Road & Track gets it wrong

semtex · 03-02-2009, 05:41 PM

In the Porsche Cayman S vs. Nissan 370Z article in the April issue of Road & Track (discussed here: Road & Track: 370Z vs Cayman S), they show a photo of the fuel gauge cluster of the 370Z, along with the following comment about the Z's interior: "Our only complaint pertains to the dimly lit fuel and coolant gauges, which are difficult to see 90 percent of the time." This is on page 45 of the hard copy.

Well there's just one problem. The photo they published doesn't show the production version of the gauge! Here's the photo they used:

Here's the REAL thing:

I just emailed them the following letter:

The photo of the 370Z's fuel gauge on page 45 is not an accurate representation of the fuel gauge in production models that customers are actually buying. Either Nissan gave you a pre-production model to do your testing with, or you're using an old stock image. Either way, your "only complaint" about the 370Z's interior is predicated on a straw man. The production version has the area around the LEDs blacked out, precisely to make it easier to see the fuel and water temp levels, as shown in this picture from my own 370Z:

[Then I pasted in my photo for them here -- the same one right above.]

Sheesh this irritates me. Don't get me wrong; I know the cluster isn't perfect and could use some improvement. But if you're going to knock something, don't use fake evidence to make your case. That's just lame.

Endgame · 03-02-2009, 05:45 PM

You just owned them. Well done.

370sed · 03-02-2009, 06:07 PM

wow that's huge

You'd have to admit some analog gauges woulda been nicer. Hi tech is sometimes sooooo lame. R&T are idoits nevertheless.

!xoible · 03-02-2009, 06:07 PM

i dont get it... u turned off ur car and took the pic, but they had the car on (except engine)??

azn370z · 03-02-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !xoible

i dont get it... u turned off ur car and took the pic, but they had the car on (except engine)??

The little dots are different on production z.

semtex · 03-02-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !xoible

i dont get it... u turned off ur car and took the pic, but they had the car on (except engine)??

On the production Z, the LEDs are nested within a black strip so that the lights contrast against the black. On the pre-production models, there's no black strip, and the lights don't contrast well against the silver face. So R&T complains that it's hard to see the lights and uses a picture of the pre-prod version to make their case. Compare the two pics I posted again and you'll see what I mean about the black strips.

!xoible · 03-02-2009, 07:01 PM

oh THAT! it's not like it's gonna make a huge difference. but yes they got a pre-production car

370z4Steve · 03-02-2009, 07:15 PM

I must have the pre-production car

brisk · 03-02-2009, 07:23 PM

oh i like how they have a little arrow pointing to where the gas cap location is.

semtex · 03-02-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brisk

oh i like how they have a little arrow pointing to where the gas cap location is.

You mean the arrow that points to which side of the car it's on? I think all cars have that. I know my wife's Murano has it, and any time I rent a car on business I look for the arrow when it's time to fill it up for return. And I'm usually given Fords when I rent.

subterfuge242 · 03-02-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

You mean the arrow that points to which side of the car it's on? I think all cars have that. I know my wife's Murano has it, and any time I rent a car on business I look for the arrow when it's time to fill it up for return. And I'm usually given Fords when I rent.

Good catch.

AK370Z · 03-02-2009, 07:58 PM

yes, that black strips def helps. During night time driving, I have 0 visibility issue. During the day, it's not too bad with the black strip. It gives better contrast. But I can def see how it can be harder to see in the day if it was just silver. Good catch!

brisk · 03-02-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

You mean the arrow that points to which side of the car it's on? I think all cars have that. I know my wife's Murano has it, and any time I rent a car on business I look for the arrow when it's time to fill it up for return. And I'm usually given Fords when I rent.

ah.
i guess i never caught that in any cars.
gonna check mine tomorrow.

nogoodname · 03-02-2009, 09:31 PM

did R&T reply yet...lol

I wanna see what they respond with...........that's good you owned them..lol

I have the Sept 2002 R&T magazine with a full section on the 03 Z....lol......collectible

frost · 03-02-2009, 09:43 PM

Nice ownage

03-02-2009, 05:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Road & Track gets it wrong In the Porsche Cayman S vs. Nissan 370Z article in the April issue of Road & Track (discussed here: Road & Track: 370Z vs Cayman S), they show a photo of the fuel gauge cluster of the 370Z, along with the following comment about the Z's interior: "Our only complaint pertains to the dimly lit fuel and coolant gauges, which are difficult to see 90 percent of the time." This is on page 45 of the hard copy. Well there's just one problem. The photo they published doesn't show the production version of the gauge! Here's the photo they used: Here's the REAL thing: I just emailed them the following letter: The photo of the 370Z's fuel gauge on page 45 is not an accurate representation of the fuel gauge in production models that customers are actually buying. Either Nissan gave you a pre-production model to do your testing with, or you're using an old stock image. Either way, your "only complaint" about the 370Z's interior is predicated on a straw man. The production version has the area around the LEDs blacked out, precisely to make it easier to see the fuel and water temp levels, as shown in this picture from my own 370Z: [Then I pasted in my photo for them here -- the same one right above.] Sheesh this irritates me. Don't get me wrong; I know the cluster isn't perfect and could use some improvement. But if you're going to knock something, don't use fake evidence to make your case. That's just lame. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

03-02-2009, 06:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
370sed Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NH Posts: 46 Drives: RX-8 Rep Power: 16	wow that's huge You'd have to admit some analog gauges woulda been nicer. Hi tech is sometimes sooooo lame. R&T are idoits nevertheless. Last edited by 370sed; 03-02-2009 at 06:10 PM.

03-02-2009, 06:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
!xoible Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: west Posts: 245 Drives: some car Rep Power: 185	i dont get it... u turned off ur car and took the pic, but they had the car on (except engine)?? __________________ welcome to the internet. now ur out of ur ***** mind if you get offended at this ** ^^^

03-02-2009, 07:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
!xoible Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: west Posts: 245 Drives: some car Rep Power: 185	oh THAT! it's not like it's gonna make a huge difference. but yes they got a pre-production car __________________ welcome to the internet. now ur out of ur ***** mind if you get offended at this ** ^^^

03-02-2009, 07:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	yes, that black strips def helps. During night time driving, I have 0 visibility issue. During the day, it's not too bad with the black strip. It gives better contrast. But I can def see how it can be harder to see in the day if it was just silver. Good catch! __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

03-02-2009, 05:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	You just owned them. Well done.

03-02-2009, 07:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
370z4Steve Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: west Posts: 231 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 672	I must have the pre-production car

03-02-2009, 07:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
brisk Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 132 Drives: 370z? Rep Power: 16	oh i like how they have a little arrow pointing to where the gas cap location is.

03-02-2009, 09:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	did R&T reply yet...lol I wanna see what they respond with...........that's good you owned them..lol I have the Sept 2002 R&T magazine with a full section on the 03 Z....lol......collectible

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