The Official 370z Test Drive Thread

[Asheth]

Well I cant test drive since I'm in Iraq but I know that they will be rolling in the next few days. It be good to have a place to put the early reviews from members.



So has anyone had the chance to yet?

[Slidefox]

I'm going by a Nissan dealership that is right by my house later on today to see if the service manager will let me drive one.

[Endgame]

Slidefox, which dealer do you work with???

[Slidefox]

I know some of the guys at Power Nissan off the San Tan and Gilbert.

[CrownR426]

I'm going to my dealership later today after work!
[:

[Endgame]

Originally Posted by Slidefox

I know some of the guys at Power Nissan off the San Tan and Gilbert.

That is who I thought you would say. I know that is usually where the Intense guys go. Check your PM...

[Slidefox]

I know who the Intense guys go through, but I have to keep that a secret...

[Endgame]

You tease..... you......

[caj77]

My dealership has know I wanted one since early December. Thought they were supposed to be in next week yet I got a call at 10am 12/30 from dealer saying they just got 3 in! Well, I drove em' baby!

Regardless of the fact they were still covered in plastic (inside & out), I was able to drive both M & A/T, Touring & Base. It is important to note that the only way you get the synchro-match M/T is if you opt for the Performance Package...stripped Base M/T is not the synchro-match tranny. Both Dealer & I were surprised by this finding...

I may be a bit bias since my 1st car was a 1974 240Z, had a 1994 300ZXTT & 2004 350Z but I have also owned a 2002 Porsche 911 and driven every sports car under the sun...so...

The 370Z is awesome. Simple as that. They brought the suede interior door back as well as the seats wrap around you. Push button start (no need to insert key, keep it in your pocket) is a blast as well. Fit & finish is much more attractive...its got leather all over the place, less plastic and more style.

1. M/T - incredible. Super soft clutch pedal (which I dont care for), easy short throws, REAL tight and zero slop. Now the real fun part...downshifting. It does what they say it does...pulling 6K on the tach in 5th, drop her in 4th - she roars to 7500 and eases into gear! Its insane! I must have said "wow" 100 times. 1st gear is a bit short but the car pulls all the way around the dial...

2. A/T - Im not a fan of tiptronic transmissions unless its the BMW SMG. I need that instant "slam" into gear...unlike Porsche's 5 min (exaggerated of course) engagement of gear...but...the 370's is good/good+. Slow speeds (slow meaning "normal" driving speed) its got some lag like the Porsche...hammer the right pedal from a stop and walk through the 7 speeds with "as close to instant as a converter will allow"...downshifts get the same "blip" of juice as the M/T...I found myself hitting the paddles up/down, up/down just to hear the engine. In tip mode the car DOES hold the gear until you shift...not like a Slaab, I mean Saab and shift for you.

3. Issues - we couldnt figure out where the iPod jack is on music box.

I am waiting a month or two till dealers cant sell it for sticker then I am getting a M/T with synchro.

Again, the 370Z is sick, I love it - looks & all. I have been waiting for the right car, almost bought another 911 but glad I lost a ton in market & didnt buy it...this is my car!

[shumby]

Check under the center arm rest for the ipod jack

[18rgcelica73]

Yup should be under the pad on the center arm rest. There are some pictures on this site that show it. I am very happy to hear that your testing of the cars went well. I am also very very happy to hear that the MT is as good as I have been reading, I can't wait to get one.

[shumby]

Originally Posted by 18rgcelica73

Yup should be under the pad on the center arm rest. There are some pictures on this site that show it. I am very happy to hear that your testing of the cars went well. I am also very very happy to hear that the MT is as good as I have been reading, I can't wait to get one in black

Nice to see you changed your mind in color.

[josh@z1]

You may all know that I drove one almost a month ago about 400 miles. I Loved most every bit of it. I liked it so much I wrote a bit about it here: http://upload.z1motorsports.com/2009Nissan370ZRally.pdf

I hope this helps shed some light on the Z and gets you all out there driving one.

Josh@Z1

AIM - JoshatZ1
Josh@Z1motorsports.com
(770) 838-7777 ext. 303

Z1 Motorsports
Z1 Motorsports Nissan 300zx, 350Z, & G35 Parts and Performance Experts.
Catering to your Z needs from the earliest Z32 to the latest Z34 plus Infiniti G35 and G37.

[Skaterbasist]

I drove the 370Z with sports package (6MT) myself today.

I pulled up just before they closed in my 2006 G35 Coupe, and had a salesman waiting for the second I got out of the car

I have already seen it in person before (L.A Auto Show), so there was nothing to surprice me as far as the exterior goes.

The interior, which was the base car, is definately far superior to the current 350Z. Everything is just smooth to touch. And this isn't even the Touring model, not to even mention the Nav option.

Now, as far as the test drive. Just to let you know where im coming from: My G35 Coupe 6MT has full bolt ons + tune, with a full suspension (sway bars, track coilovers, etc).

The drive was honestly no real surprise. It's the same engine as that on the G37, so it felt just like it (obviously). The engine is smooth and very linear, and doesn't really have a real punch to it. But the power is very progressive. The car itself is also VERY quiet (but then again, my car does have an exhaust with no catalyctic converters). I was honestly not really impressed with the acceleration itself, but I guess I have my car to blame for that. My car is making alot more torque than the 370Z so it doesnt have that grunt my car has. Punch my car at 5000 RPM's and it slams you against the driver seat. That wasn't the case with the 370Z. That does NOT mean my car is faster...it just feels faster. I would predict my car is very close to the 370Z, if not, the 370Z should edge me out just a little bit.

The drive itself was also surprisingly very GT-like. I could have sworn I was driving the G37... but it did feel more nimble. Compared to my G35 Coupe, the drive felt very soft.

The transmission and clutch, once again, was no surprice as I have already driven the G37. The clutch itself is very light, and more hydrolic than my G35c. It might take me a week or so to get used to that feel. And the transmission feels a little more refined.

The synchro rev-match option is definately neat. It is very precise and delivers the right throttle blip instantly. It's a great feature to have, though I prefer doing the rev-matching myself. (Good thing there's an off button ).

I didn't have the chance to really test the brakes, but they aren't as grabby as my G35c brakes. I'm sure they easily outbrake my car though.

Overall, im impressed by the car. Just not overwhelmed. The car definately has potential, and a full bolt-on plus full suspension 370Z should be a blast to drive. The fact that I have driven the G37 6MT and have a modified G35 Coupe probably took away the "awe" effect many have felt with the drive of this car. But that doesn't mean its an amazing car.

I will check out the Touring Model (and one with the Nav option) once I have the chance.

I might be in this car come Fall if I get the right deal [after my lease is over with my G35].

[18rgcelica73]

Originally Posted by shumby

Nice to see you changed your mind in color.

Ah Mr.Shumby you are back. Great now we can start this up again. Just remember you only get the ipod jack in the MB cars.