My Review: Nissan 370Z vs. Nissan GTR

Endgame · 01-06-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClemsonWill

Thanks for sharing nitrouz. I can completely see where you are coming from. I know it's not in the same league but I had to really do research about the Z before I sold my S2000. Thinking that the Z may be too much power to safely have fun with on the street. But now that I have had the Z it's definitely the perfect mix of power, fun, and streetability.

I agree with this post. That is exactly how I feel about the Z after my supercharged Stang GT, SR20DET 240, and RX8.

A tuned Z (lighter wheels, stickier tires like RE11s, exhaust, intake mods, tune, suspension tweeks) will provide even greater and maybe exceeds Porsche like performance (lesser 911s/Cayman S) for a fraction of the cost. And the Z looks hawt.

Nitrouz · 01-06-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckd05

As much as I agree with the OP here in what he wants from the car and the Z delivering.. lets not turn into HR 350z owners, lmao

the GTR is a beast of a machine, that is MUCH faster and handles MUCH better than our Zs... think about all the auto guys who love there 370z just as much as us manual guys.. I couldnt afford a GTR but if i could I wouldnt buy it due to the lack of a true manual.. I would go the Porshce route.. BUT after driving a scuderia for just 8 laps around the track I would of been more than pleased with that tranny... If the GTR's DCT is as good or better than the scuderia's I think a lot of us would be suprised at how good and fun they could be.

The awd and incredible traction of the gtr also kills some of the "fun" , But to me throwing a tune and downpipes/exhaust and going down the 1/4 in 11.2-10.8 is certainly something I could have fun doing...

Give me a TT 370z , which I couldnt logically do because of possible engine failure down the line, diminished life of all your drivetrain parts, and excessive costs to repair things , and I would be about as happy as I would be in any higher end sports car..

GTR>370z GTR=370Z TT IMO , that is why OP is throwing rims and a turbo on it , in what seems like before the engine breaks 5k miles, ha.

Good write up though... The few times I was in a GTR the car blew my mind, its interesting to here that from you who has owned one that was modded as well...

Tune and downpipes in a friends went 11.2 with 1,500 miles on the car.. I went for a ride and left that car with a whole new outlook on how "slow" my car really was haha

My GTR was going 10.7 @ 130 down the 1/4 mile. But seriously...drag racing is SO BORING in the GTR. Launch control, full auto mode. BAM 10.7 everytime. So freaking what? Not like I'm racing brackets for money or I'm getting paid for consistency.

I used to think GTR > 350ztt. Now I'm going backwards. 370ztt>GTR, due to the fun factor. Yes the DCT in the GTR is superior to the F1 tranny of the Scuderia. I've driven the Scud extensively as well. But at the end of the day, you're still pressing a paddle to shift. Yes it's fun being able to put all the power to the ground at every given moment, even in the middle of the 0.2 seconds of shifting. But after a while, when you want to be rebellious at 30mph, just to have some fun fishtailing and drifting through a tight corner? Sorry, can't be done. Actually you can...just mash the gas. But it'll pull you straight through the corner though. On the track, believe me, the GTR would be my first pick. But on the street, I'd pick a 370z or a 370ztt day in and day out. Like I said in my first post, in MY life, I drive 95% on the street, therefore I'm going to a 370Z. But if you drive mostly on the track, by all means, GTR is a choice you will not regret.

Nitrouz · 01-06-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott @ RA

Nitrouz, Great review, I agree 100% with your assessment/ comparison of the two highest level Nissan sports cars.
Being contracted to be one of the first few in the country to do a track and street test with the R35 GT-R. I am well aware of the almost boring yet quick and accurate, "point and shoot" ways of the GT-R.
The Z has its inherent track problems as well (most of them well documented), but that is a whole other story for another time.

This is a great, honest, and raw right up. Thanks

Thanks Scott. I'm sure once I hit the track, I'll miss the GTR. But like I said, I'm buying this car with the intention of being a fun street car / DD. Hence my choice.

Nitrouz · 01-06-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClemsonWill

Thanks for sharing nitrouz. I can completely see where you are coming from. I know it's not in the same league but I had to really do research about the Z before I sold my S2000. Thinking that the Z may be too much power to safely have fun with on the street. But now that I have had the Z it's definitely the perfect mix of power, fun, and streetability.

This is very subjective as well, but I'm very glad you made the right purchase to feel that way about the Z. I personally think it could use a bit more power. But hey that's why we all mod cars differently and have our own uniqueness as human beings right?

superchargedg · 01-06-2011, 01:23 PM

I remember that fire breathing z.

Zeto · 01-06-2011, 01:44 PM

Thanks for the review. Like others I was also looking into the GTR in the future.

ImportConvert · 01-06-2011, 02:51 PM

I remember when I said screw a GT-R for driving on the street because that is boring after a while just mashing 2 pedals and hitting some flippers and not being able to spin the tires from a 30 punch, and everyone jumped on me because I own a G20. Seems I might have known what I was talking about...

I'll stick with my goal of picking up a Z06, or a 370Z TT, depending on finances, thankyou

'grats OP! I am anxious to see the build!

ProfessorDave · 01-06-2011, 03:53 PM

Alex, this is a great thread and your opinions seem very objective - a tough thing to achieve when talking about a car, I think!

I always enjoy hearing what other forum members had before their Z and what they liked about them, or what they are trading their Z for, for that matter! I just like learning about different cars.

I tend to be in a 2-3 year car cycle, so I'm sure I'll be looking at Porsches, GT-Rs, and M3's within a few years, and will probably have to revisit this thread!

BTW, loved the Oakley's analogy - very descriptive!

Endgame · 01-06-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I remember when I said screw a GT-R for driving on the street because that is boring after a while just mashing 2 pedals and hitting some flippers and not being able to spin the tires from a 30 punch, and everyone jumped on me because I own a G20. Seems I might have known what I was talking about...

I'll stick with my goal of picking up a Z06, or a 370Z TT, depending on finances, thankyou

'grats OP! I am anxious to see the build!

so which one are you leaning towards?

ImportConvert · 01-06-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

so which one are you leaning towards?

If the bank is comfortable financing it, Z06, no question. If they are not, well, I am torn between the 370Z and use my downpayment to TT it, or hold off for another year and go with a 2012 Z06. I honestly don't know, but truth be told I lean toward the Z06 either way.

A Z06 is a supercar. A 370Z TT is a "normal car" with supercar performance.

If I can hold out for it, I would prefer the Z06. I have done well to stuff away $1500 a month for the proposed Z06 and drive past the Nissan dealership every week on the way to work without buying for the last half year, lol. I am doing well so far.

kenchan · 01-06-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

I remember when I said screw a GT-R for driving on the street because that is boring after a while just mashing 2 pedals and hitting some flippers and not being able to spin the tires from a 30 punch, and everyone jumped on me because I own a G20. Seems I might have known what I was talking about...

yes, you have high credibility for being slow.

ChrisSlicks · 01-06-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitrouz

Thanks Scott. I'm sure once I hit the track, I'll miss the GTR. But like I said, I'm buying this car with the intention of being a fun street car / DD. Hence my choice.

The 370Z is a blast on the track, certainly not as fast but very enjoyable and plenty of driver involvement and feedback. Sure it has it's shortcomings but as long as you know what they are by reading these forums they can almost all be dealt with.

DIGItonium · 01-06-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitrouz

The stock 350Z feels a little faster daily driving, due to the big hump of torque in the low-midrange compared to the 370z. But if you wind through all the gears, I'm sure the 370Z is faster.

That's true. It doesn't feel fast for daily driving, and that's what I miss from the DE. There's a certain feeling that I'm missing, but hopefully I can get it back after force feeding it

ImportConvert · 01-06-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yes, you have high credibility for being slow.

You drive a NA 370Z, no? Did I miss something?

kenchan · 01-06-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

You drive a NA 370Z, no? Did I miss something?

jep, plenty fast for street, but not super fast so keeps it entertaining. imho about 300hp is about right for most cars to be entertaining for street while keeping everything legal.

nothing more boring than driving a fast car slow.

01-06-2011, 01:23 PM	#35 (permalink)
superchargedg Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: timonium Posts: 144 Drives: 2003 g35 TT Rep Power: 14	I remember that fire breathing z. __________________ My car is bone stock...i promise.

01-06-2011, 03:53 PM	#38 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	Alex, this is a great thread and your opinions seem very objective - a tough thing to achieve when talking about a car, I think! I always enjoy hearing what other forum members had before their Z and what they liked about them, or what they are trading their Z for, for that matter! I just like learning about different cars. I tend to be in a 2-3 year car cycle, so I'm sure I'll be looking at Porsches, GT-Rs, and M3's within a few years, and will probably have to revisit this thread! BTW, loved the Oakley's analogy - very descriptive! __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

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ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7627	I remember when I said screw a GT-R for driving on the street because that is boring after a while just mashing 2 pedals and hitting some flippers and not being able to spin the tires from a 30 punch, and everyone jumped on me because I own a G20. Seems I might have known what I was talking about... I'll stick with my goal of picking up a Z06, or a 370Z TT, depending on finances, thankyou 'grats OP! I am anxious to see the build!