I think the 370Z makes a fine DD compared to my NSX (louder, Bilstein shocks - rougher and lower) or my MR-2 SC with the HKS Rally suspension (way louder, and way stiffer).

When I first drove the 370Z I thought it was too soft - I still think the suspension is a tad bouncy.

I should add that I live in Quebec, where 4 meters of snow a year is expected and we are the kings of pot holes. The Z is extremely low to the ground with the front chin already rubbing on steep entrances.

If I lived in CA, I'd certainly rock a Z year long!

That is a neat presentation. It's pretty fun messing with all the camera angles on the track video, and listening to the driver's feedback. The dramatic classical music in the background while the car does donuts... I'm not sure if that was meant to be taken seriously or if they're poking fun at themselves.

Hyundai's main website, though, leaves much to be desired. I have a hard time finding exactly what I'm looking for---specs, comparing trim lines, etc. And you can't search local inventory on the site. You have to go to individual dealer websites to check their inventory.

...

The other day test drove a 3.8 R-Spec and a 370Z sport pkg. The GenCoupe was a fun drive, with plenty of power, sporty handling, and a relatively upscale interior. It felt like it needed some more sophisticated shock absorbers to keep up with the track-tuned springs, though. The ride was at times even worse than my MS3 (w/ RSB, worn out shocks & tires). I also wasn't keen on the bright blue dash backlighting. And I felt like I was breaking something trying to shift into reverse. There's no "push in" or "pull collar" to unlock the reverse gear. You just pull it hard to the left until it pops in. It's a huge step for Hyundai into sporty car relevance, and a great value, but the only improvement I see in it over my MS3 is RWD vs FWD---not enough to give up the full package the MS3 offers.

The 370z, by comparison, feels like a real sports car---a better performance machine in every respect. I know I said the Lambda 3.8 has plenty of power, but more is always better, right? And the low-effort clutch pedal, direct-action shifter, and synchro-rev-matching made it the best manual transmission experience I've ever had. I was a little worried when the salesman was driving---I guess he was trying to impress me by short-shifting every gear. But behind the wheel it was child's play getting smooth upshifts and downshifts every time. I didn't realize the S-R-M system works on upshifts, too. And perhaps because of it's lighter weight, better chassis stiffness, and weight balance, it felt more planted in the turns and yet rode more comfortably than the Coupe.

...

I had a similar experience when I was about to buy a Mazda3 5-door. Before I sat down at the negotiating table, I figured I should test drive the Mazdaspeed model. The Speed3 was unequivocally better or equal in every way. And I knew I had to have it. I had to save up several more months to afford it, but it was worth the wait.

this is an excellent point. that's a huge practicality issue.

The only comparos people have made is a value comparo. No one ever said the Z and gen are direct comp. No one said the gen is equal to a G or bimmer. The only thing reviewers say is you can get a large portion of that performance in a gencoupe. Not all, but a good amount. The interior quality is on par with a camry or eclipse. Which is fair cuz its in the price range.
Its only real flaws is a iron and steel suspension and a cut rate tranny. Which is not great but for a first year sub30k sports car. Its expected. its the only rwd import in the price range. It has a better quality interior than mustang and camaro v6 and outperforms every gt v6 in its price range.the Z is another level, but its interesting to see where the gen holds up.
Most of u like bragging about how close a porsche and a Z are in performance.a top line Z is $42k. $47k in convert. A topline gen is $33k. Obviously for the 9k difference. Its a good car.
Lastly, by saying the car is cheap blah blah blah... ur making a comparo yourself.

Well to be fair, I live in Omaha, Nebraska where we get only about 1 meter of snow per year, but it stays on the ground for months at a time. Pot holes are pretty awful here as well, and I rub just about every driveway. It's doable since march/april to november/december you rarely have any snowfall, but considering your place of residence you should be looking at a Hummer H1!! 4 METERS??

See you in CA!!

Here what I think about the Gen Coup. M. Oldest son is 11 so in 5 yrs I should be able to pick up a Gen Coup for dirt cheap for my kid and if the factory warranty is transferable then it will still have 5 yrs of warranty left on it.

I think you should get him a miata, i hear the doors on them are bulletproof.

first car for a boy should be a beatup slow car so they wont kill themselves.

From what I've read, once the transfers, the warranty reduces to 5/60, the 10/100 is only to the original purchaser. So I think if u changed the owner name after 5 years, it would be void of warranty for owner 2. So let's say u transfer the car after 1 year. Instead of 9 years of warranty left, there would only be 4 years. Everything has a catch.

Slow car that's why I thought of the Gen Coup? Oh you meant something like a insite or prius.

yea let them get their car killing days out on a slow beatup car.

But slow doesn't dictate that the car cannot be some level of fun or unique.

I don't think that a kid necessarily needs some beater that will get them laughed at. In fact, a used Miata isn't a bad idea. It's not st00pid fast, but it is cool looking and fun to drive. A used gen coupe 4-cyl fits this as well imo.

The gencoupe 2.0 is slow enough. 0-60 in 6.8sec quarter mile in 15.4 seconds. It needs a new intake and BoV to get an extra second. So you can start them in a 2.0, then when they are good at driving, you can do some male bonding mods on the genny. I think the 2.0 is the perfect first sports car.

I guess it depends on how the will treat the car. I know I killed the first car I drove, between me and my brother I dont think there was a spot on the car that wasnt dented or scrapped or whatever. Now I baby the hell out of the cars inside and outside, but drive it semi hard.