Test drove 2010 touring

[mrparis]

I just test drove a 40th university touring 370z

My thoughts was .. wow so much better than base.. I really like the rev matching.. its worth it... interior is better.. heated seats are nice...

no burnt egg smell from vents.. looks like other owner removed radio and put a better one in... better brakes.. better rims.

the only complaint is... i took a ramp off the highway and the pavement was crack.. the front wheels skipped on the cracks... is this just how the car is or do the tires suck? the inside is a bit small for me.... but not a big deal..

[Dirk McGurck]

Uh...depending on cracks, don't be surprised if the car shifts its wheels over uneven ground. It's physics.

[mab864]

So... do you own a 2009 base 370? It's a bit confusing with your last comment about the cabin being small. Should be exactly the same as your current ride. If the 2010 still has the stock Bridgestones on it, I noticed mine would seem to follow or almost deflect off of the tar patch repairs on cracked roads. I could literally feel everything in the road. I replaced them with Michelin PSS and the ride improved. They still have good driver feedback but don't seem to deflect or squirm around on uneven surfaces like the Bridgestones did. Could that be what you were experiencing?

[mrparis]

to reply..


yes i felt the entire road even in the cracks of the road when the car skipped.

i dont own a z yet.. but considering it.

my thought is i have a long drive to work 1 hr .. will i have a traction problems in the rain /snow with skipping on the tires? or will i just have to get good tires for this car?

other than that... i still dont like stock radio and the inside is a bit small for me.
i love the car... it excites me...

[DR_]

You say better rims. Did they go to 20" and if so that might be what you feel. It might be tamed by tire pressures.

[kenchan]

yah the op was test driving a base yesterday with the bad cat (probably).

just get new tires on the 19's. bridgestone S04 to start... or micheline pilot supersport.
if you dont care about treadlife, i recommend RE11's. they are kickarse.

[jpkirk]

The Bridgestone RE-11s (Extreme performance summer) and S-04's (max performance summer) both rock according to kenchan. Tire Rack agrees. I have no experience with either but will roll on kenchan's advice. However, neither are recommended for winter/snow. So if you can afford a summer set of tires and then a winter set as well (with wheels) go for that. Otherwise buy something more attuned to all season, recognizing that it will impact overall handling if you do. Tirerack.com is your friend.

Wheels & Tires - Nissan 370Z Forum

As for the handling charactereistics of the sport versus base model... I have never driven a base model. I can say that the sport model does give significant feedback when it goes over bridge joints and cracks. Tire pressure, as DR pointed out, might help but for day to day driving, I run standard tire pressures. Recognize that the suspension, wheels, and tires on the sport are more firm/agressive than the base model. This may be part of the reason you felt what was going on. I love that aspect. Feedback is great. Here is a thread with base/sport handling differences. You'll have to weed out the crap posts.

Base vs. Sport Package

Of course tires are a huge part. Here is an interesting... ... thread about tires that ARE crap!

Are these tires any good? Hercules Raptis Wr1's (if you have to ask ... NO!)

I'd say buy it. Cuz, as someone once said, race car...

[mrparis]

Thanks for all the feedback

the 2010 touring was way way nicer car and i really enjoyed rev match.. I think the tires was a bit worn so that why i felt the cracks and skipping of the front tires on a ramp.

My thought was to get the best out of a z is tires for summer and tires for winter.. blizzaks for snow .

[jpkirk]

Originally Posted by mrparis

My thought was to get the best out of a z is tires for summer and tires for winter.. blizzaks for snow .

[mab864]

Yup... either blizzaks or a beater car for the winter.

[bvl]

Can it be driven in the snow? Sure with the right winter tires. As a NE/Mid-Atlantic guy I would not want to personally and would invest in a beater. Even with snows they are very wide, and its a low car. Heavy snow = snow plow.

A second set of RIMS (used, easy to buy) with HP A/S tires allow for cold weather/dry time with no salt. Stock 18's will fit over sport breaks

The S04s are much better then OEM, no question. More grip, more compliant.

- b

[Duc_Z09]

Originally Posted by mab864

Yup... either blizzaks or a beater car for the winter.

Beater all the way. The Z is **** in snow.

Originally Posted by bvl

Can it be driven in the snow? Sure with the right winter tires. As a NE/Mid-Atlantic guy I would not want to personally and would invest in a beater. Even with snows they are very wide, and its a low car. Heavy snow = snow plow.

A second set of RIMS (used, easy to buy) with HP A/S tires allow for cold weather/dry time with no salt. Stock 18's will fit over sport breaks

The S04s are much better then OEM, no question. More grip, more compliant.

- b

Yup, smart choice. OP: Just because you can cut firewood with a scalpel doesn't mean you should or that it's the right tool for the job.