2009 Nissan 370Z Long-Term Test - Edmunds.com

AK370Z · 06-30-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

It's true -- our long term Nissan 370Z sits near the bottom of the pile in terms of desirabilty here. It is frequently one of the last test cars chosen and more than once sat unloved at night 'til the next morning. It occupies the same metaphorical space as... the Smart?! What's the problem? These items, I believe:

1. The ride is hard
2. The interior is small
3. The clutch and shifter aren't the greatest
4. It seats only 2

I refute these issues with:

1. It's a sports car
2. It's a sports car
3. True (but both aren't as bad as our LT Audi S5)
4. It's a sports car

One must make certain sacrifices when owning a sports car, but the benefits outweigh these.
The 370Z possesses great, quick handling, excellent steering feel, and a decent powertrain. And although I'm not in love with the exhaust note, it's OK.

It's the only true sports car in our long term fleet. (I consider the GT-R a GT; the name is GT-R.)

The big problem for the most of the people here is the seating capacity. Most of our staffers have friends or family to accommodate, and a 2-seater won't cut it for them.

For me, it's really fun to drive, and becomes even more enjoyable when you push it hard. It's in the top 5 in fun-to-drive for our long term fleet. The sedans, even the Evos, don't compare.

I was even going to sign it out for this weekend. But I may have to cart some people around...

Oh, nevermind.

Albert Austria, Sr Vehicle Evaluation Engineer @ 8200 miles

AK370Z · 06-30-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

As with my colleague Mr. Takahashi, I enjoy rev-matching on my own, but like him still have to admit that the Z's Syncro RevMatch is pretty cool.

But if Nissan can offer this ground-breaking technology, why don't they have what I'll call Syncro TimeMatch? I'm talking about the two time displays (a stand-alone clock in the upper pod and one in the nav/audio screen) that aren't matched. I've seen other cars with redundant time displays (VW and Audi come to mind) that are synchronized so this strikes me as rather odd here. And yes, I adjusted the clock after I posted this gripe...

John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 8,493 miles

WooZ · 06-30-2009, 02:21 AM

I haven't had a chance to test drive the 6M 370Z yet, but can those who have post their experience with the clutch and shifter? Is it difficult to drive smoothly?

cossie1600 · 06-30-2009, 08:50 AM

It's smoother than cars like the Corvette and Porsche, but not as smooth as Mazda

Mecinoid · 09-30-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

Well.. to your point, MT did say that if you are bothered by the course engine sound, get the 7AT as the noise and vibration are non existent there.

That explains it ... I didn't understand what everyone was talking about. Mine revs so smoothly and fast without the dreaded roughness some mention.
I'm really begining to like this A7 transmission on a daily basis.
I really didn't think I was going to like the auto this much over my manual transmission cars. It's really nice not to have to shift in traffic and I really didn't think that it would be able to shift up and down so fast. My concern was downshifts. The computer with downshift rev control takes care of all of that. It is just a split second slower than I can shift with a manual but, I just make up for it by shifting a little earlier. It's exciting !!!!

The downside is that you can't downshift bring the revs up between shifts and dump the clutch doing smokey powerslides. However, that will save me on tranny/clutch costs in the future. For me this is a daily driver... I'm fortune to have other cars that I can do that in. ;-)

Mt Tam I am · 09-30-2011, 06:26 PM

I love my Z. I wish it had more power, but that is what happens when you spend $40k or less. If I want great handling andn 500+ HP I need to spend more.

I fixed my noise problem with a Stillen exhaust and Michellin Pilot Sports. Forget about Dynamat, it weighs too much anyway. Oil cooler solved overheating. With all my mods and tires, I am still just below $40k excluding tax. I have even had the pleasure of defeating cars* costing 2-4 times this.

Infinion Raceway auto cross.

Best bang for the buck car ever.

Mecinoid · 10-06-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

I love my Z. I wish it had more power, but that is what happens when you spend $40k or less. If I want great handling andn 500+ HP I need to spend more.

I fixed my noise problem with a Stillen exhaust and Michellin Pilot Sports. Forget about Dynamat, it weighs too much anyway. Oil cooler solved overheating. With all my mods and tires, I am still just below $40k excluding tax. I have even had the pleasure of defeating cars* costing 2-4 times this.

Infinion Raceway auto cross.

Best bang for the buck car ever.

That's exactly the mod list I was thinking about .... Thanks for the info.
See you at Infineon !!! Plus a procharger would take care of the HP woes if you need to.
Yes, about $10K ... But, $10K + $35K = $45K ... It would beat ZO6 @ $75K However, used 2004 Z06 $25K with adams S/C $8500 = $33.5K and Kills ZR1's...

(next toy)

cossie1600 · 10-06-2011, 09:48 AM

its not as easy as buying parts and toss it into the car, you need to start adding suspension, brakes and other stuff the faster you go

ImportConvert · 10-06-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

It's smoother than cars like the Corvette and Porsche, but not as smooth as Mazda

I'll strongly disagree. The shifter may be smoother, but the clutch is an on/off switch compared to all the Z06's, ZR1's, and Grand Sport's, mustangs, F-bodies, and every other manual car I have driven. The clutch in my friend's 700+whp civic was more forgiving and had better feel.

I would say that was the biggest gripe I had during my test-drive of the 370Z's I drove.

ImportConvert · 10-06-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecinoid

That's exactly the mod list I was thinking about .... Thanks for the info.
See you at Infineon !!! Plus a procharger would take care of the HP woes if you need to.
Yes, about $10K ... But, $10K + $35K = $45K ... It would beat ZO6 @ $75K However, used 2004 Z06 $25K with adams S/C $8500 = $33.5K and Kills ZR1's...

(next toy)

...and it would be an un-balanced warranty-less creation. Pass. If you want to beat a Z06, buy a ZR1. There is no free lunch.

ImportConvert · 10-06-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WooZ

I haven't had a chance to test drive the 6M 370Z yet, but can those who have post their experience with the clutch and shifter? Is it difficult to drive smoothly?

Shifter is great, clutch is an on/off switch compared to any other car I have driven that had 3 pedals like God intended.

Pharmacist · 10-06-2011, 10:50 AM

Isn't the clutch supposed to be an on/off switch from a performance driving point of view as opposed to daily cruising? On a track, you stab the clutch quickly, shift quickly and then dump the clutch again. You don't feather or modulate clutches on a track. You want a very short range digital clutch, not a longer range analog one. Seeing youtube videos of racing drivers footwork, the clutch pedal on these cars doesn't seem to travel more than 10 or 15 cm from very top to very bottom.

ImportConvert · 10-06-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

Isn't the clutch supposed to be an on/off switch from a performance driving point of view as opposed to daily cruising? On a track, you stab the clutch quickly, shift quickly and then dump the clutch again. You don't feather or modulate clutches on a track. You want a very short range digital clutch, not a longer range analog one. Seeing youtube videos of racing drivers footwork, the clutch pedal on these cars doesn't seem to travel more than 10 or 15 cm from very top to very bottom.

Well when the 370Z gets an oil-cooler and some real brakes then you can make your "it's a track car" argument. Until then, it's just got a crappy clutch.

wstar · 10-06-2011, 11:14 AM

That just goes back to the compromise argument.

Nissan could change the 370Z's specs a bit and sell it as an awesome track-only car. Strip the interior, drop the power windows, power door locks, radio, etc. Give it an oil cooler and a factory roll cage, etc. You'd probably come out about even on mfg cost changes and it would be a great track car. But then it would never be worth it on the market: not enough of them would be sold because it'd be a horrible daily driver for a commuter, so they couldn't really afford to produce them that way in the big picture. The increased sales for track drivers would never make up for the loss of regular consumers who just like the look and sound and feel of it and want a "sporty" daily driver.

So they make compromises. The idea is to put out a track-capable car that's still cheap to buy, just barely commuter-friendly enough to keep the sales volume high enough to keep the car around, and only needs a few key mods to be ready for amateur track use.

ImportConvert · 10-06-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

That just goes back to the compromise argument.

Nissan could change the 370Z's specs a bit and sell it as an awesome track-only car. Strip the interior, drop the power windows, power door locks, radio, etc. Give it an oil cooler and a factory roll cage, etc. You'd probably come out about even on mfg cost changes and it would be a great track car. But then it would never be worth it on the market: not enough of them would be sold because it'd be a horrible daily driver for a commuter, so they couldn't really afford to produce them that way in the big picture.

So they make compromises. The idea is to put out a track-capable car that's still cheap to buy, just barely commuter-friendly enough to keep the sales volume high enough to keep the car around, and only need a few key mods to be ready for amateur track use.

Ford is doing great with their BOSS/Leguna Seca car.

No, it doesn't go back to that argument. Just spend a few more bucks and improve the car with an oil-cooler, brakes, and clutch better suited to its mission in life: To be a sporty car that can be driven at HPDE's on the weekend if the owner so chooses.

09-30-2011, 06:26 PM	#36 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	I love my Z. I wish it had more power, but that is what happens when you spend $40k or less. If I want great handling andn 500+ HP I need to spend more. I fixed my noise problem with a Stillen exhaust and Michellin Pilot Sports. Forget about Dynamat, it weighs too much anyway. Oil cooler solved overheating. With all my mods and tires, I am still just below $40k excluding tax. I have even had the pleasure of defeating cars* costing 2-4 times this. Infinion Raceway auto cross. Best bang for the buck car ever. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

10-06-2011, 10:50 AM	#42 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 18	Isn't the clutch supposed to be an on/off switch from a performance driving point of view as opposed to daily cruising? On a track, you stab the clutch quickly, shift quickly and then dump the clutch again. You don't feather or modulate clutches on a track. You want a very short range digital clutch, not a longer range analog one. Seeing youtube videos of racing drivers footwork, the clutch pedal on these cars doesn't seem to travel more than 10 or 15 cm from very top to very bottom. __________________ 2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

10-06-2011, 11:14 AM	#44 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	That just goes back to the compromise argument. Nissan could change the 370Z's specs a bit and sell it as an awesome track-only car. Strip the interior, drop the power windows, power door locks, radio, etc. Give it an oil cooler and a factory roll cage, etc. You'd probably come out about even on mfg cost changes and it would be a great track car. But then it would never be worth it on the market: not enough of them would be sold because it'd be a horrible daily driver for a commuter, so they couldn't really afford to produce them that way in the big picture. The increased sales for track drivers would never make up for the loss of regular consumers who just like the look and sound and feel of it and want a "sporty" daily driver. So they make compromises. The idea is to put out a track-capable car that's still cheap to buy, just barely commuter-friendly enough to keep the sales volume high enough to keep the car around, and only needs a few key mods to be ready for amateur track use. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

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06-30-2009, 02:21 AM	#33 (permalink)
WooZ Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 116 Drives: An Auto Auto Rep Power: 16	I haven't had a chance to test drive the 6M 370Z yet, but can those who have post their experience with the clutch and shifter? Is it difficult to drive smoothly?

06-30-2009, 08:50 AM	#34 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	It's smoother than cars like the Corvette and Porsche, but not as smooth as Mazda

10-06-2011, 09:48 AM	#38 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	its not as easy as buying parts and toss it into the car, you need to start adding suspension, brakes and other stuff the faster you go