Finally test drove the 370z 6MT...

dingobiatch · 10-13-2010, 06:57 PM

I currently own an 06 350z 6MT (enthusiast), and I've been meaning to test drive a 370z 6MT (base). Today the dealership had one, so I checked it out.

I can't tell if I'm crazy about it - I drove the automatic 370z a month ago and thought it felt far faster, and today the car didn't feel THAT quick. The clutch felt very light too, which is strange because my 350z's clutch is pretty stiff.

I will say that I for some reason got nervous driving with the dealer in the car, especially because I got so caught up on the push button ignition that I forgot to put the clutch down

. Maybe I just didn't push the car hard enough to really feel the power...

Anyway, can someone comment on the power difference between the two cars? I was excited for the 370 because I read that the 0-60 is down to 4.8 or so now (motortrend I believe?)..

Also, side question: how does dual aftermarket intakes sound in the 370z? I missed the intake sound from my current 350...

zman1910 · 10-13-2010, 07:03 PM

The auto is significantly faster......kinda sucks. I've had 2 6MT 350Z's and the 370Z 6MT didn't feel any faster than my most recent 350Z. I feel as if Nissan overrates their engines. Either that or the 6MT just isn't very efficient at putting the power down. I think it's time for a transmission redesign.

That high 4 second run is about the only one I've seen in a mag. Most of them are in the 5.0-5.5 range, which is nothing spectacular these days. I've seen autos run low 13's pretty consistently at the track here and trap >106mph

SophiaZ · 10-13-2010, 07:10 PM

( I have the 7AT)
Maybe it's just me but I think the 370Z doesnt have as quick as a " get-up" as the 350z. It does however make up for that in other gears tho. That was the first thing I thought about during my test drive. But all-in all, the 370z wins in all categories besides that..oh, and the silent 370z exhaust note

but that can be easily fixed by an FI exhaust

A few simple mods and the car is easily, no doubt about it.....in every aspect, a better car than the Z33.
As far as the intakes, I had the Stillen Gen 2s, and I honestly didn't care for them much..it seemed like at high RPMs, I heard more engine than exhaust note. But many have the Gen 3s now and hopefully they'll chime in on their opinion.

RDGR12 · 10-13-2010, 07:10 PM

You're not alone. I also felt the same way with the power on the 'butt dyno'. I, too, also drove the 6MT.

sonic370 · 10-13-2010, 08:35 PM

i also had a 6mt 05 and the clutch on it did seem a little firmer.
and when i test drove the 370 the clutch had a soft feel to it.

i knew i wanted the auto but i drove the 09 mt just to make sure.

this ain't your grandaddys slush box....

280z/300zx · 10-13-2010, 09:12 PM

This has been discussed before and was attributed to the drive by wire system nissan uses. If you look under the modifications section there was some kind of a sensor mod that when attached to the sensor near the gas pedal basically brought the car to life by changing the signal of the drive by wire. There is no doubt the 370z is faster than the 350z, especially an 06. Feel however is a different perception.

It's been said before, the 370z is a step up over the 350z but nothing crazy. A lot of 350z owners don't feel the step up is enough to lure them into another new car loan.

kenchan · 10-13-2010, 09:28 PM

You guys just don't know how to drive that's all.

VCuomo · 10-13-2010, 09:35 PM

I've driven both (own a 7AT) and my "butt dyno" says they feel pretty much the same. My guess is that people don't really push the 6MT very hard since a salesman is sitting next to you during the test drive, but they are willing to push the 7AT harder - maybe it's a psychological thing.

Cmike2780 · 10-13-2010, 09:44 PM

I think the manual needs more skill to match the quickness of the auto. Since most of us aren't skilled race drivers, a 6spd in our hands will not perform as well as an auto where basicaly only your right foot does the work. Present company included.
I still prefer the manual for the simple fact that you feel more connected to the car and the way it moves. I also feel cooler

TreeSemdyZee · 10-13-2010, 10:09 PM

I had an '05 350 and I think the 370 is drastically different. You're not one of those "shift at 2500 rpm-ers" are you? When you hammer the 370, it just gets it IMO. I'm normally shifting between 3500 an 4k, so it's getting up in the torque band.
Autos are always quicker off the line compared to manuals for us "normal" drivers.

LuckyJinx · 10-13-2010, 10:16 PM

I raced my buddy's AT z vs my nismo z. I was somewhat a car or so faster, then we switched. Yet when i drove his AT the.nismo was a bit faster. I redlined the whole way. Between my old 350 and the 370, the z is stiffer and more responsive.

dingobiatch · 10-14-2010, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

This has been discussed before and was attributed to the drive by wire system nissan uses. If you look under the modifications section there was some kind of a sensor mod that when attached to the sensor near the gas pedal basically brought the car to life by changing the signal of the drive by wire.

Could you link me? I can't seem to find it..

Quote:

Originally Posted by VCuomo

I've driven both (own a 7AT) and my "butt dyno" says they feel pretty much the same. My guess is that people don't really push the 6MT very hard since a salesman is sitting next to you during the test drive, but they are willing to push the 7AT harder - maybe it's a psychological thing.

I do think it was an issue of me not pushing the car enough..

I'm interested in the sensor mod though.

ThoriumHotdog · 10-14-2010, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingobiatch

Could you link me? I can't seem to find it..

I do think it was an issue of me not pushing the car enough..

I'm interested in the sensor mod though.

Sprint Booster review for 370z 7 speed AT

Sprint Booster. Don't be fooled by the title. It's available for the AT and MT. There is also a little device made by Blitz. There's a link in the thread.

spearfish25 · 10-14-2010, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

You guys just don't know how to drive that's all.

Try shifting at or above 5k rpm. I doubt you'd do that with the salesman in the car. I did, and the guy actually told me I was scaring him. Must be used to selling Versas.

ImportConvert · 10-14-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Try shifting at or above 5k rpm. I doubt you'd do that with the salesman in the car. I did, and the guy actually told me I was scaring him. Must be used to selling Versas.

+1

The only way an auto should feel faster is if it's a PDK or something, or you are launching the manual from idle.

10-13-2010, 06:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
dingobiatch Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Malibu Posts: 13 Drives: 06 Z Coupe MT Rep Power: 15	Finally test drove the 370z 6MT... I currently own an 06 350z 6MT (enthusiast), and I've been meaning to test drive a 370z 6MT (base). Today the dealership had one, so I checked it out. I can't tell if I'm crazy about it - I drove the automatic 370z a month ago and thought it felt far faster, and today the car didn't feel THAT quick. The clutch felt very light too, which is strange because my 350z's clutch is pretty stiff. I will say that I for some reason got nervous driving with the dealer in the car, especially because I got so caught up on the push button ignition that I forgot to put the clutch down . Maybe I just didn't push the car hard enough to really feel the power... Anyway, can someone comment on the power difference between the two cars? I was excited for the 370 because I read that the 0-60 is down to 4.8 or so now (motortrend I believe?).. Also, side question: how does dual aftermarket intakes sound in the 370z? I missed the intake sound from my current 350...

10-13-2010, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
zman1910 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: FL Posts: 361 Drives: 2011 Audi S4 Rep Power: 429	The auto is significantly faster......kinda sucks. I've had 2 6MT 350Z's and the 370Z 6MT didn't feel any faster than my most recent 350Z. I feel as if Nissan overrates their engines. Either that or the 6MT just isn't very efficient at putting the power down. I think it's time for a transmission redesign. That high 4 second run is about the only one I've seen in a mag. Most of them are in the 5.0-5.5 range, which is nothing spectacular these days. I've seen autos run low 13's pretty consistently at the track here and trap >106mph Last edited by zman1910; 10-13-2010 at 07:06 PM.

10-13-2010, 07:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
SophiaZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,463 Drives: 2020 50th anniv 7AT Rep Power: 6732	( I have the 7AT) Maybe it's just me but I think the 370Z doesnt have as quick as a " get-up" as the 350z. It does however make up for that in other gears tho. That was the first thing I thought about during my test drive. But all-in all, the 370z wins in all categories besides that..oh, and the silent 370z exhaust note but that can be easily fixed by an FI exhaust A few simple mods and the car is easily, no doubt about it.....in every aspect, a better car than the Z33. As far as the intakes, I had the Stillen Gen 2s, and I honestly didn't care for them much..it seemed like at high RPMs, I heard more engine than exhaust note. But many have the Gen 3s now and hopefully they'll chime in on their opinion. Last edited by SophiaZ; 10-13-2010 at 07:12 PM.

10-13-2010, 09:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 29	I think the manual needs more skill to match the quickness of the auto. Since most of us aren't skilled race drivers, a 6spd in our hands will not perform as well as an auto where basicaly only your right foot does the work. Present company included. I still prefer the manual for the simple fact that you feel more connected to the car and the way it moves. I also feel cooler __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

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10-13-2010, 07:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
RDGR12 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Bruno, CA Posts: 90 Drives: An Old Beater Rep Power: 16	You're not alone. I also felt the same way with the power on the 'butt dyno'. I, too, also drove the 6MT.

10-13-2010, 08:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
sonic370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 1,574 Drives: 09 370Z Sports PGK Rep Power: 18	i also had a 6mt 05 and the clutch on it did seem a little firmer. and when i test drove the 370 the clutch had a soft feel to it. i knew i wanted the auto but i drove the 09 mt just to make sure. this ain't your grandaddys slush box....

10-13-2010, 09:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
280z/300zx Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 689 Drives: 280z, 300zx, Vette Rep Power: 272	This has been discussed before and was attributed to the drive by wire system nissan uses. If you look under the modifications section there was some kind of a sensor mod that when attached to the sensor near the gas pedal basically brought the car to life by changing the signal of the drive by wire. There is no doubt the 370z is faster than the 350z, especially an 06. Feel however is a different perception. It's been said before, the 370z is a step up over the 350z but nothing crazy. A lot of 350z owners don't feel the step up is enough to lure them into another new car loan.

10-13-2010, 09:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	You guys just don't know how to drive that's all.

10-13-2010, 09:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
VCuomo Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 887 Drives: BMW 335i Sport Rep Power: 17	I've driven both (own a 7AT) and my "butt dyno" says they feel pretty much the same. My guess is that people don't really push the 6MT very hard since a salesman is sitting next to you during the test drive, but they are willing to push the 7AT harder - maybe it's a psychological thing.

10-13-2010, 10:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I had an '05 350 and I think the 370 is drastically different. You're not one of those "shift at 2500 rpm-ers" are you? When you hammer the 370, it just gets it IMO. I'm normally shifting between 3500 an 4k, so it's getting up in the torque band. Autos are always quicker off the line compared to manuals for us "normal" drivers.

10-13-2010, 10:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
LuckyJinx Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 465 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 15	I raced my buddy's AT z vs my nismo z. I was somewhat a car or so faster, then we switched. Yet when i drove his AT the.nismo was a bit faster. I redlined the whole way. Between my old 350 and the 370, the z is stiffer and more responsive.