Is a 370z my best current choice for a $30k track day car?
 

I sold my BMW Z4MCoupe 6 months ago and have been suffering from track-day withdrawals ever since. :(

So, now I'm looking for a new track-day toy. :tup:

After reading the recent car magazine reviews and the specs, the 370z looks as though it would be virtually equivalent (weight, power, size) to my old Z4MC but, much less expensive to buy and for aftermarket stuff like coilovers, brake parts, and other goodies (which is the appeal to me).

I was surprised to see all the problems with the oil cooling issue that some of you have experienced - hopefully a proper oil cooler fixes that (I'll be watching to see your results on this).

Anyway - for those of you that have experienced other cars and the 370z on track, how do you think I'd find a 370z after running a Z4MC in advanced groups with BMW & Porsche clubs?
Basically, my primary focus is track days - not daily driver - and I'd want something that felt close to, or better than, my last car in terms of power, handling and braking... Will a 370z fit the bill or should I go for one of my other current choices (used Z06, used Exige) and why?

Well as much as I love the 370Z, if you are purely going for a track car you can build up a used S2000 or Evo or something that will be faster for the same money or cheaper.

Thanks...The S2000 was intially on my list, but I eliminated it for lack of a fixed roof. Not interested in an AWD vehicle like an EVO or a Subie (weight, complexity, and a bit less fun imo).... Also, don't want another Bimmer or Porsche as I'd like something that is relatively cheap for aftermarket upgrades as a function of higher production volume (prices for parts for my Z4MC were 2x-5x the same parts I've seen on 350z's).

Other than cost-to-speed ratio, what do you consider to be the downsides of the 370z as a track toy (that would cause you to advocate an S2000 or Evo over it) in my case? Weight? Power-to-weight ratio? Other?

thanks again...

I think the 370Z is a very capable, fun to drive, and fast track car for the price for sure. My comment was purely based on cost-to-speed ratio. The oil cooling issue is the only downside to having a 370Z track car that I have seen so far, but hopefully that will be an easy fix with just an oil cooler. We will find out soon enough. :)

Point is, for a $30k budget you can build a lot of cars to be faster around a race track than buying a new 370Z. It's personal preference though of course. You could build a really fast 240SX with a $30k budget, or buy a stock 370Z. It all depends on what you are looking for out of the car.

Track day toy, how about a caterham?
I think they are in the 30-40k range depending on configuration.
I don't see the point in spending 30k on a new car if you want to sling it around a track.
I'd get a used 350Z over a new one, and strip it out put a roll cage in it.
Used vettes are also pretty cheap and LS1 mods are readily available.
Lotus is always at home on the track so an Exige would be a nice little weapon.

A friend with a fully sorted 3.2 911 is selling it with a fresh zero hour 3.6 engine for about your number. The car is caged, lightened, close ratio transmission, seats, data and other items I can't remember. The car was built by Wright Motorsports in Batavia, Ohio. One of their cars placed third at the Daytona 24 in GT. Good shop.

I mention this option as it is always cheaper to by a car already built it you want a track car. It would cost at least $50k to duplicate this car.

Yep - this is where my head is at lately...;)

I think he wanted a fixed roof.

I think the answer to your question is yes.

Yeah for $30k and under...

You have only these to choose from (only new cars):

Pontiac/Saturn Solstice/Sky GXP/Redline
Mazda Miata
Mazda RX8
Ford Mustang GT
Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo
Subaru WRX

I'd do it! I tend to want to drive my track car on the street too ... and if I was in a position to purchase a new street car that I could also take to the track and have tons of fun in, the 370Z would be it.

Also, with some of the new insurance programs, it makes the thought of doing so a little more palatable.

That said ... I also am now a true convert to roll-over protection and harnesses (even in a fixed-roof car) and as capable as the 370Z is, you'd very quickly get to a point where your speeds/risk level will be greater than the capacity/function of the standard belts. (And no ... I do not recommend any street harnesses simply to hold you in place.)

So in that regard, I'd have to say, spend $15,000 on a 350Z, and another $10k on safety mods (roll bar, harnesses, seats, etc.), and the remaining $5k on track events!

here's an example of a prepared 350z that a friend of mine bought in az

Race Ads | For Sale: NISSAN 350Z RACE CAR

$17,500 will get you a ready to go used 350z track car, with roll cage and all

of course, i'll be faster in my 370 ;)

Similar situation: I'm a part time track junkie, too, this will be my daily driver 'cause the wifey took my IS350 when I took her '06 MINI Cooper S and modded it for the track.

I sat in the Z today with my old school mushroom style Mario Andretti Bell helmet, (I'm 6'2") and had just enough clearance. I'm definitely over the MINI, and getting a Z, just not sure whether I should go 350 more track oriented or 370Z more street oriented.

I'm leaning toward the 7 for the sizzle, even though either deliver the steak...you guys are so lucky! I can't wait to join your ranks...

dave, i'm 6ft even and was a little concerned about headroom, but not an issue... i pulled out the headliner and it freed up another couple inches ! you can get a great deal on a used 350 track car, so that's prob the best advice... but if you have some play money, go for the 370 !

Where is the Mazdaspeed 3? where is the Cobalt SS?:ughdance:

A Mustang as a track car you must be joking. If you're serious about the track and want something under 30k buy a used lotus.

I'm in a Ford racing club where there are obviously a lot of Mustangs, mostly Cobra's from 98-04. Some of them are seriously sorted track cars, but they spent a lot of money making them that way. A basic GT model isn't even going to be close.

The Lotus Elise/Exige is probably one of the best handling cars out there, just a little lacking in power. There are some FI kits that can solve this problem however.

1st gen RX-7 with a street port, 13B is a better setup than 12A.

Nissan 240 with sr20det.

These are cheap, and you can make mistakes i.e. if you smash them, they're not going to cost you $30K to replace.

Dude, chill man ... he was just listing some cars ... and the new GT's are nothing like the fox bodies, they are quite capable. Maybe not the best choice, but not as bad of a choice as they used to be.

But calling someone an asshat for listing the car as a potential track car for under $30k? That's a little harsh don't you think?

You can get a twin turbo 350z with 19,000mi for $32,900 on ebay right now...
Close to 600hp, 19psi, pump gas

Sounds like a recipe for disaster on a track car.

+1 for a cheap 350Z with some key brake and suspension mods.

Mustang has no place on the track. Unless it's a drag strip. The Lotus is a great car as long as its supercharged. The power to weight ratio if fantastic. I've spent around 5k already on my Z and it's still not there yet.

Did you know that the 2009 Subaru WRX weighs less than your MZ4 Coupe (the Wagon trim weighs 3187lbs) and can achieve 0-60 in the same time? Do not knock the Subie or the Mitsu before you try it.

Go drive the EVO X and the WRX. The WRX in Wagon trim can be a nice track rat, you can fit 4 wheels, tools, a weekend's worth of cloth in duffel bag, a track jack, and 4 jack-stands. The symmetrical all-wheel-drive takes some getting used to if you're used to RWD, but there are some inherent advantages.

I currently own an MZ4 Coupe, I used to own a 350Z, and now I also have an '09 Subaru WRX wagon I used for daily drive. For less than $25,000 you can not beat the performance numbers, and even the mighty MZ4 Coupe will struggle to keep up with it in certain conditions and turns. It lacks the refinement of the MZ4 Coupe, it's loud, the turdbo lag is a little unnerving at times (I've never owned a turdbo car before), and there's a lot of body roll because the center of gravity is much higher compared to the E86, but for the simple fact that I can put my daughter in the back-seat? No comparison.

The 370Z may be the best of the bunch under $30K, but if you need a car that you can drive around with a bit more versatility, don't look past the Subie and the EVO X.

My personal favorite would be S2000 with optional hardtop. I just love the S2k gearbox.:driving:

Just a couple of points I'd like to add, since I had a 350Z as a track rat, and now have the MZ4 Coupe and the WRX...

You will NEVER get the same joy out of any of the cars you are looking at as a track car, outside of maybe the S2000, as you ever will with the MZ4 Coupe. I'm not kidding. The only work I've done to the MZ4 Coupe was swap out the OEM BMW brake pads for Cobalt XR3s, and it is faster out of the box, than my 350Z ever was even with R-comps. And the 350Z had a full list of work done on it, ranging from coil-overs, intake, headers, exhaust...etc. The only car I've ever driven, out of the box, that was better to drive than the MZ4 Coupe was the Lotus Exige S. But with a car like that, I wouldn't even bother driving it on the street. The only place where it'll ever be happy is on the track.

If you're going to get a 370Z or any of the Japanese cars under $30K, you must consider upgrading the brakes first before you take it on track. I burned through an entire set of brake pads on the 350Z in 4 20 minute sessions all the way past the backing plate, and back then I was still on the OEM street tires AND only a "B" student in the BMW CCA ranks (which is to say, not even all that fast). I fully anticipate the same for the WRX, I will not be taking it to the track unless I can get a set of brake upgrade from my buddy at RacingBrake. The only car mentioned so far that has a worthy set of brakes is the RX-8. That thing has high-end European like brakes, with only a set of race ready brake pads being the ONLY thing you'll need to have a great time at the track.

You can actually get a 350Z for 10k now if you look really hard. Then fix it up with suspension, track mods, etc and it will be a great track car. Look at SPL's.

Ha ha .. no thats not what the op meant - he said that the AWD was not as fun - and he is right. I used to have an EVO X before the Z and let me tell you... even when I would take my G35 out instead of the evo - I would have a much more fulfilling driving experience. The evo just makes the work the driver has to do to pull of a nice looking turn - just too easy... the car does most of the driving for you.. think of it this way... the Z is to revmatching the same way the evo is to slowing / turning and all else other than shifting lol...

^^ AWD is boring on the track. RWD is where it's at.

Ha ha +1 for racingbrake - I ran their rotors on my G35 - really well made :) And yes... brake upgrade + oil cooler + sway bar + better tires = woah there 370 now your talking :p

If your looking to get something new.....there are still brand new 350Z's sitting around. You could score one in the really low 20's. Not to mention mods galore and no waiting unlike the 370Z.

As many have said above, my ultimate pick would be an S2000 as a track car. 370z wouldn't be bad as long as you have installed an oil cooler. It's still the best bang for the buck new car track setup w/o AWD.

Hey Hack - thanks for the input (I haven't been trolling the Z forums to see your postings for a while :tiphat:)! Your statements above pretty much line up with my predispositions/thinking... I'm mentally down to one of the following used cars (not in any particular order - ok, maybe the Lotus is my first choice ;)):
1. Lotus (supercharged).
2. '07 or newer 'Vette
3. Another Z4MC (they sure are inexpensive these days!).
4. 350z

This wouldn't be a daily driver - just want something I don't have to trailer to track days and is (at least) as fun as my Z4M was.

Roland.

seriously... if you want a super cheap amazing handling track car... and you dont mind being made a little fun of... get a miata... otherwise get the 350... of course... if you could get your hands on a lotus that would be awesome.. just make sure you live near a dealer - those things are a pain to work on.. and need a lot of attention

Nothing is going to compare to your Z4M. Those cars were born for the track.

To toss more fuel to the fire, you may want to look at the Hyundai Genesis Coupe too. The lower trim turbo-charged inline 4 is going to be a gem of an engine that responds to minor tunes. I had one up on a rack a few months ago and the suspension design is all European, with a complex 4 link system in the back and a pretty beefy front MacStrut. The brakes are full-on, 4 pot Brembos up front with massive discs.

Man I can't believe you got rid of your MZ4C. Our cars are like brothers mang. We were only 4 vin numbers apart if I recall.

Talking about asshats...

Even though I know you're not looking for an AWD car, I would still suggest a used Evo IX RS. For hardly any money the thing would be a KILLER at the track. There's also now reflashes for the ACD ECU that make the car behave VERY RWD.

Wait isn't this the 370Z forum? :gtfo2:

Sorry mang, I'll keep my posts 370Z related only from now. Just figured that most Z owners would be enthusiasts who can appreciate ALL things cars related.

Roland, get the 370Z. There, is that better? :icon18:

Don't worry about that waste of bandwidth. OP was simply asking a question.

Woah ... no reason to get angry... lol but Musashi - this is just a discussion about competitive cars in the 370s level... do you really expect ppl to not talk about any other cars here? An enthusiast is a person who appreciates the machine no matter what veil it hides under as long as its fun and enthralling which I hope we all are :)

id get a Evo RS for the track.. Im currently looking for one now.. but their still a lil pricey you can get a good one for 18-22k