First track experience today ! Some good, some really bad

370sed

Oh yes -- IMHO forget the Hawk pads. I tried them and wondered "Where's the great braking, modulation and feel I was looking for?" Rather, I would strongly recommend Cobalt Friction GT Sports (if a DD) or for mostly track time you can't go wrong with some Cobalt Friction XR2 front / XR5 rear for HPDE3/HPDE4 use. The XR5s are not listed on their site, but they are specially formulated to help reduce rear unweighting on cars that have that propensity. They make them for the RX-8 (I run that combo) and they are AMAZING!

RCZ

I think you are going a little overboard on the negative aspects of the car. I drive a lot of track events too and I've felt a lot of different cars on track. GT3's, GT-R's, Turbos, STIs, Evos, 350Z's, etc. I can tell you that the Z feels much better than I expected. It feels very well planted and eager to be driven fast. My best advice would be to test drive it. I'm coming from 2 modified STIs both of which were pretty quick around the track, faster than 911's and M3's. I drive Solo class for HPDE. So far I have to say I am impressed with the Z, I absolutely love this car despite those minor things you said. Also problems 3 and 4 are the same. Having 3 problems isnt such a big deal. An oil cooler is not really a major mod either. The weight distribution has its advantages too. Like I said, the best thing you can do is test drive it..you will immediately be able to feel that its a great car. Spend half the cash you will save by buying the Z instead of the porsche into the Z and you will have a porsche beater and a fun car to work on.

Hehe I suggested Cobalts further up in the thread, they are amazing. I actually called Cobalt to see if they were going to make pads for the 370Z...they didnt have an answer yet, but its likely.

370sed

Question?...you've driven the 370Z, not just the 350Z on track? I've seen the 350Z on track, not many of them mind you, but they seem to do pretty good, a few faults not withstanding. So yea, 350Zs are track capable. I hear you there.

My concern is with Nissan engineering on this car. What should a sports car buyer would reasonably expect for $30-50K straight of the showroom floor? In my mind, it's not a small thing when a car can't go even 20min at near full tilt on a 70 degree day...I mean that's not asking that much of any vehicle....and begs the question - what else have they short-engineered besides the oil cooling system and the differential cooling system? Really!

Worse, they've apparently given 'ringer' cars to the mags for testing with 'options' that don't exist! I'm staring at the C&D 370Z test that has oil and differential radiators listed as $500 est. 'options'. Now they're no where to be found? What's up with that?

I only became interested because of the reviews complete with "at the track" comments and how this was so much more 'refined' and 'enhanced' comapred to the 350Z. If the installed powerplant/drivetrain puts out too much heat and it's impossible to get rid of the heat in the form factor they've chosen, then the 3.7L is too much engine and power for the car to deal with full stop. Or perhaps the OP car was defective? That would be a relief! I'd love to buy this car, but honestly worry about Nissan's opinion of me moding the engine cooling system (and other components) if problems occur that should be covered under warranty?

I don't mean (as I said before) to come off as a troll, a Nissan basher, or a nit picker...but gee wiz...first impression make a difference in cars as with meeting people and at 1st blush..I'm blushing bright red at all this discovered even as the car is being introduced.

Many manufacturers pride themselves, and let us know that their latest and greatest has been "track-tested", engineered on the "ring", etc....Nissan included with the GT-R. But for this car, they obviously didn't do track testing, or prove it out on the "ring" as they did with the GT-R, except perhaps with a modified car we can't buy. Did they do that, then de-engineered it for 'consumer use'? WTHs up with that?

I have no problem with Nissan selling a 'dudes' car, prettied up for the stoplight wars. C&D says "Nissan refers to this latest Z as an "enhancement," likely largely a male enhancement." Uuummmmm...food for thought...but I expect more of a car.

You're right I should go drive one, do you think Nissan let me have one for a short 20 min track session? I couldn't even post the results of a stoplight racing test drive on the forum anyway.

I truly hope I'm all wrong with this (and the OP experiences), and that time will show all is well with Nissan and the 370Z, God knows we need affordable sports cars that go like a bat outa hell... for like 4 track sessions at least

FairmanZ

I'm with you on this. I'm not a track junkie, but do enjoy a track day now and then. I read the C&D article too and wondered about the differential and oil coolers listed as options. Now it all makes sense. It's clear Nissan knows about this issue, so why didn't they get it right?

At least they should offer these coolers as Nismo options for those that are serious track people. Really though, to me the oil/diff coolers should have been a standard part of the Sport package or Nissan should offer a "Track" model with these as standard.

I still think the new Z is one heck of a sports car value, but its aura of perfection is erroding as I learn more and more about the car. I'm now seriously debating whether to rush in and get a '09 ('cause I want this car bad!) or wait and hope that Nissan sorts the car out better for 2010.