2014 Nissan 370Z

[paros28]

I must give it to you 370z fans. Some of you are capable of great sacrifice for your dream car...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgg4-1lVuFo"]Docs D6071 Publicity Clip Testicle - YouTube[/ame]

[totopo]

Originally Posted by Boxer486

I was also questioning the claim about the 370 being untouched performance wise...

My comment about getting the Z car because you someone doesn't get the 86 is simply that. A lower powered lighter corner carver is not even remotely comparable what is essentially a Japanese Mustang in the shape of an egg.

I personally don't see how you're being mature and promoting diversity running around saying stuff like the 370z is untouchable on a different car's forum.

errr.... I never said the 370z was untouchable... that was the other guy.

The 370z's performance though, is pretty great. It has a great chassis and sophisticated setup, so that it has lap times well above what the hp/weight ratio would expect. As a v6 rwd car it competes with the sti/evo which used to reign supreme in budget track times, and with the new american v8's which are not to be scoffed at. So, yes, it's not like the GT-R; it's not like it has magic numbers that looks completely physically impossible, but it's not like it's a slow car. Other people here calling it not a sports car, and calling it an "old &too large chassis" is pretty freaking disingenuous. It has pretty respectable skid-pad and slalom numbers, and does pretty well in autoX, so it's not like it's slow through corners.

A lot of it comes down to, what is a "sports car" A car that posts good lap times, or a car that is fun to drive? Which has a variety of answers with a variety of rabid fan-bases

[quote=Boxer486;1752746]

Originally Posted by fatoni

on a personal level...QUOTE]


I agree we don't really disagree. I also agree there can be a value in it but only as you say with nuances and subtleties. Which is why a valuable question concerning such comparisons would involve specific questions like I mentioned, not broad sweeping generalizations that really have little to no value because either they are just obvious or flat out wrong. I guess on a personal level, I still just don't see how a person could test drive both of these cars and still have a problem deciding between the two.

I think the issues is everyone knows that there are tradeoffs, it's just a question of how much tradeoffs you want to get, and what matches well with what you value. Obviously everyone would love a <$30k car that is <2500 lbs, >400hp, double a-arms all around, torsen, low moment of inertia, low center of gravity, but guess what, it's not possible and you have to give up something to gain something.

So there is value in asking people who have one car or other, how much of the other stuff you give up. Think of it this way, why would anyone want a brz/frs instead of a miata?

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Boxer486

I guess on a personal level, I still just don't see how a person could test drive both of these cars and still have a problem deciding between the two.

I used to own a 350z and enjoyed it for what it was (even while owning my FR-S). It's possible that someone can appreciate both cars and debate whether they want more power or less weight.

Originally Posted by totopo

Think of it this way, why would anyone want a brz/frs instead of a miata?

Primarily for me:

1) Hard top for the track
2) Better stock suspension
3) Rear seats to take passengers & cargo as needed
4) Some slight performance reasons, but really 1-3

[vh_supra26]

[BlackyRose]

I owned a 370z for 4 years. IMO, it is not even close. If you don't track the cars and just drive them spirited around your city, the Z walks up and down on the 86 in every way besides gas mileage and trunk space.

For 30k you get a no back seat true 2 door coupe that has the look, feel and performance of a car that is 50k-60k.

I don't hate the 86, I am enjoying mine. But pound for pound and dollar for dollar, the only other bang for the buck besides the Z is the new C7. Our car comes in a close second.

[vh_supra26]

I don't own a Z. But IMO its a pretty ugly looking car. I think the 350Z was way better looking. If I could "built" my own Z; I would take the exterior of the 350 but with the interior of 370.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by BlackyRose

For 30k you get a no back seat true 2 door coupe that has the look, feel and performance of a car that is 50k-60k. .

There should be weight and weight distribution benefits to a 2-seater, but the 370Z is 3300 lb. and has not-so-hot 54/46 weight distribution.

FR-S/BRZ are a good 500-550 lb. lighter-weight with similar weight distribution, despite being 2+2.

Not seeing the benefit of the Z being a 2-seater...

[BlackyRose]

Originally Posted by ZDan

There should be weight and weight distribution benefits to a 2-seater, but the 370Z is 3300 lb. and has not-so-hot 54/46 weight distribution.

FR-S/BRZ are a good 500-550 lb. lighter-weight with similar weight distribution, despite being 2+2.

Not seeing the benefit of the Z being a 2-seater...

The Z is also much quieter in the cabin with better materials and a more upscale feel hence the added weight.

Anyways, look at any knowledgeable long term review and you will find that a lot of experts feel the 86 is a few hundred pounds shy of the needed sound deadening quality materials. I have enough intermittent plastic rattling in my car from the front to the back. The 370z is also bigger (body and wheels and engine) so of course it is going to weigh more.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by ZDan

There should be weight and weight distribution benefits to a 2-seater, but the 370Z is 3300 lb. and has not-so-hot 54/46 weight distribution.

FR-S/BRZ are a good 500-550 lb. lighter-weight with similar weight distribution, despite being 2+2.

Not seeing the benefit of the Z being a 2-seater...

The 370 is as heavy as an STI, but the STI has 4drs at least.

On phone I am. Therefore, if mistakes I make, Frank Oz blame you should.

[MokSpeed]

Originally Posted by mothespaceman

I owned a brand new 09' 370Z for a good while and I've gotta say... it felt like one of the least enthusiastic cars I've driven.

It looked sweet and made decent power, but there was always something missing.

New Nissans are boring in every aspect. Even the new GTRs are bland compared to its predecessors. Same with new Hondas.

[blackhawkdown]

the supra is 3200lbs but no one cries about that. and the Z has more HP then the supra. just saying. I think the Z is a great street car overall compared to the twins. It has more usuable power, quieter, smooth and more refined. the twins dont have that. that Z interior is nice.

I have to give kudos to nissan where they deserve it. I am not saying the twins are bad but pound for pound and $ for $, the Base Z is a great buy. But I still want a BRZ. (working on my 5th Subaru)

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by BlackyRose

The Z is also much quieter in the cabin with better materials and a more upscale feel hence the added weight.

Anyways, look at any knowledgeable long term review and you will find that a lot of experts feel the 86 is a few hundred pounds shy of the needed sound deadening quality materials. I have enough intermittent plastic rattling in my car from the front to the back. The 370z is also bigger (body and wheels and engine) so of course it is going to weigh more.

I'm not sure the 370z's 500+ lbs of extra weight went into sound deadening/rattle prevention. If you look at long-term reviews of the 370z, there were massive complaints about road noise on trips. I remember one reviewer thought about driving it from LA to SF, then backed out, saying it would have been like sitting next to a cement mixer for 10 hrs.

Also my 350z had plenty of rattles and tire noise (more than my FR-S), and it was even heavier than the 370z.

I think most of the Z's extra weight is coming from its chassis components (borrowed from larger sedan platforms) and the VQ engine.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by BlackyRose

The Z is also much quieter in the cabin with better materials and a more upscale feel hence the added weight.

Sounds great, for a Buick...

Anyways, look at any knowledgeable long term review and you will find that a lot of experts feel the 86 is a few hundred pounds shy of the needed sound deadening quality materials.

US carmag writers are not sports car enthusiasts by and large.

Any car guy who craves hundreds of pounds of sound deadening and "quality" materials over light weight, is a luxury car guy, not a sports car guy.

I'll take the lightweight option every time.

The 370z is also bigger (body and wheels and engine) so of course it is going to weigh more.

BIG is not a good quality in a sports car.

[blackhawkdown]

wasn't this thread suppose to be about the price point of the base 370z but it came out to be a **** measuring contest. 95% of the post here are Twin fanbois and 5% of the post here are educational and informative . Can't we get on topic about the price point?