Just spent 2 days with the new 370Z...

And here are my thoughts... I think the 370Z is going to be a resounding success in spite of the current economic market.

After going over the new Z in close detail over the last two days I've spent with it, I can say, the vast majority of "cosmetic" issues people have complained about can be easily and cheaply addressed by the individual owners.

Sorry, no, I'm not going to tell you how well it does on the dyno...

For the rest of the car, here are some of my observations:

1. The car is lighter than a similarly equipped 350Z. Yes, the '03 base model was lighter, but there are only two model's of 370Z. Base and Touring. The base being closest to what an Enthusiast model would be in a 350Z in which case the 370Z is lighter.
2. The car is cheaper than a similarly equipped 350Z. Yes, it's more than the original 2003 base model 350Z, but again, with similar options, it's several hundred cheaper.
3. The 370Z makes more HP with 332.
4. The 370Z is shorter in the rear, reminiscent of the original 240Z, if you're into that, you'll like some of the styling cues.
5. The 370Z is wider making it "potentially" a better handling car than the 350Z.
6. The 370Z has a lower center of gravity than the 350Z adding to the hypothesis that it will ultimately handle better than the 350Z.
7. The 370Z comes with rolled fenders from the factory and can easily accommodate tires about 2.5" WIDER on the stock wheels. With 275's on the factory 10" rear wheels, you're looking at the possibility of getting 335's on there without having to modify ANYTHING.
8. The sport package gets you the "synchro rev match" in the manual transmission. For anyone who isn't a hard core road racer, this is especially useful. Those of us that enjoy the option of doing our rev matching through "old fashioned" heel and toe will resent this option, but the 99.99% of people who can't heel and toe to begin with will most likely love it!

[edit]Apparently, the "synchro rev match" can be turned off. I certainly couldn't find the "off" button, but then, I didn't look either! ;) [/edit]

1. After all this, the 370Z get's better fuel economy. Yeah, maybe it's not such a big deal with gas prices back down to the mid $2 range for premium, but every bit counts.
2. A Base model with the "Sport Package" is going to be the starting point for a killer street/track car.
3. Absolutely get the factory rear wing. The "hump" on the rear deck lid of the cars without the wing is truly a travesty that is difficult to reconcile. Fortunately, the factory rear wing that comes in the "Sport Package" resolves most of this problem. I can see some people fitting the G35/7 rear wing onto this car with some ingenious modifications...

Please feel free to comment... ;)

Mmmmm... sounds good so far!

Hey, and best of all, in true GRM fashion, the 350Z just lost a TON of resale value, so expect to be able to pick up a used one at artificially depressed prices from the imminent release of the 370Z and the current economic problems...

Wow, you certainly sold me on the car. Maybe someone could post up some nice pics to give us some eye candy...

Duende wrote: Maybe someone could post up some nice pics to give us some eye candy...

NO!! Don't subject us to such obscenities.

I think it looks neat, but you sound like a perfect match for my wife, want her?

We'll have some nice pics up on Monday when we get back to San Jose from the drive to Vegas.

For now, you can check out: http://www.zcarblog.com

For some shots from inside the shop Thursday night getting everything ready for the Friday "unveiling". The drive to Vegas will be chronicled here as well.

The name doesnt flow as well...

But it sure is pretty! I like the quarter glass.

Goertz would be proud!

Joey

Now I have to wait for the 380Z so I can afford that thing.

I personally find the 350 and now the 370 UGLY. I really think they should taken a cue from the other manufacturers and make a retro version of the Z in the 240,260,280 style.

Another observation about cars in general. When you are in a car driving it you can not "see" the car you are in (euless you drive by a big mirror). You feel it. So does it really matter what it looks like? A car that is a hoot to drive is almost more important than what it looks like. Back in the day I felt this way about the 1983 C4 Corvette. I thought it was ugly but one drive and I did not care. I assume that the new 370 will be very similar experience.

Another way of looking at it is kind of like the girl you marry. She may not be as pretty as the one you dated (or wanted to date) but after a while you figure out what is really important and you make the correct choice. I bet the 370 is that type of sports car.

Honestly looking at the photos of the 370 I could not really tell / remember differences between it and a 350. I guess you have to be a Z Car aficionado to appreciate the differences.

It kind of looks like all the other modern cars. At least we know that the computer software that is analysing the arrow is in line with what the other manufacturers are using.

I guess what I am trying to say here is I hope it grows on me. By the numbers is is going to be a great car.

Well, I've spent a lot more than 2 days with a 350z and I can say they'd have to almost reinvent the car for me to like it.

If I read the post right the newer, lighter 370 is only lighter when compared to later, heavier optioned models. More power is always better and the later 350z engine is a lot better feeling than the earlier engine, but the packaging is still ugly.

It is heavy as sin and feels it. Go to an autocross and drive the Z and the S2000 back to back. It is amazing the difference you'll feel. The ad for the Z ought to read "It's not your old man's Oldsmobile (or was it Buick)" cause it feels like a Olds or Buick, not like a sports car.

For highway cruising it's nice, for tossing around, it's big and heavy. The wheelbase is 9" longer than the S and you can feel every inch. The power steering resists quick movements. I never felt it on the street but the minute you put it on the autocross course the steering told you how much it didn't like something as simple as a slaloom. And lest you think it was just my car we had 2 '07s and 1 '06 that felt the same way.

Now with traction/yaw control off it was a blast to drive on the course if you like tail out action, but while fun that's the slow way to do things.

Anyone want to buy an orange '07? I have a supposed buyer lined up, but he's having issues with his car loan.

I've found a new image for my signature...

Old school beside new school.

Although, it would have looked better with the 370Z in Platinum Graphite...

My mother used to say "if you can't say anything nice...."

I can't.

The one on the left is the better looking, lower, LIGHTER, sportscar. The one on the right looks like a Nissan Frontier by comparison. Too bad that the Z keeps getting heavier. Actually the 85 twin turbo 300zx looks more like the inspiration than the 240z or 260z. You all remember the 300zx, crap interior, heavy and expensive. That car is the real father of the 350 and 370z.

Is there a "normal" door handle option on new z's that nobody orders?

That huge slab of silver plastic ruins what I consider to be a rather handsome vehicle. Anytime I look at any of the new z's my eye is immediately drawn to that damn thing.

skruffy wrote: That huge slab of silver plastic ruins what I consider to be a rather handsome vehicle. Anytime I look at any of the new z's my eye is immediately drawn to that damn thing.

Amen! I have also wondered why someone would design a door handle that can be seen from 2 blocks away.

Yeah, and the new 370Z door handles are actually BIGGER than the one's on the 350Z and are shaped like a shark fin... This is why they would only look like they belong on the "Bright Silver" and "Graphite Silver". Otherwise, they really need to be repainted the body color.

mattm wrote: My mother used to say "if you can't say anything nice...." I can't. The one on the left is the better looking, lower, LIGHTER, sportscar. The one on the right looks like a Nissan Frontier by comparison. Too bad that the Z keeps getting heavier. Actually the 85 twin turbo 300zx looks more like the inspiration than the 240z or 260z. You all remember the 300zx, crap interior, heavy and expensive. That car is the real father of the 350 and 370z.

85 was available only as a single turbo, the over engineered twin turbo version didn't come out till 90, the z32 models (90-96) were very well built compared to anythign else fomr the 90's, the z31 (84-89) had basically the same crappy interior as the s130 (79-83)

and I've nto yet even seen the 370z in person, the data look to be promising, the early 350z had only 287 hp but more torque that later models, which I thought made it feel mroe powerful and faster than the later 315 hp models which has less torque but a higher redline, it did in fact make the car faster but made ti feel mroe like a no torque honda

I like it. I like it a lot. Put me down for a yes.

I still think the headlights look silly.

Like Matt said, the 370 seems like an SUV compared to the little, lithe 240. Also, while the latter is a conventionally pretty car, the 370 looks bulbous and almost ugly. On the other hand, I don't think that colour is doing it any favors, and I'm sure it drives superbly.

And another thing, if I was running a car company, I'd do away with stupid color names. Platinum graphite, would become silver.

LOL. Are you sure you aren't a bit biased considering you run a website named zcar blog? :)

I still think its butt ugly.

did they ever fix the suspension/camber problems of that chassis?

Luke wrote: And another thing, if I was running a car company, I'd do away with stupid color names. Platinum graphite, would become silver.

But would you include cool color names? Like "Go Mango" and "Come-and-get-me Copper"?

I didn't get to drive it, but I just saw the 370Z in real life and spent some time talking to friends at Nissan. The new car looks good in person. I'll try to get some more photos posted soon.

amg_rx7 wrote: LOL. Are you sure you aren't a bit biased considering you run a website named zcar blog? :)

I'm not sure if this is directed at me, but I don't run the website "zcar blog" although that's where I pulled the pics from.

WW, can you give us an update now that you have driven yours for a while? The styling on these cars is starting to grow on me.

In case ya'll missed it: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new-cars/2009-nissan-370z/

Be sure to watch the bonus video, too.

joey48442 wrote: The name doesnt flow as well...

350 did sound better (but it would be like naming your new model "the Bacon"... everyone would love it...just like everyone loves GM 350s, er well....almost everyone)

Anyway, there was a guy in my old neighborhood with a Z33 whose vanity plates read "10 till 4"...took me a minute, but then I found it hilarious