Nismo 370z Nismo review

[RedlineHR]

Hi Folks. Long time z-owner here (since 2007 anyway).

I recently got to test/review a 370z Nismo for a week for Ebay Motors blog. I did a write-up and a photo shoot.

Not sure if I can link to it from here (forum rules?). I took the Nismo to Zcar garage in San Jose and had them do a baseline dyno and overlay the Nismo graph with the graph from my 2007 350z (lightly modded vq35HR - bolt-ons and Osiris Uprev tune). Of course that's not the whole story.

Anyway, loved the Nismo. I hope I did it justice. Trying hard not to want to run out and buy one.

M..u..s..t.. R..e..s..i..s..t...

Review: 2014 Nissan 370Z® NISMO®, Searching for Z Nirvana | eBay Motors Blog

[Codename067]

Skimmed through it because I don't have enough time to read it..but you are recommending people to wait till 2015 for a new model to drop? You speak as if you work for the Z team at Nissan.

There is not a single piece of evidence pointing towards your statement. No pictures, no announcements from nissan, nothing. And the 2014 Z is simply perfected. Whoever is going to buy the first year model of a next gen is likely to experience problems because we all know how first gens are. Plus let's not forget the price tag on new models also.

[Chuck33079]

One thing I didn't see was a clear list of the mods to the 350. Your recommendation that people buy a 350 and mod it completely misses the point that those same parts could be used on the new car and then the 370 would be faster again. You've got to compare stock vs stock or it's almost meaningless. Also, were they both dynoed the same day? If not, you can pretty much disregard the results, especially since we're talking about 6 whp.

Finally, modding the car might not be an option for those who want to keep their warranty coverage intact or live in places that give you hell about modded cars.

It's well written, but your bias is showing very clearly through the whole thing.

[Driftomodachi]

I always thought the NISMO z had the sport package brakes. He makes it sound like they are different. The tires are different so that could make the car feel more grippy

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by Driftomodachi

I always thought the NISMO z had the sport package brakes. He makes it sound like they are different. The tires are different so that could make the car feel more grippy

The brakes are the same. You're right- the tires are going to be responsible for any difference he felt.

[RedlineHR]

Originally Posted by Codename067

Skimmed through it because I don't have enough time to read it..but you are recommending people to wait till 2015 for a new model to drop? You speak as if you work for the Z team at Nissan.

Nah, no Nissan affiliation. I'm a technology professional in San Jose, CA area.

I Agree with you.. I mentioned to see what the z35 brings and if you don't like it, get a z34 model for a song when the new one's hit the showroom. 350z Nismos were going for ~$32k when the 370 came out.

I actually despise the fact that Nissan hides the next-gen z info. I much prefer the way BMW lets you know what's coming. Of course the first-gen cars are more are prone to bugs which is why I waited until 2007 to purchasea 350.

For folks that lease vehicles (I'm not one), they prefer to buy earlier so the residual is still high (still the current model) at the lease's end. But agree most should wait until at least the second year so you know what you are buying.

[Mt Tam I am]

RE: The 370Z needs 400 horsepower, plain and simple. Or it needs to shrink considerably.


I agree.

[RedlineHR]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

One thing I didn't see was a clear list of the mods to the 350. .

Check my sig :-) I know it doesn't work for the article - there's only so much room for the article.

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Your recommendation that people buy a 350 and mod it completely misses the point that those same parts could be used on the new car and then the 370 would be faster again..

Sure, but a used 350 could be picked up for half the price of a new 370. some folks might be price-conscious.

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

You've got to compare stock vs stock or it's almost meaningless.
.

Was just working with what I had. Regular vs Nismo is tough to compare as well, even if they are stock.

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Also, were they both dynoed the same day? If not, you can pretty much disregard the results, especially since we're talking about 6 whp..

They were both Dyno'd in similar conditions - temps and relative humidity. Only 6 WHP? Check the area under the curve. Peak power comparisons are for bench racing.

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Finally, modding the car might not be an option for those who want to keep their warranty coverage intact or live in places that give you hell about modded cars..

Yes. I agree wholeheartedly. All viable points

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

It's well written, but your bias is showing very clearly through the whole thing.

Thanks... I may seem a bit biased, but If I did not already have a 350, I'd get the 370 hands-down. I'm a z-fan and I think Nissan could have done a few things better on the 370z, which is why I'm critical of it.

[kenchan]

z34 > z33 any day.

z33's platform was best as a G35C.

[RedlineHR]

Originally Posted by Driftomodachi

I always thought the NISMO z had the sport package brakes. He makes it sound like they are different. The tires are different so that could make the car feel more grippy

Yep - same Akebono brakes and the sport model, but this one had Nismo brake pads. Didn't mean to make it sound like they were different.

The difference in braking for the Nismo over the sport is there is much less body movement on the nismo - roll, pitch, dive. Meaning less weight transfer to the front wheels under heavy braking, and don't forget the larger 285 rear tires in some new Bridgestone RE-001 tire which is new to me.

[kenchan]

thats funny cause the base with sport package has shorter braking distance than the nismo's that ive read early on.

[Chuck33079]

So your article in which you review a 2014 Nismo came to the conclusion you should buy a 7 year old modded car? The very same car that you conveniently happen to own? And we shouldn't have to check any sigs for important relevant info the article completely omits. If you're using it as a decision making point you need to have it clearly stated in the article.

Or, search for some dyno charts with Nismos with similar mods.

Also, that's one of the higher reading dynos for a stock Nismo I've seen. It has no bearing on anything, but that's really optimistic.

[kenchan]

this review minds me of the best motoring review where them 350z fanboz were over the 370z and basically said the 350z was better.

look where bestmotoring is now... down the toilet.

[b15]

Didn't even know ebay motors had a blog.

No comparison between the two in my opinion. The z34 was a good evolution of the z33 in all areas. I do wish the Vq37 had the smoothness of the Vq35hr though.

If Nissan didn't have the GTR, I don't think the 370z would've been as neglected

[RedlineHR]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

So your article in which you review a 2014 Nismo came to the conclusion you should buy a 7 year old modded car? The very same car that you conveniently happen to own? And we shouldn't have to check any sigs for important relevant info the article completely omits. If you're using it as a decision making point you need to have it clearly stated in the article.

Or, search for some dyno charts with Nismos with similar mods.

Also, that's one of the higher reading dynos for a stock Nismo I've seen. It has no bearing on anything, but that's really optimistic.

I detect a bit of defensiveness...

I did not say or mean to imply that one should buy a 7-year-old car and mod it. I said If you *already* have a 350, mod it.

I said if you don't have a z, I suggest waiting to see what the z35 brings.

I also asked if you want Nissan to mod your 370 for $13k or if you wanted to mod your own (meaning your own 370).