Nissan 370Z Forum - 2009 370 vs 2002 vette

Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)

- Nissan 370Z General Discussions (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/)

- - 2009 370 vs 2002 vette (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/55337-2009-370-vs-2002-vette.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magic Bus (Post 1740308)

Test drove a new 2011 LT3 Vette with their (not sure if term is correct) sports package with an automatic, before test driving a 2012 6mt 370Z.

My impression was the Vette is an impressive car. V8 sound is great, visibilty towards the rear is better than Z, straight line acceleration is stronger and the interior cabin with their 2 tone leather is better than the Vette bashers want you to believe I disagree. It gets mighty uncomfortable after a few hours. Seats are very unsupportive.. Plus this being a 2011, the dealer was willing to go below invoice.

Reasons I decided on the 370Z. 1) The Vette is large, (Within an inch of the Z in width, maybe an inch or two longer. You really noticed that?) the Z would drive in parking lots and the tight roads here better. 2) The Z's handling of turns felt sharper with better feel (caveat, I currently drive a G35 coupe, so maybe I'm comfortable with the Nissan feel) The Z has better feed-back, the 'vette had better responsiveness to input and had MUCH better rebound control.. 3) Over crappy roads, the Z felt more sophisticated, not implying the Vette was harsh, for me the Z just felt better (even better than my G, but it is an 04). To me, the C6 feels much more composed and far less "bouncy". GM did a great job buttoning them down. Nissan, take notes. 4) Down shift rev matching with the manual on the 370Z is great, I'm not an expert driver so this is a wonderful feature for me. HUGE +1!!! 5) $$ Even below invoice the Vette was still going to be $15k+ higher.

My observations as a former C6Z owner and current '12 370Z owner. Very happy with my 370Z. Only complaint is horrible suspension regarding rebound control. Nissan was asleep at the wheel, here. Probably why they are bringing the "Euro" suspension here. Maybe it will fix that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telephone (Post 1743694)

What kinds of common mechanical problems do the Vetts suffer from after 30K miles? I've heard this more than once on this forum, but no one gets specific.

Allow me to be specific.

It's BS.

The C4's were rattle-traps, but the C5's and especially the '08 and up C6's are about the must reliable/durable cars out there.

I specifically asked Spring Mountain staff on several occasions what failures they saw.

Typically, they track a car for 12-14K miles before selling it to a dealer who re-sells it with a disclaimer and reduced cost.

After '08, regarding the driveline, the only thing that has gone out there are 3-4 or so clutches, due to hydraulic failure.

These cars are driven for long periods of time by novices and pros alike in 100*F+ Vegas heat in the sand and grit of the desert. In the Z06 and ZR1 and GS's, I regularly saw 240*F oil temp while pacing behind and instructor, and when riding with an instructor on open laps, we saw 270+ oil temps. The car's didn't care, they just tore up the track like GM designed them to. The LS7 ECU did pull a good bit of timing, though.

They reported no transmission, engine, or rear-end failures in the C6 cars that any could recall, and only pre '08 cars were losing wheel-bearings (GM re-designed them in '08).

I asked several staff members, and all said the same thing. During my time there, over 2 days involving about 20 cars being beaten on, I saw a couple of TPMS failures (tire-pressure read "XXX"), and one driver CLAIMS his traction-control was interfering. I do not know the resolution of that. The 'vette should be very unobtrusive unless you are about to crap the bed.

Over-all?

The corvette is a much better balanced car with a more competent suspension. However, design and driver position made it FEEL larger than it was until you got used to it, and the 370Z is easier for a novice to feel like they are getting the most out of. Since I consider myself much more of a novice than a pro, I will admit to enjoying driving the 370Z more, but I can tell you the Corvette is the much better handling car from personal experience driving both in anger, and owning both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 1740681)

Maybe a magnetic ride control vette rides better than a Z but the base suspension???? Hahahaaaa... yeaaaahhh right. Sell that dream somewhere else...

I have driven ZR1, Z06, GS, and ridden in a base 'vert. EVERY trim level 'vette has a better controlled ride than my 370Z Sport. The base and magnetic suspension 'vettes were much smoother. The Z06 I owned was rougher,but handled rough roads better because GM actually paid attention to rebound control, and the car stayed planted. The 370Z Sport feels a little stiffer than the base Corvette, but has nowhere near the composure on anything but a billiard-table surface.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardGD (Post 1740733)

Just traded in my 09 Z06 Vette for a 12 370Z. I have had 5 Vette's (90, 95, 98, 07 & 09), some to over 100K, and have never had any mechanical issues. Agree the 98 C5 was a little harsh compared to 370Z but new C6's, especially with selective ride control, are much better than C5. 370Z still has a more plush feel. 09 Z06 with 7 liter was a race car for the road. Significantly more power and cornering grip than 370Z but also costs twice as much so it should be. Reason I traded was to cut payment in half and 370Z was the only vehicle that I liked enough to get rid of my Z06. I do miss my Vette but I also really like the new 370Z. Visibility and storage space is lacking but I like everything else. Still breaking the new car in but but really enjoying the change.

I traded an '11 Z06 for a '12 370Z Touring/Sport/NAV. Have not regretted it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert (Post 1745583)

I will defer to your expetise as your observations come from much more experience behind the wheel of both. My impressions of both cars were based as objectively as possible, on my test drives of each.

Either car, I felt had their good and bad. But for the price difference and the type of driving I'll be doing, the Vette couldn't be justified in my mind.

king?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert (Post 1745604)

How many miles on your Z?

Are you saying the has no composure on anyroad except a billiard table or am I reading this wrong?

I've never had a problem with my Z staying planted even in 3 digits on the stock suspension. The tail with whip hard if you don't know what your doing but its always planted.

I can't say the vettes I've driven fall out of control either. But on streets they hit hard. The suspension feels rough. The car is stable no matter what I do... probably due to the low center of gravity and width. But I felt more bumps in the road in the vettes I've driven than my Z. I must say its not dramatically better in my Z, but noticeably better. That's my experience though... like I said before... I'm a vette fan. Love vettes... I'm not attacking vettes. But my azz knows what it feels.

i imagine he's refering to our cars becoming unsettled by midcorner bumps... which they do. nothing a set of swifts didnt fix

Quote:

Originally Posted by edub370 (Post 1747090)

i imagine he's refering to our cars becoming unsettled by midcorner bumps... which they do. nothing a set of swifts didnt fix

True, you're right.

C5 VS C6. The Z was not considered good enough to qualify for this superior CORVETTE challenge. Lol

Two Turkeys on Thanksgiving Wrecking their Corvettes in The Woodlands - YouTube

I couldn't resist. All in fun.

PS. ONLY IN TEXXAS! Lol.