370Z Nismo Test Drive, Slightly Disappointed Coming From A 350
 

I test drove a 370Z Nismo today and I think I had built up too high an expectation for this car. I currently drive an '04 350Z Performance. I had a great experience at the dealer. During my first outing I was with my g/f. We drove on 45mph parkways and was able to accelerate up to around 60mph (too much traffic for much else). I was impressed by the handling and stable feel compared to the 350 when we caught a green right turn arrow at an intersection. Overall though, the acceleration was not discernibly greater than in the 350, though there was more torque at lower rpms.

When I came back I told the salesman about my lukewarm feelings. He asked if my g/f would swap places with him so he could show me to the main roads. They were not done building all the interchanges where we went so we got to make a u-turn at a light and go all out. The acceleration past 60 is stronger in the 370 and the increased torque is apparent when the rears break loose after shifting. Also, acceleration after a 6-3 downshift at 60mph is noticeably quicker. I was more impressed after my second drive in the car.

Overall though I am on the fence. Here's what I like about the car;
-Much better styling, great looking wheels
-Stable and responsive handling
-Comfortable highway ride, stiff suspension only noticeable on bumps
-Rev Match is pretty neat, thought I don't need it
-Comfy cabin
-Keyless entry and start (this is totally new to me)
-Fuel/Temp gauge wasn't as bad as I thought
-Much better interior material quality
-Much less tire noise

Here's what I don't like
-No speedometer on the triple gauge cluster
-Clock is a complete waste of one of the triple gauges, especially since there's one on the damn radio.
-Throttle response is very lazy/sluggish (blipping throttle to downshift)
-The additional 50HP over the 350Z doesn't feel like as much as I thought it would
-Side view is more restricted
-Clutch is overall too soft and feels econocar-like. The pedal starts off somewhat hard and then it just slumps to the floor after 1" or so of travel.
-The exhaust and motor noise that I love in the 350 is completely muted in the 370. In normal driving it may as well be an Altima. At WOT its still just too quiet to really get a performance oriented experience. My 350 has the Nismo exhaust on it, as does the 370.

The dealer is willing to deal and I left with a quote for $38,000 + freight, processing, tags, tax. I think I can get him to $38,000 including freight + tax, tags, processing.

The big question is, is the 370 more/better than the 350, and if so is the difference worth $40,000? I want to want this car...I just don't have the same desire to get it like I did when I bought my 350.

Unless you're dead set on having a Nismo the Nismo package isn't worth it, IMO.

I think the 370 overall is a better car than the 350 in that it has progressed from a previous point. The driving experience may be similar but overall I think it's a better car.

If you're on the fence you can always hold out. Seems like you really enjoy your 350 and I wouldn't be surprised to see future model year 370s receive some bump ups in performance like the 350s saw during their production run.

On a side note... do you have any experience with Function Tuned out in Dulles?

I do love my 350 - its been a trouble free and excellent performing car for the last 70K mi. I love having 300HP on tap whenever I want it yet still get 28mpg if I set the cruise. Right now I even use the thing to haul tools for my part-time mobile motorcycle maintenance business. I'm going to get a used truck or beater soon. If I get a new 370 it definitely will not be a tool hauler.

You bring up a good point about the base 370. A base 370 w/ sport pkg might be a better fit for me. The disparity between what I am getting over the 350 and how much the 370 Nismo costs is one of the things thats got me holding back. If its hard for me to tell much of a difference between my 350 and the 370 Nismo, I might find even less difference between the 370 base and 370 Nismo. If there's little difference in how it drives then there isn't good justification for the extra $6K.

I don't track/autox so anything that is easily apparent on the track I probably won't see or use. I drive somewhat aggressively, definitely spirited. Maybe the extras on the Nismo really aren't what I need...?

Thanks...you got me thinking that I need to go back and ask to test drive a base 370. And I haven't heard of Function Tuned. Have you worked with them?

Yeah, definitely go back and test drive one. These things go for invoice so the savings is going to be big over the Nismo. :tup:

I have a 350 nismo now, and wouldnt buy a nismo again. Not worth the money for the small gains.

all the things you don't like are easily fixed with simple mods... you can get a great sound with a simple muffler swap... JWT flywheel and clutch for engine responsiveness... this thing comes alive when you add a few more HP with bolt ons and even more so when you drop ~100 lbs

go for it

I'm just waiting for you to start driving without doors and a hood. :icon17:

Lol!

+1 - right on the money.

Nismo exhuast on the 370Z is very muted...

I agree... and would add that even on just looks alone I think the standard 370Z is a more appealing car.

I too think the clock is kind of a disappointment, Nissan could have at least made it analog to better match the other gages. The car could also use a bit more exhaust note inside the car. I think the exhaust note sounds great but just doesn’t resonate in the cabin as much as it could... but as others have mentioned that's easy to fix and set-up just how each driver wants.

Did u drop 100lbs? If yes how, and was it within reason? Besides rims and exhaust I can't think of any reasonable weight reduction without removing seats and etc

Removing the junk in the trunk is good for about 50lbs in a few minutes.... check out the weight reduction thread.

My disappointments with the 370 over the 350 weren't apparent right away. It's really a lot of little things combined... from a driver standpoint, my 350 was just more fun to drive and I felt 100% connected to the car from day 1. I never spent 1 second trying to like the car. I never felt like anything needed changed.

For a car that was completely redesigned, I certainly don't think the 370 is good as it could be, or should be. Then again, nissan is trying to make the car as marketable as possible and at that I think they did a good job. Although, in hindsight, I would seriously reconsider getting rid of a perfectly good 350 for a 370.

no hood! good idea! :rolleyes:

+1... you will find 50 easily... 100 lbs is not hard at all, while still preserving stock look and feel... spare tire is 30 lbs... an aftermarket exhaust could save you 30+ lbs... etc