My FIRST Z experience

ImportConvert

I have only once ridden in a Z before, a 350. Today I went to my NIssan dealership and looked at a 370Z. It was the Touring w/Sport package. The exterior looked good. It was well made. No gaps or trash in the paint or misaligned body-panels.

The interior was very nice. The suede was great, and the gauges looked well thought out. The seat fit me perfectly! I have set in SRT-4's and I couldn't fit in the seat. I am 5'10 and 175#, so I am not obese or anything. My shoulders just never seem to fit. I end up leaning back on the side-bolsters instead of actually sitting IN the seat. Not so with the 370. I loved the feel.

Closing the door, it sounded solid. Like a bank-vault, if you will forgive the overused term. This vehicle did not have the Nav system, but I see where it would have gone. Nice.

That would normally be where myexperience ended, but the sales person was ADAMENT that I drive the car. What the heck? So I went for a ride. We rode in a convertible M6 car. I don't think it had the sport package as the wheels were 245 series out back. I didn't look at the sticker.

I let the sales rep drive first, and noticed NO flexing, squeaking, or anything other than the solidity of a brick. Even going over the crappy roads we have here. I was/am VERY! impressed. The hardtop should only be more impressive.

I did notice that therewas a good bit of "clunk" and jerkiness when the rep shifted. I figured he was just ham-fisted about things, but when I drove the car, I discovered this was only part of the problem. While I connected with the interior of the car, the controls--sucked. No, they weren't shoddy or bad, they are just so numb. The clutch, I couldn't tell where it engauged unless I was taking off from a stop. I was wearing my lightweight Mizuno jogging shoes and couldn't feel a darn thing. Very dissapointing. The steering on the other hand was very precise. Crisp. I loved that. The shifting was okay. I need to get used to the throw, but other than that it was good. I had the rev-matching option turned off and rev-matched my own shifts. It seemed there was a SLIGHT delay in rpm rising vs. blipping the throttle, and it seemed to blow past the point I was aiming for by a few hundred rpm. The weight and inertia of the flywheel seemed excessive maybe?

Acceleration was okay. I am not worried about that as if I get a Z I plan on a TT kit. However, it felt about like I imagine 270whp should feel like. It had no torque, but then, I am used to an LS1.

All-in-all, the 370 was VERY VERY! impressive and I am one step closer to wanting to buy one and TT it and drop a Tein suspension and some other goodies under it instead of getting an SRT/10. I just think the Z can perform comparably and be much easier to live with on a daily basis. I also love road-trips. The Z just felt like it would be friendly as a long-driving companion.

The over-all build and interior quality really blew me away.

Nitex

seems like you were able to get a very good read on our car on just a test drive. I agree with most of your likes and dislikes. I also want to FI however i realize traction will be an issue. Let us know if you drop down on one, there is plenty of very helpful members

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2013 Drivers ED GTI | Stage 2 Unitronic

ImportConvert

I will do so. I am not really worried about traction. I have read that the Nismo comes with 285 series tires, and have YET to see a factory car that can't tolerate another 10 or so, and with some sticky 295 rubber out back and a TT system, I can't see where it would be an issue. My last car was a 6-speed WS6, bone stock. Those make about 300whp/310-320 rwtq bone stock. On the 1-2 shift, I could barely even squeek the tires. When the tires were new, it wouldn't even do that. I ran 275/40/17's. The turbo setups have aout 50-75# more torque, but lots more horsepower.

If Ford can sell a mustang that makes 360whp and slap 255 series tires out back, a 430-460whp 370Z with sticky 295 to 305 rubber out back ought to stick VERY well.

Am I all wet here with my "ricer math"??

For comparison, my friend had a 430whp GTO LS2 cam/bolt-on car and it had some traction issues, but just enough to make it fun, not "scary" or "useless", and that is on the stock rubber if I am thinking correctly--also pitiful 255 series IIRC. Also remember that this car had more torque, and was N/A It also weighed about 36-3700# (we weighed it, he had done some weight reduction).

Vegitto-kun

Must be nice being able to TT or SC your cars.

I am glad I got the AT sometimes I never have to experience this clunckiness and other clutch issues

nicknick

I test drove a 6sp manual and had no problem with clunkiness etc. I suggest it would take time to adjust to each and every manual car... they are not all adjusted the same.

ImportConvert

Why can you not? There are TT autos, no? I have not yet bought the car, just kicking the idea around. I do like it.

ImportConvert

I agree 100%, hence I prefaced it by saying I am used to my old Ws6. Before that, my 5.0GT w/TKO500 and King Cobra. THAT! had AWESOME clutch feel.

ImportConvert

Another thing I noted was a lack of all this "harshness" people talk about. There was no harsh road-noise. There was no "harshness" near redline (They let me floor it, I took it to a touch over 7K). The car struck me as very refined.

SkyZ

i would agree it is a very refined car, very polished and overall a good affordable package. Those car reviewers probably been sitting on their fat ***es for too long now in lexuses and mercedes. dunno what a real car is like.

+ i bet they wouldnt complain about road noise in a lambo.

rj45

Overall, I like the 370. The ride is firm without being harsh, the chassis is solid, the interior and exterior are well done, shifter's decent, etc. However, I do agree with the reviews regarding the drive-train vibration and grainy soundtrack above 5K rpm (below that, it's smooth and sounds good..almost a flat-six sound).

This trait is not in sync with the rest of the car, IMO, and prevents the Z from truly being a great sports car. After many generations of this familiar VQ series motor and its supporting drive-train, Nissan should have this thing revving smooth/sweet and sounding great. While the motor spins up to redline quite easily, the experience is a bit lacking.

I don't like over-refined sports cars, but I think this drive-train could stand a bit of honey.

Vegitto-kun

engine modifications like supercharging or twin turbo is forbidden here if it is not stock or a option in the same series. so say if you have a car that has a 1.5 engine you are allowed to engine swap it with the same series 2.0 engine but not from any other car. so for example, renault clio II with a 1.5 liter engine is allowed to engine swap anything from the renault clio II series

we have to go to a car checkup first time after 4 years and then once every year where they check EVERYTHING, rust, brakes, wheels, suspension, exhaust hell even the seatbelts.

and if you fail you basically get several days to fix it and if you don't return, it is illegal to drive your car.

shadoquad

That sucks, V, but hey, there are several worse cars to have to live with stock, amirite?

Vegitto-kun

I just cant stand it when my parents's GT-R whoops my arse in a drag race >_>;

+ the ******* turbo whistle in that thing is so awesome

Modshack

My thoughts EXACTLY.....This motor doesn't sing to me...

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Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S
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370Zsteve

One wonders about things like balance shafts...also never noticed so much negativity regarding drivetrain in magazine reviews of earlier VQ37's from Infiniti. Some, but not the crescendo you see regarding the 370Z.

I still feel, despite the 5000+rpm harshness issue, the bang-for-the-buck factor cannot be denied.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.