your take on these 370z criticisms
 

and they're usually the only criticisms in reviews, annoying road noise and engine note

??

only annoying road noise i heard was the rain hitting the rear fender wall

It's a sports car, so road noise is expected. Don't like the noise, GO buy a Lexus.

The engine note is like having sex with Megan Fox... Nothing wrong with it. Stop reading those megazines and go do a test drive :driving:

They don't call them critics because they love everything.

I tend to agree with them. They are normally right. But it is always easier to point out the bad.

For as inexpensive as this car is, I was willing to accept the "bads" with the many many goods.

The biggest "bad" that really bothers me is the suspension's (and VDC) intolerance of any road imperfection. The VDC is very VERY invasive. I think that the if the suspension was more complacent, the VDC would be less invasive. The road (rear fender) noise doesn't really bother me.

But I love the looks and the hugely linear power band. It is close to a stock turbo car, but w/o the issues of turbos. And coming from a turbo car, I do not miss that.

Its a sports car, and its a sports car.

Valid criticisms (both). But this is a sports car, not a sports coupe or sedan.

People criticizing the 370Z probably are folks who:

1. have an ax to grind with any vehicles that were designed or made by Japanese folks.

2. have wives who wear the pants in their family.

3. run to the doctor if they experience an erection for more than four hours.

I'll start with engine note first. People who can complain about that just show how little there is to complain about. I mean, you really have to try to find something to complain about if all you have is engine note.

On road noise, I've said this in a hundred other threads, but, IT'S A SPORTS CAR!!! You're supposed to be able to hear the road because they shouldn't be loading a SPORTS CAR up with all kinds of sound deadening material. I know a couple people had concerns about rocks sticking to the tires and flinging up into the wheel well. You know what that proves? We have awesome sticky tires, perfect for a SPORTS CAR.

/rant

None of those apply to me, and I own a 370z. I also owned a 350z for 5 years. I have plenty of criticisms for the 370z (more so than I did for my 350z).

#1.The shifter vibrates and makes a very loud buzzing noise at high RPM.
#2.The suspension is not very compliant with road imperfections.
#3.The driver seat was made for fatass americans and moves side to side and clicks.
#4.The side view mirrors are a complete failure/design flaw. Huge blind spots on both sides, even with the mirrors angled out 100%.
#5.The rear hatch sticks and you have to push the release button repeatedly.
#6.Having to push on the paint to get the gas door open.

:iagree:

The car is built to a price point so there will be some issues from those who demand $60K quality in a $30K car...............

I'm also tired of the "it's a sports car" rationalization. This really should have nothing to do with a cars inherent quality and/or failings. At it's price point it's going to have some but not because "it's a sports car"...

Had my first 370Z test drive on Saturday only because my sales manager threw me the keys and said to get out of the showroom. Because I previously owned an 06 G35 Coupe 6MT and had read all the positive reviews from the major magazines, I wasn't that concerned about driving the Z prior to ordering one. Here are my observations on the driving aspects of the 370Z keeping in mind that my last car was an 07 Cayman S.

The transmission was pretty good overall. Only negative comment would be 1st and 2nd gear above 6500 rpm I felt I was putting excess strain on the engine, but with NO lack of actual power. Car pulled hard up to around 7200 and I think the extra noise gives the impression that you are ready to break something. Third gear above 6500 was perfect. Final opinion, tranny was better than the G35 but not as smooth as the CS.

Road noise humors me. As others have mentioned, you are driving a sports car not a sedate interstate cruiser. Tested car was a Touring without the Sport and I found it to be very civil on Maine's pot holed back roads and a dream on the highway. The Cayman S was the loudest car I ever owned due to the engine being in the cabin with you and the 19's I had on it picked up any and all road noise. Listening to the stereo in the Cayman was a total waste of time! My Z will have the Sport Package which will increase my noise level experience and I can't wait. Overall the 370Z was a blast to drive and if those are the only complaints we are getting, we'll be just fine.

:wtf:

#1. Huh? Not mine!
#2. It's not a Pontiac Vibe!
#3. WTF? I'm 165 lbs and the seat fits like a glove. No side to side here.
#4. Those mirrors are excellent! Nice and large... maybe you don't have them adjusted (?)
#5. No hatch sticking problem (never was with mine).
#6. Yeah ok.... but not a big deal.

wuff!! Com'on folks. Like it was said before, stop expecting $60k quality from a $30k car.:shakes head:

#1. Numerous other people have reported the same thing.
#2. Exactly, it's a sports car. My 350z was much more compliant.
#3. Not compared to my 350z. The seat has been widened and is less of a bucket than in my previous Z. I slide around more than I did previously.
#4 The mirrors suck, plain and simple. I did note that even with the mirrors angled out as far as they would go, they do not give you visibility of your blind spots, which is their sole purpose. I'll take a picture if you don't believe me. I added those ugly cheap convex mirrors from autozone and have had no issues since.
#5 Again, numerous other people have reported the same thing.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/...ef7d9672_b.jpg

Forgive the dirty car, but this picture is case and point. Taken with a 50mm from the drivers view(it's a bit zoomed due to the mm of the lens), with the mirrors fully angled out, and with a car in the blind spot. You can't see the truck at all with the stock mirror or by turning your head and looking for that matter.

I left most of the opinionated stuff out. Like the fact that my 350z felt better, inspired more confidence, and was more fun to drive even though it wasn't as fast.

:bowrofl: LMFAO!!

why is an engineering defect so funny? :ugh2:

It's not (if you refer to it as a "defect"). It's your :bowrofl: use of stick-on convex mirrors.

Anything else?

Well, considering the side view mirrors are supposed to be for seeing your blind spots, these fail miserably at doing so. If it's not an engineering defect, then I don't know what you'd call it. Most people who can't drive think they need 3 mirrors to see directly behind them, so for all we know the engineers designed it for all the idiots out there. The stick on mirrors are ugly and tacky and I'd much rather not have them, but I drive in a lot of interstate traffic and they are very beneficial to have. Function before form, any day of the week. I'd rather not cause a wreck than look pretty doing it.

My 350z didn't need them. :tiphat:

#1.Is your shifter 100% stock?

Yes, other people have had the same problem.

#2.The suspension is not very compliant with road imperfections.
~Nor was any other sports car I drove with similar suspension. Sports car....

My 350z took bumps while corning like a champ. The car stayed composed. This car has a tendency to float and fly all over the place. Not exactly confidence inspiring. (I'm not the only one to complain about this)

#3.The driver seat was made for fatass americans and moves side to side and clicks.
~You are not alone, link.

:)

#4.The side view mirrors are a complete failure/design flaw. Huge blind spots on both sides, even with the mirrors angled out 100%.
~My mirrors are perfect, yes they are a bit large but no blind spots after you spend a good amount of time adjusting them. Not saying you have not spent the time, but the only blind spot I deal with is when backing out of a parking spot (which I avoid doing).

From my picture, you can see that my mirrors are angled out as far as they go and you absolutely cannot see the vehicle next to me.

#5.The rear hatch sticks and you have to push the release button repeatedly.
~Quick search, link

Yep. :)

#6.Having to push on the paint to get the gas door open.
~Yes it sucks, but if it bothers you that much then wear gloves. Because you have to touch the door handle to open your car, touch the paint to open the back hatch (mostly).

Yeah, this one is not a big deal, considering the release mechanism on my 350z would always stick. I guess because this car is black I noticed hand prints easier.

Wow!I think you are married and the wife drives you crazy so this the only outlet you have.
1.Shifter vibrates and a loud buzzing at high rpm?
I know when I'am at high rpm's I'am buzzing and vibrating some from the excitement.Thats one of the reasons I bought the SPORTS CAR!
2.Well now I don't believe any car is built for all road imperfections.Any factory sports car suspension of a 30..35,000 dollar car leaves room for improvement.
3.The seat was made for "fat *** americans"?So I guess you are a skinny a$$ foreigner that likes to complain alot.As for the seat clicking.Well take it back to the dealer and have them install a seat for a skinny a$$ complaining foreigner!
4.As for the mirrors you must not only be a skinny a$$ miserable foreigner but a very short one at that.Failure/design flaw??First get a couple of pillows to sit on so you can see out of the mirrors!As to the angles ..well there is always one in the crowd.
5.I'll have to give you that one.
6.Having to "push the paint" to open the gas door lid?Wow!Has anyone ever heard that one before?Putting your finger on the paint from what I know has never caused any problems?Has anyone ever heard of that complaint.
Now granted if you have had your finger up your a$$ I can see your point and perhaps that is why it annoys you.So try to be more specific with your next list of complaints!
Well hope I have been helpful in your dilemma with all these complaints.Have a nice day!

I guess my main point is that there are plenty of valid criticisms of this car. Just because someone has problems with the car, or because there are things they don't like, doesn't make them a hater. I'd rather be realistic than a fanboy with blinders on.

My 350z had issues too... granted most of them took a lot more than 1000 miles to be noticeable.

Front tire feathering (fixed with an alignment and free set of front tires).
Fuel tank wouldn't fill all the way. (fixed with a new shutter valve).
Stereo ate a CD and wouldn't play or eject it, so it joined the list of dead weight to get removed from the car along with the speakers.
The gas panel would always stick.
The windows acted up occasionally but luckily never required any maintenance.

That was pretty much it over the life of the car (5 years @ 70k miles before I "upgraded")

With those things aside, the car felt perfect from a handling standpoint. It was rock solid and inspired tons of confidence. I also tracked the car and had no issues whatsoever.

The thing that gets me is the 370 is faster in a straight line stock for stock (my 350 was actually faster but had some mods), handles better, yet doesn't feel as nice to drive. I know it's an opinion, but I tracked my 350z and I race karts, so I know what I like and I know what I don't. Opinions are like buttholes. :)

:bowrofl::bowrofl::bowrofl::icon18::owned:

1. I know when I'am at high rpm's I'am buzzing and vibrating some from the excitement.Thats one of the reasons I bought the SPORTS CAR!

I'll take a HD video of it if you don't know what I'm talking about.

3.The seat was made for "fat *** americans"?So I guess you are a skinny a$$ foreigner that likes to complain alot.As for the seat clicking.Well take it back to the dealer and have them install a seat for a skinny a$$ complaining foreigner!

I'm a 5'10 185lbs white guy that doesn't appreciate nationalistic/racist idiots such as yourself.

4.As for the mirrors you must not only be a skinny a$$ miserable foreigner but a very short one at that.Failure/design flaw??First get a couple of pillows to sit on so you can see out of the mirrors!As to the angles ..well there is always one in the crowd.

:shakes head:

Grow up.

It's sad the fanboy idiots have invaded the 370z forums. I guess it was bound to happen!

You really like playing that card.....twice in 2 days on two different posts. Or did I miss a third one?

Hey nothing nationalistic or racist about me commenting on your statement "fatass americans"?Give me a break dude!That card is not working in my book.
What is a guy to think when you make a statement like you did!I took it with a grain of salt and responded as I see it!
Didn't mean to rattle your cage but if its how you took it so be it!
Have a nice day!

Really? Because most of your complaints have been talked about time and again with suggestions I have given and links which resolve the issue. Also, what is with the fatas* American comments?

lol!

thank you for that picture i had a round convex mirror from walmart and it sucked ***. Yours looks like it works. i will get one like yours and place it in the same spot.

#3 is not true. In fact, I'm trying to lose weight to fit better in the car. Can't do nothing about being 6' though w/ regard to the center console digging into my leg/knee.

#4 can be mediated by adjusting your seat better - don't drive "gangsta" with the seat all the way back and leaned back. I go by the length of my arm. Slight bend at the elbow grabbing the wheel at noon w' my back against the back of the seat. Until I can do that, seat position isn't right...

And I bet if you checked your rearview, or checked the portal on the passenger side, or out the passenger window, one (or more) of those three would have shown the vehicle.

#1.The shifter vibrates and makes a very loud buzzing noise at high RPM.
My friend who is a manual enthusiast told me the shifter is supposed to vibrate so i dont know it as bad. I also dont get the loud buzzing noises at high RPM. My engine doesn't do the super loud thing thats terrible that reviewers complain about.
#2.The suspension is not very compliant with road imperfections.
This is the softest Z i ever felt, its kind of disappointing for me.
#3.The driver seat was made for fatass americans and moves side to side and clicks.
I too was getting a click at the start, either it doesnt click any more or i have tuned it out. My seat doesnt slide side to side. I am 6 feet and 149 pounds, i am no where near fat @ss and everybody says i am bone skinny. The seats fit just right. I am going to take a wild guess and say your of short stature, simply becuase you cant get much skinner than me.
#4.The side view mirrors are a complete failure/design flaw. Huge blind spots on both sides, even with the mirrors angled out 100%.
Name one coupe that doesnt suffer from this issue.
#5.The rear hatch sticks and you have to push the release button repeatedly.
This did happen to me twice actualy. I pressed the button once more since it was not life or death i was satisfied it opened hehe. I guess if i had to throw my groceries in there really fast i would be upset, but i can wait to put them in for a second push LOL.
#6.Having to push on the paint to get the gas door open.
I with you on this one. Having to put my fingers on it kind of annoys me. BUT since i use zaino and my car is kind of "sealed" i know that my finger print will come off and not do any weird stain after repeated touch in same spot so i am satisfied with that.

Because they attempted to "fix" every bleeding thing anyone complained about... half of which weren't issues to begin with. The wide loads complained about the seats not being comfortable. The car was designed largely for the american market. So they made the seats more comfortable for the fatasses without considering the people who weren't complaining and liked it the way it was. The not-so-average joe has to suffer because the fatasses need to exercise on a bike instead of driving a small sports car. Then again, your average idiot isn't going to notice the difference anyway, as this thread clearly demonstrates. :p

The USA is in the top 10 fattest countries in the world. I was born and raised in the good 'ol USA. My BMI is in the overweight category, even though I'm built. I have every right to comment, lol.

The mirrors are already quite large, just how big and ugly do you want them to be? There is a little something called aesthetics and style.


http://blog.rv.net/wp-content/upload...06/mckesh4.jpg

http://blog.rv.net/wp-content/upload...r1-300x225.jpg

http://www.4x4wire.com/reviews/ford_...r/mirror05.jpg

Nope, hence the reason I installed those obnoxious mirrors. The truck is not visible by looking over, and is not visible from the rear view. I'll take a few more pictures if you don't believe me. I'm a very observant driver and like to be aware of my surroundings, especially being on the same road as the likes of you people. :roflpuke2: