Greetings Z enthusiasts! After waiting the requisite month for account approval, I am delighted to be able to join your number and share my story.
I had a 2010 Infiniti EX-35 for the last of the ‘family years’, and was thinking seriously about moving to a Q60. I happened to stumble upon a CPO 2017 370Z Touring-Sport Roadster in deep blue with 5,000 miles for $32K, and after two test drives (top up and top down), I was completely smitten. Traded in the EX, and drove away with an ear-to-ear grin that has yet to diminish.
For additional context, I live in Southern California and the Z is my only car (daily driver). I put about 400 miles on it in an average week. Of course, I put nearly 3K miles on it in the first month driving EVERYWHERE.
Here are some of my initial observations:
PERFORMANCE - The Z definitely gets up and goes, and pulls strongly from most starting speeds when you put your foot down. Very little of my actual driving requires a 3-second 0-60, so it is plenty for my needs and tons of fun.
HANDLING - Oh. My. God. I took the Z over a mountain pass between Palm Springs and Temecula, and it cornered like it was on rails. I could take turns at speed with no drama at all. So incredibly precise; it takes a mere thought and the car is already there. I am completely thrilled with the handling.
ERGONOMICS - The instrumentation is laid out clearly, and I like that the gauges move with the steering wheel. Most of the steering wheel, nav, and window controls are identical to the Infiniti, so are very familiar to me. I don’t mind the 80’s look of the fuel/temp bars, but they can be very difficult to read depending on the ambient lighting. As many have mentioned, it would be really great if the steering wheel telescoped. I am mostly average proportions (5’11.5”), and if I could bring the steering wheel in just a centimeter, it would be perfect. As it is, it is good enough. The seats are very supportive, especially during aggressive cornering, and have decent adjustability. They can become quite uncomfortable during extended trips, however.
AMENITIES - This car has nearly everything: cruise control, bluetooth, nav, seat heaters & coolers (!), electrically-adjustable seats, great sound system, spare tire, automatic headlights, mirror defrosters, etc... The center storage is useful. It only has one actual cup holder, but given the water bottle holders in the side door panels, that hasn’t been a huge issue so far.
STORAGE - One of my chief concerns was whether there would be enough room for my stuff. I travel between LA and the desert frequently, and often bring guitars and other objects. What I have found in practice is that with some careful planning, I have been able to fit everything I need between the trunk and the passenger seat. The storage bin and shelves behind the seats have also proven to be actually useful for things like umbrellas, glasses, waste bins, sun shade, light jacket, and a hat.
AESTHETICS - I smile every single time I see the car. I think it is stunningly beautiful. I love the light leather interior. The deep blue is spectacular in the sunshine. It turns heads. I see very few Z’s on the road, and almost no convertibles. It stands out and has a classic sporty look. And it even looks better with the top down. A+
SURPRISES - If I drive like a maniac, the mileage is expectedly low. But if I am taking a highway trip, I am getting a measured 28+MPG! Coupled with the 19-gallon tank, 400+ mile trips are totally doable without refills. The actually useful storage (described above) has been a pleasant surprise. And I have been surprised at how little road noise there is given the soft-top; certainly louder than a normal sedan, but not as bad as I expected.
CONCERNS - The top-opening mechanism is clunky and I am concerned that it will become an expensive mechanical problem over time. I am a bit anxious about how often I will have to replace the expensive asymmetrical tires and sport brakes (anyone have data points to share?).
Well that’s it for now. I have never been so happy with a car, and am thrilled to join the Z ranks!
RwP
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