Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - 2009 Nissan 370Z Long-Term Test

AK370Z · 03-30-2009, 01:10 AM

March 11, 2009
2009 Nissan 370Z vs. 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Quote:

That's our long-term 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring during a head-to-head comparison test with Ford's new and improved 2010 Mustang GT Premium complete with the optional Track Package. It was a fun test between two very capable 300+ hp, rear-wheel drive performance coupes. They even cost about the same if you're careful with the Z's options list.

We tested them on the track and on the street, and we hit more than one mountain road. We even shot video, which I happen to think is worth watch twice.

I won't spoil the outcome of this battle for you here, but I'm curious, which would you choose?

2010 Ford Mustang vs. 2009 Nissan 370Z Comparison Test on Inside Line

2009 Nissan 370Z: Seven Hours in the Driver Seat and I'm Still OK

Quote:

I had to drive to the distant suburbs of Phoenix today in our 2009 Nissan 370Z. The trip started out in the usual fashion -- I left late and felt rushed getting to a 6:30 p.m. dinner (made it in plenty of time, though). The navigation system didn't help matters by continually suggesting that I drive down to San Diego and use Interstate 8. See here, Nav Lady, I only use I-10 when I go to Phoenix. Finally, in Blythe, CA, she relented and we went on to Maricopa without incident.

The big surprise of the day was the 370Z's seat comfort. I sat in the driver seat for 7 hours and did not get kinked up, much less sore -- a real feat for a Type A person like myself. It's interesting, really. These seats have a decent amount of adjustments, and the upholstery grips well through turns, but still, for this kind of money, it seems like there should be Recaros.

Still, 7 hours of comfort cannot be denied. I didn't even use cruise control.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 3,307 miles

March 12, 2009
2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: Track Tested!

Quote:

By now you've all read our 2010 Ford Mustang Vs. 2009 Nissan 370Z comparison test. At the end of the day, the newly refreshed Mustang (a darn good car) put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to the sharper, more focused, better looking (yes, better looking)--but less functional Z car.

Before that test was ever conceived, we subjected our Long Term 370Z to the usual set of performance tests. Follow the jump for full results.

Vehicle: 2009 Nissan 370z Touring 6MT

Odometer: 995
Date: 02/03/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot

Price: $40,320

Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed manual

Engine Type: 60-degree V6

Displacement (cc / cu-in): 3,696cc (226 cu-in)

Redline (rpm): 7,500

horsepower (hp @ rpm): 332 @ 7000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 270 @ 5200
Brake Type (front): 14.0-by-1.26-inch ventilated discs with fixed 4-piston calipers
Brake Type (rear): 13.8-by-0.79-inch ventilated disc with 2-piston calipers

Steering System: Speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Double wishbone

Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): P245/40R19 94W
Tire Size (rear): P275/35R19 96W
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Potenza RE050A
Tire Type: Summer
Wheel Size: 19-by-9 inches front -- 19-by-10 inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Aluminum alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,381

Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.1
0 - 45 (sec): 3.5
0 - 60 (sec): 5.3 (5.8 with traction control enabled)
0 - 75 (sec): 7.8
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.6 @ 103.2 (14.0 @ 101.0 with traction control enabled)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.1 (5.6 with traction control enabled)
30 - 0 (ft): 25
60 - 0 (ft): 105
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 70.4 (67.1 with traction control enabled)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.93 ( .89 with traction control enabled)
Handling Rating: Excellent
Db @ Idle: 49.2
Db @ Full Throttle: 82.7
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 70.3

Acceleration Comments: 370 Z seems to like wheel spin off the line-- and it's required to keep from bogging engine. We found at least 5,000 rpm works best. Get the clutch out quick or it will sink. Tranny still resists fast shifts, especially 1-2.

Braking Comments: Very good distance and pedal feel, but scored rotors aren't good. See below for details.

Handling Comments: (Skid pad) Limits are high but understeer is heavy as they approach. Coaxing the Z into tail-out goodness isn't as easy as I'd like. (Slalom) Superb grip & predictability make the 370 reassuring in fast transitions. It's shorter wheelbase, however, makes it slightly more spin happy than I remember from the 350Z. Overall, however, I prefer the new nimbleness.

Let's take a minute to talk gauged brakes, shall we?

This is a picture of the front rotor of our Nissan 370z after brake testing. The car had 1,000 hard miles on it, but still, after the first two stops of 130+ feet, we knew that they were not bed-in enough for testing and began that process. The bedding-in process, according to our Engineering Editor Jay Kavanagh, "establishes a useful "transfer layer" of pad material onto the rotor, and should be done on any high-performance braking systems. It works like this--you perform several (ten or so) moderate stops in rapid succession, starting from ~60 mph to ~10 mph, then let them cool." The first stops we did combined with a shortened bed-in process resulted in some screaming hot (that's a technical term) pads which became abrasive and scored the rotors. Despite the looks, the pedal feels fine and the car came to a stop from 60 in only 105 feet.

Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant

Old Cars Out, New Cars In: Bye-bye R8, C300, X5 and Grand Caravan

Quote:

In the past couple of weeks we've had a lot of turnover in our long-term fleet. Some cars have gone bye-bye and we've gotten a couple of newbies. I thought you'd want an update.

Gone are the BMW X5, Audi R8 and Dodge Grand Caravan. There will be no more blogs on these cars, but look for an in depth wrap-up on each in the next few weeks, just like the one we published on our Mercedes C300 today. All three are already missed. The X5 and R8 were staff favorites, and the minivan proved to be great at moving people and things, even if we didn't always shower it with praise.

New to the fleet is a bitchin' black 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T we purchased about a week ago. Look for its full introduction to this blog next week and a flood of posts soon after. We also recently acquired a Hyundai Genesis sedan and a Nissan 370Z, both of which we introduced to you and this blog recently.

Soon to finish up their time in our fleet will be the Cadillac CTS, Pontiac G8, the 2002 BMW E46 M3, our Subaru WRX STI and our BMW 135i. Any suggestions on replacements?

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief

March 13, 2009

2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: A Real GT When You Want It to Be

Quote:

My 36-hour, 900-mile Arizona road trip in our long-term 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring ended around 11:30 last night. Although I never had a chance to explore any interesting back roads with the Z, I am surprised by how much I still like it after hours on interstates and numbing desert highways.

Ride comfort is a big reason, because our sport-package 370Z is compliant to a level I never would have believed before this trip. This is not a compromised sport coupe. It's one I could live with everyday.

I've really warmed to the driving position, too. Although I previously complained that the new-gen car's shortened wheelbase has the dash up in your face, the setup turned out to be fine on my trip. I was comfortable behind the wheel, even though it doesn't telescope, and I liked how I was in finger's reach of the nav, audio and climate controls.

Average fuel economy for the trip was over 21 mpg, and I don't deserve any credit for driving conservatively on I-10. Instead, I chalk it up to the 18 speed cameras I passed in greater Phoenix (even without a front plate, I was careful) and low speed limits in the Maricopa area.

I checked the oil around 3,300 miles (on a level surface after letting the car sit 15 minutes) and it registered below the low mark on the dipstick. I bought a quart of 5W30 and added it in stages, but ultimately, the 370Z needed the whole thing. Given that the oil also looks dirty, the car will likely be getting an oil change soon. No surprise that it needs one, really. We've driven the Z hard.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 3,807 miles