2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: What's the problem?

While we may like to beat our chests and say we'll accept no compromises in sportiness, reality demands otherwise. If we all had endless time and money, sure we'd have true sports cars in our bazillion car garages for driving on weekends. In reality though, a good sports car needs to play commuter or touring car as well. If we really wanted no compromises in our sporty vehicles, we'd be driving sport bikes, not cars at all.

Here's the best counter to the "it's a sports car" argument: The 135 is just as fast (faster now in fact), easier to drive fast and more rewarding to drive fast.
-mm

i saw a black one today and i will say it looks decent and interior is great. i expected more bolstering for the seats though...

also i am a loser, so 2 seats are more than enough. actually, most of my friends drive 2 seaters as well so its normal. then we all drive around together and hijack big rigs.

Is there a post about the S5 clutch and shifter? What's wrong with it? Bad steering, bad shifting. Good thing the S5's a looker!

I don't think the Z's ride is an issue -- it's actually remarkably compliant by sports-car standards. This is a major difference between the 350Z and the new 370. Impact harshness has been dialed down to an impressively low level in the new car.

The real problem is that sports cars are supposed to stir the soul, and the Z doesn't. As we've said here before, a properly thrilling engine note would go a long way toward fixing this.

Do you think an S2000 would collect dust in the garage if we had one? Or even a Miata? Of course not. Those are cars that make you want to drive them, inconveniences be damned.

-SBT

Do lesser models of the 370Z suffer from hard suspension, or is it package specific? In other words, would a lesser packaged 370 cure the hard ride problem?

As said, the ride is not hard. Tire noise is an issue, however. Lesser models come with smaller wheels and more rubber, so yes they would be even better. As for engine/ exhaust note, a nice intake and exhaust should help the cause.

@Boxermike : the 135i is close in a straight line, but through the curves the 370z eats its lunch. The 135i is too clumsy to be a sports car, too cramped to haul people around, and compared to the Nissan it feels like a Yugo inside.

@Sadbuttrue: Are you guys really still whining about the exhaust note? There's so much more to a car- the way the steering goads you to push the limits in a turn and relays information like a good sidekick, the way the car surges when you mash it, the way the suspension sorts the car through the corners. And I mean really, the S2000 does sound great, but most cars in this category sound mediocre at best... the 135i's engine note has all the passion of a Camry V6, the Audi S5 sounds like a tractor. Waaaaaaahh.

@mikeolan,

"the Audi S5 sounds like a tractor"

I think that is one of the wrongest statements I've ever seen.

Also, I said "engine note," not exhaust note. And yes, I'm still whining about it.

for the record, camry V6 sounds mean... and uncork the 135i and it sounds very much like a Supra.

""the Audi S5 sounds like a tractor"

I think that is one of the wrongest statements I've ever seen."

+1. The S5 sounds positively magnificent.

@SadButTrue I know the name of a few good audiologists who will be happy to check your hearing gratis.

The G8 GXP sounds magnificent. An Infiniti M45 sounds good. The GT-R sounds thrilling.

The S5 sounds like Subaru engineers got drunk and designed the engine with a crayon. Next you're going to tell me the R8 sounds amazing as well.

I wonder which car was more hated by the staff: STI or 370Z?

I don't recall the R8 ever having the problem of being un-loved, and it has the same small and 2-seat drawbacks as the 370Z. But then, it isn't a sports-car, it is a super-car.

if only the 370Z looked as good as the R8...

@mikeolan - about everyting I've read re: Audi's V8 praises the sounds (RS4, S5 and R8). While I've not piloted one, I sure like what I've heard.

"3. True (but both aren't as bad as our LT Audi S5)"

Now where did I put my WRONG stamp?

@SadButTrue,

I'm not certain if you're familiar with mikeolan's past posts, but he's no stranger to making completely outlandish and counterintuitive statements regarding the 135i with a straight face. He lost all credibility in February.

I think it all boils down to consumers and publications expecting every vehicle regardless of segment to deliver everything they want and desire. Thats just not going to happen as different segments deliver different packages. Compromises...of course.. will surface in different areas depending on the vehicle.

In the end, the purchase is all based on personal opinion, lifestyle and utilization.

@PDXLager

"Counterintuitive statements?" Ahahaha, that made my day.

You are welcome to disagree that I think there's a striking similarity between the engine note of BMW's little bucket of fail and Toyota's Camry V6, but hey, I've driven both.