Automobile Mag Nismo 370Z First Drive

semtex · 08-30-2009, 08:17 AM

Fresh from my mailbox (and scanner):

JoeD · 08-30-2009, 08:49 AM

Pretty fair.

I will agree about the last blurb on the NISMO package...it's really not all that special. It has yet been proven that is faster or handles all that much better than the Sport. 18 extra HP is not much, the interior trimmings aren't all that great, the body kit simply isn't pretty, and the suspension seems to be stiff just for the hell of it.

Nissan screwed the pooch with the NISMO. It would have been nice if it was a more purpose-built model...perhaps an extra 25 HP bringing it a nice total of 375, Recaro (or just simply better) seats, wheels that actually looked different than the Sport's, better brakes, an oil-cooler(!), and perhaps trimming 80-100 lbs. $6200 on top of the Sport's price is significant, and other cars have been available in higher-performance models for less than that (think base C5 vs. C5 Z06).

Endgame · 08-30-2009, 08:59 AM

agreed..

Blown32 · 08-30-2009, 10:07 AM

I have to agree with the article.Not alot for $6200 over the sport package?Don't get me wrong it is a great looking package but very overrated dollar and performance wise.
I have the sport package with the 6spd and I'am very happy with the handling and performance.There is room for improvements on the base 370Z don't get me wrong but overall a great buy for the money.
Also looking at the performance numbers I can't believe the 1/4 mile et.?
All reports I have read say the base 370 is running in the mid to high 13's?I have already seen that at our local track so it is for real.Who ever was driving the Nismo with 18 additional hp no less was obviously a first time driver of any vehicle.These numbers can't possibly be correct and if so thumbs down to the new Nismo!
Bottom line is I can think of many ways to spend $6200 on my 370Z and improve handling and performance beyond the 09 Nismo!
So not a good deal in my opinion!

Shunya · 08-30-2009, 10:55 AM

also agrees

Equinox · 08-30-2009, 11:02 AM

sadface.

I agree. It's a starting point for me. 14.1 quarter mile though? wow.

marcussoori · 08-30-2009, 12:33 PM

Why 0-60 in 5.5 seconds? I thought it was 4.7 manual and 4.6 auto?

kdo2milger · 08-30-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcussoori

Why 0-60 in 5.5 seconds? I thought it was 4.7 manual and 4.6 auto?

nismo has slower times than the regular z

Shunya · 08-30-2009, 01:30 PM

yeah which is funny coz isn't it suppose to be a tuned version of the normal Z's?

frost · 08-30-2009, 01:30 PM

Pass.

Equinox · 08-30-2009, 01:48 PM

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

spearfish25 · 08-30-2009, 01:52 PM

It's also nearly 200lbs heavier than a base 370z.

Equinox · 08-30-2009, 01:54 PM

You callin me fat?

wakesnow · 08-30-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

Pretty fair.

I will agree about the last blurb on the NISMO package...it's really not all that special. It has yet been proven that is faster or handles all that much better than the Sport. 18 extra HP is not much, the interior trimmings aren't all that great, the body kit simply isn't pretty, and the suspension seems to be stiff just for the hell of it.

Nissan screwed the pooch with the NISMO. It would have been nice if it was a more purpose-built model...perhaps an extra 25 HP bringing it a nice total of 375, Recaro (or just simply better) seats, wheels that actually looked different than the Sport's, better brakes, an oil-cooler(!), and perhaps trimming 80-100 lbs. $6200 on top of the Sport's price is significant, and other cars have been available in higher-performance models for less than that (think base C5 vs. C5 Z06).

Given that Nissan already uses the Damptronics on the GT-R it would be nice to have that option available on the Nismo, that would allow the car to have a suspension that can be both compliant as well as track ready at the push of a button. Bucket seats from the GT-R Spec-V. A real LSD instead of a VLSD would be a nice addition as well.

Sadly the beancounters/marketing geeks at Nissan probably won't go for it this early in the 370's production life. Maybe when the car is due for it's Mid-life refresh they will go for it to boost sales of their base models.

frost · 08-30-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Equinox

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

Hope you're right.

08-30-2009, 11:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Equinox Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 685 Drives: 06 Porsche Carrera S Rep Power: 18	sadface. I agree. It's a starting point for me. 14.1 quarter mile though? wow. __________________ 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)

08-30-2009, 01:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
Equinox Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 685 Drives: 06 Porsche Carrera S Rep Power: 18	it's not broken in, so it's slower __________________ 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)

08-30-2009, 01:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
Equinox Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 685 Drives: 06 Porsche Carrera S Rep Power: 18	You callin me fat? __________________ 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)

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08-30-2009, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
JoeD Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 495 Drives: Z Rep Power: 0	Pretty fair. I will agree about the last blurb on the NISMO package...it's really not all that special. It has yet been proven that is faster or handles all that much better than the Sport. 18 extra HP is not much, the interior trimmings aren't all that great, the body kit simply isn't pretty, and the suspension seems to be stiff just for the hell of it. Nissan screwed the pooch with the NISMO. It would have been nice if it was a more purpose-built model...perhaps an extra 25 HP bringing it a nice total of 375, Recaro (or just simply better) seats, wheels that actually looked different than the Sport's, better brakes, an oil-cooler(!), and perhaps trimming 80-100 lbs. $6200 on top of the Sport's price is significant, and other cars have been available in higher-performance models for less than that (think base C5 vs. C5 Z06).

08-30-2009, 08:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 223	agreed..

08-30-2009, 10:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Blown32 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N.J. Posts: 289 Drives: 09 370Z Blk sport 6T Rep Power: 16	I have to agree with the article.Not alot for $6200 over the sport package?Don't get me wrong it is a great looking package but very overrated dollar and performance wise. I have the sport package with the 6spd and I'am very happy with the handling and performance.There is room for improvements on the base 370Z don't get me wrong but overall a great buy for the money. Also looking at the performance numbers I can't believe the 1/4 mile et.? All reports I have read say the base 370 is running in the mid to high 13's?I have already seen that at our local track so it is for real.Who ever was driving the Nismo with 18 additional hp no less was obviously a first time driver of any vehicle.These numbers can't possibly be correct and if so thumbs down to the new Nismo! Bottom line is I can think of many ways to spend $6200 on my 370Z and improve handling and performance beyond the 09 Nismo! So not a good deal in my opinion!

08-30-2009, 10:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shunya A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,069 Drives: You Crazy! Rep Power: 22	also agrees

08-30-2009, 12:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
marcussoori Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 468 Drives: 09 370Z Red AT Sport Rep Power: 16	Why 0-60 in 5.5 seconds? I thought it was 4.7 manual and 4.6 auto?

08-30-2009, 01:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Shunya A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,069 Drives: You Crazy! Rep Power: 22	yeah which is funny coz isn't it suppose to be a tuned version of the normal Z's?

08-30-2009, 01:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	Pass.

08-30-2009, 01:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	It's also nearly 200lbs heavier than a base 370z.