The *REAL* official 370Z test drive thread

[Asheth]

Originally Posted by Namir

Mods, Can we get a thread merge?
The whole "official test drive" and "REAL official test drive" thing is kind of silly.

^^^ I agree

[Skaterbasist]

I drove the 370Z with sports package (6MT) myself today.

I pulled up just before they closed in my 2006 G35 Coupe, and had a salesman waiting for the second I got out of the car

I have already seen it in person before (L.A Auto Show), so there was nothing to surprice me as far as the exterior goes.

The interior, which was the base car, is definately far superior to the current 350Z. Everything is just smooth to touch. And this isn't even the Touring model, not to even mention the Nav option.

Now, as far as the test drive. Just to let you know where im coming from: My G35 Coupe 6MT has full bolt ons + tune, with a full suspension (sway bars, track coilovers, etc).

The drive was honestly no real surprise. It's the same engine as that on the G37, so it felt just like it (obviously). The engine is smooth and very linear, and doesn't really have a real punch to it. But the power is very progressive. The car itself is also VERY quiet (but then again, my car does have an exhaust with no catalyctic converters). I was honestly not really impressed with the acceleration itself, but I guess I have my car to blame for that. My car is making alot more torque than the 370Z so it doesnt have that grunt my car has. Punch my car at 5000 RPM's and it slams you against the driver seat. That wasn't the case with the 370Z. That does NOT mean my car is faster...it just feels faster. I would predict my car is very close to the 370Z, if not, the 370Z should edge me out just a little bit.

The drive itself was also surprisingly very GT-like. I could have sworn I was driving the G37... but it did feel more nimble. Compared to my G35 Coupe, the drive felt very soft.

The transmission and clutch, once again, was no surprice as I have already driven the G37. The clutch itself is very light, and more hydrolic than my G35c. It might take me a week or so to get used to that feel. And the transmission feels a little more refined.

The synchro rev-match option is definately neat. It is very precise and delivers the right throttle blip instantly. It's a great feature to have, though I prefer doing the rev-matching myself. (Good thing there's an off button ).

I didn't have the chance to really test the brakes, but they aren't as grabby as my G35c brakes. I'm sure they easily outbrake my car though.

Overall, im impressed by the car. Just not overwhelmed. The car definately has potential, and a full bolt-on plus full suspension 370Z should be a blast to drive. The fact that I have driven the G37 6MT and have a modified G35 Coupe probably took away the "awe" effect many have felt with the drive of this car. But that doesn't mean its an amazing car.

I will check out the Touring Model (and one with the Nav option) once I have the chance.

I might be in this car come Fall if I get the right deal [after my lease is over with my G35].

[Crash]

LOL! You modded your lease?

[DIGItonium]

I'm also waiting a few months down the line while parting out my car and going back to stock. I'd definitely like to see what the new Z would be like after 6 months of ownership and lots of miles.

In a long term G37 review in a mag I read (~21k miles), the reviewers complained about the notchy shifter and engine vibration through the shifter and pedals when revving towards redline.

In my experience with the current transmission (replaced in '06), it was buttery smooth. After a couple of months, the transmission gradually became clunky and notchy. Then there's the infamous gear whine and annoying clutch chatter.

Also, how's the suspension? The '03 was very bouncy.

So do you guys get the familiar Z feeling once you get in the cockpit, start her up, and get going? In pictures, the 370Z looks a tad shorter, but it seems ginormous as well. O_o

[Skaterbasist]

Originally Posted by Crash

LOL! You modded your lease?

I planned on buying out the car at the end of the year- that was my mentality 2 1/2 years ago.

Besides, I would go crazy driving a stock G35 for 3 years. And the mods I have can be easily sold

[o0javi0o]

Good reviews, two different perspectives from normal experiences. I cant wait to give mine...

[Greg]

Nice impressions. Thanks for sharing them with us.

[msb3079]

Originally Posted by Crash

LOL! You modded your lease?

what's wrong with modding a lease?? it's really no different... you just "de-mod" it or leave it...
on my G35 i left the springs on and the windows tinted... but obv took the wheels off.. put original markers back on and took overlays off...
not a big deal really.

edit: ok, nevermind... i see the mods you are talking about... much more serious ones than mine.

[John@Z1]

Good info.

[Mythos219]

Originally Posted by Crash

LOL! You modded your lease?

I have a friend who modded his Benz CLK with a drop, engine stuff, even lambo doors on a lease. He put everything back to stock even replacing the lambo door hinges. The money wasn't an issue for him.

[msl82]

Originally Posted by Mythos219

I have a friend who modded his Benz CLK with a drop, engine stuff, even lambo doors on a lease. He put everything back to stock even replacing the lambo door hinges. The money wasn't an issue for him.

If money wasnt an issue, why did he lease?

[Mythos219]

Originally Posted by msl82

If money wasnt an issue, why did he lease?

So he can get a new car every 3 years in the most painless way possible.

[Skaterbasist]

Originally Posted by msb3079

what's wrong with modding a lease?? it's really no different... you just "de-mod" it or leave it...
on my G35 i left the springs on and the windows tinted... but obv took the wheels off.. put original markers back on and took overlays off...
not a big deal really.

edit: ok, nevermind... i see the mods you are talking about... much more serious ones than mine.

As long as all the mods are easily removable, there's nothing wrong with modding a lease. People do it all the time...its really no difference.

I think the only mod I have done which is going down the drain if I return the car is the tune, which I got with a discount anyhow. And I think there might be a way to sell the license itself (according to the manufacture).

Everything else was installed by me, and I can uninstall them and sell them with no problem. (It just takes some time).

The only thing I would consider overboard for a lease would be something like a paintjob or twin turbos (etc).

[RCZ]

Hi everyone,

So today I got a call from my dealer telling me they received a pair of 370z's and wanted me to go check them out. They had a red MT base model with no options and a black A/T touring with no options. Nothing too exciting but at least I got to compare touring vs base.

At first glance, the 370Z isn't as striking as I expected from all the hype people have built up. Just kidding, its pretty awesome. The styling is much more aggressive than the 350Z, it is more muscular and more curvaceous while still remaining refined, well mostly. I'm still not convinced about the rear tails and the heads, they are almost too much of a statement, but I can see why people say they work with the car and while I'm not particularly fond of them, I'm sure they will grow on me. The side profile on the other hand is very nice; proportions look pretty good front to back and it feels well like a well balanced design. Definitely could use a little bit of a drop though, perhaps the Sport package equipped models look better with the bigger wheels.
One thing that I noticed is that this car has much more presence than the 350Z did. You get that same feeling that the car means business as you do when you look at a supra. With it's wide wheel arches and long hood, it seems to scream "I have arrived, now look at me." The front end's "fangs" are much less pronounced in person than they are in pictures. They seem to be OK there, but the overall front end of the car feels a little awkward...like they should have spent one more week on it. Overall, the car is stunning. It is safe to say that Nissan hit the nail on the head. It's pretty, its aggressive, its all Z.

Over to the interior. There isn't much to say here really. It is a nice improvement over the old car, but the materials aren't up to par with the likes of Audi and BMW. I think the interior is very fitting to the car. It's sporty, its focused and overall it is not a bad place to spend some time. The steering wheel was great, good size and shape. Seats could use a little more bolstering, but they aren't bad for stock seats. I have to say it though guys... that ridiculous fuel/temp/multi-function gauge everyone has been complaining about, well yeah its pretty bad. It looks completely out of place and it looks and feels cheap. (yes I tapped at it) Someone needs to come out with some sort of replacement set for that gauge, pronto. Blind spots are awful, backing into spots its going to be terrible at least until I get used to the proportions. Visibility out the front is pretty good though, the A pillars are thin and easy to look around. Also my 6'2" friend sat in the car no problem, with the seat all the way back though. Overall, nice improvement over last Z, but don't expect miracles. If you want better materials, you will have to go aftermarket. I can tell you right now that I will be upgrading some interior stuff and I will definitely be getting a new, lighter pair of seats.

Now for the important part; the drive. Considering the fact that I've been talking smack about the 7A/T for the past few weeks, I decided that since the manual version that they had didnt have synchrorev, I would drive the automatic. I did feel out the manual box with the car off and it feels great. Very precise, very natural and smooth. The throws are short and the clutch feels just right, but leaning towards the lighter/softer side. Gears go in without hesitation, you never really get caught on the gates and that is a huge plus. The knob itself feels good and I dont think I'm going to replace it.

Anyway, back to the drive. I liked the keyless entry and start system a lot, very convenient and I'm glad Nissan added these features. Sit down, buckle in and you are immediately greeted with a red glowing button with the words "start stop" on it. Press it and the engine comes to life with a nice rev and the first aural sensation you experience. I gotta say that it put a smile on my face, it is by no means subtle, you know its there and its ready. Now, guys who are getting the 7A/T, I say in simplest terms..get it. The auto transmission is more responsive than I expected, upshifts and downshifts are fairly quick. It's no GT-R, but I was pleased with the quickness. Its fast, but it is NOT DCT fast. It's responsive, but I did find myself getting a little surprised by the gear changes because I didn't know how quickly or how late they were coming. Something I'm sure most of you who get the AT will learn to live with. Hard on the brakes and dropping gears from 4th to 1st felt smooth, however I felt detached from the car. It didn't do exactly what I wanted it to when I wanted it to, but it was damn close. You guys out there that aren't going to be tracking the car, the MT isnt completely necessary, unless you get a kick from shifting gears as I do. The other complaint I had was that while the car matches revs beautifully as you downshift, going from second to first is everything but smooth. The car lurches forward a bit more than I would have liked. I guarantee that you guys who get the AT will just leave it in second at stops and just let the car do the switching once you've come to a full stop. Other than that, its a nice AT. I am still getting the MT though, no contest there

The Motor was another high point. I currently drive a car with at least 370tq and let me tell you, I didn't miss it. This new 3.7L really delivers. The VVEL system does the impossible and provides you with a gratuitous amount of low end torque. 4th gear at 30mph? No problem. I hope the 285's do a better job at reigning in the power because I was all over the place with the 245's. The traction control really lets you play around a lot before it shuts the party down. It works really well as it isnt overly intrusive, but it's not going to let you street warriors spin off your favorite offramp. Im pretty sure it let me spin through most of first and some of second. Punch it in the powerband and the car jumps forward effortlessly and keeps on pulling all the way to redline. I was very impressed with the performance and responsiveness of this bone stock motor. As far as the sound goes, while its not quiet and nor is it annoying, it doesn't have a definitive character. It leaves you wanting more as it doesn't really let you know how fast you are turning potential energy into throw-me-in-jail speed. Its not awful. As far as vibration is concerned, I am used to thinking my cell phone is going off on vibrate when I'm driving. My car has really stiff bushings on the transmission and shift linkage so it vibrates like a mother. It did get a little chaotic near redline, but I was too busy keeping the front end away from street signs and small animals to really notice. Vibration is definitely not on my list of things to worry about.

Suspension, honestly.. it was more or less perfect for street driving. Not soft, but well dampened. Not jarring, but not much lean in corners. Felt a lot like a 3 series; just right. The chassis feels great, less like a bunch of pieces put together and more like a single unit. It was stiff and it really inspired confidence. Steering is heavy, precise and quick. Very point-and-go feeling to it. Overall, it felt positive and sporty. It could use just a tad more sharpening, but that will come in the way of some stiffer sways and a more aggressive alignment.

Nissan really did a great job though, the car feels like it has potential to be a cayman beater for sure. As far as 4.4 to 60? more like 4.8s. I can definitely see it getting a pretty good time in the quarter though, just felt like it had cajones. One thing I can tell you is that this car is going to be a blast to drive on the street, but even more so on the track. While it wouldn't be faster than my current car around the track, it would sure as hell would be a LOT more fun.. I really can't wait. It looks amazing in black, but there are so many places for water to get stuck and watermarks to build up. There is no way I'm buying this car in black. (sorry Shumby) Looks like its graphite for me.

Oh yeah and one more thing, its for sale...NOW . If I had wanted to, I could've taken either of them home today. I thought they weren't available till end of Jan, guess I was wrong.

[o0javi0o]

Yep guys, today I did a Test Drive to an Nissan 370z Touring with Sport Package, Chicane Yellow!!! Price.... well hold on.. 40,500...
What can I say, first impression, WOW...

Physically:
Car looked Smaller, Wider, and shorter at first sight. Looks incredibly better in person than in pictures. Boomerang Head lights looks smaller than in pictures, just fit perfectly to the car. The rear bumper look so wide body, just impress in a positive way, love it. The best view is from the side, which you can perfectly see the new 370z design. The hood looks very wide and long, but perfectly to match the design, very aero design. Just looking the car parked, looked fast. No Antenna, big up. no rear whipper, nice. Splash guards looks very nice on that car, not big to be noticed, but give this particular detail that you will love. The front bumper looks very clean, the mustache look in front bumper looks nicer in person than in pictures. The 19" Rays Engineering Rims, just perfect, in my personal opinion, they are just perfect, never to be changed. Those 275mm tires looks incredibly amazing, very wide and aggressive for the ride and the 245mm in the front, just perfect for the incredible feeling of the ride, by the way, the car just ride smooth as butter, but let me keep going with my personal impression first.
The height of the car; it looks perfect. At the pictures you can notice that the car need a drop, of a minimum of 1", 1.5" but in my opinion, it is not needed, just maybe, mayyyyybe .5 or 1" if you want to play.
The weight of the hood, is more or less like the 350z hood. The rear spoiler, nice and clean. In overall, the car, in my impression, looks, amazing. No picture can describe what you can see in person. They will give you the idea and yes that is a 370z, But in person, the Volume of the car, cant be described in person.

Interiors:
No words to describe the big upgrades. The materials are incredibly better than the ones used on the 350z. Leather is great and the suede on the inside of the doors, feels ok, but not at the quality that you might be waiting to feel, but give a unique and different touch. The center console feels and looks good with the materials used, the small detail of the thread detail looks nit. The center cup holder, with the plastic aluminum color rim, give a luxury detail look. The colors of the lights inside the cockpit, very cool look and fresh to the eye, the color matching is most likely to the Audi's A4 (Red, Orange, White colors). Key is a cool feature, Push to start bottom, cool, at your pocket. leave the car on, get a cup of coffee, close the car while is on, then come back and you are the governor of the world, opening the car because you hold the key. The inside view is ok, not that hard to be used to. Front view is excellent , the hood looks very wide from the interior also the tachometer looks smaller but higher, well in my position... The Trunk view, is kind of smaller... The trunk size just looks remarkably bigger than a 350z.
In overall the car materials, colors, details, gives a very new design of the 370z, luxury.

Ok ok!!!
Test drive impression!!!!
NO WORDS!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!
Clutch, smooth, smooth, and smoother!!! At first glance I felt wired but very quick to get the clutch weight. The gears are very short, in my opinion, and smooth. The ride was very very quiet in comparison to my 350z. Kind of a stiff ride, center of gravity is by your body, you can control very easy the car, The rear drive nothing different to the 350z.
The Transmission,,,, Love...ly..... LOVE THE AUTO REV!!!! Sport mode off, Normal Drive, the clutch is very very but very smooth, I haven't felt any clutch that smooth in my driving experience. Sport Mode On,,,, yes, Let me hear the reeving soooound!!!. just at the moment the car is in Neutral, if you move the stick to the left the car just rev automatically without hitting any gear. I was driving at 65mph in 6th gear, hit clutch and set the gear in 3rd and just by passing by the 3rd gear the engine roars as a demon, love it!!!
Tires have a very great grip, 140 Tread ware. great feeling on the road, a great daily driver car and great track car just as it is.
Nissan Breaks, excellent!!!
Love it, love it!!
The car gives the value for the money.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 3/09 I will give another test drive to this yellow bullet and will bring my camera to record an inside driving video for you guys and some pictures for you.

I will get mine very sooooooon!!! Base w/ sport package, 6 MT!!

Please, let me know what type of pictures you want to see of the car and what do you want me to record on the video for you guys. And yes,,,, things that can be possibly caught on a dealer test drive.......

Thank you!!! pleaaaase, give some rep. points when you see the video, pics and this review if you want jejeje.
Thanks!!!!