Car and Driver Crashes a Nismo 370Z

nicknick · 12-30-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Umm I said inexpensive if your comment is directed at me....also I think I've spent a good bit over 1k in mods already

Sorry I meant from the factory. I know (well at least me) that i would payan extra 1G to not haave these issues, i know this only applies to track but sometimes peole just like to know the performance is there without actuaally having/wanting to use it, if you know what i mean.

TARDCORE · 12-30-2009, 05:05 PM

I have the C&D issue when they FIRST tested the NISMO Z. The morons tested it as soon as they drove it off the lot. No break in period, no oil change, nothing. It performed horribly I can post the pic if you like but I am sure most of you read it. Sorry if this is a re post in this thread. I do not like Car & Driver's reviews. Their performance numbers always seem to fluctuate among other cars and this car. Obviously different drivers doing the tests but they seem to be biased towards luxury (especially BMW, man bimmer fan boys rejoice at C&D mags) from what I have seen. I like their magazines but I remember one issue where they tested the Subaru WRX and STI. The WRX had VERY similar numbers to the STI. Ever since then the only reason I pay $20 for 24 issues is for the pictures of the new cars and to see whats new in general and to get a ball park figure of how fast a car is. If C&D says a car runs a 14 sec 1/4 mile, seriously consider adding + or - 3/10 of a second there. And from what I saw from their NISMO test possibly consider adding + or - 5/10 of a second!

If only C&D put pictures of hot girls, then itd be worth it just for the pics.

Technik330 · 12-30-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

... did it ever cross your mind that maybe the people driving said car drove it like asshats and never bothered to check the brakes? On "Track" cars you need to be ready to change out pads every couple of track days - so why does that not apply here? If you are buying a track car you better be ready to pay the bills.... dont expect it to run forever...

That's a creative idea; I bet they didn't check the tires either, on said car. At least half a dozen other auto reviewers drove the piss out of the Nismo Z and didn't have this issue, maybe it was a fluke.

Either way, where's Nissans defense behind not outfitting the "test" Nismo Z's with a half way decent pad for track use? Where's the reasoning for equipping the "test" Nismo Z's with oil coolers, but not better brake pads, and even further not equipping the production Nismo Z's with a factory oil cooler?

370Zsteve · 12-30-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zdub

I'm still failing to see where it exactly words the Nismo 370Z is a Track car.

OK, I guess the bold type was a bad idea in your case.

theDreamer · 12-30-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

Really?

From a Nismo catalog, not very hard to find:

NISMO is world-renowned as the premier source for extreme Nissan performance. From Japanese GT racers to Dakar Rally trucks, to the wildest
versions of the Skyline GT-R, NISMO gives you an all-access pass to genuine factory-engineered, dyno-tested, racetrack-proven performance.
And as you’d expect from the same engineers who design Sports Prototypes to run at full sprint for 24 grueling hours, NISMO components are built to last.

Support from the factory means that every NISMO component is thoroughly engineered and rigorously tested to ensure a seamless fit and
outstanding performance mile after mile. Whether you’re a Z driver aiming to outrun Porsches around a track or an Altima driver who wants to sharpen its street-ready edge, NISMO stands ready to take your Nissan to the next level.

The NISMO catalog is not about the Nismo 370z though, they are selling track parts specifically from that magazine. The Nismo 370z itself has only two true Nismo parts, the tune and the exhaust, the brakes, cooling, etc. are all non-nismo parts.

370Zsteve · 12-30-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

The NISMO catalog is not about the Nismo 370z though, they are selling track parts specifically from that magazine. The Nismo 370z itself has only two true Nismo parts, the tune and the exhaust, the brakes, cooling, etc. are all non-nismo parts.

Exactly my point again! Bad marketing.

They are marketing the car (Nismo) as track-ready when it isn't.

theDreamer · 12-30-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

Exactly my point again! Bad marketing.

They are marketing the car (Nismo) as track-ready when it isn't.

My point is that it is not, two pieces of the car are Nismo branded, nothing else is so it is not track ready or being advertised as such. Just because it has a Nismo exhaust & tune does not make it track ready. The brakes are a BBK but nowhere does it says "track ready."

Technik330 · 12-30-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

My point is that it is not, two pieces of the car are Nismo branded, nothing else is so it is not track ready or being advertised as such. Just because it has a Nismo exhaust & tune does not make it track ready. The brakes are a BBK but nowhere does it says "track ready."

I believe the Nismo specific parts would be the Nismo suspension, body/chassis dampers, exhaust, "tune/ecu," strut brace, and aero. That's a bit more than two pieces.

That's aside from the "sport brakes" and Advan tires-

That's a lot of additions for a "street/non-track ready car"

theDreamer · 12-30-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technik330

I believe the Nismo specific parts would be the Nismo suspension, body/chassis dampers, exhaust, "tune/ecu," strut brace, and aero. That's a bit more than two pieces.

That's aside from the "sport brakes" and Advan tires-

That's a lot of additions for a "street/non-track ready car"

Sorry I did forget about the suspension upgrade.
Aero kit is not a big item for track in my view in this discussion.
"Sport brakes" are not track brakes
Advan tires have actually been shown to be on par on lower than the RE50 in some tests.

So we are still at exhust/tune, suspension, not really anything that will make your car track ready in my eyes or even has been mentioned by Nissan as being track ready.

370Zsteve · 12-30-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

So we are still at exhust/tune, suspension, not really anything that will make your car track ready in my eyes or even has been mentioned by Nissan as being track ready.

Then they should not call it "Nismo"

"Support from the factory means that every NISMO component is thoroughly engineered and rigorously tested to ensure a seamless fit and
outstanding performance mile after mile. Whether you’re a Z driver aiming to outrun Porsches around a track or an Altima driver who wants to sharpen its street-ready edge, NISMO stands ready to take your Nissan to the next level."

midget · 12-30-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWeatherman

Yes Bobo. Yes. There are a lot of people who do. I know you have a lot of pride in your car and this model, but for some of us, this is unacceptable. I went to the Chrysler SRT driving school at Road America. Those were all stock vehicles running all day. Go to an Audi event. Most of the folks here in Wisconsin running all day at Road America are stock as well. Completely. No pads, no fluid, no cooler. Mustang, Corvette, and "Camero" events. Porsche. Mostly stock on all. I've been to them. I've seen it first hand. Talked to the guys. To go play with a bunch of cars that are even cheaper than mine, I have to go buy $2,000 more worth of stuff? You're forgetting the labor costs. I think this is going to be my last Nissan or Infiniti. I've had it with the excuses from them. I'd like to see the base Z out there with the smaller brakes. That's the only one that has only a window sticker below $30K. Those brakes would fry. I bought a $3,000 sport package to eliminate this. Just like you can buy a similar "Track package" on a Mustang. There's no sport in this.

You also picked out the parts you didn't like about my last post, but never focused on the points you thought were strange. Tell me, why are new pads being put on Infiniti FX50's for free, via customer request? Why is my brother's Jeep more track capable than my Z? That's completely stock. Why can my friends Mustang go out and run all day at Road America without the track package and I can't?

Nissan duped me into buying a car that I thought I could play with my friends. Most of their cars are even cheaper than my Z, brand new. The Jeep SRT is more expensive since he has Nav, seat heaters, 425HP, all wheel drive, a trailer hitch, Boston Acoustics stereo, MyGig, remote start, and power seats. If I was able to get all of this on my Z, mine would be a more expensive car than his. Look at a touring w/ sport. I got less than what I payed for. Go ahead and flame me all you want. When it comes to my next car, especially sports car, I can't believe I'm about to say this... I'm going American. They put out what they advertise. A sports car. (I still couldn't do a Camaro though.)

If a set of nice new brake pads and an oil cooler breaks the bank for ya, after buying a Z, why don't you just sell it? Clearly those two small problems, on an otherwise outstanding and inexpensive car, are just too much to overlook.

theDreamer · 12-30-2009, 06:12 PM

The "Nismo" name on the car, in my view, is just a name. It is a plate saying that this car has some upgraded parts that are more sporty, some even track ready. That does not make the car, as a whole, track ready though.

Technik330 · 12-30-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

Sorry I did forget about the suspension upgrade.
Aero kit is not a big item for track in my view in this discussion.
"Sport brakes" are not track brakes
Advan tires have actually been shown to be on par on lower than the RE50 in some tests.

So we are still at exhust/tune, suspension, not really anything that will make your car track ready in my eyes or even has been mentioned by Nissan as being track ready.

All good, no reason to apologize. Any way you look at it, is it really a stretch to imagine the Nismo Z as Nissan's shot a weekend track car? I think it'd be a stretch not to view it that way.

I mean if not, why use a base 370z as a platform for the flagship 370 Z? Why not offer a leather interior, navi, or a better stereo?

If not to cut out weight, maybe cost?

370Zsteve · 12-30-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theDreamer

The "Nismo" name on the car, in my view, is just a name. It is a plate saying that this car has some upgraded parts that are more sporty, some even track ready. That does not make the car, as a whole, track ready though.

I hate to beat a dead horse, Dreamer, but it's what they said. They should have called it PseudoNismo. No big deal, I love my Sport/Touring Z. Just (finally) reached 1200 miles, the beast is out of the cage!

"Whether you’re a Z driver aiming to outrun Porsches around a track or an Altima driver who wants to sharpen its street-ready edge, NISMO stands ready to take your Nissan to the next level."

theDreamer · 12-30-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

I hate to beat a dead horse, Dreamer, but it's what they said. They should have called it PseudoNismo. No big deal, I love my Sport/Touring Z. Just (finally) reached 1200 miles, the beast is out of the cage!

"Whether you’re a Z driver aiming to outrun Porsches around a track or an Altima driver who wants to sharpen its street-ready edge, NISMO stands ready to take your Nissan to the next level."

Where is that quote coming from?

12-30-2009, 05:05 PM	#137 (permalink)
TARDCORE Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 410 Drives: 2010 Solid Red 370Z Rep Power: 16	I have the C&D issue when they FIRST tested the NISMO Z. The morons tested it as soon as they drove it off the lot. No break in period, no oil change, nothing. It performed horribly I can post the pic if you like but I am sure most of you read it. Sorry if this is a re post in this thread. I do not like Car & Driver's reviews. Their performance numbers always seem to fluctuate among other cars and this car. Obviously different drivers doing the tests but they seem to be biased towards luxury (especially BMW, man bimmer fan boys rejoice at C&D mags) from what I have seen. I like their magazines but I remember one issue where they tested the Subaru WRX and STI. The WRX had VERY similar numbers to the STI. Ever since then the only reason I pay $20 for 24 issues is for the pictures of the new cars and to see whats new in general and to get a ball park figure of how fast a car is. If C&D says a car runs a 14 sec 1/4 mile, seriously consider adding + or - 3/10 of a second there. And from what I saw from their NISMO test possibly consider adding + or - 5/10 of a second! If only C&D put pictures of hot girls, then itd be worth it just for the pics. __________________ XBL:EVENTYDE

12-30-2009, 06:12 PM	#147 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	The "Nismo" name on the car, in my view, is just a name. It is a plate saying that this car has some upgraded parts that are more sporty, some even track ready. That does not make the car, as a whole, track ready though. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

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