My 36-hour, 900-mile Arizona road trip in our long-term 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring ended around 11:30 last night. Although I never had a chance to explore any interesting back roads with the Z, I am surprised by how much I still like it after hours on interstates and numbing desert highways.
Ride comfort is a big reason, because our sport-package 370Z is compliant to a level I never would have believed before this trip. This is not a compromised sport coupe. It's one I could live with everyday.
I've really warmed to the driving position, too. Although I previously complained that the new-gen car's shortened wheelbase has the dash up in your face, the setup turned out to be fine on my trip. I was comfortable behind the wheel, even though it doesn't telescope, and I liked how I was in finger's reach of the nav, audio and climate controls.
Average fuel economy for the trip was over 21 mpg, and I don't deserve any credit for driving conservatively on I-10. Instead, I chalk it up to the 18 speed cameras I passed in greater Phoenix (even without a front plate, I was careful) and low speed limits in the Maricopa area.
I checked the oil around 3,300 miles (on a level surface after letting the car sit 15 minutes) and it registered below the low mark on the dipstick. I bought a quart of 5W30 and added it in stages, but ultimately, the 370Z needed the whole thing. Given that the oil also looks dirty, the car will likely be getting an oil change soon. No surprise that it needs one, really. We've driven the Z hard.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 3,807 miles
msdaisy says:
05:42 PM, 03/13/09
Sweet! I think the guy in the white hat is checking you out :P
carguy622 says:
05:47 PM, 03/13/09
He wants to take Erin for a ride in his sweet Corolla S... sporty! It's pretty sad that the Corolla has more tack on spoilers and skirts than the 370z.
orangutan says:
09:59 PM, 03/13/09
How very shocking that a car in Edmunds' garage needs oil. Again. Still.
ace47 says:
10:10 PM, 03/13/09
"He wants to take Erin for a ride in his sweet Corolla S... sporty! It's pretty sad that the Corolla has more tack on spoilers and skirts than the 370z."
I thought I recognised the abomination. And I think he just wanted to steal the Z. Look at him, eying those headlights.
zoomzoom22 says:
10:28 PM, 03/13/09
This picture proves every single time I've heard someone say that there are too many Civics and Corollas on the road to be true.
stovt001 says:
10:56 PM, 03/13/09
This car looks better and better every time another picture is posted. Besides the door handles, I really like what Nissan did here.
cwmoo740 says:
11:55 PM, 03/13/09
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f3/111293d1234220751-elise-cars-com-oh-noes-lambo-doors-so-played-out.jpg
lol. On another note, I saw something really funny. A Toyota Yaris S.
I've been worried about the trunk space in the 370Z. Was there room for all of your stuff in there? It looked like a tiny trunk to me.
rantcave says:
05:46 AM, 03/14/09
Looks like a buck-toothed rabbit lol. This is why I like Ford styling...bold and doesn't look friendly.
msdaisy says:
08:36 AM, 03/14/09
"This is why I like Ford styling...bold and doesn't look friendly."
I like cotton candy...sweet and crispy. :P
hondacura4 says:
08:41 AM, 03/14/09
The new Z must be selling well (at least in my area) as the 3 at my local dealer are gone and the fact that Im starting to see them around the city quite a bit.
santiagofdz says:
09:16 AM, 03/14/09
"This picture proves every single time I've heard someone say that there are too many Civics and Corollas on the road to be true."
....and silver cars.
cartester16 says:
09:47 AM, 03/14/09
Wow, only 21 on that trip? Last time I drove a Vette on that journey, I got 29, and was not light on the pedal either. Seems a little low to me, but it's not horrendous either for a performance car. Prolly gets better city mpg than that Vette too.
stovt001 says:
01:40 PM, 03/14/09
Vettes have a double overdrive for 6th gear. You get no power but great mileage, so they do get exceptional highway fuel economy. I would agree that the Z probably gets better city mileage.
gharry says:
05:17 PM, 03/14/09
I really like the looks of the new Z - more every time I see it. I really like how it evokes the 240Z's styling. Retro without reverting to duplication like certain muscle cars I could mention.
mustang5507 says:
10:09 PM, 03/14/09
I agree with gharry. That is the first thing I noticed about the new car upon first seeing the pictures. The 240Z was truly a nice car that still looks good to this day. The new car is equally as stunning, and makes the 350Z look actually under-styled.
eriches says:
05:46 PM, 03/15/09
Regarding the comments on fuel economy: I forgot to mention that I got stuck in two separate hour-long traffic jams in Phoenix, so the 21 mpg I got is definitely not reflective of pure highway driving. The Z is rated for 26 on the highway, so I expect our long-termer can, and will, do better than 21 over the next 11 months.