Is a 370z my best current choice for a $30k track day car?

[RATEDM]

I sold my BMW Z4MCoupe 6 months ago and have been suffering from track-day withdrawals ever since.

So, now I'm looking for a new track-day toy.

After reading the recent car magazine reviews and the specs, the 370z looks as though it would be virtually equivalent (weight, power, size) to my old Z4MC but, much less expensive to buy and for aftermarket stuff like coilovers, brake parts, and other goodies (which is the appeal to me).

I was surprised to see all the problems with the oil cooling issue that some of you have experienced - hopefully a proper oil cooler fixes that (I'll be watching to see your results on this).

Anyway - for those of you that have experienced other cars and the 370z on track, how do you think I'd find a 370z after running a Z4MC in advanced groups with BMW & Porsche clubs?
Basically, my primary focus is track days - not daily driver - and I'd want something that felt close to, or better than, my last car in terms of power, handling and braking... Will a 370z fit the bill or should I go for one of my other current choices (used Z06, used Exige) and why?

[M.Bonanni]

Well as much as I love the 370Z, if you are purely going for a track car you can build up a used S2000 or Evo or something that will be faster for the same money or cheaper.

[RATEDM]

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

Well as much as I love the 370Z, if you are purely going for a track car you can build up a used S2000 or Evo or something that will be faster for the same money or cheaper.

Thanks...The S2000 was intially on my list, but I eliminated it for lack of a fixed roof. Not interested in an AWD vehicle like an EVO or a Subie (weight, complexity, and a bit less fun imo).... Also, don't want another Bimmer or Porsche as I'd like something that is relatively cheap for aftermarket upgrades as a function of higher production volume (prices for parts for my Z4MC were 2x-5x the same parts I've seen on 350z's).

Other than cost-to-speed ratio, what do you consider to be the downsides of the 370z as a track toy (that would cause you to advocate an S2000 or Evo over it) in my case? Weight? Power-to-weight ratio? Other?

thanks again...

[M.Bonanni]

Originally Posted by RATEDM

Thanks...The S2000 was intially on my list, but I eliminated it for lack of a fixed roof. Not interested in an AWD vehicle like an EVO or a Subie (weight, complexity, and a bit less fun imo).... Also, don't want another Bimmer or Porsche as I'd like something that is relatively cheap for aftermarket upgrades as a function of higher production volume (prices for parts for my Z4MC were 2x-5x the same parts I've seen on 350z's).

Other than cost-to-speed ratio, what do you consider to be the downsides of the 370z as a track toy (that would cause you to advocate an S2000 or Evo over it) in my case? Weight? Power-to-weight ratio? Other?

thanks again...

I think the 370Z is a very capable, fun to drive, and fast track car for the price for sure. My comment was purely based on cost-to-speed ratio. The oil cooling issue is the only downside to having a 370Z track car that I have seen so far, but hopefully that will be an easy fix with just an oil cooler. We will find out soon enough.

Point is, for a $30k budget you can build a lot of cars to be faster around a race track than buying a new 370Z. It's personal preference though of course. You could build a really fast 240SX with a $30k budget, or buy a stock 370Z. It all depends on what you are looking for out of the car.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by RATEDM

Thanks...The S2000 was intially on my list, but I eliminated it for lack of a fixed roof. Not interested in an AWD vehicle like an EVO or a Subie (weight, complexity, and a bit less fun imo).... Also, don't want another Bimmer or Porsche as I'd like something that is relatively cheap for aftermarket upgrades as a function of higher production volume (prices for parts for my Z4MC were 2x-5x the same parts I've seen on 350z's).

Other than cost-to-speed ratio, what do you consider to be the downsides of the 370z as a track toy (that would cause you to advocate an S2000 or Evo over it) in my case? Weight? Power-to-weight ratio? Other?

thanks again...

Did you know that the 2009 Subaru WRX weighs less than your MZ4 Coupe (the Wagon trim weighs 3187lbs) and can achieve 0-60 in the same time? Do not knock the Subie or the Mitsu before you try it.

Go drive the EVO X and the WRX. The WRX in Wagon trim can be a nice track rat, you can fit 4 wheels, tools, a weekend's worth of cloth in duffel bag, a track jack, and 4 jack-stands. The symmetrical all-wheel-drive takes some getting used to if you're used to RWD, but there are some inherent advantages.

I currently own an MZ4 Coupe, I used to own a 350Z, and now I also have an '09 Subaru WRX wagon I used for daily drive. For less than $25,000 you can not beat the performance numbers, and even the mighty MZ4 Coupe will struggle to keep up with it in certain conditions and turns. It lacks the refinement of the MZ4 Coupe, it's loud, the turdbo lag is a little unnerving at times (I've never owned a turdbo car before), and there's a lot of body roll because the center of gravity is much higher compared to the E86, but for the simple fact that I can put my daughter in the back-seat? No comparison.

The 370Z may be the best of the bunch under $30K, but if you need a car that you can drive around with a bit more versatility, don't look past the Subie and the EVO X.

[AK370Z]

My personal favorite would be S2000 with optional hardtop. I just love the S2k gearbox.

[The HACK]

Just a couple of points I'd like to add, since I had a 350Z as a track rat, and now have the MZ4 Coupe and the WRX...

You will NEVER get the same joy out of any of the cars you are looking at as a track car, outside of maybe the S2000, as you ever will with the MZ4 Coupe. I'm not kidding. The only work I've done to the MZ4 Coupe was swap out the OEM BMW brake pads for Cobalt XR3s, and it is faster out of the box, than my 350Z ever was even with R-comps. And the 350Z had a full list of work done on it, ranging from coil-overs, intake, headers, exhaust...etc. The only car I've ever driven, out of the box, that was better to drive than the MZ4 Coupe was the Lotus Exige S. But with a car like that, I wouldn't even bother driving it on the street. The only place where it'll ever be happy is on the track.

If you're going to get a 370Z or any of the Japanese cars under $30K, you must consider upgrading the brakes first before you take it on track. I burned through an entire set of brake pads on the 350Z in 4 20 minute sessions all the way past the backing plate, and back then I was still on the OEM street tires AND only a "B" student in the BMW CCA ranks (which is to say, not even all that fast). I fully anticipate the same for the WRX, I will not be taking it to the track unless I can get a set of brake upgrade from my buddy at RacingBrake. The only car mentioned so far that has a worthy set of brakes is the RX-8. That thing has high-end European like brakes, with only a set of race ready brake pads being the ONLY thing you'll need to have a great time at the track.

[shabarivas]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Just a couple of points I'd like to add, since I had a 350Z as a track rat, and now have the MZ4 Coupe and the WRX...

You will NEVER get the same joy out of any of the cars you are looking at as a track car, outside of maybe the S2000, as you ever will with the MZ4 Coupe. I'm not kidding. The only work I've done to the MZ4 Coupe was swap out the OEM BMW brake pads for Cobalt XR3s, and it is faster out of the box, than my 350Z ever was even with R-comps. And the 350Z had a full list of work done on it, ranging from coil-overs, intake, headers, exhaust...etc. The only car I've ever driven, out of the box, that was better to drive than the MZ4 Coupe was the Lotus Exige S. But with a car like that, I wouldn't even bother driving it on the street. The only place where it'll ever be happy is on the track.

If you're going to get a 370Z or any of the Japanese cars under $30K, you must consider upgrading the brakes first before you take it on track. I burned through an entire set of brake pads on the 350Z in 4 20 minute sessions all the way past the backing plate, and back then I was still on the OEM street tires AND only a "B" student in the BMW CCA ranks (which is to say, not even all that fast). I fully anticipate the same for the WRX, I will not be taking it to the track unless I can get a set of brake upgrade from my buddy at RacingBrake. The only car mentioned so far that has a worthy set of brakes is the RX-8. That thing has high-end European like brakes, with only a set of race ready brake pads being the ONLY thing you'll need to have a great time at the track.

Ha ha +1 for racingbrake - I ran their rotors on my G35 - really well made And yes... brake upgrade + oil cooler + sway bar + better tires = woah there 370 now your talking

[RATEDM]

Originally Posted by The HACK

...
You will NEVER get the same joy out of any of the cars you are looking at as a track car, outside of maybe the S2000, as you ever will with the MZ4 Coupe. ...

...The only car I've ever driven, out of the box, that was better to drive than the MZ4 Coupe was the Lotus Exige S. But with a car like that, I wouldn't even bother driving it on the street. The only place where it'll ever be happy is on the track."

Hey Hack - thanks for the input (I haven't been trolling the Z forums to see your postings for a while )! Your statements above pretty much line up with my predispositions/thinking... I'm mentally down to one of the following used cars (not in any particular order - ok, maybe the Lotus is my first choice ):
1. Lotus (supercharged).
2. '07 or newer 'Vette
3. Another Z4MC (they sure are inexpensive these days!).
4. 350z

This wouldn't be a daily driver - just want something I don't have to trailer to track days and is (at least) as fun as my Z4M was.

Roland.

[shabarivas]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Did you know that the 2009 Subaru WRX weighs less than your MZ4 Coupe (the Wagon trim weighs 3187lbs) and can achieve 0-60 in the same time? Do not knock the Subie or the Mitsu before you try it.

Go drive the EVO X and the WRX. The WRX in Wagon trim can be a nice track rat, you can fit 4 wheels, tools, a weekend's worth of cloth in duffel bag, a track jack, and 4 jack-stands. The symmetrical all-wheel-drive takes some getting used to if you're used to RWD, but there are some inherent advantages.

I currently own an MZ4 Coupe, I used to own a 350Z, and now I also have an '09 Subaru WRX wagon I used for daily drive. For less than $25,000 you can not beat the performance numbers, and even the mighty MZ4 Coupe will struggle to keep up with it in certain conditions and turns. It lacks the refinement of the MZ4 Coupe, it's loud, the turdbo lag is a little unnerving at times (I've never owned a turdbo car before), and there's a lot of body roll because the center of gravity is much higher compared to the E86, but for the simple fact that I can put my daughter in the back-seat? No comparison.

The 370Z may be the best of the bunch under $30K, but if you need a car that you can drive around with a bit more versatility, don't look past the Subie and the EVO X.

Ha ha .. no thats not what the op meant - he said that the AWD was not as fun - and he is right. I used to have an EVO X before the Z and let me tell you... even when I would take my G35 out instead of the evo - I would have a much more fulfilling driving experience. The evo just makes the work the driver has to do to pull of a nice looking turn - just too easy... the car does most of the driving for you.. think of it this way... the Z is to revmatching the same way the evo is to slowing / turning and all else other than shifting lol...

[Namir]

Track day toy, how about a caterham?
I think they are in the 30-40k range depending on configuration.
I don't see the point in spending 30k on a new car if you want to sling it around a track.
I'd get a used 350Z over a new one, and strip it out put a roll cage in it.
Used vettes are also pretty cheap and LS1 mods are readily available.
Lotus is always at home on the track so an Exige would be a nice little weapon.

[RATEDM]

Originally Posted by Namir

...
I'd get a used 350Z over a new one, and strip it out put a roll cage in it.
Used vettes are also pretty cheap and LS1 mods are readily available.
Lotus is always at home on the track so an Exige would be a nice little weapon.

Yep - this is where my head is at lately...

[BurntGauge]

Originally Posted by Namir

Track day toy, how about a caterham?

I think he wanted a fixed roof.

[alan93rsa]

A friend with a fully sorted 3.2 911 is selling it with a fresh zero hour 3.6 engine for about your number. The car is caged, lightened, close ratio transmission, seats, data and other items I can't remember. The car was built by Wright Motorsports in Batavia, Ohio. One of their cars placed third at the Daytona 24 in GT. Good shop.

I mention this option as it is always cheaper to by a car already built it you want a track car. It would cost at least $50k to duplicate this car.

[RCZ]

I think the answer to your question is yes.