Thoughts after my first test drive of the 6MT 370z
 

On May 28th I finally stopped by a few Nissan dealerships to look at their inventory 370z's. I was allowed to drive the 7AT and the 6MT. The auto was smooth, but it didn't feel faster than my current Mazdaspeed3 that I was going to trade in. When I drove the manual version, it felt much more fun compared with the auto.

The weird thing was when driving the 6MT was that the clutch pedal was too close to the brake pedal, so occassionally when I press in the clutch I would hit the brake pedal arm on the top. I find that unusually close. To avoid that I would need to use the big toe side of my left foot to press the clutch pedal. I find it uncomfortable since I'm used to resting the top center sole of my left foot on the clutch pedal.

The shifter was not impressive and is clunky. I couldn't get into gear as easily as my Mazdaspeed3 or my Civic Si. I test drove the 350z a few years back before I bought my Mazdaspeed3, and I see that the shifter feel had not much improved.

I love the exterior and interior styling of the 370z and would still consider purchasing one, but I hope I can overcome the bad clutch pedal placement and the clunky shifter feel. Plus the dealership had none of the colors that I wanted (red, blue, or white). There were no base models with sports package, all were touring models with or without sports package and the 40th Anny model.

I may have to hold off until I can find the color that I want. The dealerships kept pushing me into an auto touring and the dull colors that they had. I was informed by the dealerships that they only receive silvers, gray, and black 7AT Z's, which was disappointing to me being this is a sports car.

Now my question: what did you think of the clutch pedal location and bad shifter? Is the clutch pedal too close to the brake pedal or is it just me???

From: RCGsupra
<img src="http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss233/RCGsupra/DSCN0306.jpg?t=1240797038" border="0" alt="">

I have no issue with the location of the clutch pedal. I have always used the ball of my foot to push the clutch with and have not bumped the brake pedal.

E

Thanks for the input, it may be a "getting use" to thing. It was my first time driving the 370z.

It's just you or you have a very wide foot. I've yet to inadvertently depress the brake pedal on any standard I've owned. Anyway, the looks and handling of the Z alone should outweigh minor issues in a decision to purchase. Be noticed and get the Z!

It's not a "bad shifter," you're just not used to the direct input transmissions. This is a common complaint for people that just aren't used to feeling everything that's going on inside of their transmission. Feel can be improved by installing a short-throw shifter which will eliminate most of the "slop" associated with the factory shifter.

As far as the clutch pedal placement is concerned... I have never felt like the clutch was too close to the brake. You may just be used to your other cars and will have to take time to adjust.

As far as the feel of power is concerned... the 370Z delivers it's power very linearly, so unless you punch it from 5,000 RPM, you never feel an abrupt rush of power like you would with a V8 or a turbo car in boost. The car doesn't have much "go" below 4,000 RPM, so you need to keep the revs up for any go-fast driving.

I like the notchy feel, let's me know I am in gear. Seems like a lot of people like a smooth shift with zero feedback.

I've never had that problem with my clutch.

I can agree that the shifter is maybe not the nicest I've ever seen/felt, but it doesn't detract enough from the driving experience to bother me.

As for the color and options, I suggest you hold out for what you want or search your surrounding area using maybe cars.com to find what you're looking for. It's out there if you look hard enough. There are base Z's with sport, and hopefully in one of the colors you like. Never let a salesman place you in a car. Do your research, figure out what you want, and stick to your guns. It's your money, and your time investment. You gotta look at the thing in your driveway (let alone drive it) for the next X years. The salesman doesn't.

OP... you're in my neck of the woods, and seem to be having the same problem as I. Keep looking around, you will find the one you are looking for. The key is to be patient, and not let these dealers here know what you want. Unfortunately, Lou is in St.Lou, and Fontana is just about 5-7 hours away. More 5 for me, 6-7 for you. Good luck!!


P.S. You really shouldn't rest your foot on the clutch pedal. That's what a dead pedal is for. Unless I misunderstood, then disregard that last part. :tiphat:

:iagree:

Yeah, I like it as well. Makes me feel more connected to what's going on and more likely to feel something, if something didn't work properly.

I also agree that you just probably need to get used to the clutch placement. I've never hit the brake on accident. Definitely do not settle for a color/trim you aren't sure you want. When you're spending this much money on anything, it makes sense to get EXACTLY what you want.

Can't you modify the shifter to your personal tastes? I don't get it. But as far as dealerships go. OP, I understand what you are going through. I been to dealerships left and right and nissan is just playin a bunch of hoe games when it comes to the Z and I'm getting bored myself. My experiences have been very similar.
They only have black, gray, white black cherry and red. I'm looking for blue. No one has a blue. Everyone is trying to make me pay msrp or $500 over to order my blue. No base+sports. I guess they are mad that base + sport was the 1st to run out in 09. Nissan has become more rapist at the dealership. Not only that I feel the touring package is the biggest rip off in the history of car option rip offs. Ok. For nearly $4,000.00 you get, leather bolstered fake suede power seats, a trunk cover and a bose stereo that sound 5% better than the RDS in the base model. Ummmmm where did nissan get $4k? I think the base should have a minimum a 4way drivers power seat. Save weight is the reason they choose for not offering a few things but, the prices they ask are not on par with what u get in the touring package. Period.
Not only that, they like justifying not haggling by saying. The Z has no direct competition. Maybe not in price but there are other cars. The corvette and porsche cayman on the certified pre owned tip is an option. The corvette at year end with 10k rebates is an option.
I'm married so I'm not trying to attract chics. I just want a fun sports car that's fast as f*#k that I can mod. I was Z crazy but its wearing down as I haggle prices. I'm waiting for year end on the camaro to see what happens? I'm also considering, trading my G for a genesis coupe. I don't know yet. But nissan as a corporation is just starting to bother me.
Don't know if I should wait and see if the RX-7 will come back out. The RX7 was my 1st import and a buick grand national was my first sports oriented car. Or should I say sport boat. Lol. Either way it is fast.
My purchase of a Z would have me owning 3 nissan products at one time. The fact that I have a 5 nissan vehicle history and they don't want to budge on the Z price is really pissing me off. I own a 09 G37s and 08 altima 3.5. I previously owned another 98altima, 06G35, and a 98 240sx. I've also owned 3 GM cars and a 93mazda rx7. The mazda has been my favorite car other than my experience in a 370z. (Not including exotic rentals)
Overall I prefer imports, but will go back to muscle cars if the stealership keeps getting greedy. I don't go more expensive cuz I need vehicles for other purposes as well.

wait wait wait lemme get this straight you sayin' Silver sucks? :icon23:

Yeah, a true Mancar!

I too have a Mazdaspeed 3 and when I test drove the 370 I thought it was a lot smoother than the Speed. But I also have upgraded motor mounts in my speed to make it more rigid....so maybe thats why lol. I didnt have any problems with the clutch and brake and really the only problem I did have was I stalled the car once at a stop light. Prolly from not being use to driving it yet. Seems like the sweet spot is a lot bigger than it is in the Speed, where you have to pretty much decompress the clutch all the way before the car starts moving or anything. I remember getting out of the car after the test drive and being like...yeah this is gonna be my next car. Felt alot quicker than the speed, and through me back in the seat at first. I can only imagine what it feels like with being twin turboed.

The only time I had a problem was when I have to wear my winter combat boots while in the Army. Other than that no issues.



To me Silver is the best color to maintain and keep the car clean. I didn't get a Silver 370 because my 350 was that color and I wanted to changed color.