Want to buy a new 370Z but......
 

Hi all, I've been thinking of treating myself to a new 370Z but having read the many negative comments about high oil temps, even in ordinary driving, and cool weather driving, I'm having second thoughts. I would be using the car as my daily driver, with occasional road trips of around 2-3,000 miles when on vacation. I wouldn't be taking it to the track at all, as I don't have those kind of driving skills, but I do live in the desert southwest (Tucson) and it really does get hot here early in the year, then really gets hot, in the 100's May through October. Anyone care to weigh in who lives in a hot climate and has a 370Z? It does seem strange to me that such an otherwise amazing car could have an issue like this, or is there something I'm not understanding? Thanks!

I have a friend who has a 370Z. He flogs the hell out of it, hadn't changed the oil since it was new (9K miles ago, last we talked), and in general just doesn't care. He has never said it went into limp mode and when asked about oil temps says it never got anywhere above the mid-range or so. This was during the warm part of the year. 75-90% humidity and 95-105*.

Then I have read about some people in Cali having trouble just DD'ing it.

I dunno, but I doubt you will have an issue if you stay off the track.

Honestly don't let this hold you back. Most people have not had issues with the oil temperature when just daily driving. We had 100 degree temperatures here last summer with a heat index of 120 and I never saw temperatures above 220. If you ever do have any issues you can always buy an oil cooler for less than $500 to completely solve the problem.

IMO When it comes to issues from the factory this is not a big one. Easily resolved.

yah ive yet to encounter oil temp issues... not even close.

its a constant 80-90F over where i'm at, so far so good. yeah, its my DD with occasional spirited driving.

Attachment 21384 I am stuck behind a slow driving car. So slow I could take out a camera and use it while driving, and still my oil temp is high.

I had a major problem with oil temps. For the price of an oil cooler, I no longer have any temp issues. It was $880 (smaller and cheaper ones out there) and a great value to me. It turned a major problem into a non issue. This car is my daily driver.

Nothing to worry about unless you are racing every minute in the car.

During the hot summers in Chicago, I would get an average of 220 and would go near 230 if I sit there and heat soak. During highway driving I would drop to about 205-210. I haven't seen anything above 230 yet because I haven't gunned my car yet.

When the weather is about 30-40 degrees I would get a consistant 190-200 on the oil temps.

No issues here either...if you have any worries spend the money on an oil cooler.

Just echoing all the above comments...it's not a huge concern. I live in Southern California, and with all the bumper to bumper traffic and hot summers, my car did fine. I recently added an oil cooler, but by no means was it a necessity (cheap way to ease your concerns ~ $500-850 depending on which one you get). At the end of the day, if you love everything else about the 370Z and this is your only concern - it's a no brainer. Get it and join the club :tup:

If you are purchasing your Z new, from a dealer, then simply make the sale contingent upon the dealer installing the factory oil cooler kit, prior to delivery—if oil temps are your worry.

I hit 240 during a Poker Run back in October, but that's the highest I've seen.

Now that it's cold, it stays around 200 or if I'm flooring it for a bit, 220. In the hotter months, I saw an average of 220 while cruising. I live in Central Florida where the summer averages low 90s with horribly high humidity. So please don't let this small issue hold you back. For the price of our cars, an $800 fix is bight worth it IF needed.

Hey thanks a lot everybody, I'll have the oil cooler kit installed when I get ready to buy, (just need to save a little more money) then no worries at all. You guys are the best!

Like you said, if you are not going to take the car to the track, then there is nothing to worry about. This oil temp issue is just blown out of proportion because now people can see their oil temp in this car. If you put an oil temp on other cars, you would probably see the same result. ;)

x2. bloodo hit the nail on the head. It's only an issue because you can see the temps. How many of these people that say it's a problem have ever had an oil temp gauge in another car? none of them.

If you're not going to track the car, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

two things to consider:
1/ you would need an oil change after you come back from vacation.
2/ you probably would need to change tires more often than a non-sports car if you are going to use the z as a daily driver.