Quote:
Originally Posted by Zaggeron
I feel for you Horseface. I was liking the car on the test drive. I loved the styling of it. I've wanted a roadster for a while, I have fond memories of my old '74 fiat 124 spider. But I haven't been able to drive it much because we've had a horrible cold spell here in central Texas. I've actually only driven it approximately 100 miles and I've had it for 3 weeks.
The first few times I did drive it, it seemed heavy -- it's got 600 pounds on my Mazda 3. I've also been nervous driving it ... The shift from 1 to 2 was awkward ... I'd have anxiety attacks at stoplights with any sort of incline even though my starts were always perfect with no roll back. The car just seemed big for a sports car -- especially for a roadster. I was starting to wonder if I had made a mistake. Even though performance was part of the reason I got it, I started to wonder whether I should have got an MX-5 or an S2000 or wait 6 months and get a boxster.
But just the other night, I don't know what happened ... an epiphany or something ... but it just clicked for me. I was in my garage having a smoke and the car looked just right. I thought it was perfect. No more doubts, I just wanted to drive it. Unfortunately it's been raining like a madman since then and I haven't had a chance to take her out.
My only concern now is how many CDs can I dump to the Nav's harddrive without driving the car before I drain the battery  |
I came from an '06 MX-5 to my 370Z Roadster. The Miata was a great car -- a true roadster -- light and tossable, changed lanes with my eye movements, felt faster than it was and fit like a glove. It wasn't an "adult's" car, though, and I just turned 40.
The 370Z Roadster, to me, is misnamed. I suppose the true essence of "roadster" is here -- light (relatively speaking), seats two or less, open cockpit, can be raced with minimal modification -- but it feels more like a spyder, to me (though I see the two terms are interchangeable). A spyder has always seemed like a larger drop-top, curvier and more powerful, with bigger tires. That seems to fit this bill a bit more. Roadsters bring to mind MGs, Triumphs and Lotuses. Spyders make me think of Ferraris and the like. Plus, the ragtop on the Z has a low, "Speedster-like" profile that further pulls its styling away from the basic roadster look.
In short, I think a more articulated expression of an open sports car was what I was after. I already had a very capable and fun roadster. I needed something more to love. That's why I love the Z, and have since admiring the first pictures that leaked out last year.
To the OP -- try doing what I do -- a walk-around every evening when you get home. I have mine timed to the exact cutoff of the headlight delay. If, for some reason the function of the Z isn't getting you, the form will. These cars are so beautiful, it's difficult to fully appreciate them from the driver's seat alone.