Long Term Update- '09 Sport 40K miles

Zxces50

Approx three and half years ownership- '09 Sport, Touring, 7AT-
NO regrets, no issue's, would do it again same options and set up - look fwd to a couple more years. Would buy next gen Z if bump in HP.
Stats-
USE: Summer daily driver (Boston commute) & HPDE Events (for FUN).
~40,000 Miles and 16 Track Days (Watkins Glen, Monticello, Lime Rock, NJMP)

MODS(All done in '09): Stillen Cat Back, Stillen 19 row Oil Cooler, Stillen Gen 3 CAI, SS Brake Lines, Hawk HPS (street) Hawk HP+ (track), Ate Super Blue brake fluid, Castrol Dexron VI PS fluid, Michelin Pilot Super Sport (stock size) w/ Nitrogen, Siebon CF Lip, Imported black fuel gauge wrap

Comments (IMHO):
Z loves the track and switches DD to Track with no issue at all. If you want to go fast and experience the Z track it once even a Hyperdrive event. I find the 7AT supports both my driving styles just fine. Have had many MT's over the years but I have really been satified with performance of Z 7AT.
Brakes- I have had zero issue. Solid, consistent, no fade, feel very confident they will work under all conditions. Hawk Pads have been great. My stock original rotors virtually NO wear (consumed 3.2 sets pads to date- OEM, HPS, 1.2 sets HP+).
Oil temps- DD never an issue never a concern. 1st Track day w/o oil cooler went fine but cool day and my first event. Have run track days in summer when 95F and no issue with 19 row. Have never hit limp mod ever.
Stillen- very happy with all these mods. Easy install for me. Been a few years in place still work fine. Fitment fine No fiddling with.
Tires - Got 20K miles out of stock tires and were slicks at end but always good and sticky and predictable. Michelin Pilot Super Sports- 20K miles and ~ 10 track days - still lotso tread- might get one more season out of them - very happy with PSS- seems little quieter than stock and wear is much better- PSS also great in WET but I usually do not use when raining. I do not use Z in cold or snow- this big summer rubber just not good in winter. I've gone to Nitrogen only to better manage pressure on track- even dropping to 28/29 psi cold would get to 45 psi after a little cool down in paddock. First Nitrogen track day in a couple weeks.
Interior - Still looks new. No noticable wear and tear EXCEPT for drivers side exterior leather boulster- starting to show sign of use enter/exit. Electronics- NAV, climate control, buttons etc- never an issue, everything works
Exterior- Holding up very well. Do get small rock chips frequently on hood but I use for DD and they are doing a lot of highway repave around here. I do not think necesarily paint - but just that low to ground we get in debre field. Sport Rims damage easily- be careful of curbs and talk to anyone that mounts or balances your tires including impact wrench on lugnuts and rim damage around lug nuts. Cost to refurb rims $$$. Window glass does seem to scratch easy even cleaning a clean glass so be careful.
Track use - Honestly it still amazes me the fun performance on track and latter in same day grocery go getter at 22 MPG. Handles great. Instills confidence. Very forgiving. Love the sync rev match- makes me look like better driver than my skill/ experience. I did install the Siebon lip for function- seemed a bit lite in front at Monticello long long back straight at WOT- lip very much improved next time at Monticello. (very similar profile to Nismo stock which is why i selected) Track vids on UTube "The370zzz"
Frustration- for regular use none. Fuel Starvation is a PITA on track - just have to keep it full. Starved at Monticello - more embarrising than anything else.
All things considered - I would do it again and have not been tempted by the other offerings out there for how I use my car. For the price point, reliabilty, daily and limited track use and economics of use I really think Nissan did a great job here.

Zoren 370

Hey Thanks for sharing I will vote for this one to be added on sticky's.
Moderator?

Bucketlist2012

Good to hear...

I just bought a 2009 Sport/touring and haven't had much time to use it yet. It has 6000 Miles on it.

But good to hear you have minimal problems.. I hope to have the same experience..

My 2004 350Z was bullet proof, and I hope I have the same experience with my 370Z..


Thanks for the post...So many other posts made me second guess my decision to go with the 370Z, but time will tell..

__________________
2009 Sport/Touring 370Z
1971 Z/28 with coil overs, rushforth's, willwoods, Hotchkis. 4 speed
GMC Sierra1500

sfearl1

Thanks for the update! Very useful information here for potential buyer's.

+1 for sticky

__________________
Scott

USMCASA

almost 91k on my odo with a 09 M6 Sport, original clutch, original brakes... k&n typhoon system. runs and performs as good as the day i bought it, though i'm about on the 6th pair of tires on the back and still about 3/4 tread on the fronts of the 3rd set. Z is a solid car that i would recommend to anyone.

Zoren 370

Great Post!

cossie1600

I have an 09 with 16k miles, I am happy with the performance, lukewarm at best with reliability.

2 sets of re11, 350 autox runs, about 14 track days
2 sets of track pads and oem
1 tow from fuel starve
Transmissions clunky and bearing whines
No oil consumption that is notable
Interior starting to wear, winkles on driver seat, rear plastic scratched
Had to spend 700 on oil cooler and 500 on trailer hitch
Broke a gas tank, inaccurate fuel gauge
The usual crPpy Nissan service

SPOHN

Great review. Nice to see such things.

There's no way I could happy with the HP+ pads though. I'd go threw those in one day with tons of fade. Not sure how your not getting fade?

And tires. I'm getting ready to replace my rears after 8k miles and 4 track days. That's on RE 11's. But I do drive the hell out of my car.

__________________

brucelidat

So you switch out your pads for track days or are your hawk track pads on permanently and not eating up your rotors? Great post BTW.

__________________
Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

Mt Tam I am

Wow somebody who like their Z. I loved your write up. Rep sent. I do not get your mileage or tire life but I agree.

__________________
Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

DLSTR

Nice post. Im the same. Great all around sports car. Does all things well. Price cant be beat for the capability attained. Its a superb car and excellent sports car.

Zxces50

Replaced OEM pads with Hawk HPS for street. Yes I swap out for track to HP+ but with the Sport brakes it is just a couple minutes a corner (plus I rotate tire after each event) I have read all the bad reviews about Hawk- but they work for me and my style of driving- feel very confident on track- stock rotors and virtually no wear at 40 K miles and a bunch of great track days. I do HPDE 3 and am right in the mix so do not think I am taking it easy on the track. I do it for fun so I am certainly not pushing everything to the extreme limit but 127 MPH on a short straight into a chicane at 70 mph should test any brakes.

370Z Watkins Glen Fast Lap.mp4 - YouTube

I should also add ZERO oil consumption even after tracking and still rides like new.

Thechidz

I actually work near monticello motor club. Wish i could afford membership

__________________
I <3 my car

LakeShow

That's awesome OP. It just goes to show with a few things like the oil cooler and some brake work the car will be perfect for tracking with no issues except the fuel issue. But glad to see the Z running strong. I've been around Monticello circuit a few times, passenger in a Buggati Veyron though. Hit about 190-200mph on that back straight.

__________________
|2013 Audi S4|Ibis White/Black|S-Tronic P+|
|2013 370z|PearlWhite/Persimmon|Touring/Sport/Nav|F.I. CBE 18" CF|
|Sold|2011 370z|Gun Metallic|Touring/Sport/Nav|

Zoren 370

Thats freaking Awesome! Was that of a friend of yours? Or you have to pay to ride one?