Had an unusually interesting selection of cars to choose from last night: Challenger, FX50, and 370Z. I went with the Z -- not because it's my favorite of the bunch (I'll give it a tie for second with the FX), but because I wanted something that would fit in my parking space. The Z's compact size is something I always appreciate when I'm driving it. Seems like every car these days has a growth spurt with each redesign; thank you, Nissan, for making this thing 2.6 inches shorter than its 350Z predecessor.
But there are other pint-sized performance cars out there. Riswick and I spent some time in our long-term Mazdaspeed 3 and VW's new GTI yesterday, and I was struck by how appealing these sport compacts have become. For $25k, you can take your pick: superior refinement and rear passenger room (GTI), or fully caffeinated performance (MS3). Either way, you've got four doors, a bunch of cargo space, and enough character to keep all but maximally hardcore enthusiasts entertained. No, they'll never have rear-wheel drive, but in other respects, the latest hot hatches are really nipping at the heels of dedicated sports cars like the Z. They're considerably easier on your bank account, too.
By the way, if you think that's a bold comparison, check out the latest Edmunds Comparison Test, in which the Kia Forte SX tries to wipe that stupid grin off the Mazda 3 i Touring's face.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 16,045 miles
mikes12 says:
01:10 PM, 11/19/09
That is great side profile...pure sexy!
roadburner says:
01:34 PM, 11/19/09
For $25k I desperately wish that I had bought an E46 M3.
acbayard says:
01:54 PM, 11/19/09
Seems like a weird comparison... hot hatches are for people who need a practical car with a little bit of fun without spending a whole lot of money. The Z is fun until you need it for a real life.
sabastian says:
05:56 PM, 11/19/09
I agree: it's a weird comparison. The 370 is much more focused than the other two. The lack of rear seats and limited highway-cruise ability mean that it falls short in the daily-driver Olympics, but it'd run rings around the MS3 and GTI at the track. For most people, it will always be a second car while the two hatchbacks can easily serve as an only car.
blueguydotcom says:
06:09 PM, 11/19/09
When's the review of the 2010 GTI coming?
SadButTrue says:
06:58 PM, 11/19/09
@sabastian,
Yeah, it'll run circles around 'em (though the MS3 might not get whupped that badly), but that'll require keeping the Z's engine above 5,000 rpm. Bring earplugs, or maybe a full logger costume.
@blueguy,
Soon.
-JS
hybris says:
07:01 PM, 11/19/09
I have to say after seeing Clarkson review the GTI I have to say its the best hot hatch because of the AWD especially if you start adding mods to get more power out of the motor. Not to mention it makes a little more winter worthy.
SadButTrue says:
07:11 PM, 11/19/09
^GTI is front-wheel drive, Hybris. Are you thinking of the R32?
blueguydotcom says:
10:57 PM, 11/19/09
Sadly I can't see the US getting a 4 door R20. If they did, bu-bye 335i... (not like it's been reliable for me anyway).
bimmerjay says:
12:15 AM, 11/20/09
@blueguy, maybe if you were nicer to your 335i it wouldn't give you so many problem. My N54's have all been completely trouble-free.
@Josh Sadlier,
Thank you for mentioning - and recognizing - that the 370Z is actually shorter than the 350Z. When the 370 was first released it was such a breath of fresh air to see that happen, versus the ridiculous bloating that plagues pretty much every new generation of car (Camcord, looking at you...).
bkochuk says:
06:32 AM, 11/20/09
That really is a great pic of the Z!
sgude says:
06:36 AM, 11/20/09
"... it was such a breath of fresh air to see that happen, versus the ridiculous bloating that plagues pretty much every new generation of car ..."
So true. Why did the CamCordima6 and Fusibu all have to get so BIG? Are Americans really gaining weight at the same rate these cars are growing?
I love my Bimmer but the 4-door GTI is really tugging my heartstrings, being that I've pined for another since at the trade-in of my 86 GTI and the end of the lease of my 01 GTI.
Roadburner, I love the E46 M3 as well and I will have one, but I'm thinking my next vehicle might have the red badge of courage (I painted my GTIs' emblems red).
roadburner says:
07:20 AM, 11/20/09
"I love my Bimmer but the 4-door GTI is really tugging my heartstrings, being that I've pined for another since at the trade-in of my 86 GTI and the end of the lease of my 01 GTI."
I've had my dalliance with FWD; never again. That said, I really like the interior and exterior styling of the GTI. I'd probably buy an R20 if the local VW dealers hired techs with opposable thumbs...
hybris says:
07:24 AM, 11/20/09
@SadButTrue
I just checked and I yes I was thinking of the R32. Thanks for pointing it out.
None the less my point is still semi-valid I'll take a AWD hot hatch over just FWD any day.
blueguydotcom says:
08:28 AM, 11/20/09
I figure no matter what I get it's gonna be breaking down. My 335i still doesn't feel right. The new HPFP, new turbos, new injectors, new computer, new flash, new starter and I swear the engine feels "thick" - like it's just not free-revving. I had a 335i loaner last week and that engine was so smooth it made me wonder why my engine feels so coarse. I'd rev the loaner and it'd swing wildly to and fro. The 528, 128 and 328 I've had in recent weeks had engines that were like buttah. OMG.
Still think there's something amiss in my car.
felonious says:
10:35 AM, 11/20/09
Cropped version of that image:
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af209/kwaping/2009Nissan370ZCA198-thumb-717x478.jpg
sgude says:
02:31 PM, 11/20/09
@ Roadburner -- With my GTIs, I only went to the dealer for warranty items. I only used indie shops, like Techtonics Tuning (when I was in Portland, OR) or Neuspeed (Automotive Performance Systems) and Autotech Sport Tuning, when I was in SoCal. Lower cost service with guys who know what they're doing and actually care? Hell yes!
I didn't have a problem with the front drive, since I didn't track the cars. I do drive rather briskly on the street (when possible and where there is no one around); it was a different feel from the Bimmer, but the nimble nature of the cars, especially the 86, made up for it.
huyracing says:
03:02 PM, 11/20/09
I don't mind FWD. The downside of course is flooring it from a stop... as you just get spin, but that is an issue in a high powered RWD as well. The difference is you can spin out and wreck a RWD, where the FWD is spinning its tires. AWD has no problems with traction, but its less predictable to drive and its heavier and has more driveline losses. If you lose control in an AWD car, its impossible to save it. On a FWD, it'll basically save itself. On a RWD, if you are good enough a driver, you can save it.
yellowmiata says:
12:06 PM, 11/23/09
@ huyracing - I agree that FWD is irritating at a stop. My RSX-S was way fun and when pushing it around a cloverleaf it would even over steer just a wee bit (good tuning).
I disagree that RWD will wreck you; losing control causes accidents (be that not paying attention, or a car that is offering more input than the driver can control). My buddy had a Corrado (great FWD 6 cyl) and he wrecked it due to pushing it too hard. Having had RWD and FWD, I much prefer the RWD for getting out of the hole and dividing the steering and accelerative duties. Though in the end - I'd agree that if I were to buy a car for my son, I'd get an underpowered FWD so there'd be less chance for chaos. (Though I'm not in the "having a son" business just yet.)
As for having the 370 being shorter, wider, lighter, more powerful, stiffer and edgier than the 350 - I can corroborate as I had both and enjoy the 370 more. The 350 had a more distinctive engine note, but the 370 revs more freely, pulls from a stop considerably harder and holds around corners more tenaciously. Also, the utility of the hatch is much improved now that the rear crossbar has been relocated.
The 370 is a car without compromises and I love it as my practical car(a motorcycle is the other vehicle). "Daily Driver" focus on the driver part of this as it is the person who is willing to enjoy (deal with) the limitations of a vehicle.