Motortrend tests 2015 Nismo 370Z

ElVee

1. The author falls apart, as mentioned already, at the end when he compares the Nismo with base Genesis and Mustangs as well as the BRZ. Did he not notice there is a 370Z base model that competes more favorably? Fail.

2. The Z hasn't had a major update since 2009. When it came out, it beat the Mustang/Camaros that were out, the BRZ/FRS wasn't on the horizon, and was compared favorably to the Porsche Boxster, Corvette, or Z4/TTS while at a cheaper price point. All of these other cars have had very major updates since then, and rightly have passed the stagnant Z by. No surprise there, but it's a minor fail to miss that bit of history.

The Z, even without the Nismo package, still turns heads today, though. But unless you have money to spare or spend your spare time at a track (or just have your heart sold to it), the Nismo is priced too high for what you can do with it on the public roads.

Then again, comparable BMW and Audi and even Hyundai vehicles still hover in the same range and sneak higher. If you're still cross-shopped favorably with your limited production vehicle, why bother making it a huge priority to sink dev into? The vehicles the Z is compared to have changed and shifted around, but it still has a market.

Montez

I like your post, but in 2009 the 370 did not compare favorably to the Vette performance wise. The C6 was/is a much better performer!

RicerX

He's talking in the scope of value for dollar, methinks - performance isn't the only piece of the puzzle.

If you're talking build quality, I'd take any Nissan over any GM, CVTs included. If you're talking Z vs Corvette on interior, I'd even take a non-Touring Z over any C6, especially when you figured in new-for-new pricetags in 2009. The C6 Corvette's interior was complete and utter garbage for a $50k+ car. You thought Subaru interiors reeked of plastic?

Then when you get to performance and think about how much more car you're getting for the extra money it takes to get into a Corvette from a Z (in 2009, because that's what he was talking about), I found it to be marginally better. I'd take a Porsche with the extra money, but when it comes down to it, for some people, the Corvette may be like looking at pre-Kanye Kim Kardashian compared to, say, post-cocaine Lindsay Lohan in anything else sporty. It may just do it for you in some ways nothing else can.

Roll tide.

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ElVee

You're right. That's certainly my bias coming forward, as I've disliked the Corvette until the C7. But it does seem like plenty of people start out with the Z as a cheaper alternative to the Corvette, until they realize they can not only afford it but they do want the power.

Montez

Gothcha man!