2009 Nissan 370Z: Numbers, Schmumbers

This car needs the Toyota/Lexus 2GR-FSE...

I guess that's why my 15 minutes commute regularly takes about an hour when I take the Miata to work.

I think the new Z is a phenomenal looking car, and sounds like it performs well, so I'd like to try it out, but like you said sometimes it comes down to more than just the numbers. When I bought my TSX I knew I could get a lot more power in the segment for not much more money, but the TSX did everything well and felt like every piece was designed to work well together. My V6 Accord always felt out of sorts with that powerful engine underneath its hood.

Josh, if the engine note sounded better and it didn't feel as rough, would that help to improve your opinion of the Z?

Is there anything that an owner could do with relatively little expense to change the way that engine sounds and feels when worked?

Not suggesting Edmund's start modding this thing, I'm only wondering what options are out there for the average guy?

You don't necessarily want it louder...you just want it better. Not sure what I'm trying to say really.

Curious as how the G37 is desireable when the chassis, transmission and engine is the same as the 370Z yet it's heavier.

Maybe the G37 has enough more sound insulation that it makes the difference?

i'm in a similar situation. i love the Z and would want one but one i start to really sit down and think about it, the G37 (sedan and coupe) just pop into my mind and they fall into the same price. maybe if i kept a sedan i could see it but for its price, it just seems unjustifiable.

Seems like a contrarian attitude for no particular reason.

crowb:

There is no fix for a thrashy engine. Aside from re-engineering it.

Wizard- I would tend to agree but there are many who would argue that the Z is a pure sports car- sort of a poor man's Cayman.

"Maybe the G37 has enough more sound insulation that it makes the difference? "

Perhaps, but still doesn't explain and the heavier less agile version of the Z (G37 coupe) FEELS better when driven hard since that's all cars are about per Josh. I'm also pretty sure a Camaro SS doesn't FEEL better than a Z given it's enormous wheelbase (for a sports coupe) and considerable curb weight.

I would pick a G37 sedan all day over a Z. Four door practicality and its still a good drivers car.

@crowb,

"Josh, if the engine note sounded better and it didn't feel as rough, would that help to improve your opinion of the Z?"

Absolutely. That's my major gripe, and I'm afraid sherief's diagnosis is accurate. Though the road noise is annoying too, and seems incongruous given how nice the interior is. The "fullback" criticism would also apply to the Camaro, for instance, and isn't a dealbreaker for me, just another demerit.

@chavis10 and rick8365,

"Maybe the G37 has enough more sound insulation that it makes the difference?"

Correctamundo! Dramatic difference. Performance is close enough that the G37's civility and backseat give it the edge.

@1487,

"Seems like a contrarian attitude for no particular reason."

I count at least three reasons, and arguably four (that I don't want to take the long way home).

@chavis10 #3,

"Perhaps, but still doesn't explain how the heavier less agile version of the Z (G37 coupe) FEELS better when driven hard"

I didn't say that.

-JS

I would expect the Z to be more raw and unrefined than the G37. Isn't that supposed to be part of the appeal?

S2000. 1 Series. 328i. Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

Really? Because the S2000 sounds like a Vaccuum Cleaner, the 1 Series sounds like a Camry, the 328i also sounds like a Camry, and the Genesis Coupe sounds pretty good actually. Maybe Caroline can lend you her Corolla.

Flooring it in a sports car should be a balls-to-the-wall experience.

^

You must have one sick vacuum cleaner.

I think part of the problem is Nissan overextended its FM platform for everything from the Z to the M...and the Z suffers from the compromises needed to build the larger G/EX/M. And isn't the FX in there somewhere, too? I.E. too much luxury, not enough sport in the original specs...

"I would expect the Z to be more raw and unrefined than the G37. Isn't that supposed to be part of the appeal?"

Bloodyr, you can have both refinement and rawness in the same package, although it usually costs more.

"Because the S2000 sounds like a Vaccuum Cleaner."

Mikeolan, as the owner of now 2 S2000's (we purchased a silver 2005 AP2 over the weekend for $16.2K out the door!) Ive yet to hear any S2000, stock or modified that sounds remotely similar to a vacuum cleaner. The F Series engines are refined from idle to their lofty fuel cuts.

"I think part of the problem is Nissan overextended its FM platform for everything from the Z to the M."

Thegrocer, I dont think anyone has complained about the chassis as it seems more than adequate. Its the engine thats recieved complaints. Since Nissan enlarged the smooth as glass VQ30 the VQ35/37 have become too rough around the edges, in a negative way.

I have to agree. There is just something about this car that keeps turning me off. It shouldn't turn me off though, it has everything going for it. It's the closest Nissan product to the GT-R (A car I lust after) and in the every day world, it would probably provide close to the same level of excitment. But for some reason, I just don't get as excited about this car as I do others in it's price range. The 135i is a bit fugly, but for some reason, it's a car I would want to drive every day. Same with the STI, the Evo, even a Cooper Works Mini. Not to mention for the same price, a 2 year old Cayman or Boxster S could be had.

Maybe it's the goofy ovoid steering wheel. Or maybe (just maybe) this car brings back too many memories of the older Z's; coke spoons, open hairy chests and the like.

Maybe the Nismo version will solve the engine note, but it still will have that dorky steering wheel and useless rear quarter mirrors.

That's probably why I like the 135i so much; It reminds me of a simpler time when BMW made fun, small cars with everything you needed and nothing you didn't. The Z is an appliance, I wish it weren't.

Perhaps they should have extended the VQ a little differently--to turn it into a 4.0L V8? Nah, that would've screwed up the handling.

C&D just did a test of the 370Z automatic, and found it a bit smoother without really sacrificing any fun. Could this be the magic ticket?

You should try using the non-sport tires; that should reduce road noise drastically.

These new cars from Nissan make money, even the GTR. It is part of Ghosn's plan. A plan which shares parts to save money. They aren't building a sports car from the ground up, they're playing LEGO's. I wonder if they shortened chassis was anything unique or it was simply the Altima Coupe, lol.

Hope there is a something called Nismo Z to rescue...

I absolutely agree. Every enthusiast needs a noise free interior, a proper sounding engine even if performance is compromised and of course, it should be highly practical. Screw the high grip tyres, bring on the low resistance noiseless wonders. Those are the attributes us people dream of.

That said...

"Hope there is a something called Nismo Z to rescue..."

There is one.

And Josh. If you can find me a NA engine that makes more torque and power with similiar displacement while being more refined i.e 320+hp, 277+ lb-ft torque, <= 3.7L displacement, I would consider getting it.

The VQ cant be refined if its going to make 330hp because it needs to rev to 7500rpm to make that hp. Stay away from the redline if you don't want to hear the thrash. The G37 is much heavier than the Z and sound insulation is probably one reason for its porky curb weight.

I apologize if this question has been asked and answered already, but what the purpose of the hole on the lower bumper between the exhaust pipes? Rear foglight for European markets is my only guess....

Ace47- how's the refinement in that 4Runner?

"...but the Z feels big and burly in the twisties, more fullback than wide receiver."

From the article...I was commenting on that...

I think the Z needs a 3.0L turbo V-6...sorta a baby GT-R motor.

I guess everyone has different priorities in a sports car.

I test drove one the other day (I pulled up to the dealership in my 350Z) and was very impressed. I drove a touring with the sport package. The interior made my 350Z feel like a cheap rental, the ride was much better, and there is almost no lean when turning. The steering wheel felt great, the seats felt great and, once I properly set the side mirrors, I had no problem seeing traffic around me. I didn't have any issue with the road noise and actually thought the engine sounded a lot like my 350Z (which I love).

Every car makes comprimises. I guess to someone who drives a lot of cars (not me) the new Z is loud (via the engine and tires). The S2000 has no torque and no storage, the RX8 has no power and looks goofy, the G37 coupe is heavy and feels like it, the 1 series is expensive.

Why not drive an older 350Z back to back with the new 370Z to and at the track? Is the new Z worth buying if you already have an old one (a 2003 or 2004 would make sense as original owners have completely paid off a normal 60 month note by now). That would make an excellent post.

"Ace47- how's the refinement in that 4Runner?"

What do you mean? If you are talking about the 1GR-FE, its probably smooth, given that its a Toyota but the output falls way of the mark. 236hp is a lot less than 327hp.

"The VQ cant be refined if its going to make 330hp because it needs to rev to 7500rpm to make that hp. Stay away from the redline if you don't want to hear the thrash."

Uh no. It does rev up to 7500 but you can get the full torque at around 5000rpm so red line shifts are unnecessary.

ACE:

can you read? Josh just said he keeps the engine well below redline because of the raucousness that comes when it revs. The point is that if you want to utitlize the full range of this engine you are going to hear some noise and feel some vibrations in the cabin. Nissan bumped up the redline to get more power but the NVH levels are compromised to get that power.

Road Noise? Complaining about Civility?

Do you people not realise that the 240z was built on the ideal that a sports car does not have to be a Porsche, Jaguar, Saab, Whatever. It was built for the econo-man wanting some more spunk in his life than what his children threw at him.

With that said, the 370z is a SPORTS car, its not supposed to be a luxury sports car, this is a SPORTS car for the Econo-man once again. If you want to complain about road noise and whatnot, then go ahead and purchase a Porsche.

To the S2000 owners, this car has had the same design for years, and its track number are incomparable, not to mention the feminine styling.

As for the G37, its more luxurious, and... has a backseat... Some people can't only drive a two-seater as their daily driver. Not to mention, an "Infiniti" has more class than "Nissan". Plus, less ricers and guidoes would be driving in a G37 than a 370z.