Potential Buyer With Questions/Concerns
 

Hi, this is my first post here, so just wanna say "hello" to everyone.

I'm shopping for a new sporty/sports car and it's come down to either a 370Z or a Mustang GT with the Track Pack; both manual transmissions.

I've been doing some research on 370Zs and I've read about some overheating issues during track use. Now, I don't plan on tracking my car, so this really isn't too much of a concern for me, but what is a concern is whether I'm going to be able to drive one like a sports car without running into issues; bombing around on back roads, hanging corners, blasting from corner to corner, etc. Just to clarify, it's doubtful that I'm going to be going full-throttle down twisty back roads, but I certainly want to "get on it." Am I going to need to worry about overheating?

Also, can anyone give me some pros and cons of the 370Z; what types of mechanical issues or quality issues that you've experienced, dealer treatment, any issues with warranties being honored, etc.?

Any help would be awesome. Thanks!

My advice to you is to scan this site thoroughly because every question you have asked is discussed and answered with fine detail.There is alot of excellent information on here as well as advice.
Good luck and hope you make the right decision that suits your needs.

:iagree:
you can get an oil cooler problem solved
or if you don't mind buying ester oil from nissan that works to

and for the comparsion to me personally
its a easy pick hands down with the Z

I've had mine for a little over a month. I have driven the car very agressively in South Florida (with 90 degree temps). Oil temp has never gone over 220 degrees. Limp mode resulting from overheating does not occur until you reach 280 degrees.

Nissan wins easily in quality and reliability. Considering that you have a camaro and sti I am surprised you're asking this question. The handling in turns of camaro will be similar to mustang and sti would be closer to Z. Z would definitely excel in the hills of WV. Warranty shouldn't be an issue with Nissan since you're not tracking it but I doubt you will actually have to use warranty.

Well you said you wanted to hit the twisties and that rules out the mustang =). I mean you have to get out at every corner, jack the car up, point it in the new direction, let it down, get back in, and get moving again. Who wants to do that?

All kidding aside I'm sure you'd be happy with either but you're asking a very biased crowd. I've had my 370 for 8 months now, put 12,000 miles on her and loved every one of them. Well except the one where some bastard hit my window with a rock. The car does not over heat even with "spirited" driving. If you plan on trying to track it just get an oil cooler. As for cons really the biggest con IMO is the blind spots, but I haven't been inside a new mustang to compare.

-William

I got out and drove a 370Z Touring Edition today. It had the 7AT transmission. While I love shifting my own gears, there are times when I'm just not "feeling it." Now, I'm kicking around the idea of the 7AT because I can use the paddles or just drive.

Without getting into a debate about "manual vs. automatic," is the auto as quick as the manual?

Back to the driving experience. Even though I plan on a Sport model, the Touring was a very enjoyable car to drive.

The 370Z is amazing. I got the opportunity to get down on the hammer, and also tour some back roads. I love the tight, direct handling, and IMO the transmission responds well with use of the paddles.

FWIW, the Mustang is not on my radar screen any longer. I still love it, and still think it's an awesome car, but the 370Z just makes more of a connection with me.

Without the debate all the numbers I've seen posted on this site, or anywhere else put the AT numbers as good or better than the manual. That being said I chose manual for the fun of driving.

-William

All of my tests show that AT is faster but manual is more fun and if you don't get a lot of traffic in your area I recommend it. On the other hand if you have found manual annoying in past, it's probably better to stick to AT.

If I had to choose between sport and touring, I would get sport. I didn't have to choose so I got both :)

Well, if the AT is faster, that's what I'll get. :) While I do love driving manual, there are just some days when I'm feeling a bit lazy. My wife and I bought her a 2009 Audi A3 2.0T Quattro back in January/February that has the DSG, and it's fun enough with the paddles. I think I can live with it.

Good luck and post up some pics when you get it. :pics:

-William

Tampabay Florida owner ( sport automatic) with 2500 miles. 90 plus degrees every day. I drive it every day with occasional stomp on the gas at toll booths and on ramps and have never seen temps go over 210. If you keep the car rev'd up at 4 to 5k rpms like the guy in the video on here, yes your oil temp is going to rise.

I don't think it is an issue if you are not tracking your car.

Definitely buy this car, not the Mustang ( damn those cars are so dated)

The 370Z w/7AT has achieved a 13.16 1/4 mile stock at the track and at least one review (Car and Driver, I think) has matched that. I haven't seen any stock mustang touch that.

Nissan Ester oil does nothing for the overheating "issue". The issue is ONLY of concern if you track the car. Autocross is fine - roadcoarse you need a cooler. All other driving there have been very few who have been able to get it to limp mode. Regardless if you do track the car its a simple fix with an oil cooler which is a great idea for ANY performance car.

Hey man,
I just recently purchased my 370Z, I live in Ranson, WV, and I have to say that I am happy with the car. Something that you have to remember is that a lot of people on this form either rag on their cars an insane amount, or they absoultly freak out over the smallest things. I have known of 370's going to Summit Point for Friday At The Track, and I have yet to hear of any problems. I too tear up some of the back roads around the area, and I have to say in the Z, it is one of the most rewarding feelings I can get. As far as overheating, I have yet to experance the temps reach above 260*. The manual says that it will go into an engine protect mode at 280*. I wouldn't worry about it. I think honestly, it is an issue that has gotten a lot of hype, some warrented, some of it not. I tear up back roads on a weekly basis, and have never had a problem.
I would watch out for oil consumption. This is something that I have noticed/caught early on. My Z had a little over 2500 miles on it, and I was already adding a quart of oil to it. I have done some research, and am not really that worried about it (dont see any oil spots, and I know the car has oil), I am writing it off as a break in period. The Z is my daily driver, and it is a very comfortable car.
I purchased my car from Hamilton Nissan in Hagerstown, MD. The guys there are decent, however, I am begininng to have questions about their customer service. I called to inquire upon the oil consumption issue, left 3 messages, and never heard anything back. That to me has no excuse. I had to call two seperate Nissan Dealerships (who linked me right to a mechanic) in order to get an answer. The best deals around, in my personal opionion, can be found at Criswell Nissan, in Germantown, MD. They had Hamilton beat by nearly 1500, but I just had to have the Platinum Graphite. Other than that, I would say test drive both, and see which one you prefer. Hope this helps!