370z as a first car

DCNISMO · 06-24-2012, 08:30 AM

Take your time and learn how to drive it, no problem. My first car was a 66 mustang with a 302 that I dropped in with a 4 speed and power nothing. Driving it in rain and snow made me a better driver today. No VDC and no traction control made me learn throttle control to drive. So learn the car before you wick it up and you can handle it.

m4a1mustang · 06-24-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCNISMO

Take your time and learn how to drive it, no problem. My first car was a 66 mustang with a 302 that I dropped in with a 4 speed and power nothing. Driving it in rain and snow made me a better driver today. No VDC and no traction control made me learn throttle control to drive. So learn the car before you wick it up and you can handle it.

And resist showing off for friends and chicks!

jpritche · 06-24-2012, 09:14 AM

The Z was my first car. I'm doing well with it! I had a Tundra and a lifted 2006 silverado 2500HD diesel before that though.

Everyone here is right, it's perfectly fine to have the Z as the first car. If you are paying for it congrats, if your parents are, get ready to ignore what everyone says. My dad paid for mine, but I have earned him well over the amount of the Z.

Just be careful. I honestly did not push my car for almost a year. You can't be scared of the car, but you have to have a lot of respect for its capabilities. Just take your time becoming more and more comfortable with it and you will be ok.

P.S.- please don't mod your car for at least 6 months. Get some time and miles on it stock, and I promise you will enjoy your mods a lot more!

Mt Tam I am · 06-24-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3700

hey everybody! do you think that a nissan 370z would be a good first car?

thanks

I do not. Having watched so many new drivers bounce their car off minor objects, until they get the hang of it. Then, they learn how to avoid things and it is time to upgrade. The Z has a huge blind spot on the right hand side. To learn with blind spot and too much power seems the wrong fit right out of the chute.

Th3 On3 · 06-24-2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

Id say no. Blind spots, bit more maintenance sensitive than say a civic or Camry, and too much power/temptation for your average teenager. Also not much space for your average high school/college student with any sort of active lifestyle. It would never function as my only car either. Oh yeah and lackluster mpg and premium fuel requirements will mean 70-100 dollars a week in fuel.

All just my opinion.

This!

- The One -

Tribalpinoy91 · 06-24-2012, 11:19 AM

Not to mention the Z car's ability to make you feel a much better driver than you really are.

DarkZ · 06-24-2012, 11:30 AM

Not only does it have a huge passenger side blind spot, there is always some giant knob riding in that blind spot and staring at my car. Almost every time I need to switch lanes on the highway to exit right, I have to punch it before I make the switch just to make sure I go past anyone that may be there because my car hypnotized their dumb ***. You know the kind. They are the same mouth-breathers that feel the need to turn their flashers on in the rain so you can't tell what lane they may go to.

I have even thought about getting those little blind spot mirrors that go on each sides door mirror like the Mustangs have now.

DarkJak · 06-24-2012, 12:06 PM

More likely than not, you'll run your first car into things like curbs, mailboxes, and maybe other cars. When I started driving, it was enough knowing that I may scratch the paint or the wheels on our old family car. I'd suggest getting a lot of time behind a more forgiving car at first to get used to driving around through traffic and then move on to a more powerful car when you feel comfortable driving your car at the limits.

+1 for the FR-S, BR-Z making a pretty good first car, along with the Miata. They handle very well while not having as much power to get you into trouble fast. Nothing wrong with starting with the family sedan either. Much more practical and less of a burden to not ding it.

rich conover · 06-24-2012, 01:06 PM

You should listen to those more experienced, though applaud your first choice.

My first was a 69 Nova that I beefed up with headers, high rise, cam, holley 650, and transmission work. Not much more power than today's 370....maybe just a little.
Ended up with a nice BIG "V" in the truck when it got away from me and back ended a telephone pole.

You have time...wait for the 470Z.

blaQouT · 06-24-2012, 09:47 PM

I got an 06 Infinti g35 coupe when I was 16 and I am 19 now. But it was an Automatic and I am currently looking for a 6MT. Did a few minor things such as hit a garbage can (scratch), curbed my rims, avoided a wreck, etc. Got my first speeding ticket during first week of getting my license but never gotten another one until a few months ago. Just be a responsible driver and know your limits.

mhcoss · 06-25-2012, 04:07 AM

yea. you need something slow and fwd as your first car.

falconfixer · 06-25-2012, 05:57 AM

I'd look for something along the lines of a mid 80s Dodge Aries K-Car. Very forgiving, great gas mileage and built like a tank.

DjSquall · 06-25-2012, 07:24 AM

The Z is my first car and Pretty much learned to drive in it. The biggest concern is that you will want to have fun, but the car is so damn unforgiving. I didn't find the blind spots an issue, just correctly setting up the mirrors and looking out keeping track of other cars will help. My biggest concern was the lack of visibility around the car, especially in tight areas with curbs. I can't see anything within 10' of the car.

When you take it to a car wash, make sure you go to the drive through ones, not the ones where there's a rail for the wheels. The wheels are too wide to fit, you will destroy your rims.

And I can't stress this any more, but respect the power. This is a 2-ton missile that doesn't hesitate to break loose and out of control. VDC off = bye bye car. No joke. Avoid showing off, because it WILL result in a wreck. I personally pulverized 18" of curb and had to replace my rims after sending my Z airborne just in my second week of owning it. Be extra extra careful in the rain and easy on the right foot.

If you have a head on your shoulders and can be responsible, get the Z.
If you want to fool around just to impress friends and chicks, don't get the car.

SS66 · 06-25-2012, 08:35 AM

Buy the car. If you survive and become a better driver it is all good. If you do not then we can call it a thinning of the herd. Just kidding. Good luck.

LMBmikeZ · 06-26-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DjSquall

The Z is my first car and Pretty much learned to drive in it. The biggest concern is that you will want to have fun, but the car is so damn unforgiving. I didn't find the blind spots an issue, just correctly setting up the mirrors and looking out keeping track of other cars will help. My biggest concern was the lack of visibility around the car, especially in tight areas with curbs. I can't see anything within 10' of the car.

When you take it to a car wash, make sure you go to the drive through ones, not the ones where there's a rail for the wheels. The wheels are too wide to fit, you will destroy your rims.

And I can't stress this any more, but respect the power. This is a 2-ton missile that doesn't hesitate to break loose and out of control. VDC off = bye bye car. No joke. Avoid showing off, because it WILL result in a wreck. I personally pulverized 18" of curb and had to replace my rims after sending my Z airborne just in my second week of owning it. Be extra extra careful in the rain and easy on the right foot.

If you have a head on your shoulders and can be responsible, get the Z.
If you want to fool around just to impress friends and chicks, don't get the car.

Good advice, but better advice would be to never go through an automatic car wash! It will cause marring, swirls and scratches all over your paint!

Do it yourself and do it right! Two bucket wash at a minimum!

though just buy the car regardless of what people are saying, not to sure why you were even asking in the first place.... cause we all know either way "haters gonna hate!"

06-24-2012, 09:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
blaQouT Base Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 19 Drives: . Rep Power: 13	I got an 06 Infinti g35 coupe when I was 16 and I am 19 now. But it was an Automatic and I am currently looking for a 6MT. Did a few minor things such as hit a garbage can (scratch), curbed my rims, avoided a wreck, etc. Got my first speeding ticket during first week of getting my license but never gotten another one until a few months ago. Just be a responsible driver and know your limits. Last edited by blaQouT; 06-24-2012 at 10:01 PM.

06-24-2012, 08:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
DCNISMO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: washington dc Posts: 995 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 179	Take your time and learn how to drive it, no problem. My first car was a 66 mustang with a 302 that I dropped in with a 4 speed and power nothing. Driving it in rain and snow made me a better driver today. No VDC and no traction control made me learn throttle control to drive. So learn the car before you wick it up and you can handle it.

06-24-2012, 09:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
jpritche A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cartersville, Ga Age: 33 Posts: 2,570 Drives: '15 RR, '14 IS250 Rep Power: 31	The Z was my first car. I'm doing well with it! I had a Tundra and a lifted 2006 silverado 2500HD diesel before that though. Everyone here is right, it's perfectly fine to have the Z as the first car. If you are paying for it congrats, if your parents are, get ready to ignore what everyone says. My dad paid for mine, but I have earned him well over the amount of the Z. Just be careful. I honestly did not push my car for almost a year. You can't be scared of the car, but you have to have a lot of respect for its capabilities. Just take your time becoming more and more comfortable with it and you will be ok. P.S.- please don't mod your car for at least 6 months. Get some time and miles on it stock, and I promise you will enjoy your mods a lot more!

06-24-2012, 11:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tribalpinoy91 Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 607 Drives: 370z PW Rep Power: 14	Not to mention the Z car's ability to make you feel a much better driver than you really are.

06-24-2012, 11:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
DarkZ Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 76 Drives: 10 BCherry 6MT Sport Rep Power: 16	Not only does it have a huge passenger side blind spot, there is always some giant knob riding in that blind spot and staring at my car. Almost every time I need to switch lanes on the highway to exit right, I have to punch it before I make the switch just to make sure I go past anyone that may be there because my car hypnotized their dumb ***. You know the kind. They are the same mouth-breathers that feel the need to turn their flashers on in the rain so you can't tell what lane they may go to. I have even thought about getting those little blind spot mirrors that go on each sides door mirror like the Mustangs have now.

06-24-2012, 12:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
DarkJak A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,397 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16804	More likely than not, you'll run your first car into things like curbs, mailboxes, and maybe other cars. When I started driving, it was enough knowing that I may scratch the paint or the wheels on our old family car. I'd suggest getting a lot of time behind a more forgiving car at first to get used to driving around through traffic and then move on to a more powerful car when you feel comfortable driving your car at the limits. +1 for the FR-S, BR-Z making a pretty good first car, along with the Miata. They handle very well while not having as much power to get you into trouble fast. Nothing wrong with starting with the family sedan either. Much more practical and less of a burden to not ding it.

06-24-2012, 01:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
rich conover Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: pa Posts: 32 Drives: 012 370z Rep Power: 14	You should listen to those more experienced, though applaud your first choice. My first was a 69 Nova that I beefed up with headers, high rise, cam, holley 650, and transmission work. Not much more power than today's 370....maybe just a little. Ended up with a nice BIG "V" in the truck when it got away from me and back ended a telephone pole. You have time...wait for the 470Z.

06-25-2012, 04:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
mhcoss Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edmonton Posts: 520 Drives: 2012 370Z SPORT M/T Rep Power: 15	yea. you need something slow and fwd as your first car.

06-25-2012, 05:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
falconfixer Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: 10aC Posts: 978 Drives: Taco Rep Power: 77	I'd look for something along the lines of a mid 80s Dodge Aries K-Car. Very forgiving, great gas mileage and built like a tank.

06-25-2012, 07:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
DjSquall A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tottenham, ON Age: 37 Posts: 1,340 Drives: My first car Rep Power: 23	The Z is my first car and Pretty much learned to drive in it. The biggest concern is that you will want to have fun, but the car is so damn unforgiving. I didn't find the blind spots an issue, just correctly setting up the mirrors and looking out keeping track of other cars will help. My biggest concern was the lack of visibility around the car, especially in tight areas with curbs. I can't see anything within 10' of the car. When you take it to a car wash, make sure you go to the drive through ones, not the ones where there's a rail for the wheels. The wheels are too wide to fit, you will destroy your rims. And I can't stress this any more, but respect the power. This is a 2-ton missile that doesn't hesitate to break loose and out of control. VDC off = bye bye car. No joke. Avoid showing off, because it WILL result in a wreck. I personally pulverized 18" of curb and had to replace my rims after sending my Z airborne just in my second week of owning it. Be extra extra careful in the rain and easy on the right foot. If you have a head on your shoulders and can be responsible, get the Z. If you want to fool around just to impress friends and chicks, don't get the car.

06-25-2012, 08:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
SS66 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 165 Drives: 2011 370Z SP m6 Rep Power: 15	Buy the car. If you survive and become a better driver it is all good. If you do not then we can call it a thinning of the herd. Just kidding. Good luck.