car's 1/4-mile trap-speed. Sorry, but 103 MPH isn't even quick anymore. That's quite embarassing...on the same level as most late-model family-sedans.

Brandon26pdx 08-31-2009 01:17 AM
They should have tried a little harder on this one. Oil cooler is the most glaring omission to me. The wheel and tire package is nice...body changes are kind of meh. Still lacks German "fast-car" sophistication you get in Porsche "S", BMW "M", etc, unfortunately.

mrmixitup 08-31-2009 02:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kdo2milger (Post 178282)
nismo has slower times than the regular z
Mags have said it's because the car sucks before 2,000 miles.

BanningZ 08-31-2009 03:58 AM
Nice fine Semtex! :tup:

That was a pretty fair assessment.


Quote:
Originally Posted by frost (Post 178751)
I wouldn't say I hate it, I would just do it differently.
Exactly.

Its a great looking car, but there is a lot I would change looks wise If I had been helping with the design.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Equinox (Post 178359)
it's not broken in, so it's slower
I sure hope it was slower because of the break in period, but it wouldn't be the first time all that aero stuff added unecassary weight and slowed a car down.


Just look at this car. Top speed 7 miles an hour.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...e-big-lip2.gif

Equinox 08-31-2009 12:03 PM
It's not like the NISMO has all that more stuff on it. It has a rear bumper, front bumper, and side sills just like a base model - just a diff arrangement. The wing is the only addition, and according to Nissan it provides something like 75 lbs of down force at 60.

C & D recorded 13.7, and their 4k mile base ran 13.4. They explained the quirks of the VQ motor and how it speeds up with age - to a point.

jmlenz 08-31-2009 12:04 PM
I personally like the appearance of the Nismo (sans spoiler) but I think we can all agree you are paying mostly for cosmetic changes rather than performance. They should of focused on reducing weight (150-200lbs) and AT LEAST thrown in an oil cooler.

!xoible 08-31-2009 12:20 PM
Honestly, the only reason why i'd get a nismo is coz of those wheels and the "teeth" removal from front bumper... yah it looks beefier, but i'd rather spend that money on coilovers, and a bunch of bolt-ons...

semtex 08-31-2009 12:33 PM
I agree with all the sentiments expressed re. the Nismo being a bit of a let-down. But to be fair, I think we should also step back for a moment and be thankful that at least Nissan is making an effort. What I mean by this is, let's be thankful that Nissan hasn't followed the lead of Toyota and even Honda when it comes to sports cars. Toyota and Honda have decided that profitability lies in producing 'appliance-mobiles'. Toyota has no sports cars, and Honda has discontinued the one sports car they had (the S2000). Well, they're not exactly wrong -- this strategy has indeed been profitable for them. But Nissan, thank goodness, decided to continue making cars that actually appeal to enthusiasts. Think about it: this one company produces the GT-R, the 370Z, the Nismo 370Z, and the 370Z Roadster. And I'm not even listing the Infiniti variants. Can any other Japanese car company boast such a range of enthusiast-friendly cars? So yeah, they could improve on the Nismo. Heck, there's always room for improvement on any vehicle. Let's just remember to give credit where is due, that's all I'm saying.

AK370Z 08-31-2009 12:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by semtex (Post 180068)
I agree with all the sentiments expressed re. the Nismo being a bit of a let-down. But to be fair, I think we should also step back for a moment and be thankful that at least Nissan is making an effort. What I mean by this is, let's be thankful that Nissan hasn't followed the lead of Toyota and even Honda when it comes to sports cars. Toyota and Honda have decided that profitability lies in producing 'appliance-mobiles'. Toyota has no sports cars, and Honda has discontinued the one sports car they had (the S2000). Well, they're not exactly wrong -- this strategy has indeed been profitable for them. But Nissan, thank goodness, decided to continue making cars that actually appeal to enthusiasts. Think about it: this one company produces the GT-R, the 370Z, the Nismo 370Z, and the 370Z Roadster. And I'm not even listing the Infiniti variants. Can any other Japanese car company boast such a range of enthusiast-friendly cars? So yeah, they could improve on the Nismo. Heck, there's always room for improvement on any vehicle. Let's just remember to give credit where it's due, that's all I'm saying.
:iagree: Well said.

BanningZ 08-31-2009 03:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by semtex (Post 180068)
I agree with all the sentiments expressed re. the Nismo being a bit of a let-down. But to be fair, I think we should also step back for a moment and be thankful that at least Nissan is making an effort. What I mean by this is, let's be thankful that Nissan hasn't followed the lead of Toyota and even Honda when it comes to sports cars. Toyota and Honda have decided that profitability lies in producing 'appliance-mobiles'. Toyota has no sports cars, and Honda has discontinued the one sports car they had (the S2000). Well, they're not exactly wrong -- this strategy has indeed been profitable for them. But Nissan, thank goodness, decided to continue making cars that actually appeal to enthusiasts. Think about it: this one company produces the GT-R, the 370Z, the Nismo 370Z, and the 370Z Roadster. And I'm not even listing the Infiniti variants. Can any other Japanese car company boast such a range of enthusiast-friendly cars? So yeah, they could improve on the Nismo. Heck, there's always room for improvement on any vehicle. Let's just remember to give credit where is due, that's all I'm saying.

This is possibly why companies like Hyundai are gaining ground. They are offering the super affordable option, when most options become extremely limited.

When regarding Sports coupes regardless of RWD or FWD, Toyota did fine with sales of the Celica from 00-02, but when the RSX came out, instead of bumping the HP, Toyota put tons of extra plastic on the car with the "TRD edition". The RSX won that sales race, and Toyota thought that the interest for sports coupes was over instead of looking at their own mistakes. Now the market focus is on economy and comfort,makes me think of WALL-E. But now the Celica, RSX, S2000, RX7, and many others are a thing of the past for the entry level, and older enthusiast. (BTW I'm not placing an FD and a 2ZZ in the same category other than they are quick coupes.)

Ehh, C'est la vie

need4speed 08-31-2009 05:15 PM
I would choose to look on the bright side. Lol.
Ok its not faster. Its much more expensive thn sprt pkg.
N the 16 nismo tags in the interior n body are overdone. Lol
BUT... either way you are hard pressed to find another sports car that handles this well at 40k.
Its defeated by its cheaper fraternal twin. But not defeated by any other company with a 40k car.
Which speaks volumes.
Bmw has to step up cuz of any model 370. Period. Its a benchmark car.
Toyota/lexus has nothing to compete at this price.
Honda s2000 needs a roof to stand next to it.
Bmw z4 isn't out yet but you will spend an extra $8g's at bmw's base price to nissans top price.
It does suck tho that an extra $6.5g's only gets you .01g.


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