2014 Nissan 370Z

[Liquidsnake]

Well I came from a 370Z (2009) Base. And I can tell you that there were two reasons I got rid of it. 1) Price 2) Gas.

This price drop does make things interesting. When my current lease ends on May 31st 2015, It will be an interesting time. Hopefully there is a lot of cars to choose from, and my career is still at an ascension.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

And yet it is still 500lbs heavier.



And yet it is still no good.

I would take the VQ37 anyday over the FA20. And I don't think the Z is ridiculously heavy. It ain't 3750 lbs like a base Camaro.

[phloozy]

my wife just leased a z so now I have both. The z is super fun and quick but doesnt have the same feeling at the 86. The 86 feels more fun to throw around and the z just feels more...serious? not sure of the word. They are both great cars but I feel better behind the wheel of the 86, mainly because the blind spots on the z are insane.

[Mesfet]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

Well, a car is more than just its engine and thats why an 86 is a better car to drive than a 370Z.

Why even discuss lightweight parts as a selling point when the car you're comparing it against is still 500lbs lighter?

Because there are some people that still prefer raw power, which the 86 cannot give out of the box. The 370z offers that without being such a boat, at the expense of some driving pleasure of course.

[Mesfet]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

If you're looking for raw power a 370Z is not a good choice either.

On the other hand, at least the 86 is good to drive.

I don't disagree with you, but it's a compromise others may consider.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

I think the 370Z price cut makes the FRS look overpriced. I know the FRS have a backseat and a LSD standard but the Z has an all aluminum suspension without macstruts, carbon fiber ds, aluminum hood,doors,and trunk and a engine with 133/hp120/tq more standard. I think the only thing Nissan needs to work on is making the Z 300~350 lbs lighter at the same price with the same power output or slightly less through a 2l turbo.

I agree with the bolded part in theory, but practically speaking, would be very difficult.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

Well, a car is more than just its engine and thats why an 86 is a better car to drive than a 370Z.

Why even discuss lightweight parts as a selling point when the car you're comparing it against is still 500lbs lighter?

Because those parts are pricier parts in comparison in the justification of price. And being a better drivers car is strictly opinionated. I guarantee there is folks who prefer the Z over the 86. They are just not on this site..lol

[thill]

I really like the 370z. I dig the styling of the car, however I need the occasional backseat and since the car is my daily driver, I was not excited about the gas mileage since I drive 40 miles for work round-trip each day.

It is a very different car from the FT86 platform. Heavier, more powerful, different seating position. If you want more power, don't need a backseat, and don't mind getting around 20mpg, the 370z is a solid option. That said, I would be cross-shopping a V6 Gencoupe for about the same price.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

Yet with all the pricey parts it still weighs 500lbs more (even without a back seat). The base, even with the $3k price drop is still several thousand expensive than any of the 86 cars, including a loaded BRZ. It doesn't come with an LSD standard and several of the 'pricier parts' you mentioned are standard on the 86 too.

And regarding the driving experience, while it is indeed an opinion, there is a general consensus between the two. I didn't and have yet to see the same praise or critical response the 86 has gotten, even when the 370Z was new. Comparing the two side by side, the Chris Harris review is a good example of how he feels driving both back to back.

And as a matter of fact, that's probably the biggest weakness of the 370Z, is how it drives. It is a car that checks all the right boxes, looks good on paper, but it some how doesn't add up. FWIW, I don't think the 370Z is the only car like this, I think the WRX/STI is similar. Better on paper than it actually is to drive.

On the other hand, you have a car like the 86 which is better than its stat's sheets indicate. Its more than the sum of its parts. It's the details.

In any case, I have no doubt there are people who prefer a Z over an 86. The 370Z has a lot of good things going for it. I just disagree with your statement that says the Z makes the 86 look over priced. When it comes down to it, by going with an 86, you can get a car that drives better, with more features, more usability, and better fuel consumption/running costs for significantly less money.

You must be new to this huh? The 370Z was winning everything when it came out. MT even chose it over the RX8 in a match-up. And also the FRS doesn't come with a aluminum multi link f/r suspension, it also doesn't come with a CF driveshaft. Sure the hood of the FRS is aluminum but the 370Z has it on the hood, trunk, and front doors. Also in the automotive world you pay about 5k more for a larger engine. Just look at a Mustang V6 vs the V8 or even a Camry 4cyl vs the 6 cyl. HID is standard on the Z and 18'' wheels vs 17'' wheels. I see a lot of car for the 5k difference between the two.


In other words if there was a 3.6L BRZ/18''wheel/ it would be a Z fighter and more likely priced at 31k

[howardf]

I test drove both of these cars back to back, the dealerships are right next door to each other. I honestly preferred the Z because I wanted a sports car, and that thing has an amazing amount of power. So fast it scared the shit out of my daughter during the test drive. I did find that the FR-S had better handling and a smoother ride. I was more comfortable in the Z, but that's only because of the snug seats in the FR-S. Visibility in the Z was AWFUL.

I sat down and thought about all of the things I'd want to do to both cars, and the cost of fixing up the Z was a lot higher than the FR-S. I went in armed with a ton of facts about the Z that tipped the scales in my favor (lower price next year, rapidly declining sales) but they wouldn't budge off of their first offer of invoice pricing. It was going to be $100 more a month, and I didn't want to spend it, especially considering the cost of modifying. That was with 0% on the Z and 2.9% on the FR-S.

I'm still very happy with my purchase, but I'll feel a lot better once the chirping issue is resolved and I can get a turbo installed.

[juliog]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

I see a lot of car for the 5k difference between the two.

I agree, the base 370Z should be 25K . Comparing the things that actually matter:

370 Z
- More power. That's it.

FT86
- Better handling
- Better fuel economy
- 2 extra seats + decent trunk
- Comes standard with torsen LSD (the 370Z base has no LSD, the $3K sport package adds a VLSD)
- Cheaper consumables (tires, pads). If you track the cars, the tires and pads also last considerably longer on the 86.
- Starts $5K cheaper

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

If by winning you mean excessive brake fade and oil cooling problems, then sure, the 370Z is the best car ever. Or did you mean its brilliant driving dynamics?




Yup, sounds like a winning car .

The 86 has both an aluminum hood and trunk. And of course you're ignoring advanced light weight stiff chassis that makes it 500+lbs less and still able to have a back seat. And don't forget the weight is placed much lower too. I could put 3 extra passengers in the car and it'd still weigh less than a 370Z does.

It doesn't matter that the 370Z has an aluminum door. The purpose of the Aluminum material is to save weight and when it still weighs 500lbs more, its a point with no substance.

In the end, the 370Z doesn't drive as well. And it costs more money. And its uglier. With less features. And no standard LSD. And less practical. And more expensive to run.

The only reason to buy it over an 86 is if you must have the power, regardless of the other compromises in terms of cost, features, and driving dynamics. But at that price range, if you want power, you'd be better off with a Mustang GT anyway. The 370Z is surrounded by better cars cheaper and at the same price. If buyers thought otherwise, Nissan wouldn't have had to drop $3k off its price to try to move them.

Don't watch this video if you get butt hurt easily.

I love how you find the only negative reviews for it yet fail to find the positive reviews online. You probably google "negative 370Z reviews" so you can live in a fairy tale world. I'll see your Chris Harris and I'll raise you a Randy Pobst.


http://www.motortrend.com/features/l...0z_laguna_lap/

And watch the video on this page from a "REAL" race car driver.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by juliog

I agree, the base 370Z should be 25K . Comparing the things that actually matter:

370 Z
- More power. That's it.

FT86
- Better handling
- Better fuel economy
- 2 extra seats + decent trunk
- Comes standard with torsen LSD (the 370Z base has no LSD, the $3K sport package adds a VLSD)
- Cheaper consumables (tires, pads). If you track the cars, the tires and pads also last considerably longer on the 86.
- Starts $5K cheaper

You know you are right. The Z should start at that but the FRS should then start at 19.5k-20.5k like me and a lot of others on here wish it started at.


It's really just a 2 less door base Impreza without AWD and a big trunk and the base Impreza starts at $17,500.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

I love how you find the only negative reviews for it yet fail to find the positive reviews online. You probably google "negative 370Z reviews" so you can live in a fairy tale world. I'll see your Chris Harris and I'll raise you a Randy Pobst.


http://www.motortrend.com/features/l...0z_laguna_lap/

And watch the video on this page from a "REAL" race car driver.

I won't get into which is the better drivers car (it can be very subjective), but if you like Pobst, you should know he considers the BRZ as one of his all-time favorites. He almost sounds like a BRZ fanboy the way he gushes about the car.

Pobst on the BRZ in Motor Trend's Best Drivers' Car Competition:

Fabulous car! Oh my God! I mean, really just a wonderful and satisfying experience. I feel like I can just drive this car right on the edge of the friction circle. It reminds me a lot of my all-time favorites, the MX-5 -- first-gen, second-gen or third-gen. In some ways, it's actually better. It doesn't have the roll that the MX-5 has had all along. What a satisfying ride in terms of...everything.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...ar_contenders/