New Car and Driver review of the 370z... oil temp fail!

UNKNOWN_370 · 09-09-2011, 12:54 AM

I have a lot of respect for the Evo. Its an econobox with all the right pieces and imo its a true sports car. Some of my forum brothers think that 2 seats in there car give them some kind of extra authenticity in the sports car world. It takes a more than a seat count to call out what's a sports car and what isn't.
But I will race an Evo, any day, any time and any place. I know the evo has a lot of "make me look like a great driver technology. " the Z is more about a balanced platform where modding must be done from scratch. Evo's are pre-prepped for cobb tuning to get you 180hp with $6k.
As far as who's better? Let's shut off all guidance systems and drive on the raw. The Z is no joke. You can read all the limp mode articles you want. A good track driver won't go past 255 degrees on a well maintained sparcely modified Z. Evo owners are dilusional if they think we can't hang???
I don't care if the Z needs $1250 in parts to avoid a possible limp mode? (There are plenty of us that never had this happen). Its the most balance car of the bunch. Balance is everything.

On a side note. The evo is hella fun! Gotta love the evo too.

cossie1600 · 09-09-2011, 01:10 AM

You need to lay off the kool-aid a little. The Z is partially based off of the Murano and its engine are in quite a few cars.

I am not sure if experience are needed to keep the oil temps down, just short shift if you care. A simple 500 RPM can drop the temperature a good 5-10 degree.

Car has a 53/47 balance, not sure if that is all that balance. It's still a good car, but not as perfect as you made it sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

the Z is more about a balanced platform where modding must be done from scratch.
As far as who's better? Let's shut off all guidance systems and drive on the raw. The Z is no joke. You can read all the limp mode articles you want. A good track driver won't go past 255 degrees on a well maintained sparcely modified Z. Evo owners are dilusional if they think we can't hang???
I don't care if the Z needs $1250 in parts to avoid a possible limp mode? (There are plenty of us that never had this happen). Its the most balance car of the bunch. Balance is everything.

ihatepotholes · 09-09-2011, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11Thumper

I've driven the new Mustang and it's a decent car. If I were to choose a domestic, it would be the Camaro as I love the looks vs. the Mustang. However, the new Mustang isn't a pig IMO.

it isn't a pig in a sense of speed, but it sure felt like a pig to me when i threw it in the corners, it understeered a lot more than the Z. i know it is a lot faster than the z, i just don't like the way it felt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

Most of the 5.0 owners I've talked to don't suggest that the Stang handles better, but that it's not very far behind the Z. Having seen a Stang thrashed on the Dragon in person, I can attest that it handles quite well during spirited driving.

5o is better in the performance department. however, i don't like the driving dynamic that it offers.

Red__Zed · 09-09-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

You need to lay off the kool-aid a little. The Z is partially based off of the Murano and its engine are in quite a few cars.

I am not sure if experience are needed to keep the oil temps down, just short shift if you care. A simple 500 RPM can drop the temperature a good 5-10 degree.

Car has a 53/47 balance, not sure if that is all that balance. It's still a good car, but not as perfect as you made it sound.

Pretty much this.

ImportConvert · 09-09-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihatepotholes

it isn't a pig in a sense of speed, but it sure felt like a pig to me when i threw it in the corners, it understeered a lot more than the Z. i know it is a lot faster than the z, i just don't like the way it felt.

5o is better in the performance department. however, i don't like the driving dynamic that it offers.

You ran both cars on the same track under similar conditions? Pavement temperature, etc. can matter a lot regarding how the cars behave. How much brake were you using to balance the car on corner entry? I would think the GT might like a touch more than the 370Z due to weight distribution. Not much AT ALL, though.

Red370 · 09-09-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihatepotholes

5.0 owners that said it handled better than the Z, you know you are biased. i drove the 5o many times, it felt like a pig that it is. the steering is so numb and disconnected. over all the car is way too heavy. yes it is a lot faster than the z in acceleration, it literally obliterates z. it sounds tons better as well. but to say it handles better? come on, it felt more like a cruiser than a sports car.

I dont think the "base" 5.0 handles better than the Z, however, the Brembo equipped package IMHO is on par or better, how would I know this you say? Owned both, tracked both. You drove it many times eh? well, had you driven it as many times as you say, you'd realize that it has electronic steering assist, it by no means makes the car feel disconnected, in fact, in sport mode, its pretty damned responsive. The car is way too heavy? 200 lbs. heavier than the Z yes, better power to weight than the Z, yes. This is a non-factor. Compared to the Camaro/Challenger/Charger, the 5.0 is bulimic. I will never talk bad about my Z, I loved that car, but after 2k plus in upgrades, I still had an oil temp problem that the dealership scoffed at. And lets face it, the Mustang in its price range/class, completely mops up the competition. Definitely still think about my Z, I miss it.

FromG2Z · 09-09-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

I dont think the "base" 5.0 handles better than the Z, however, the Brembo equipped package IMHO is on par or better, how would I know this you say? Owned both, tracked both. You drove it many times eh? well, had you driven it as many times as you say, you'd realize that it has electronic steering assist, it by no means makes the car feel disconnected, in fact, in sport mode, its pretty damned responsive. The car is way too heavy? 200 lbs. heavier than the Z yes, better power to weight than the Z, yes. This is a non-factor. Compared to the Camaro/Challenger/Charger, the 5.0 is bulimic. I will never talk bad about my Z, I loved that car, but after 2k plus in upgrades, I still had an oil temp problem that the dealership scoffed at. And lets face it, the Mustang in its price range/class, completely mops up the competition. Definitely still think about my Z, I miss it.

Just curious (not flaming at all), but was an oil cooler a part of the 2k in upgrades you did in your Z? Why didn't it fix the oil temp issue?

Red370 · 09-09-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Just curious (not flaming at all), but was an oil cooler a part of the 2k in upgrades you did in your Z? Why didn't it fix the oil temp issue?

Setrab 18 row, drove it up the side of a mountain, went limp 3/4 on the way up, immediately took it to the dealership, they inspected it, found no problem, sent me on my way. The next day, I was the proud owner of a 2011 Mustang GT.

FromG2Z · 09-09-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

Setrab 18 row, drove it up the side of a mountain, went limp 3/4 on the way up, immediately took it to the dealership, they inspected it, found no problem, sent me on my way. The next day, I was the proud owner of a 2011 Mustang GT.

Wow sorry to hear. I need to read up more, because so far, you're the only one I know that has still had an oil temp issue even when outfitted with an oil cooler. That's bizaare and not common right? Prolly a manufacturer's defect?

ChrisSlicks · 09-09-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

I dont think the "base" 5.0 handles better than the Z, however, the Brembo equipped package IMHO is on par or better, how would I know this you say? Owned both, tracked both. You drove it many times eh? well, had you driven it as many times as you say, you'd realize that it has electronic steering assist, it by no means makes the car feel disconnected, in fact, in sport mode, its pretty damned responsive. The car is way too heavy? 200 lbs. heavier than the Z yes, better power to weight than the Z, yes. This is a non-factor. Compared to the Camaro/Challenger/Charger, the 5.0 is bulimic. I will never talk bad about my Z, I loved that car, but after 2k plus in upgrades, I still had an oil temp problem that the dealership scoffed at. And lets face it, the Mustang in its price range/class, completely mops up the competition. Definitely still think about my Z, I miss it.

The new Mustangs have oil temp problems too unfortunately. A brand new Boss was brought to one of our events recently and it was hitting limp mode after 6 laps, temp gauge pegged. It was a warm day of 90+ degrees, and I was struggling with temps myself. I've heard rumors though that the problem is limited to the Boss models, they are a little more high strung than the standard 5.0's.

Lug · 09-09-2011, 10:10 AM

The main reason the mustang handles oil temps better than the 370Z is simple. It uses 8 quart of oil. Nissan should pay attention to this. Other than price, upping the oil content is all win.

cossie1600 · 09-09-2011, 11:19 AM

the lack of oil cooler on the z doesnt help. at the same time, a simple solution would be some electrical tape to cover up the gauge. if you are not hitting limp mode, is it truly a problem or is it mainly in your head?

red6spd · 09-09-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

the lack of oil cooler on the z doesnt help. at the same time, a simple solution would be some electrical tape to cover up the gauge. if you are not hitting limp mode, is it truly a problem or is it mainly in your head?

These people dont realize what normal is. I was running 220-240 all the time, I was happy and did not understand what everyone was crying about??? I did the oil cooler because I knew I would be doing some mods and putting her on a track, not because of oil temp issues.

shadoquad · 09-09-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red370

Setrab 18 row, drove it up the side of a mountain, went limp 3/4 on the way up, immediately took it to the dealership, they inspected it, found no problem, sent me on my way. The next day, I was the proud owner of a 2011 Mustang GT.

Wow, I had no idea that this had happened to you. That definitely would have put a sour taste in my mouth as well, especially at the manufacturers of the oil cooler!

6MT · 09-09-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

the lack of oil cooler on the z doesnt help. at the same time, a simple solution would be some electrical tape to cover up the gauge. if you are not hitting limp mode, is it truly a problem or is it mainly in your head?

And if people are still concerned.... they should look into a different car.

09-09-2011, 10:10 AM	#191 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 19	The main reason the mustang handles oil temps better than the 370Z is simple. It uses 8 quart of oil. Nissan should pay attention to this. Other than price, upping the oil content is all win. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

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09-09-2011, 12:54 AM	#181 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	I have a lot of respect for the Evo. Its an econobox with all the right pieces and imo its a true sports car. Some of my forum brothers think that 2 seats in there car give them some kind of extra authenticity in the sports car world. It takes a more than a seat count to call out what's a sports car and what isn't. But I will race an Evo, any day, any time and any place. I know the evo has a lot of "make me look like a great driver technology. " the Z is more about a balanced platform where modding must be done from scratch. Evo's are pre-prepped for cobb tuning to get you 180hp with $6k. As far as who's better? Let's shut off all guidance systems and drive on the raw. The Z is no joke. You can read all the limp mode articles you want. A good track driver won't go past 255 degrees on a well maintained sparcely modified Z. Evo owners are dilusional if they think we can't hang??? I don't care if the Z needs $1250 in parts to avoid a possible limp mode? (There are plenty of us that never had this happen). Its the most balance car of the bunch. Balance is everything. On a side note. The evo is hella fun! Gotta love the evo too.

09-09-2011, 11:19 AM	#192 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	the lack of oil cooler on the z doesnt help. at the same time, a simple solution would be some electrical tape to cover up the gauge. if you are not hitting limp mode, is it truly a problem or is it mainly in your head?