Should I trade in my 370z?

[Jordo!]

[quote=ZDan;268152]

Originally Posted by Z.Tune

Different brakes certainly won't make the Z feel lighter, it's not like you drive the car and don't notice the mass until you've faded the brakes! You feel the mass from the get-go. Faded brakes are just a symptom that shows up sooner or later when driven hard (agree it shouldn't be a big deal to address, but still a curious oversight in the car's development).
[edit]OK, maybe you mean that higher c.f. pads with more pad will give better braking response with less pedal effort, making the car feel less massive under braking?

Adding stiffer suspension and chassis bracing won't make the 370Z feel like a lightweight either. It will improve handling and responsiveness, but even with full-on track optimized suspension, there's no disguising mass.

To wit: An NA Miata is softly-sprung and the chassis is a wet noodle, but it feels very lightweight! Ditto my 240Z (well, it started out softly sprung, still soft for track work).

A stock 370Z has a MUCH stiffer chassis and MUCH tauter suspension than a stock 240Z or NA Miata, still feels WAY more massive than those cars.

The FR-S/BRZ sorta split the difference between 370Z weight and NA Miata/240Z weight, but they have a much stiffer chassis and suspension than the Miata or 240. Stock for stock, Toyobarus are going to feel a lot lighter-weight than the 370Z. Any reduction in the *feel* of the mass of the 370Z via suspension/chassis mods could be equally applied to the FR-S/BRZ to make it *feel* lighter still (though I still contend that stiffer doesn't really feel that much lighter to me, particularly on the street).

370Z is a great car, it's a somewhat fast car, but IMO *if* you want a sports car that feels lightweight and more engaging to drive every single time you drive it, on the street or at the track, the FR-S/BRZ are a better choice.


I'm probably overposting in this thread, but as a long-time Z-head, the 350Z and 370Z were both bitter disappointments to me. A return to 240Z ideals was promised and emphatically *not* delivered, so I'm still all butt-hurt over that

Yep, I meant specifically in terms of handling and braking responsiveness (arguably, more power will make a car feel lighter and more agile too). You simply have to fight the weight and mass of the car less when stopping or turning when the brakes are better and suspension is tuned well.

By comparison, I occasionally drive a 2010 Camry, and it weighs about as much as the Z, but it feels like a heavy boat by comparison. The weight and balance of the vehicle fight agile braking and cornering.

But, you are certainly right -- there's no way to compensate for having actual mass -- you just have to strip it off, and certainly a well tuned lightweight car will feel the most nimble and responsive of all. I just meant that if the Z feels porky, that feeling can be mitigated somewhat with suspension and brake tuning.

[nix]

You guys ruined his thread...

Op, understand your decision good luck my man.

[ravnos04]

OP:

Finances should be your #1 thought: Can you afford to trade in the Z and take on one of the twins?

If you are unsatisfied with the power/tq levels at stock, how much money can you feasibly put into the car in the current aftermarket supply to satisfy your needs?

Is FI something you want? If so, you might be waiting a while unless there is a supercharger out already (unsure)?

GL with your choice!

[Tbomb 25]

Originally Posted by eriktherod

Tbomb, I'm going to assume you don't drive a FR-S/BRZ. This thing GOES even at low RPM, it's hardly like my Si was (that required 4-5k rpm to get moving). I still have the power to gain a good bit of speed in 6th gear at 2-3k rpm in the FR-S. So no, you don't have to "rev the guts out of it" to get it moving.

Honestly, this thing feels like it has the power of V6 at low rpm, it's quite fascinating really. Maybe not Z-style V6, but definitely doesn't feel like you need to spin it up good to gain momentum.

I understand what your saying i finnaly got to drive a FRS.....seems thats its properly geared so you dont miss the torque as much it felt great being lugged around. I loved the FRS problem is i loved both v6 and v8 Mustangs just as much. Its a very close call as far driving dynamics are concerned which is suprising they both stangs feel bigger than FRS but they communicate nearly like the FRS as if they arent as big as they are....i have never driven cars that size that felt like that and i've driven many...many....many cars. My Genesis wasnt anywhere near the stangs in this regard,and i've driven my friend 370z several times and it actually felt heavier than the Genesis with a better shifter but not better feedback than the Genesis from the chassis and the steering which wasnt stellar to begin with,the 370 is overpriced for what you get and not that fun of a drive its just not ver good in my opinion atleast the Genesis is cheaper and even better now than the 12's were. So the Mustangs and the FRS are close both were much much better at what they were not supposed to be great at...

[Tbomb 25]

Originally Posted by shadoquad

It is a faster car than the FR-S/BRZ, stock for stock.

I agree with a lot of what you say when it comes to driving feel. Now, the Mustang GT will spank both of them on any speed course. There is always something faster. For me, the Z has the amount of power and sports car feel that I like. Get in a Mustang and drive that tank. Much less sports car response. Even worse if you drive a Camaro or Challenger. The Z still feels compact and tight. But if you prefer the more responsive, lighter car, there is nothing wrong with that. I drove a 2000 Miata and loved the feel and the corner carving. But I've had a lot more fun in my Z. The added weight also makes the Z a more pleasant tourer for when I'm done playing. Again, just personal opinion.

Totally not true....the Mustang is a way more rewarding drive than the 370z even being slightly bigger it communicates much better to the driver. I hate to say this because i do like past Z's and their tradition but the 370Z is kinda a car without a home or a boat without a anchor, its really not good enough to take on the cars its aimed at like the Vette,Caymen,and M3 its cost more than the Miata,Mustang,and FRS/BRZ and is not more rewarding and fun to drive and still isnt better than the Mustang GT at anything or faster and Nissan is taking it in the chops because its not selling good along with all its reliabilty isues and its not very practical.I think its time they throw in the towel on this car its somewhat of a loser in this era,sorry but this is my opinion about it.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Tbomb 25

I understand what your saying i finnaly got to drive a FRS.....seems thats its properly geared so you dont miss the torque as much it felt great being lugged around. I loved the FRS problem is i loved both v6 and v8 Mustangs just as much. Its a very close call as far driving dynamics are concerned which is suprising they both stangs feel bigger than FRS but they communicate nearly like the FRS as if they arent as big as they are....i have never driven cars that size that felt like that and i've driven many...many....many cars. My Genesis wasnt anywhere near the stangs in this regard,and i've driven my friend 370z several times and it actually felt heavier than the Genesis with a better shifter but not better feedback than the Genesis from the chassis and the steering which wasnt stellar to begin with,the 370 is overpriced for what you get and not that fun of a drive its just not ver good in my opinion atleast the Genesis is cheaper and even better now than the 12's were. So the Mustangs and the FRS are close both were much much better at what they were not supposed to be great at...

The Mustang has a high riding feel. When you look through the windshield it's hard to see the road ahead with that big stupid hood sticking up so high. I can't believe you thought it felt similar in feel.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Tbomb 25

Totally not true....the Mustang is a way more rewarding drive than the 370z even being slightly bigger it communicates much better to the driver. I hate to say this because i do like past Z's and their tradition but the 370Z is kinda a car without a home or a boat without a anchor, its really not good enough to take on the cars its aimed at like the Vette,Caymen,and M3 its cost more than the Miata,Mustang,and FRS/BRZ and is not more rewarding and fun to drive and still isnt better than the Mustang GT at anything or faster and Nissan is taking it in the chops because its not selling good along with all its reliabilty isues and its not very practical.I think its time they throw in the towel on this car its somewhat of a loser in this era,sorry but this is my opinion about it.

This part here is all that matters to YOU. I disagree 1000% on everything.

[shadoquad]

Originally Posted by Tbomb 25

Totally not true....the Mustang is a way more rewarding drive than the 370z even being slightly bigger it communicates much better to the driver. I hate to say this because i do like past Z's and their tradition but the 370Z is kinda a car without a home or a boat without a anchor, its really not good enough to take on the cars its aimed at like the Vette,Caymen,and M3 its cost more than the Miata,Mustang,and FRS/BRZ and is not more rewarding and fun to drive and still isnt better than the Mustang GT at anything or faster and Nissan is taking it in the chops because its not selling good along with all its reliabilty isues and its not very practical.I think its time they throw in the towel on this car its somewhat of a loser in this era,sorry but this is my opinion about it.

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

This part here is all that matters to YOU. I disagree 1000% on everything.

I'm with you, Sub. I don't know if Tbomb has driven a Z, but it's very communicative to the driver compared to the hefty stanger. "It's really not good enough". Um, yeah it is. It's incredibly fun to drive, and the interior is a very nice place to sit versus the competition. It doesn't really have reliability issues, either, more than any other car does. It's not really aimed at the M3, either. It was Cayman, Corvette, Z4, TT. All of those cars are more expensive.

True enough that it's not selling, though. Paper racers think it's not worth the money. The styling is polarizing. And it is highly priced, especially outside of the states. I got into mine for 30k. I'd say the car is worth 5k more than an FRS or 3k more than a BRZ, but again that's my opinion.

[SUB-FT86]

The Z, IMO feels like a wide go-kart and steering was very direct and weighty to me and a Mustang feels a bit more ponderous and bulky in contrast. Hell every review has said that about a Mustang vs a Z. I have never seen a reviewer that liked the Mustang V6/5.0 GT over a Z other than in the acceleration tests. The Boss is a different story though.

And the Z is a steal in its class since its typical opponents is 20k+ more. I can't see how it isn't worth the money since it has a DW front suspension that is entirely aluminum, the driveshaft is also aluminum or carbon fiber If I recalled. The interior feels good to the touch and IMO the engine is worth twice as much as a MX5's engine(its also twice the power). It also has the most technologically advanced manual gearbox behind Porsche.

[shadoquad]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

The Z, IMO feels like a wide go-kart and steering was very direct and weighty to me and a Mustang feels a bit more ponderous and bulky in contrast. Hell every review has said that about a Mustang vs a Z. I have never seen a reviewer that liked the Mustang V6/5.0 GT over a Z other than in the acceleration tests. The Boss is a different story though.

And the Z is a steal in its class since its typical opponents is 20k+ more. I can't see how it isn't worth the money since it has a DW front suspension that is entirely aluminum, the driveshaft is also aluminum or carbon fiber If I recalled. The interior feels good to the touch and IMO the engine is worth twice as much as a MX5's engine(its also twice the power). It also has the most technologically advanced manual gearbox behind Porsche.

hehe, well I don't have Synchro Rev Match on mine, because I'm a cheap bastard but it is an option with sport package or nismo.

[Tbomb 25]

Sorry but the Mustang is a much better drive than the 370z and its not nearly as good a drivers car than than the FRS....it wont be anything you can do to change that either...

[Tbomb 25]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

This part here is all that matters to YOU. I disagree 1000% on everything.

Your right to me thats what matters....but its no different than shadowquad trying to uphold the 370z like its best thing since sliced bread...

[shadoquad]

Originally Posted by Tbomb 25

Sorry but the Mustang is a much better drive than the 370z and its not nearly as good a drivers car than than the FRS....it wont be anything you can do to change that either...

You state that like it's fact. haters gonna hate. The Mustang GT might be a better overall drive because of the power, but the handling feel is what I'm talking about. And "driver's car" is subjective. The Z has more power, a nicer interior, and is more of a c0ckpit cabin. The FRS is more agile, more practical, and will probably yield a better aftermarket. It's up to the driver to determine which is a better "driver's car".

Originally Posted by Tbomb 25

Your right to me thats what matters....but its no different than shadowquad trying to uphold the 370z like its best thing since sliced bread...

I never said it was the greatest thing ever. I just said it's got tighter sports car handling feel than a Mustang. Don't know if you've driven both. I have. Apparently a few others have felt the same as me. To dog the Z as much as you have is just an assertion of ignorance.

[r1eater]

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I'm with you, Sub. I don't know if Tbomb has driven a Z, but it's very communicative to the driver compared to the hefty stanger. "It's really not good enough". Um, yeah it is. It's incredibly fun to drive, and the interior is a very nice place to sit versus the competition. It doesn't really have reliability issues, either, more than any other car does. It's not really aimed at the M3, either. It was Cayman, Corvette, Z4, TT. All of those cars are more expensive.

True enough that it's not selling, though. Paper racers think it's not worth the money. The styling is polarizing. And it is highly priced, especially outside of the states. I got into mine for 30k. I'd say the car is worth 5k more than an FRS or 3k more than a BRZ, but again that's my opinion.

Other than needing an oil cooler if you plan to track it, yes its pretty solid. But mods are pretty expensive and it takes a lot to get a lot more power out of it relative to say a mustang, corvette or STI.

I loved mine but sadly I needed more room so I traded it in. I had a 40th anniversary edition.