2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: Open Thread

Why is it so ugly

Is it really half the performance car that the GT-R is, as the price suggests? Most negative feedback so far is about "feel/character." What are the running list of concerns and possible owner fixes? Example: goofy headlight design -> distracting evil clown decal kit.

for the price that it is compared to the G37, coupe and sedan, is it really worth it? seems that the Z is just going back to what killed it off, a sports car that was supposed to be affordable but then got pricey.

When I first saw this car, I didn't like it. But since I have driven it, my opinion has changed. This is a great driving car. With the 19" wheel/tire combination, the car STICKS in the corners. While the looks do take a little getting used to, the 'shark face' front end is starting to grow on me. The test drive, and fun factor, was definitely helped by a salesman who also really enjoyed the car. It was a more enjoyable test drive than when I drove a 2009 M3 sedan (the BMW salesman was a little worried about keeping the RPM's down). I'm 6'4", and 240lbs, but this car still fit me. The only negative about it I found were the blind spots. The driver view to either left or right rear is almost non-existant. As posted earlier, the little windows with a passenger are useless. I just made sure I was going faster than the cars around me to keep cars in the rear view mirror. Fortunately, the motor makes this a possibility. Unfortunately, this doesn't work in heavy traffic. I guess with a car like this, it's about a good road and what's in front of you. Be safe, but keep driving!

370Z.

Most awesome sub 35k sports car ever? Or just an awesome sub 35k sports car?

It certainly seems like they are not selling well. All the Nissan dealerships around me (in the SF Bay Area) have a TON of them, like 30+ cars. What's the story around the rest of the country?

I was sad that I don't fit in the car. I'm long of torso and hate when my hair brushes the roof... and it does in the 370Z.

It looks like an appealing package, but I lament the horrible NVH properties of this enlarged and pumped up evolution of the VQ engine. Wish it was as smooth and revvy as the 3 liter VQ in my old 99 Maxima.

Is it fun in normal driving? Onramps, wide open suburban areas... does it have too much power and grip to enjoy safely in those situations? Would you commute in one?

Why is the driver's tire off the road (see pic)?

Albeit the Z is a bargain, one thing that will be hard to avoid are the costs for the tires. 245/40 19, 275/35 19 with Bridgestone 050 (I think) are monstrosities. I get envy, hell even a little intimidated when I see 'em. They must also cost a fortune to replace. I would like to see IL put on some sport enthusiastic friendly shoes that won't break the bank!

Also a post on how effective the viscous LSD is. With those size meats and that much power, does the V-LSD become overwhelmed?

Lastly, more power slide photos pls.

I'll preface my statement by saying that I bought this car 2 months ago.

As for value, I've researched this a lot, and there is not another new car, in this category, that you can buy today, that won't cost 7 to 15k more, while offering the same options, and LESS performance. I'll challenge anyone to prove me wrong (note I primarily look at Japanese and European cars, as I simply don't believe American cars are nearly reliable enough to buy).

There is little that I dont love about this car. Truth is, it was hard to buy a two-seater, to use as my primary car (commuter), but I'm hoping that the one time a month that I needed to use the back seats in my previous cars, I'll just work around.

The car is fun to drive, every day. It's quiet amazing how just flooring the gas pedal (while cruising) in any of the first four gears, will absolutely kick you back into your seat. I keep telling people this, and some dont believe me, until I show it to them. Cornering is pretty sick too, and I'm coming from a car that was also a great handler, but with much less hp. I should note that I dont have the sports package model, and am riding on 18"s.

The blind spots are absolutely terrible--this is true. The problem is completely fixed by setting your outside mirrors, all the way wide, that way, you can follow a car from your rear view mirror, to one of the side mirrors, and see it, whole, without problems. However, forget about turning you head, you'll see nothing.

I'd really like to see a comparo of the Z against an Evo X GSR.

While at first glance they really don't seem to be in the same market they are really closer than they appear. The 35K sports car market is really quite sparse if you arn't interested in a muscle car, essentially the 370Z, 135i, Evo GSR and STI. Both cars are on the shopping list for someone who is about 30, wants a sports car and doesn't have the worries of a minivan full of kids to haul.

Note: The GSR, not the MR. 38K for the MR is just pushing it when you can get a GSR off the lot for under 35K. Plus the SST is neat and all but I want to know how the MT's compare.

I am curious to learn driver preferences between the VQ35 and the new VQ37. Like Sherief, I loved revving the old VQ30, and now I also have the VQ35 in a 6MT G35, which is menacing, if not as much a joy to rev. What are the aesthetic improvements, if any, in the new VQ37?

I should mention that I bought the 370Z for well bellow 30k, (like considerably more than a $1000 bellow 30k). So we're not talking 35k either. With the sports package, you can get one for a very low 31k. And I bought mine, like 3 wks after they came out.

I looked at the 135i (but that car would run you mid 37k range, before you really add any serious options to it, and from what I understand, you can't find a car on the lot that isn't loaded with options up the a**.

I can't say I really looked at the Evo or STI. Great cars, from what I understand, and I'd love to have me some AWD, but at the end of the day they look and feel like econoboxes.

Having owned my 135i for just over a year now, I began seeing all of these comparisons between the Z and the 135i. I pulled up next a Z at the stoplight one day and actually liked the way it looked. Having read all of the comparison tests with this car i was tempted to go and drive one. So I did, and while i was impressed with the handling, brakes, and power i found the entire car to be extremely abrupt under acceleration. The vibrations coming from the engine transmits through to the pedals and through the shifter. I got back into my 135i directly after and realized where my extra money was well spent. The smoothness and low end grunt of the N54 in my opinion is a far better motor than the VQ. However, there are several options standard on the Z that you have to pay for on the 135i. For me, it comes down to driving experience/comfort and not overall performance. Both are great cars i just found the Z to be not as comfortable as a daily driver but a great value nonetheless.

I'll absolutely admit that the shifter vibrates, when just sitting in neutral. It's weird, I cant remember last time I owned a car that did that, then again Honda's were always were smooth in that respect.

I dont get any vibration from the pedals. And, as I said before, I dont really know what people are saying about the engine vibration or noise. I just dont get that one, maybe someone can educate me, maybe I should drive an old VQ30 (but then again, did that engine make 332bhp?)

The other thing Nissan did with this car (and I dont think this has as much to do with saving money, as it does with saving weight) but they definitely pulled a lot of sound dampening materials out of the car. Some of this is great, like when you get to hear the engine; some of it is not, like when the sticky summer only tires, kick up little stone pebbles into the rear wheel wells, causing them to bump around in there, until they fall out.

kitw-
According to this link, Nissan is slashing their sales expectations by 2/3's, citing the economy and the fact that the Z is a lifestyle vehicle.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/nissan-slices-370z-sales-projections.html

They forcasted 30k in sales and have said they now expect 10k.

Great time to go buy it seems, which would explain the deal k_alexander got.

^Agreed. I'd say more that I got my deal because I was buying this particular car in the NE of the country in early Feb. That, plus the fact that I really know how to negotiate. But agreed, seems like it would be a good time to buy now.

I actually just bought an Evo about 3 weeks ago and got it out the door for 30K even. MSRP 36K and a bit for a GSR w/ spoiler, stereo package and navi package. The dealer practically begged me to take it because it was such a low selling product right now.

I did test drive it back to back with a 370Z but being a test drive I didn't feel like I got the whole measure of the 370 dynamics wise. I would have taken the 370 if I'd felt it was head and shoulders sportier than the Evo but I felt they were pretty even.

Coming from the '02 Civic HX that got me through grad school I found both cars to be far more refined and well equipped. I really have to say I liked the Evo's engine and shifter far more than the 370 while the 370 really only won on the aggressive looks test. I think for the average buyer of either car they are going to be making a big step up and so interior and NVH nit picks are not going to be as much of an issue as they would be for someone who previously drove a car in that price range.

I guess that's a mini comparo there, I'd really like to hear an editor's opinion on this.

The photo used explains why Edmunds' cars suffer from so much wheel/tyre damage.

Desmolicious,

Edmunds is just demonstrating the killer inside-tire-grabs-the-gutter move popularized in Initial D. Now I know the move is real, and can be used every day - thanks, Edmunds!

Best lap times at the Streets of Willow Springs in Chris and/or Josh's hands would be nice!

Personally, I really like the looks of the 370Z and I hope to test drive one soon. The reason why I'm posting is because of the photo. Are you guys using the "ditch hook" technique with this vehicle? It looks like you're really trying to push this vehicle (and it's suspension) above and beyond its limits.

I've been shopping for a car to replace my 2004 Mazda RX-8 since last summer. My budget is about $40K. I've test driven many different cars, new and used. My car of choice, besides a new Z, is a used Porsche Cayman S. I'm thinking about a 2007 model that can be had for under $40K. I've been tracking prices on my blog.
http://mannyljr.typepad.com/lizardslair/porsche-caymans.html
I had driven an '08 350Z, both coupe and roadster versions. The power was comparable to a Cayman S, but the 350Z's handling felt a bit heavy and nowhere nearly as smooth and fluid as the Porsche. I've test driven 3 new 370Z's, all Touring, with Sport Package, and 6 spd MT. The driving characteristics of the new Z are greatly improved. The engine does feel and sound strained in the upper revs, though there is good torque and power almost everywhere on the rev band. One dealer had a new Z with an early Nismo body kit and an after-market Stillen exhaust. That sounded great and I could feel a power difference driving it.
Since the Cayman S has been the benchmark for Nissan's 370Z, I'd love to see a comparison with a used Cayman and Cayman S to the 370Z. Also, I've love to see the numbers on scheduled maintenance cost and depreciation over 2 or 3 years.