I went from a 2010 touring roadster to a 2014 touring sport coupe and the difference was amazing. Automatically I could feel the better handling and stiffer body. The tires were wider and I loved that. No more worries and what ifs, "if I flipped over". The sound deadening is much greater and security was cut in half. Mine was a difference of 250lbs between the same models.

Wow thanks guys for so much input! I reached out to an organization called Speedventures who host track days all over CA. They took a look at the "roll protection" (lol) the 370Z Roadster has and they allow it.

All I plan I doing is installing a Stillen Intake and Exhaust. Hopefully the little extra boost in HP helps overcome the weight gain.

Lets hope I don't fall in love with the new Z coming out soon more then then 370 :)

Don't do Stillen exhaust... Go fast intentions for the most gains

The group I typically run with let's me drive my Z Roadster with the top down on the track. At 5'11 I can pass the broomstick test with the factory roll hoops. The only real mods I have are a Stillen Gen3 intake and a Fast Intentions exhaust. I also have high temp brake fluid/clutch fluid and swap out brake pads.

As others have said the roadster is a bit of a porker and you can definitely feel the heft when you are out on the track. That being said it's still great fun. I've owned dedicated track cars in the past, but only use the Z at the track once or twice a year. Even then I am probably only driving 6/10th's most of the time. For that purpose the Z Roadster works fine. I have the top down on the street 90% of the time so the fact that she's a bit fat on the track makes little difference to me.

I don't know how tracking the roadster would work for you but I know for miatas they are required to install a roll bar at a few clubs here for track events. Not sure how/if that is doable for a Z roadster.

But if I were in SoCal I would definitely get the open top option. I still wish they had a T top option.

I am new to the z and I read that some cars are built well enough to be tracked without hurting the reliability in the long run.

Will there be any adverse impact on the z's long term reliability due to tracking? Thanks.

Yes. The cars you are reading about that get tracked without hurting their reliability are purpose built race cars, and are rebuilt and serviced much more than normal cars. Any normal car will be working much harder with negative consequences for reliability while on track. This could be anything from your bushings wearing out much faster, your suspension wearing out faster, you transmission and differential wearing much faster, and you engine probably taking a hit.

That being said, I track my car and drive it to work every day.

How often do you track your car and have you noticed any premature wear so far? Have you done any oil analysis? Thanks.