370Z Rigidity (Hz or Torsional/bending Nm-Deg) anyone?

shadoquad · 12-30-2010, 12:36 PM

jakoye · 12-30-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Actually thinking about it soon (1-3 months?). My credit-union has seriously tightened up their lending proceedures and the Z06 may be out of the picture. They would finance 100% of a $40K MSRP vehicle, though, and that would leave me with the downpayment I saved up for the Z06 to put a twin-turbo setup in the 370. I'm a flexible person with life and like to keep my options open. It seems like the issues with the FI setups have been worked out, and like I said all along, my only issue with the 370Z was the cheap paint and the lack of power. The TT kit fixes the power, and about a month ago I became aware of "car wraps", which takes care of the cheap paint. Besides, buying a cheaper car would allow me to move/do whatever I wanted a lot sooner than a more expensive one. So, will just see what the bank says and go from there.

Ah, you're a better man than I. I'm not realistically looking to buy until 2012.

Being responsible sucks and all.

ImportConvert · 12-30-2010, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakoye

Ah, you're a better man than I. I'm not realistically looking to buy until 2012.

Being responsible sucks and all.

I spoke with a new union because my old one was yanking me around (I did what they asked, and now they are asking for something else), and they are going to take my case to the board of directors on the Z06 (anything over 50K has to go through that process), and I am going to see what they can do. If they too nix the idea, I will probably do a TT 370Z unless they tell me "save a couple K more and we'll do it" or something. I will know which direction I am headed by near the end of Jan. I think a clean TT install by Z1 or GTM would make me very happy, though. It would not look as exotic as the Z06, but the interior would be nicer and I think the performance would keep me very happy.

Xan · 12-30-2010, 09:34 PM

Just consider one thing, if you "buy" a $40k car 100% financed, you spend all your saved money on a TT kit and you blow your engine... No warranty, no more safety money to fix it, you're upside down in the loan... But you still need a car to get to work...

This doesn't seem like a smart financial decision....

Red__Zed · 12-30-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Actually thinking about it soon (1-3 months?). My credit-union has seriously tightened up their lending proceedures and the Z06 may be out of the picture. They would finance 100% of a $40K MSRP vehicle, though, and that would leave me with the downpayment I saved up for the Z06 to put a twin-turbo setup in the 370. I'm a flexible person with life and like to keep my options open. It seems like the issues with the FI setups have been worked out, and like I said all along, my only issue with the 370Z was the cheap paint and the lack of power. The TT kit fixes the power, and about a month ago I became aware of "car wraps", which takes care of the cheap paint. Besides, buying a cheaper car would allow me to move/do whatever I wanted a lot sooner than a more expensive one. So, will just see what the bank says and go from there.

Would you actually feel comfortable TT'ing a car that was 100% financed? Would your credit union allow you to modify a car that they held the title to?

I don't intend to push my opinions on you, but I think it is not the best decision to significantly modify a car that is not owned outright. Just a thought. The car could crap out on you for various reasons that would not be covered by insurance, and leave you in quite a hole.

EDIT: Apparently great minds think alike. Beat to the point by just a tad.

m4a1mustang · 12-30-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xan

Just consider one thing, if you "buy" a $40k car 100% financed, you spend all your saved money on a TT kit and you blow your engine... No warranty, no more safety money to fix it, you're upside down in the loan... But you still need a car to get to work...

This doesn't seem like a smart financial decision....

Seems like something a turkey would do.

Red__Zed · 12-30-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Seems like something a turkey would do.

gobble gobble?

m4a1mustang · 12-30-2010, 09:37 PM

Pass the gravy.

ImportConvert · 12-30-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xan

Just consider one thing, if you "buy" a $40k car 100% financed, you spend all your saved money on a TT kit and you blow your engine... No warranty, no more safety money to fix it, you're upside down in the loan... But you still need a car to get to work...

This doesn't seem like a smart financial decision....

No, it's really not the smartest, and I don't want to go that route, but it's not my only car and I can't think of anything on a 370Z that would break that a month or two's pay won't fix. (What is a short-block, $4500 or something?).

I would definitely prefer a 100% stock/warrantied Z06, and am working with my new credit-union in that line of direction. Will just have to see how it plays out. So far the manager at the CU has looked my case over and green-lighted it to head to the committee, of which he has already told me 3 of the 4 people will be in favor of the loan on the Z06 (would be financing roughly 80%.)

The new car, whatever it is, will just be a toy. Something to do on my nights off besides post on here. I have another car that I DD.

jakoye · 12-31-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Seems like something a turkey would do.

What's up with the hate?

ImportConvert · 12-31-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakoye

What's up with the hate?

Never mind it. People love to do it, on the 'net, in person, whatever. As long as they keep their hands to themselves, no need to make a fuss

Or...maybe they mean I should just man up and do whatever it takes to get the Z06, even if I must save up for another 6-8 months for it. I'm almost inclined to agree, it is taking the weak way out and abandoning one of my longer-term goals.

rj45 · 12-31-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Do you ever miss the Z06?

That was my impression of the C6 'vert I rode in, obviously floppier than a Z06, but it was pretty bad. The "initial flex" included 2 points that creaked every time we went over an expansion joint. One near the cowl, and one near the back of the roofline.

I do miss it sometimes, but the car is kind of a waste if its mostly driven around average populated areas...it's just too fast. The big power and long gears prevent getting on it unless you're in a desolate area. Traction in first gear (good for 60 mph) is almost zero below 70 degrees (it just instantly blows out the tires) and second gear tops out at nearly 90 mph. Third gear's good for 125 mph.

If you like running up through the gears, you better have the right place to do it. For example...you get on it in second gear and shift to third for a moment - you're doing 100+ mph. Fun, yes...but a bit fast for those 45 mph speed limit roads. Some owners actually prefer the C5 Z06's less power and shorter gearing because you can run it up through the gears a bit without going 120 mph, plus the shorter gears feel snappier. Modified C6 rears with different ratios are available for the C6 Z06, which livens up the car nicely, but the already limited traction is made even worse. Most stay with the factory rear (3:42, IIRC).

Otherwise, the Z06 is a nice car. It drives well, handles well (though it's a little tail happy) and rides pretty well. Sounds pretty nice, too. Yeah, the convertibles are significantly less rigid, so I wouldn't use that experience for judging the Z06. The Z's chassis is decently rigid, just not exceptionally so.

ImportConvert · 12-31-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rj45

I do miss it sometimes, but the car is kind of a waste if its mostly driven around average populated areas...it's just too fast. The big power and long gears prevent getting on it unless you're in a desolate area. Traction in first gear (good for 60 mph) is almost zero below 70 degrees (it just instantly blows out the tires) and second gear tops out at nearly 90 mph. Third gear's good for 125 mph.

If you like running up through the gears, you better have the right place to do it. For example...you get on it in second gear and shift to third for a moment - you're doing 100+ mph. Fun, yes...but a bit fast for those 45 mph speed limit roads. Some owners actually prefer the C5 Z06's less power and shorter gearing because you can run it up through the gears a bit without going 120 mph, plus the shorter gears feel snappier. Modified C6 rears with different ratios are available for the C6 Z06, which livens up the car nicely, but the already limited traction is made even worse. Most stay with the factory rear (3:42, IIRC).

Otherwise, the Z06 is a nice car. It drives well, handles well (though it's a little tail happy) and rides pretty well. Sounds pretty nice, too. Yeah, the convertibles are significantly less rigid, so I wouldn't use that experience for judging the Z06. The Z's chassis is decently rigid, just not exceptionally so.

Gotcha. Pretty impartial review, there. I appreciate it! I know what you mean about winding out the gears. My Trans Am wasn't that fast, but the gears were sorta tall. 3rd gear was over 100mph by a touch. You could get in trouble pretty fast regarding speed-limits.

rj45 · 12-31-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Gotcha. Pretty impartial review, there. I appreciate it! I know what you mean about winding out the gears. My Trans Am wasn't that fast, but the gears were sorta tall. 3rd gear was over 100mph by a touch. You could get in trouble pretty fast regarding speed-limits.

Thing is, driving the Z06 at regular speeds isn't all that special. It lacks the character that other sports cars have. The steering's over boosted at slow speeds, the clutch is easy...it almost feels like a regular car. If you can't enjoy its power and speed, it's just not that special of an experience. In other words, it's not like a GT3, for example. Though not as good a daily driver, that car has a nice amount of character. Even driving it slowly, you can appreciate the car's purposeful controls (all have nice weighting), its special sound, solid feel, etc. It's a much more unique experience.

To tell you the truth, if I were in the market for another Corvette, I would probably get a GS. It would feel nearly the same as the Z06 driving it around town, it's plenty quick and it has the targa top.

m4a1mustang · 12-31-2010, 10:08 AM

Yes but the Z06 is also an ego car. You know that you can roast 99.99% of the cars on the road you will ever encounter.

12-30-2010, 09:34 PM	#34 (permalink)
Xan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts:99999999999999 Posts: 3,301 Drives: 370Z 40th Aniversary Rep Power: 24	Just consider one thing, if you "buy" a $40k car 100% financed, you spend all your saved money on a TT kit and you blow your engine... No warranty, no more safety money to fix it, you're upside down in the loan... But you still need a car to get to work... This doesn't seem like a smart financial decision.... __________________

12-30-2010, 09:37 PM	#38 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Pass the gravy. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

12-31-2010, 10:08 AM	#45 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Yes but the Z06 is also an ego car. You know that you can roast 99.99% of the cars on the road you will ever encounter. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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