Questions, questions and more questions for a potential 370z buyer!

Zsteve

I think that is a good statement. At certain points in your life, according to your income and all, different cars are the right car at different times. As I get older I still want a sporty car but not a Fast and Furious looking car and with my income increasing as I get older Ive been able to go from cheap family cars to nice sports cars and will be able to afford a 60K car for my next car.

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2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

tag824

I finally went and got behind a 370z sport yesterday. First off I really love the look of the car, especially it's profile. I found myself staring at it for quite a while.

I had to go to three dealers until I could find a 370z sport. At the first dealership no one greeted me or asked if I needed any help. I had to hunt a sales guy down who gave me a look like I was interrupting his conversation with the other sales guys. Being I'm in my 3rd BMW I can't remember the last time I was ignored at a dealership. I guess I have been spoiled. The sales guy tells me they don't have one in sport and that the other nearest dealer won't either. Knowing dealers are mostly full of sh!t I called the other one and they said they did indeed have one. I arrive at the second dealer and then when we go outside to the car the sales lady notices it isn't there. We later find out one of the sales people took it home for the weekend.

So now I'm pissed, I just want to drive the car and the suspense is killing me. I call up the third dealer and they have one. I get there and FINALLY jump in for a drive in a black on black sport. Sweet.

First thing that struck me is I could hear the engine, very prominent in the cabin but in a civil way. After a little driving I noticed that the majority of the noise was the drone of the tires as I had read about. It's not too loud but has a low frequency to it that I could see getting under my skin. I really wanted to drive on concrete roads but all the streets were black top where we were. Then, out of the blue I go over a bridge that is paved concrete. Wow, I thought it was very noisy. It was a short span so I didn't really have time to fully judge it but it felt and sounded loud.

My other impressions of the car is it's bouncy yet compliant. Being so short in length makes it that way but at the same time I was impressed that it wasn't a hard ride. The steering feel was really good. Almost on par with my BMW, but not quite. I heard some squeaking in the trunk area over bumps, sounded like plastic and was very annoying.

I thought the car had very good off the line pull. More than what I expected for a naturally aspirated car. Exhaust note to me was very loud in a good sporty way. I heard some saying they wish it was louder etc. I think it's just right, not too loud or muted.

My lord does this thing put out some serious heat. After a 15 minute drive I get out. Standing next to it by the drivers side quarter panel I can feel the heat emanating off it. I never got a chance to got WOT, streets were too busy. Never really got more than half way down on the pedal. So at this point I feel cheated.

I will be going back today for another test drive. I really need to take the car on the expressway and on concrete roads. I need to go WOT at least once. Right now I'm on the fence but after one more proper test drive I'm sure I will know if this car is right for me.

Vegitto-kun

heat from the drivers side quarter panel?

never felt it.

ImportConvert

Never noticed heat from a Z. N/A motors pull GREAT! off the line. Tiny one's with poorly geared drivelines don't. The Z has a tiny one, but the gearing is VERY aggressive in the first few gears. It hides this deficiency in torque very well.

The only shortcomings I have found based on riding in, driving, and viewing what others have to say is that the Z is lacking in power with the new Camaro at 426, and the mustang at 400+, and the price is nearly that of a base corvette if you load the Z out.

The Z has great quality, but the things I didn't like:

Clutch is an on/off switch.
Engine has very limited mod potential without FI, and is weak compared to the competition.

Things I did like:
Interior lay-out
Ride quality
shift feel/effort
nav system and electronics are very user-friendly

Reason why I have not bought one: only 332bhp (280whp).

That's it.

Make it fast, and I would be instantly sold on it. If 280 whp is enough for you, I say go for it!

wilsonp

Why ask for more power rather than performance?

The 370Z keeps up pretty well with the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 according to reviews like C&D, which isn't surprising given the weight difference. Overall I would prefer a faster and nimbler car to one with more horsepower, and I think the 370Z is that car.

Now, add a few mods and I wouldn't be surprised if the Mustang is faster, but it won't get lighter, and the Z can pick up a nice boost with some parts too.

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2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black
Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon
Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

trent1331

Like everyone else has said, the road noise is subjective really. Its not going to feel/sound like your BMW though. Stock tires are rather noisy, but then again its a sports car not a luxury sedan.

Never felt the heat issue around my feet.
And also like has been said, best bang for your buck car.

ProfessorDave

tag824, have you considered the Infinity G coupe? Same platform, more creature comforts.

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

optiontrader

Next test drive: take a corner that'll scare your salesman (Well, maybe it won't some of those guys drive pretty nuts). You'll find the short wheelbase quite an advantage in the twisties.

I DO feel a bit of the heat after driving the car, by the quarter panels as you mention and above the hood. But I'm trying to remember if it's any more than I felt of the G35 6MT.

Have you test driven the G37S coupe? That'll return a lot of the "civility", if you're looking for a more refined drive.

Maybe upgrade the Bimmer and get an M3.

Plenty for me here (for now). A coworker's thinking of getting a Camaro 2SS (he's so on the fence, he's literally a post right now). My buddy who's "so-in" to his 335i asked to race (he's a bit naive). I told him we'd BOTH get our a$$es wiped.

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40th Anniversary Z - 3M Paint Protection Film, CA Legal Tint! (70/40)

Red__Zed

While it is true that the Z is lacking in straight line performance, I think there is a lot more to the overall package that makes it an easier sell-- especially the short wheelbase. I never thought I would see another reasonable performance car with a 100" wheelbase (I miss the S2k's 94.5" wheelbase so much). This thing somehow manages to be tossable on the backroads-- which is a far greater accomplishment to me than laying down a little more power.

The Z has a nice, fairly linear power curve, and doesn't have any surprises in the rev range that will get you in trouble.

Don't get me wrong, I'd take a few more ponies, but I value a well-balanced car over one laying down a ton of power. If I ever wound up with another s2000, I would leave it laying stock power and just enjoy the balance of the car...

370zproject

fail.. yea it gets hot...

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Brake Upgrade Package ate blue, hawk hp ceramic pads, and slotted rotors

persian54

I actually have a 335i right now and am considering a 370Z

My 335i isn't a lease return though... it's being lemoned
Which is pretty common on these cars

For me, I've been considering upgrading to a new M3 vert or a used GTR (can't afford one new).... but at the age of 22... I feel I should stop making $1000+ a month car payments... Buy a Z, save money, sell it in a year and get a new GTR and call it a day.. or if income works in my favor, keep the Z and buy a GTR...
I can't see myself spending $40k on a Z...my budget for 'saving' is low 30s, high 20s.. and I want all the goodies (nav sport etc)...

And I don't want to waste money on a 335i anymore...
to me, the 335i (Well, I do have a vert) Was too bouncy in the corners.. and too slow stock
I had to mod the hell out of the car to enjoy it.
Coilovers, sways bars, strut bar, upgraded intercooler, intake, BOV, downpipes, Jb3 tune, 93octane daily, and other mods I don't feel like listing... was pushing over 400wtq and whp
ran a 1/4 in a little under 13, which I think is pretty good for a 4000lb vert... especially since the M3 coupe runs 12.8...
a stock 335i vert is not worth the 65k I paid for it... I made a mistake... don't want to do that again.. .

So.. my main concern in 'downgrading' to a Z is the loss of comfort, hard top convertible, and massive amount of torque and power.
But... I have always loved the Zs from back in the 90s up until now.
Always took any chance I could to drive my friend's 350 back in the day.
And the handling of a Z, from my limited driving, is better than my fully modded 335i (I never had a chance to instal a LSD on mine...)

I'm coming from 355i, previously a 996 Turbo, boxster and a C230, a S400...

so the Z (if I get one) will be a completely different car..

I've driven the 6MT.. but have decided i want a AT.... I drive too much for the manual (my 335i is auto, though the Porsches were stick)

So I feel what you're going through

My main concern with the Z is the lack of the rear seats... I remember how annoying it was with the Boxster... though in the past year, I've only used my rear seats maybe 10 times... (yeah I've only owned my car for a year and already being lemoned...)

Decisions decisions...

Sorry if I rambled on and on and on too much...

wilsonp

Try to get a 2009 loaded and you can save a lot - there were still a few left when I was looking for mine.

I don't think the 370Z rides badly at all for a sports car, a lot better than my NSX or MR2 (though both had some suspension mods). It is a little bouncy to me (not enough rebound control) but otherwise fine. I also don't think it is that loud compared to the mid engine cars, but i will probably switch to Hankook V12s when I get new tires, or maybe try some sound absorption on the rear wheel wells.

If you are looking for something with a lot of torque to give you a big kick when you get on the gas, it might not be right for you. For me, i like the flat torque curve like NSX and the smooth rush of power.

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2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black
Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon
Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

sonic370

Never had a problem with the heat issue.....
Road noise it's a sports car learn to live with it, a lot has to do with the tires
i will be changing them next time....

i think the ride is very decent....

anyone who had the 350 knows how much this car was improved on.

ProfessorDave

Persian54 - drive an RX8. Less torque, but has a back seat.

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

optiontrader

I just entered my 40's and I think making $1000+/mo car payments at ANY time isn't a good idea (unless you've got the income to back it up, OR your house is completely paid off). Considering the cars you've driven, and the ones you are thinking about, looks like your income could support a car payment like that (want a resume? ). Have you test driven a Z yet?

Back to OP: has the second test drive happened yet? Curious.

And this from the guy who hath extracted nearly 700hp at the rear wheels of the venerable S2k.

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40th Anniversary Z - 3M Paint Protection Film, CA Legal Tint! (70/40)