Just got my Z - a few questions/observations

Corporate666

So I just picked up my car this afternoon.... it's pretty cool. It's a new (leftover) 2010 touring with sport package and nav. It had 60 miles on it when I drove it off the dealer lot this morning.

Overall I really like the car, but it rides and drives a LOT different than I thought it would. I am coming from a BMW 3-series. I figured the Z would be similar - that Japanese smooth buttery ride and Lexus like quiet interior. But not at all..

I was *amazed* at how much road noise you hear. I got up to 50mph out of the dealer onto a 4 lane road and I had to turn the stereo up... I realized the bluetooth is probably useless in this car on the highway - you would never hear the person

I went over some pebbles and rocks from some roadwork leftovers on the road and it sounded like someone shooting a BB machine gun at the back of the car. Wasn't expecting that. I also hear what sounds like either gear whine or just driveline noise coming into the cabin. Not bad, just very race-car-ish. Reminds me of the Panoz race cars I drove... totally unexpected. Kinda cool, I hope I don't get sick of it though.

I am very surprised at how clunky the driveline is. It's not necessarily a bad thing, just really hard to be super smooth. I guess I will get used to it. This car reminds me a TON of my old Viper GTS. I never thought a Nissan would be like my old Viper... not necessarily a bad thing - just much more of a sports car ride and feel that I thought it would have.

Also, I realize I must be getting fat because the sport seats were digging into my lower back on the right side the whole way home. I gotta lose weight anyway, but I was ready to get outta the car after my 2 hour ride home.

I really like the dash and gauges... the LEDs for gas and temperature are sort of gimmicky, but I like gimmicks The car is a PITA to get in and out of (wide sidesills) but it's surprisingly roomy and comfortable once you are in.

I have to read through the manual, but I am a lazy SOB... so what is that little slot below the traction control button? It looks like a holding slot for the key fob? I just left it in my pocket... is the slot just so that the car resembles a traditional key?

There are two rubber coated buttons above the license plate area. One opens the trunk, the other flashes the lights - is that just a lock/unlock button?

And the car says it has lumbar adjustments on the drivers side. I have 2 power seat controls on the right, and two big plastic dials on the left that tilt the seat... is that what they call "lumbar"?

I know, I know, RTFM... probably do that over the weekend


Definitely a cool car, I like it. It's NOTHING like my brothers old 300ZX though. Totally and completely different car in every way.

djpathfinder

The lumbar support lever is on the right side of the seat...feel right above the center console...you'll find it.

The round button above the license plate recess is lock/unlock, not "flash the lights" LOL.

Hey, it's a sports car...it behaves and sounds like one...rough and gutteral...much more akin to a Z4 M coupe than a 3 or 5 series BMW.

Congrats on the new car!

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2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black
2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

Fire

I'll try to help you out LOL. The buttons in the license area are trunk release and door unlock sometimes needed for the fuel filler door. As for the noise, get a vert and turn up the music, the phone doesn't work with the top down. The opening on the dash is in the event that your key fob battery dies. Just insert the key fob and your car will be able to be started. I see the seat question has been answered. You might want to read you owners manual a little to get the most out of your car and pass some time when it's raining and the only thing on TV is ABC and thier shows sux. LOL

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2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 6MT coupe Back N' Black. 680hp

Thomasd

Lose weight and test drive before you buy.

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Stillen CBE and Gen 3. 13.53@103

68cam454

According to what I have read on the forum, the proper and forum accepted name for the slot below the traction control button is FOBGINA. Please be gentle when inserting the fob until the proper break in has been achieved.

EazyD

I also didn't test drive [or sit in] the 370Z before I bought. I wanted a Z for 6 years prior to getting mine. I just /knew/

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Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

FromG2Z

oh boy... here we go again. Am getting really sick of hearing about this.

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2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

McFrostyJ

I have been having so much fun driving the Z that I didn't even notice it had this! Thanks!

11Thumper

Congrats on the car.

If you're going to be a puss about noise trade it in for a G37.

Corporate666

Why? It's the nature of the car. Only allowed to post awesome stuff to puff up our egos?

Corporate666

LOL! hey, I said it was kinda cool. I don't mind the noise - but I am not sure if this is something I should be taking to the dealer (the clunkiness, not the road noise).

I will take the road noise along with the awesome 19" wheels... no problem there. But it's definitely clunky. I only have 200 miles or so on the car, and I am getting used to the Synchro match (or whatever its called - I am either going to love or hate that... haven't decided yet). I will get used to it a bit more before I start assuming something is wrong - but DAMN is it clunky.

11Thumper

My drivetrain is silky smooth but I chose auto for this car. Seems like you chose 6MT since you're having to get used to the rev match (auto has it too though).

Ok, you seem like less of a puss...but still have some minor puss traits.

murphman

yeah gets pretty annoying when people try to compare this car to some luxury car expecting to it to have the same weight gaining insulation that they have

you might as well go and trade it in if the "NOT EVEN THAT LOUD NOISE" is already bothering you

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Mod List: FI 18" CBE// Eibach Springs// Rear Camber kit//
Ingen CAI//

Corporate666

LOL, thanks.

I was going to get the auto but I just got a killer deal on this car, so I had to jump on it. I only have 210 miles on the car so far, so I have a lot of getting-used to do still. I am amazed at how notchy the shifter is (and that is a good thing). I've had Vipers and Corvettes and other cars and people spent buku $$ to get the shifter as notchy and short-throwed as it is in the Z stock.

The driveline clunkiness seems to be more in 1st and 2nd gear and it seems to be worse when the car is hot than when it's cold. I am still just very surprised how much like my Viper this car is... it rides and drives like a monster - except it has a gotta-wind-it-out powerband. Definitely not what I am used to, but very cool. I love the dash.


The synchro rev... the more I use it, the more I wish it was a little trigger on the back of the shifter that I could use on the fly. I love SR in low gears, like when you shift from 4th to neutral and coast down to a stop at idle, then the light turns green and you want to drop it into 2nd. SR will put you right in the perfect RPM range. But it sucks when you are on the highway and getting ready to take your exit and you shift out of 6th as you start to slow down, and the RPM's go through the roof.

I design and manufacture automotive electronics for a living and I have a full machine shop at work, so I may pull apart the SR switch and see if it's something I could fabricate (a button to engage SR on the fly, built into the back of the shift knob).

I am going to make some custom LED lights for the turn signals too, I think.

Overall, love the car.... just gotta drop a few pounds :P I am 6'3" and 240 so it's not as if I am a giant fatass, but that muffin top sure doesn't like the side bolsters on the sport package!

Corporate666

Well, the road noise is louder than my Corvettes and Vipers, both of which are most definitely sports cars. So it's not just loud compared to luxury cars - but also compared to hard core sports cars (which I don't think the Z is intended to be). There is a lot of talk about it on this forum and in reviews, so it's not just me that notices it.

Like I said, it's not a deal killer, and I think the transmission/rear-end whine is kind of cool. But, well, it's a lotta road noise