I finally test drove a Z!

FlashBazbo

This won't hold any interest or relevance for most of you, but I enjoyed my first drive in a Z today and I learned a lot. Even after a number of weeks reading on this forum, there were some surprises for me.

First, of course, was the realization that a geezer test driving a 370Z Touring w/ Sport Package can very easily scare the crap out of a sales guy riding shotgun. Bwa-ha-ha-haaaaaa!

Now for the more pertinent observations for those who haven't yet driven a 370Z:

1. I found the ride and sound deadening to be very much on the luxury end of the scale for a sporty car. I was shocked. Very quiet. Some suspension jiggle, but not as bad as with a lot of less sporty cars. My 4cyl Honda Accord is much louder under acceleration (inside) than the Z. The quiet and smoothness muted the sensation of speed. I don't think I would like the added mutedness of a G37. Not knowing better, this is what I would have expected from a G37.

2. The gravel noise in the rear wheel wells is real, but it's not as bad as discussions on this forum had led me to believe. It only made itself known when we were driving across gravel patches in front of some intersections and driveways. I didn't find it that bad, at all. Of course, if I lived on a gravel road or drove a lot on roads with a lot of sand on them, my opinion would be different.

3. Rear visibility IS an issue. It is probably worse than you think it will be. You are essentially backing up in your mirrors. There is ZERO visibility directly out the rear quarter panels. You have the left and right side mirrors and the "mail slot" of a rear window. Backing out of a mall parking slot? Pray. A lot. And hope people are alert and charitable enough to slam on their brakes to miss you. You will be hard pressed to see them at the normal angle they would be coming from. When backing, the 370Z is the Mr. Magoo of the parking lot.

4. Speed. It's there. Acceleration. It's there. But you need the instruments to know it's there. The Z never appears to work for it (except for the burning smell when you park the car afterward). It seems to me that the car is so well put together that it masks what it's doing. No big shove in the back. No real jerk with gear changes. You hit 80 thinking you're doing around 40. Maybe I'm just too accustomed to the violent acceleration of my sportbike. I know the car is fast, but it was so effortless -- it seemed like a letdown.

Overall, I found the 370Z to be a highly-refined, fast car. It shares very little with a purpose-built, true race car. It lacks some of the visceral cues of the fast cars of the past -- the Gs to the back, the jerk of the shifts, the noise of the engine and transmission, the squeal of the brake pads -- but it's faster than all of them. I'm impressed. Maybe it's too civilized . . . or maybe not.

At any rate, my wife approved. If I want it, it's mine.

eXo5

sounds good. Just make sure you back into your parking spot or just go nose out if u can...

mspeasl

Con grats on the drive...............
P.S. Backing into a parking space in a 350 or 370 is always the safe way to park a Z.

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Mspeasl - Central Illinois
2009 - Solid Red, M6 '370' Sport/Touring (Delivered 7 April 09)

dlmartin81

Yes, exactly! That's what I will be doing in a couple of weeks when mine arrives at the dealer.

m4a1mustang

I remember my first test drive in a 370.

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- Steve

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matt2112

a very well written description...

always good to hear a well defined account of a first time Z driver

Pushing_Tin

What color are you getting?

FlashBazbo

Most likely platinum graphite.

BLannom

Excellent evaluation of the 370Z. I bought mine about a month ago (Touring / Sport in Platinum) and am having great fun driving it. I was a little afraid of buying it at first after reading many reviews on this forum describing the road noise. I was pleasantly surprised, that it is not as bad as noted by some folks.
It isn't like the Lexus I was driving, but the Z is a SPORTS CAR. When I drive over pebbles I hear them hitting the wheel wells, but 99.9% of the time no pebbles are present. There is some road noise on certain surfaces, but being in a sport car with big tires -- it is expected and not a turn off. One guy on another forum reported the tire noise was so bad he couldn't hear the Bose radio --- that is nuts, at 70 mph I can hear the radio with no issues. I only have 1,000 miles on the Z to date, so haven't really kicked it yet due to the break-in period, but I can tell you it has great power. I am really glad I made this purchase. I was riding in the Lexus, and am driving the Z. I think I'll go crank it up now. Zoom Zoom Zoom

TBOX

Your writeup is a very accurate assessment. It's about exactly the same thing I thought when test driving the 370z. Especially the part about the acceleration. I'm used to my old WRX that was very modded. It would slam your head back in the seat to do the same thing this car was doing with no lurching whatsoever. You know what that means? Stability and control! I autox and track race and a car that doesn't jerk around while ripping thru the pavement is a car that will take some great times on race day

ricer333

The visibility is probably the only thing that I had a problem/complaint with in the car. However, I am used to a Full/Midsized sedan. It sounds like this has always been true in in the Z world.
I would second the option/need to back into spots to ensure not getting slammed into.

I guess the only other complaint is, I'm not sure where to put the golf clubs. Maybe they will ride shotgun with me?

__________________
In the market for a new car.... wanting the 370z Touring + Sports Package! Time for a fun car to drive

BLannom

Before I bought my 370Z, I worried about getting my clubs in the car, for I play a lot of golf and don't like leaving my clubs at the golf course in storage. I found if you take the woods out of the bag, you can lay the bag on its side (unless it is super big pro bag) across the back part of the trunk and then put the head of the woods in the front corner of the trunk and the shafts will lay diagonally with no problem. There is still room for shoes, a hat, and a jacket.
Take your clubs to a dealer and try it.

FlashBazbo

The Z is black/black, Touring, Sport Package, 7AT. It comes into my possession at 10:00 a.m. Monday.

Not only did my wife insist on the Z over more pedestrian sporty cars, but she has been talking from the assumption that toys will be added to the car. WHAT a woman!

m4a1mustang

What a woman indeed!

My gf OK'd my TT purchase, but only after I provide her with an equally expensive engagement ring. Fair deal.

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FlashBazbo

Congratulations!