2009 Nissan 370Z: Go Ahead, Name a Better V6 in This Price Range

AK370Z · 01-06-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

I'll grant you this: The 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 in our 2009 Nissan 370Z serenades you with all kinds of noise and vibration when you ride close to its 7,500-rpm redline.

But I would still take this V6 over almost every other six-cylinder in this price range, because like it or lump it, the VQ-series V6 is athletic. There's enough torque to get the car out of the hole in a hurry and power builds noticeably as you work up to higher engine speeds. This engine isn't about having a nice-and-easy flat torque band; you're building up to something.

I just can't get excited about the 306-hp 3.8-liter V6 in the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the 304-hp 3.6-liter V6 in the Chevrolet Camaro. They sound pretty good. They have nice, flat torque bands. But there's no athleticism in the way they rev, and if you're driving a car with two doors, why scrimp on that?

Of course, the twin-turbocharged, direct-injected, 3.0-liter inline-6 in the BMW 135i gives me pause. It has that perfectly flat, boring torque curve I've railed against, but it's so powerful and so smooth, and I so can't be blamed for liking it...

And maybe there's an opportunity here for the 2011 Mustang and its 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 if it can combine genuine performance character with a little refinement than our Z's brutish V6.

Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 18,047 miles

Source: 2009 Nissan 370Z: Go Ahead, Name a Better V6 in This Price Range

NewlyIMPORTed · 01-06-2010, 08:01 PM

yup still the best

vipor · 01-06-2010, 08:11 PM

nogoodname · 01-06-2010, 08:36 PM

The bmw I6 has 300hp and 300 Lbs of torque... that's not bad....... but it's a bmw ....

carlos3366 · 01-06-2010, 08:59 PM

why compare bmw with Z? they are totally different categories and prices.

CBRich · 01-06-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos3366

why compare bmw with Z? they are totally different categories and prices.

The same reason I compared them when I was deciding what to buy. I can afford both, they are both attractive coupes, they both have good power, and they both of high quality.

PapoZalsa · 01-06-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

The same reason I compared them when I was deciding what to buy. I can afford both, they are both attractive coupes, they both have good power, and they both of high quality.

frost · 01-06-2010, 10:41 PM

Only $25k new!!!

DJ_TJ · 01-07-2010, 07:12 AM

^^touring package with flux capacitor? i'd take the dmc-12 hands down.

UNKNOWN_370 · 01-07-2010, 10:19 AM

From my experiences with my G37s and 370z tests drives. Then comparing them to a range of test drives from the 135I to chevy camaro SS. I believe what really has the 370z with a leading edge are both its auto and manual transmissions moreso than the engine.
The engine is the power source but its the tranny that dictates how that power is delivered. This is where the VQ shines. This is where you must credit nissan most. I have to give respect to hyundai for putting out a smooth engine that honestly is waaaayyy tuned down verses the VQ which is almost @ max power. But hyundai, even though they contracted the greatest in tranny's (ZF) somehow found a way to create a fail in tranny performance. And this is why they still lag behind the competition. I must give them credit. They are working on a new tranny as we speak. But will 8 speeds be overkill?
BMW, a great car to say the least. But I must agree with AK. Definately too linear. Makes for a near dull ride. What's saves the BIMMER is a super responsive steering wheel. If I was looking for exciting luxury? The BMW would be great. But I'm not big on luxurious rides. The Z/G platform feeds my soul. Is the VQ course? Yes! Is it loud? Yes! (Not so much on my G but u get the point) do these qualities add to the fun of the Z? IMO YES!
This is why I have decided to sell one of my vehicles and buy a Z. I don't regret dropping my Z order for my G. But after retesting the car again. I must sell off one of my vehicles and buy the Z.

01-06-2010, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
NewlyIMPORTed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 1,109 Drives: 11 STI Sedan Rep Power: 18	yup still the best __________________ 2011 WRX STICobb Accessport, Nameless Performance exhaust, COBB SF Intake, COBB downpipe, 20% tint, Work Emotion XD9's

01-06-2010, 08:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	__________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

01-06-2010, 08:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
carlos3366 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54 Drives: 05 camry, 97 500sl Rep Power: 16	why compare bmw with Z? they are totally different categories and prices. __________________ twitter.com/carlos3366

01-06-2010, 08:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	The bmw I6 has 300hp and 300 Lbs of torque... that's not bad....... but it's a bmw ....

01-06-2010, 10:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	Only $25k new!!!

01-07-2010, 07:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
DJ_TJ Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: soul cal Posts: 29 Drives: 09 nismo #0097 Rep Power: 15	^^touring package with flux capacitor? i'd take the dmc-12 hands down.

01-07-2010, 10:19 AM	#10 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	From my experiences with my G37s and 370z tests drives. Then comparing them to a range of test drives from the 135I to chevy camaro SS. I believe what really has the 370z with a leading edge are both its auto and manual transmissions moreso than the engine. The engine is the power source but its the tranny that dictates how that power is delivered. This is where the VQ shines. This is where you must credit nissan most. I have to give respect to hyundai for putting out a smooth engine that honestly is waaaayyy tuned down verses the VQ which is almost @ max power. But hyundai, even though they contracted the greatest in tranny's (ZF) somehow found a way to create a fail in tranny performance. And this is why they still lag behind the competition. I must give them credit. They are working on a new tranny as we speak. But will 8 speeds be overkill? BMW, a great car to say the least. But I must agree with AK. Definately too linear. Makes for a near dull ride. What's saves the BIMMER is a super responsive steering wheel. If I was looking for exciting luxury? The BMW would be great. But I'm not big on luxurious rides. The Z/G platform feeds my soul. Is the VQ course? Yes! Is it loud? Yes! (Not so much on my G but u get the point) do these qualities add to the fun of the Z? IMO YES! This is why I have decided to sell one of my vehicles and buy a Z. I don't regret dropping my Z order for my G. But after retesting the car again. I must sell off one of my vehicles and buy the Z.