From Solstice to Z

Torrentara · 06-05-2011, 08:52 PM

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.

onzedge · 06-05-2011, 09:15 PM

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

PapoZalsa · 06-05-2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

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

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.

OldGuy · 06-05-2011, 09:42 PM

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.

PapoZalsa · 06-05-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGuy

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?

onzedge · 06-05-2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

Are you calling the Miata or Soltice a Sport Car?

They are, by definition, sports cars.

OldGuy · 06-06-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

Are you calling the Miata or Soltice a Sport Car?

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.

Econ · 06-05-2011, 09:19 PM

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

007MI6 · 06-05-2011, 09:31 PM

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.

flashburn · 06-06-2011, 10:45 AM

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.

DJ-of-E · 06-06-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashburn

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.

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.

Red__Zed · 06-06-2011, 07:12 PM

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.

sonic370 · 06-06-2011, 07:48 PM

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.

Nikon FM · 06-07-2011, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torrentara

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.

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.

mcphelps · 06-07-2011, 09:53 AM

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.

06-05-2011, 08:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Torrentara Base Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 5 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z Rdstr Rep Power: 14	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.

06-05-2011, 09:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 64 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684737	Welcome to the Z. BTW: What exactly is a "Pontiac"? The word is familiar somehow. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

06-05-2011, 09:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Econ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York City Posts: 2,546 Drives: Fiat? Rep Power: 20	just drove a convertible z the other day for the first time and it was awesome. __________________ 2014 Triumph Thruxton 900 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth 2009 Nissan 370z

06-05-2011, 09:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
007MI6 Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Age: 45 Posts: 703 Drives: Audrey Rep Power: 16	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. __________________ 2011 370Z Touring+Sport Coupe BLK Int\|\|M6\|\|Navigation\|\|Illuminated Door Sills\|\|GoMiniGo LPB

06-06-2011, 10:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
flashburn A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,884 Drives: '12 Corvette GS 6M Rep Power: 19	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. __________________ Current Ride: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Edition Carbon Flash 6M Previous Ride: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport Platinum Graphite 7AT

06-05-2011, 09:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
OldGuy Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Greensburg PA Posts: 899 Drives: '09370Z Red Base A7 Rep Power: 17	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.

06-06-2011, 07:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	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.

06-06-2011, 07:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
sonic370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 1,574 Drives: 09 370Z Sports PGK Rep Power: 19	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.

06-07-2011, 09:53 AM	#15 (permalink)
mcphelps Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Age: 66 Posts: 113 Drives: 09 Sprt/Tr/Nav PG M6 Rep Power: 17	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.

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