2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: Sweet Sixteen

16k and only 2 transmissions!

If it was a Ford, it would be on its 3rd tranny!

LOL HUH? Yep, you got me! All of those LT Fords dropping their trannys is getting pretty old! Unlike the awesome Nissans! Thanks for pointing that out.

The instrument cluster looks better at night. The tach and speedo look quite nce, it's just the surroundings that look awful.

All the right sounds? Everyone else seems to lament the harsh engine sounds from this car.

@miller24: all of the editors who lament the harsh sounds from this car are people whose only destination left in life is the nursing home.

Ford's don't really have the nasty transmission issues anymore. Hondas might, but Ford's fixed that (rather major) quality demon.

Agreeded. I'm just busting on bodyblue. I'm assuming he's a ford fanboy....but I could be way off base.

Its fun to bust on him b/c he has so little constructive to say....just negative posts.

Back to the post, I'm digging the 370z. The interior is looking great and its hard to argue with the performance. I guess I could look past the fuel guage thing. It wouldn't be a deal breaker if I was in the market.

BTW: My dad's ford escape (08? 09?...whatever year its the newest body style) begain slipping a few weeks ago. Turns out she's squirting red tranny fluid. YIKES. All fixed but makes me worried.

"Ford's don't really have the nasty transmission issues anymore. Hondas might, but Ford's fixed that (rather major) quality demon."

Ford did have a lot of transmission problems through the 90's. Their new-gen 5- and 6AT's have hopefully exorcised most of those demons. Reliability aside, Ford still has the lousiest-performing transmission lineup on the market. And they seem to have cornered the market on transmissions that only offer "L"[ame] as an alternative gear selection to "D".

My recent Ford-family transmission experience: I had a 2003 Mazda 6s that went through its 5MT before it hit 2,000 miles... a factory-defect. It started with a metallic ringing from a binding cable that soon resulted in a broken syncho. The transmission thereafter wouldn't do the 2-3 shift without grinding.

Back on topic, does the "1" indicate the car's in first gear? I've never seen an MT car with a redundant gear display in the IP like that.

Sweet ride - nice to read an appreciative post about it.

+1 Mikeolan - Tach looks great.

+1 Rick8365 - Though it has some faults, this car still appeals to me. And I think it looks great.

bimmerjay - yah, it tells you what gear your on on the display - this is very similar to high performance motorcycles (and perhaps some cars?). What did you mean by "redundant gear display" - where else is the gearing displayed - besides knowing where the stick is? I like it as it is a similar setup to my litre bike: huge tach, gear indicator & plenty of go!

back off topic - my experience with Ford has completely changed. With the exception of their switchgear, I really enjoy the Fords I rent (and they're the non-cool cars!). I'd really like some seat time in the SHO and their boosted Eco-tec vehicles. the AWD Tarus may have a place against the Outback? I doubt people will cross shop them. Regardless, I have alotta respect for Ford now - a big change from 5 years ago.

Mikes12:

Off base is correct as usual. I am nobodys fanboy. If the car is a pile then I point it out......try reading more posts. I have one Toyota one Ford and one Dodge. I buy cars that I need and think are a good buy based on my needs at the time. Not by brand. Anybody who buys just because of the brand is a car makers wet dream and I dont play that game. Right now I am looking to replace the Toyota and am looking at Suzuki, Kia, Dodge, AND Fords. Dodge is a looong shot but I will look anyway.

As for the Z....When it first arrived so many were saying what a great car it was (I found it ugly but probably fun) and the Nissan-istas could not stop saying how awesome (80 tv ad reference) it was. Just because it is a fast Japanese car does not make it automaticly awesome to me and I did think it was funny when it crapped out.....along with the GT R. Nissan quality is just not as good as the other Japanese brands. The Fords in the IL fleet simply have performed wonderfully the past few years and the Nissans have not, so get over it, it is just a fact.

Yeah, its a fact.

bimmerjay says:

Ford still has the lousiest-performing transmission lineup on the market. And they seem to have cornered the market on transmissions that only offer "L"[ame] as an alternative gear selection to "D".

Are u forgetting HONDA?

"Makes all the righ sounds"? Then how come I read so much endless griping about the "coarse" engine note? I haven't driven one, but I have to say that on every video I have seen of the car, the engine sounds pretty sweet to me.

@yellowmiata,

"What did you mean by "redundant gear display" - where else is the gearing displayed - besides knowing where the stick is?"

The primary display is the indicator on the shifter (AT), I guess for an MT that doesn't really apply. I'm just used to calling it that when it's in the IP. Cool feature though.

@cr_driver,

"Are u forgetting HONDA?"

Not really. While Hondas might be a gear-down from their competitors on some models and lack manumatic functionality, their transmissions in my experience are very responsive and pretty seamless in operation. On the contrary, Ford AT's tend to frustrate me to no end. Slow shifts, upshifting mid-corner, and having to absolutely boot the throttle to command a downshift.

what's wrong w/honda transmissions? s2k, tsx, civic si transmissions are amazing.

Bimmer.......The 5sp AT in my Mustang is not like that at all. The layout allows one to start out in 1 2 or 3rd gear P R N D 3 2 1 with overdrive lockout on the T handle. It shifts at redline in Drive everytime or you can shift it by yourself. Shifts are quick and crisp.

Q) 1487:GM::bodyblue:

A) Troll
B) Fanboy
C) Ford

???

Car seller= white shoes+plaid jacket+cheap sunglasses=somebody who posts at work from his cubicle because his trailer does not have internet.

Bodyblue, you should probably apologize for sounding like 1487 in all of your posts. Take a breather, my friend.

Unless you've been in a 370 while in a tunnel while blipping the throttle (in my case, the driver was blipping the throttle) and heard the sound coming out of those big dual pipes, you can never really appreciate how good this car sounds. Vibrations on the inside? The V6 is too harsh? What kind of ninnies write stuff like this? Have you HEARD the sound of that dual exhaust?