Automobile Mag Nismo 370Z First Drive

BanningZ · 08-31-2009, 04:58 AM

Nice fine Semtex!

That was a pretty fair assessment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

I wouldn't say I hate it, I would just do it differently.

Exactly.

Its a great looking car, but there is a lot I would change looks wise If I had been helping with the design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Equinox

it's not broken in, so it's slower

I sure hope it was slower because of the break in period, but it wouldn't be the first time all that aero stuff added unecassary weight and slowed a car down.

Just look at this car. Top speed 7 miles an hour.

Equinox · 08-31-2009, 01:03 PM

It's not like the NISMO has all that more stuff on it. It has a rear bumper, front bumper, and side sills just like a base model - just a diff arrangement. The wing is the only addition, and according to Nissan it provides something like 75 lbs of down force at 60.

C & D recorded 13.7, and their 4k mile base ran 13.4. They explained the quirks of the VQ motor and how it speeds up with age - to a point.

jmlenz · 08-31-2009, 01:04 PM

I personally like the appearance of the Nismo (sans spoiler) but I think we can all agree you are paying mostly for cosmetic changes rather than performance. They should of focused on reducing weight (150-200lbs) and AT LEAST thrown in an oil cooler.

!xoible · 08-31-2009, 01:20 PM

Honestly, the only reason why i'd get a nismo is coz of those wheels and the "teeth" removal from front bumper... yah it looks beefier, but i'd rather spend that money on coilovers, and a bunch of bolt-ons...

semtex · 08-31-2009, 01:33 PM

I agree with all the sentiments expressed re. the Nismo being a bit of a let-down. But to be fair, I think we should also step back for a moment and be thankful that at least Nissan is making an effort. What I mean by this is, let's be thankful that Nissan hasn't followed the lead of Toyota and even Honda when it comes to sports cars. Toyota and Honda have decided that profitability lies in producing 'appliance-mobiles'. Toyota has no sports cars, and Honda has discontinued the one sports car they had (the S2000). Well, they're not exactly wrong -- this strategy has indeed been profitable for them. But Nissan, thank goodness, decided to continue making cars that actually appeal to enthusiasts. Think about it: this one company produces the GT-R, the 370Z, the Nismo 370Z, and the 370Z Roadster. And I'm not even listing the Infiniti variants. Can any other Japanese car company boast such a range of enthusiast-friendly cars? So yeah, they could improve on the Nismo. Heck, there's always room for improvement on any vehicle. Let's just remember to give credit where is due, that's all I'm saying.

AK370Z · 08-31-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I agree with all the sentiments expressed re. the Nismo being a bit of a let-down. But to be fair, I think we should also step back for a moment and be thankful that at least Nissan is making an effort. What I mean by this is, let's be thankful that Nissan hasn't followed the lead of Toyota and even Honda when it comes to sports cars. Toyota and Honda have decided that profitability lies in producing 'appliance-mobiles'. Toyota has no sports cars, and Honda has discontinued the one sports car they had (the S2000). Well, they're not exactly wrong -- this strategy has indeed been profitable for them. But Nissan, thank goodness, decided to continue making cars that actually appeal to enthusiasts. Think about it: this one company produces the GT-R, the 370Z, the Nismo 370Z, and the 370Z Roadster. And I'm not even listing the Infiniti variants. Can any other Japanese car company boast such a range of enthusiast-friendly cars? So yeah, they could improve on the Nismo. Heck, there's always room for improvement on any vehicle. Let's just remember to give credit where it's due, that's all I'm saying.

Well said.

BanningZ · 08-31-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I agree with all the sentiments expressed re. the Nismo being a bit of a let-down. But to be fair, I think we should also step back for a moment and be thankful that at least Nissan is making an effort. What I mean by this is, let's be thankful that Nissan hasn't followed the lead of Toyota and even Honda when it comes to sports cars. Toyota and Honda have decided that profitability lies in producing 'appliance-mobiles'. Toyota has no sports cars, and Honda has discontinued the one sports car they had (the S2000). Well, they're not exactly wrong -- this strategy has indeed been profitable for them. But Nissan, thank goodness, decided to continue making cars that actually appeal to enthusiasts. Think about it: this one company produces the GT-R, the 370Z, the Nismo 370Z, and the 370Z Roadster. And I'm not even listing the Infiniti variants. Can any other Japanese car company boast such a range of enthusiast-friendly cars? So yeah, they could improve on the Nismo. Heck, there's always room for improvement on any vehicle. Let's just remember to give credit where is due, that's all I'm saying.

This is possibly why companies like Hyundai are gaining ground. They are offering the super affordable option, when most options become extremely limited.

When regarding Sports coupes regardless of RWD or FWD, Toyota did fine with sales of the Celica from 00-02, but when the RSX came out, instead of bumping the HP, Toyota put tons of extra plastic on the car with the "TRD edition". The RSX won that sales race, and Toyota thought that the interest for sports coupes was over instead of looking at their own mistakes. Now the market focus is on economy and comfort,makes me think of WALL-E. But now the Celica, RSX, S2000, RX7, and many others are a thing of the past for the entry level, and older enthusiast. (BTW I'm not placing an FD and a 2ZZ in the same category other than they are quick coupes.)

Ehh, C'est la vie

need4speed · 08-31-2009, 06:15 PM

I would choose to look on the bright side. Lol.
Ok its not faster. Its much more expensive thn sprt pkg.
N the 16 nismo tags in the interior n body are overdone. Lol
BUT... either way you are hard pressed to find another sports car that handles this well at 40k.
Its defeated by its cheaper fraternal twin. But not defeated by any other company with a 40k car.
Which speaks volumes.
Bmw has to step up cuz of any model 370. Period. Its a benchmark car.
Toyota/lexus has nothing to compete at this price.
Honda s2000 needs a roof to stand next to it.
Bmw z4 isn't out yet but you will spend an extra $8g's at bmw's base price to nissans top price.
It does suck tho that an extra $6.5g's only gets you .01g.

08-31-2009, 01:03 PM	#32 (permalink)
Equinox Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 685 Drives: 06 Porsche Carrera S Rep Power: 18	It's not like the NISMO has all that more stuff on it. It has a rear bumper, front bumper, and side sills just like a base model - just a diff arrangement. The wing is the only addition, and according to Nissan it provides something like 75 lbs of down force at 60. C & D recorded 13.7, and their 4k mile base ran 13.4. They explained the quirks of the VQ motor and how it speeds up with age - to a point. __________________ Check out my Albums '13 Subaru WRX STi \| '06 Porsche 911 Carrera S (SOLD) \| '96 Mazda RX-7 6.0L V8 RHD (SOLD) \| '09 Nissan Nismo #0058 (SOLD)

08-31-2009, 01:20 PM	#34 (permalink)
!xoible Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: west Posts: 245 Drives: some car Rep Power: 185	Honestly, the only reason why i'd get a nismo is coz of those wheels and the "teeth" removal from front bumper... yah it looks beefier, but i'd rather spend that money on coilovers, and a bunch of bolt-ons... __________________ welcome to the internet. now ur out of ur ***** mind if you get offended at this ** ^^^

08-31-2009, 01:33 PM	#35 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	I agree with all the sentiments expressed re. the Nismo being a bit of a let-down. But to be fair, I think we should also step back for a moment and be thankful that at least Nissan is making an effort. What I mean by this is, let's be thankful that Nissan hasn't followed the lead of Toyota and even Honda when it comes to sports cars. Toyota and Honda have decided that profitability lies in producing 'appliance-mobiles'. Toyota has no sports cars, and Honda has discontinued the one sports car they had (the S2000). Well, they're not exactly wrong -- this strategy has indeed been profitable for them. But Nissan, thank goodness, decided to continue making cars that actually appeal to enthusiasts. Think about it: this one company produces the GT-R, the 370Z, the Nismo 370Z, and the 370Z Roadster. And I'm not even listing the Infiniti variants. Can any other Japanese car company boast such a range of enthusiast-friendly cars? So yeah, they could improve on the Nismo. Heck, there's always room for improvement on any vehicle. Let's just remember to give credit where is due, that's all I'm saying. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf. Last edited by semtex; 08-31-2009 at 01:55 PM. Reason: punctuation mistake

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08-31-2009, 01:04 PM	#33 (permalink)
jmlenz Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 645 Drives: a car Rep Power: 643	I personally like the appearance of the Nismo (sans spoiler) but I think we can all agree you are paying mostly for cosmetic changes rather than performance. They should of focused on reducing weight (150-200lbs) and AT LEAST thrown in an oil cooler.

08-31-2009, 06:15 PM	#38 (permalink)
need4speed Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: tx Posts: 199 Drives: 08 altima 3.5se Rep Power: 16	I would choose to look on the bright side. Lol. Ok its not faster. Its much more expensive thn sprt pkg. N the 16 nismo tags in the interior n body are overdone. Lol BUT... either way you are hard pressed to find another sports car that handles this well at 40k. Its defeated by its cheaper fraternal twin. But not defeated by any other company with a 40k car. Which speaks volumes. Bmw has to step up cuz of any model 370. Period. Its a benchmark car. Toyota/lexus has nothing to compete at this price. Honda s2000 needs a roof to stand next to it. Bmw z4 isn't out yet but you will spend an extra $8g's at bmw's base price to nissans top price. It does suck tho that an extra $6.5g's only gets you .01g.