First 370Z test drive ... Mixed Emotions!

280z/300zx

Your used to the kick of a turbo. Turbos have turbo lag, and then when they hit boost you feel the sudden surge in power. The 370z doesn't have this, but rather has a very linear power curve. You will never feel the sudden rush of power with the Z unless you are going say 50mph and then drop it in 3rd and smash it. The car lacks the torque and doesn't have a turbo, so no rush in power. It's definitely faster than your GTI and fast enough for the street. It does take a little getting used to. Went from my 84 300zx and 280z, both modified, to a 06 WRX stage 1 to the 370z. Going from the old Z's to the WRX was a drastic change. After having the WRX for nearly 3 years going to the 370z was also a drastic change. The 370z just drives differently than the WRX or any other turbo car for that matter.

As for the bloated feeling, understandable. Going from my 280z to the 370z is a big difference. I'm not talking about the weight, because there is about a 800lbs difference between my two cars. I'm talking about just the size of the car. My 280z is a couple inches longer than my 370z (my 280z is bumperless by the way) and yet sitting in it it feels much smaller and confined. I like it better this way. The 370z feels much larger when behind the wheel in contrast. Haven't sat in the GTI for sometime so it's hard to remember but I would imagine it feels smaller than the 370z does.