When we configured our 2009 Nissan 370Z car for the long-term fleet, we made sure to get the sport package and a manual transmission.
We also wanted to test out Nissan's new SynchroRev Match, which makes driving a manual transmission car even easier. This feature automatically blips the throttle when a downshift is initiated. It basically performs a smooth heel-toe downshift for you.
Easy and fun.
For explanation for SynchroRev Match, read this Straightline post from our Engineering Editor Jay Kavanagh.
Let's give our Nissan Z another chance at Car of the Week.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
mptlptr says:
08:20 PM, 01/ 3/10
I've seen numerous complaints from various editors about road noise in the 370Z. Is it really that bad? Subjectively, how does it compare to the other sporty cars (Camaro, Challenger, Mazdaspeed 3, M3, Evo GSR and the departed GT-R) in your long term fleet?
And how is the steering feel compared to the M3?
yellowmiata says:
09:57 PM, 01/ 3/10
@mptlptr
Great questions! I look forward to hearing different views from the editors. I can concur that the road noise is pretty high in the Z, depending on the type of pavement / asphalt on which the car is traveling. Sadly, the noise falls deep into the background when dipping deeper into the throttle while the the tires tenaciously claw through a reducing radius corner.
The steering on the Z is decidedly heavy while still being very communicative. I've not driven most of the cars you've called into comparison & am excited to hear the editors' experience.
Kevin
iancar says:
10:32 PM, 01/ 3/10
Anyone interested to create a 370Z "Nismo Z killer" without that dorky body kit?
or Should I ask if Nismo Z money is well spent against the regular 370Z?
Rage0329 says:
12:43 AM, 01/ 4/10
Most of the problem is really the OEM tires. Recently my Dad replaced the OEM Bridgestone Potenzas on the 350Z to Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s. The difference was phenomenal. I think the 370Z needs to undergo the same thing. My friend drove his boss' 370Z on a drive day with me up to the mountains in VIC, Australia and said it was absolutely deafening.
sharpend says:
02:09 AM, 01/ 4/10
WARNING:
370Z and NISMO brake pads may FAIL on a track - and possibly even under extremely heavy street usage. If you have a Sport package vehicle a dealer may be a able to switch to high-performance pads since the stock pads are for low noise and low dust - not high performance.
The Car & Driver Lightning Lap 2009 test NISMO 370Z suffered near total brake failure with no warning from very high speed and crashed during testing.
wizard8873 says:
05:29 AM, 01/ 4/10
I would have to back Rage0329. my M45 came with the same tires and road noise was terrible. As soon as I threw on different tires, my winter ones ironically, it was so much quieter and bearable.
joefrompa says:
07:31 AM, 01/ 4/10
Donna -
I'd just like to confirm: the syncro revmatch is not a heel-toe rev-match mechanism, it's a downshift rev-match mechanism.
Heel-toe is specifically about rev-matching WHILE BRAKING. I believe in the 370z, you only need to be downshifting to have the syncro rev-match kick in.
Can you confirm which it is?
Joe
subytrojan says:
10:13 AM, 01/ 4/10
I like the home page graphic from Need For Speed: Undercover (so-so game btw)!
I believe your thought is correct, Joe. How's *your wife's* LGT? :o)
yellowmiata says:
11:08 AM, 01/ 4/10
@ joefrompa
I can answer your question to Donna - it is a shift rev-matching mechanism. In fact, you don't need to be downshifting to enjoy the rev-match, though that is where it is most apparent. In addition to matching the rpms when downshifting, the rev-match will also hold the correct rpm for an upshift. For example, when shifting from third to fourth you may perhaps leave the clutch in b/c of an uncertain traffic experience. During this exchange as long as you have the shifter in 4th gear, the revolutions per minute will stay at the correct level to just slid into the gear without clutch-braking or bucking the vehicle.
Kevin
carlisimo says:
12:42 PM, 01/ 4/10
iancar, I don't know about the Nismo 370Z, but Sport Compact Car (RIP) installed Nismo suspension parts on a standard 350Z and they loved them. They didn't have a significant effect on the car's track numbers, but they made those numbers much easier to achieve. The car was better behaved.
joefrompa says:
01:53 PM, 01/ 4/10
Subytrojan - Wife's LGT is doing very well. 36k miles on it now (can you believe that, holy cow). Stock Re92s still have 20k left in them too :)
We went out in the snow 2 weeks ago when we got 18" in 36 hours. She was petrified I was going to slide into something or otherwise damage her car. Literally, we almost turned around and went home. But I convinced her to stay out, showed her how it would slide easily but it was unstoppable on uphills (we watched a brand new toyota venza spend 15 minutes trying to get up a hill which we effortlessly climbed without notable spinning). We did crazy donuts due to my stiff Cobb sway bars and worn crappy all season tires.
We had a blast :)
I'm concerned about some reliability issues that have popped up with other LGTs in the long-term: weak cast pistons, oil pickup tube and other oil hard lines, stock turbo ingesting itself into the engine even on well maintained cars, a few other areas. If we decide to keep it, I'm going to throw on a new line of bolt-on turbos (Evo III 16g style), opensource tuning, and an opened up exhaust, fatter better rubber, and associated upgrades :)
It'll be another 2 years before that time comes, but I'll let you know when it does :)
Joe