Other Car Test Drive Opinions

ImportConvert

The 'vette is very powerful in the low rpms, but it builds like crazy past 4K. The 370Z I test-drove seemed to increase in a more linear than exponential manner.

Looking at a dyno-chart does not corroborate what you are saying about the VVT/low rpms. It seems to make near maximum tq available very soon.



Now compare it to a stock Z06:

http://www.dragtimes.com/images_dyno...vette-Dyno.jpg

So yeah, the 'vette is still a powerhouse in the low rpm, but it really shines up top. I was just saying that power delivery is more linear in the 370Z than in the 'vette. The 'vette to me feels like a BIG! 4-cylinder, while the 370Z felt more like a high-revving diesel. Total exaggeration there, but you know what I mean. The Z06 still hits hard. In first gear if I just stab the throttle those 325's out back will just spin. Have to roll into it if you want to stay planted. Even then on less than perfect pavement it will get squirrely at high rpm. Part of the kick in the *** is when that exhaust flies open at around 3200. It's an instant 25-30# wtq and 15-20whp basically. This is MUCH more apparent on the '11 and up Z06's with the ZR1 exhaust.

As to the test-drive, I never pushed hard for one. The cars I wanted to drive were a CTS-V, GT500, and BMW M3. The BMW M3 I probably could have gotten a drive in, same with the CTS-V. The GT500, no-way. Reason being the supercharger is actually "activated" with mileage. OR at least, the maximum boost-setting. I forget the parameters, but it's a certain number of miles in a single key-on/engine-on environment, or a maximum number of cranking cycles. At first, I called BS, but I asked on the forum and it appears this really is the truth. The car must meet certain parameters for max boost to be attained.

I would not buy an "activated" GT500. No way, no how.

So I understand them NOT wanting people driving the GT500's unless they are almost positive they will take THAT one home. I respect that.

I would like to drive a Viper (08-10) sometime soon though as I am planning on a possible trade next year, but I also want to see what the new C7 has to bring to the table when data is finally released (All this stuff you see in magazines is just BS. Wait for it from BG).

Armonster

I agree. I never understood why people say the 370z has no low-end torque. Anything above 3k is basically 90+% peak torque, which is pretty amazing for a V6. Unless by "low-end" people mean 1.5-2k rpm, in which case they need a diesel truck not a sports car.

shadoquad

I dunno, it just doesn't seem very powerful until about 4500 rpm.

Plus, a Mazdaspeed3 gets more torque than a stock Z.

Armonster

Yeah driving a weaker car really puts things into perspective.

Also, this thread makes me want to test drive a Z06.

ImportConvert

I'll sum it up I guess:

The Z06: Better gauges, slightly less comfortable seats (for me), tons more power.

Other than that, very similar until you begin to push the limits of lateral adhesion/braking.