370Z 2009.5 Changes?
 

Forgive me if this has been covered in previous threads.

Does anyone think that Nissan will be able to incorporate some of the aesthetic changes people are asking for by the 2009.5 model year, such as the left-hand LED fuel gauge read-out into something more "traditional," or will we have to wait until the full manufacturing cycle goes by and look at the new 2010 model? I am planning on buying a touring model late summer, early fall but might wait to see if the 2010's have any changes.

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I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. I wouldn't expect them to change the gas gauge or temp gauge for this production year. MAYBE by the 2010 year, but I'd expect it closer to 2011.

Two things I can see them change but there's NO real info when. Almost ALL automotive magazines/websites reported the fuel gauge square area is the ONLY thing they hated interior wise. They said that it's awkward and needs to go. I can see Nissan work into something different for the upcoming years.

Road noise due to a different compound of plastic used in the inner tire wall may get changed. But this is a very small issue. You can always spray or add noise suppressing material there.

I really don't see anything else...

I am very doubtful that they'd change the fuel gauge by 2009.5 or even 2010. I'd expect no changes (other than defect patches) for this year and only very minor changes for 2010, if any at all. More likely to have new colors added or dropped come 2010 and perhaps a few more additional options.

Honestly, I think the LED system just needs improving. Instead of using the small amount large LEDs they're using, they should use 100 micro-LEDs to make it look somewhat fluid.

All good points. Any rumors on the aftermarket circuit regarding the fuel/temp gauge? Maybe even a black face plate instead of the current silver one?

We will def see aftermarket company coming out with many different overlays. You have to realize this car only been out for 1 month and 13 days. Many things will develop as time goes by.

Exterior-wise, here's a plea to Nissan - please put a strip of LED's in the headlamp cluster - the sooner the better.

Just remember the transformation of the rear end when the 350z taillights changed from bulb to LED's.

Interior-wise, please catch up with other manufacturers and give the audio system a USB port somewhere in a cubby hole.

I picked up my 370Z red/black with sport, touring and 6 speed last night. From what I had read I had my mind made up that the combo gauge was going to be a pain to deal with. In reality after a few miles I didn't pay any attention to it.

I will say that the tires are noisy. I may switch to a set of Sumitomo HTR Z III's to try to lower the noise. I had them on my 335i and they were very quite, not bad grip either.

Alan

I think the LED fuel guage makes more sense on the JDM Fairlady since it is right hand drive and the left guage is not right next to the driver window. If they had just flipped the guages around on the left drive version I don't think reviews would have even pointed it out since there would not have been the glare from the drivers window.

is it just me or do i think the new 370z is a polished well built car.
i have no complaints from seeing it couple of times and driving it.

everything that's there is already there....

maybe im guessing they might add a backup camera option in the 2010 model?

Changing something like gauges is a pretty big .5 year change, I would guess no to that. Seems like most intro fixes before the next years model are to correct problems. So maybe something like the wheel wells. If mine bother me I plan on going the brush on sound proofing route, but they did not seem that bad during test drives.

^ I'm guessing they will change it, but yeah, mid first year doesn't seem likely. Given the cost and economy, I think crash is probably right on the ball. Maybe 2010 but likely 2011.

Well, I have seen the 370 a few times in person now and can say I officially approve :tiphat: VERY well put together vehicle inside and out, regardless of the few questionable cosmetic features; those I could grow to love. Even on my '07 350, there are a few things that I grudgingly have come to accept.

As for changes to the 370, I can see one thing being added: heated side mirrors. Big deal, but plausible. The interior fuel gauge is a nice idea, but the aluminum trim doesn't fit with the rest of the gauges. Another feature: the shift knob is all black; what happened to the aluminum insert like on the 350? What do you guys think? I feel like the shift knob is a bit plain without it.

Lastly, if Nissan drops Monterrey Blue and gives us Daytona Blue, I will buy a 370 in a heartbeat.

^ any shift knob that has metal has to be changed out for our temperature. Or you can carry a sock in your car to put over it, lol

This is precisely what I've been thinking. As I'm in England, where we drive on the left, just like Japan, I'm hoping that this won't be an issue for us when the Z arrives in July, because the guage will be almost in the centre of the car, away from the windows. I feel for you Yankies!

The Fuel/Temp gauge is NOT LED. The indicators are LCD segments underneath an LED-like diffuser. The contrast is terrible, and actual LED segments would make better sense. It's a cost thing.

good obeservation, the all black knob does looks a little cheaper in my opinion. it was one of the first things i noticed. i would have expected the shift gate indicator to be brushed aluminum or something with some trim around the bottom that meets the boot


a quick fix is just get the G37 knob

This is why I never purchase the first batch of production cars... Usually, on the 2.5 to 3rd year is when they make all the changes to "improve" on what the customers complain about. AND!!! all the mods have been R&D'ed and tested, only downside is by then everyone and their mom has one.... =(

^honestly i dont see any improvements needed on this car.
i usually wait 2 years(also had a 05 g35c)

i think the complains are just minor.
everyone is going to complain about something...always.

That would have a real sweet look to it, hopefully in a blue-white color. Anything other then orange IMO.

I agree, would be a nice improvement.

"Just remember the transformation of the rear end when the 350z taillights changed from bulb to LED's."

Aren't the 370z's tails LED's???

^^ I think they are.....lol.....bulbs are so passé...lol


maybe they'll change it, like mid production update model...whatever the term is called....in the middle of the 5 year production life..

^ yea i just cheked on nissan and they say its led tails and brake and sidemarker.

i would like to see a backup camera though....

i wonder why they didnt put one in the 1st place........car is too small for a camera to be placed...lol...dunno

i think its sorta reserved for its sister car like the g37.
luxury brand...luxury "stuff"

so your selling your g for the 370?

^^ nah...might buy a Z later on

the G will be 2 yrs old this Aug..... :eek: and it's an 08 model... :driving:

haha gotcha.
2 years is too soon to sell...unless you don't care about $$$ lol
besides the g37 is a great car too.

^^ i'll drive it til it runs no more, an example is my pontiac 6000...lol...1989...still have

i'm the reason why leasing is not a good idea....hahaha

Is the left guage (that everyone seems to hate) an individual guage with pinned connector?

Likely. That'd be why they went with an LED setup. I can imagine they'd hard wire LEDs to a gauge cluster board unless they REALLY wanted to screw people for repair $.

Then I'm guessing that a Nissan change to this guage in a near future model might be a plug-n-play replacement. Might also be an opportunity for aftermarket if the screaming gets loud enough................

Coming from a different car and the 370 being my first Z, I truly don't have any complaints and am not sorry about getting one of the "early" models...........love the car :tup:

^ I second, Nikon FM's statement above. Driving last night and this morn, I was thinking about the fuel gauge, and it really isn't as bad as people make it out to be. The silver kind of matches the silver that is around the 3 "pods", it's a little different, but not all that weird.

Biggest complaints this far, is visibility out of this car. I find that the windshield is kind of on a short side, the left outside mirror, tends to block some of my view when I look left, in maneuvering around parking lots and such, and the blinds spots are pretty crazy too (although I'm getting around them with a lanechanger mirror and a proper adjustment of the outside mirrors).

^^ that's what we get for liking coupes...lol
all coupe have bad blind spots

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. I was trying to say that the change from bulbs to LED's on the 350z's taillights was a major improvement, and I think a similar step forward would be made if the 370z headlights had an LED strip, not just a single sidelight. I know it's been said before, but I'm working on the theory that the more often it's repeated, the more likely Nissan will hear about it and do something. When Nissan make changes to their Z cars they are usually well thought-out and well designed.

...I know the 370z's taillights are LED's - and they look lovely!

I guess, but my last car was a Honda Prelude and it didn't have any blind spots.

but the G's and Z's have such a long rear windsheild, it may look big from the outside but it's like what 8 inches tall...lol....it's just the way it's angled

The front windshield will be a BIG upgrade from the tiny windshield on the Solstice. I'm 5'7" and my eyes are at the TOP of the windshield with the visor bar right at my eye level. Visibility is lame if anything. The back window is less than 8 inches of visibility and the blind spots are just as bad if not worse than the 370. My eyes were dead center in the Trans Am and visibility was good (aside from the giant sail panel blind spots). I'm sure I'll be fine with the Z.