From Solstice to Z
 

Hello All...new here, and new to the Z. I got a 2010 370z convertible in black back in mid April. I had a red Pontiac Solstice and was just curious about the Z. I test drove it, and I was blown away by the handling and power and ended up trading in the solstice for it. Thing is, it is a little bigger than the solstice, and I kind of miss that small-ish feeling - like you are closer to the road. Hard to explain. Anyways, I know convertibles handle worse than coupes - and am wondering if I should have gotten the coupe instead of the ragtop. You guys have any opinions?

Oh, and if anyone wonders why I looking around for a car when I had a fairly new 2008 car - it's because Pontiac got sent down the river, and I got tired of being shoved off like a second class citizen at the GM dealerships. I was also not looking forward to the nightmare when my warranty ran out.

Welcome to the Z. BTW: What exactly is a "Pontiac"? The word is familiar somehow.

just drove a convertible z the other day for the first time and it was awesome.

:welcome:
Nice switch! I used to drive verts (mustangs) and yea, they are heavier and have lower handling capabilities. But if you buy a roadster then you are looking for the sheer joy of the ride over the extreme handling. Although a roadster still handles quite well, I can't speak for the Z because I have had coupes, but I am sure you won't be disappointed.

Well is a Pontiac Soltice that is move by feeding the hamsters (4 cyl).

However I not sure if the Soltice had a model that was Turbo or SC, because Saturn had a similiar car too.

I have a Miata in addition to my 370Z. Entirely different cars---and I enjoy them both. My little Miata zips around while the far more powerful Z can be intimidating and is far more luxurious. Both these types of sports cars serve their respective purposes and markets.

Are you calling the Miata or Soltice a Sport Car?

They are, by definition, sports cars.

sports car: a car with a high-powered engine; designed for speed, high acceleration, usually seats two persons.

Those little go-karts will always be fun in their own way. They're more basic and raw, and you can flog the hell out of them without ******** your pants.

There was a track video on youtube of these expensive cars taking this turn all steady and calm, and then this miata flies by and it looks like he's pushing the thing to the limit, squirrelly out of the turn and at WOT.

I'll post it if I can find it. Those ~10 seconds shows you everything about why these little go-kart cars are legit sports cars.

Besides a couple Miatas I also had a solstice GXP. Four cylinder with factory turbo putting out 260hp. Nice car but the top was a pain to put down and there was really no trunk.

The Z Roadster was built as a Roadster from the ground up unlike the earlier version, designed and engineered along side the coupe version. I find the handling to be excellent and wouldnt dream of giving up my drop top for a solid roof.

While I really enjoyed my previous cars the Z is on another level.

Greg

Yeah.....I just had a regular solstice....no gxp. I think the car was too heavy for the engine. It took a lot to get it to 45mph. The trunk was the gas tank. It was a cool looking car though.

Found it. :happydance: :driving:

http://youtu.be/JAZ9u9oxJTI

Lol that's funny as hell. It looks more like the miata is busting azz just to keep up.

Looks like the miata is a yippy little dog chasing after a nice sports car

I guess that's a way to interpret it.

But who's really having more fun?

the guy almost not wipeing out

Disagree.

that video is great!

Yeah, that video is awesome. Every time I go to a track event there are always a ton of Miata's whooping way more powerful car's asses, it's hilarious to see. Their owners all say how much fun they have whipping that little car through corners. I think the fun factor, cheapness, and easy maintenance makes them great track cars. For the track, they are like a poor man's Lotus.

:tup:
Hahaha reminds me of this video YouTube - ‪370Z drifting @ Nürburgring‬‏

Nice. :tup:

It's similar to what Justice Potter Stewart of the Supreme Court said in 1964 when trying to define pornography: "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it".

Same goes for Civics and RSX's...minus the RWD.

Now if it's a super high speed track with very long straights and long NASCAR bends...Miata is totally on a standstill.

congrats and welcome!

I do feel you on missing the ground-hugging feeling in the Z. I wish it had a bit more of that, but on the other hand, it has more space.

I had a 05 roadster and they were built as a roadster. meaning nissan just didn't chop off the top. there is hardly any difference in handling

and that video is funny as xhit. he's one hell of a driver to keep that car on all fours.

I'm catagorizing the Solstice as being more like the Miata than the Z and being a different kind of sports car than the Z. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.

yeah, honestly the Z is more of a GT car than a true "sports car"

It has rained since 1964 and it sounds soooo poetic.... :ugh2:

I had a a Sky Redline bolt-ons, lowered, Fikse Wheels, dyno tuned to crazy high power…….I'm glad I traded for the 370 much more fun, especially on the track.

I came from an N/A Solstice as well, a 2006. I was planning on trading in the 06 for a Solstice GXP coupe, but in 09 GM put everything on hold for awhile and they were late coming to market, so I got the 370Z instead. The Solstice definately has more of a go-cart feel, but there isn't anything I miss about it. No regrets upgrading to the Z.

took you 3yrs to figure out solstice lacks soul, huh? :D ;) it's a subaru steering system :ugh2: i think and use to share platforms with a saturn sky? :shakes head: that was yet another omfgwtfrudoing GM moment back 4-5yrs ago when they were showing concepts. GM quickly realized after obama taking ownership ;) and started making real cars again like the CTS. :p

I know you didn't go into politics..... :D

oh nono, obama's a car nut and knowz wat to build. :ugh2:

:icon17:

That's the word kenchen...souless. It needed more ummph......more engine. I think gm dropped the ball when they put in a hamsterwheel into a good looking body. I looked at a used CTS...it was too big. I still like the smaller car feel. Obama is pushing the Volt btw.....lame car and overpriced. He also forced GM to be shed of Pontiac which sucked if you were a Pontiac owner at the time. It's funny, I've never paid attention to Nissan Z's.....and suddenly I'm driving one. lol