Just out of curiosity

"BJohnson11" (brettjohnson01) 12/01/2013 at 21:28 • Filed to: None

1

24

Why don't more people on here (yes, you people) like the 370z? With all the hype over the FR-S (200 or so hp, 2700 or so pounds) and it's RWD, manual gearbox, japanese pleasureness, I'm surprised something that my admittedly uninformed mind sees as similar (370z has around 330 hp, weighs 3300 pounds) and comes with a manual as well.

Thoughts?

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:30

2

I like the Z, quite a lot actually. I'm not a big fan of the 350Z that preceeded it, but the 370Z is a car I'd easily own if I had the cash.

Team6.1 > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:30

4

I've always kind of liked them. Think they look good stock and slightly modified. Don't know how they handle, haven't been in one, but seems like it would be a great project/track/drift car in 10-15 years

Manuél Ferrari > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:30

0

I've often wondered why the Z doesn't sell better and get more hype. I've never driven one myself so I can't comment on how it feels. But it doesn't seem like a bad value for the price.

Maybe Nissan's marketing sucks? I dunno. The Z used to sell really well in the old days.

Dubblewhopper > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:30

0

No straight 6. I love the Z, but it needs a straight 6, not a V-6.

exizeo - still loving fourza > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:34

0

I've always liked it, and it seems like a nice track car. Drop it a bit (not stance), switch out to a BBK and ARC-8's, do some bolt-ons/simple weight removal and I definitely see 450hp, 3000lb.

That'll cost around 55k I think...and still less than a M3.

Manuél Ferrari > Manuél Ferrari 12/01/2013 at 21:37

0

One thing I just remembered - I think it's harder for Japanese car companies to sell sports cars in the states than it is for a German or American car company. I'm guessing that "ricer" cars have negatively impacted the perception of Japanese sports cars to many enthusiasts. Fair or not, many buyers might not be giving some Japanese sports cars serious consideration because they associate them with Civics with big wings on them.

The FR-S/BRZ seem to have escaped the ricer stigma. But maybe some other cars have not, even though they have nothing to do with the car subculture that buyers are trying to avoid.

Just a thought...

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:38

2

When it came out, the 350Z was a huge deal. Nowadays? It's a bit overpriced for what you get. The 370z is more like a 350Z that's just slightly incrimentally better rather than an evolution of the Z car.

For the same price as a 370Z base, you can get

-Mustang GT
-Camaro SS
-Challenger R/T
-Hyundai Genesis R-spec
-Scion FR-S/ Subaru BRZ

So out of that group, the 370Z might outhandle the challenger and camaro outright. The others? Well it isn't so clear cut. And the Mustang and genesis have power advantages over the 370 so they are faster around a given course. Plus the FR-S is cheaper to buy and insure so yes it's slower but it's easy to get into.

This is all befoer you consider cars like the Focus ST and Mk7 GTI and WRX/Evo keeping the fast compacts flowing. Yes it is not a direct cross-shop but the 370z is not that expensive to be some sort of "dream car" like a corvette or porsche so chances are the person buying one does not have tons of money but wants a reliable "fun" car. But when you buy a WRX or Focus ST - it can be a "fun car" yet can also be a family vehicle. Again, not a direct cross shop but near 370Z levels of performance are available in cars of a similar price bracket that also have 4 seats and a good trunk.

Flat Six > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:39

0

Somebody recently posted an interesting article about this:

http://kanaric1.kinja.com/japanese-car-c…

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

350/370 sales have gone from a peak of over 36,000 down to about 5,600 in 2013.

The article mentions you can get a Genesis for significantly less, or a 135 for a similar price.

Tekamul > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:41

1

If the Z had even vestigial rear seats, like the FR-S, I would have considered it. I need the option to haul around 2 sub-10 year old daughters.

But from word of mouth, it handles heavier than its 3300 pounds would suggest.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 21:48

2

Because it's getting old and the price of one could get you a V8 with 100 more horse power and a back seat.

HammerheadFistpunch > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 22:02

2

I think its because its not a particularly exciting car, or practical car, or cheap car, or fast car. Its stuck right in the middle of good and meh.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 22:07

0

too big.

They sound real nice with some aftermarket pipes though.

AMC/Renauledge > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 22:15

0

The Z may have a lot more power for only $5k more, but that $5k pays for a car with 2 fewer seats, significantly less cargo space, and lower fuel economy. It's a fun weekend car.

Meanwhile, the Toyobaru is no sedan, but it's got just enough seats, space, practicality, economy, and affordability to make it a plausible every day/only car. The differences may not seem huge in and of themselves, but taken together, the Toyobaru is open to a much wider sector of the market than the Z is.

Team6.1 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/01/2013 at 22:18

0

I can vouch for the Mustang GT being faster

SonorousSpeedJoe > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 22:27

0

As far as the 370Z's own merits, it's an improved-upon 350Z. That's not a bad thing. However, I've also heard that the 370Z has overheating issues, and I think there was a comparison in which an inferior chassis was cited as the reason why a 370Z lost to a Camaro V6 around a track.

As far as the price, the 350Z was probably priced better during a time when more people could afford it; I believe the 370Z landed after the market crash which, along with high gas prices, scared everyone into pinching pennies. There are also several competitors out there in the 370Z Base - NISMO price range that are more practical and perform just as well if not better; the Mustang GT, BOSS 302, Camaro SS (w/ or w/o 1LE), and Hyundai Genesis Coupe come to mind. The 370Z also gets expensive enough that some people start drawing comparisons to the Boxster and Corvette on price alone.

As far as marketing is concerned, the 350Z enjoyed a huge popularity boost via F&F , NFS , and other franchises. The 370Z's official unveiling was in NFS: Undercover , but that was a crappy game. The 370Z did get into at least one F&F movie, IIRC.

revrseat70 > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 22:52

0

It feels heavier and softer than a GTO, is slower, and is more expensive. I'm not saying those buyers cross-shop. Its just the reference point I have. The overheating issue is no good either. The ride is pretty bad for the price. And the clutch and shifter have no feel and make the connections feel like they are made with rubber bands. Its so bad you are essentially using muscle memory to find the clutch engagement point and gear slots. Plus the road noise is bad for mid-life crises car. Call it visceral, but I call shotty build quality. It was just in the middle of too many markets. The 350z was good, and on paper, the 370 was a bit better. But it didn't evolve as fast as its competitors, nor did the experience live up to on paper performance. When I was looking around, by just following on paper stats my list was narrowed down with the 370z included. On paper, it looked like the ultimate bang for the buck. Drive it. You'll see what the engineers had to skimp on to achieve it.

Sn210 > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 22:53

0

Personally, I find it hideous. I really liked the look of the 350z, but I think the headlights and the bottom bumper "teeth" make it look comical and fishlike. I can't take it serious.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > BJohnson11 12/01/2013 at 23:01

0

Because they've never driven one. The Z is a savage, rabid beast. It was voted most likely to kill its owner in its high school class. And it's magnificent!

A lot of people think it competes with the muscle cars, and if you go by the numbers, it might. However, within minutes of firing up the VQ37HR and feeling the road begin passing under your feet, you realize it's unlike hardly anything else being sold right now.

It's not the feeling of being in a V8 delivery device that you get with the muscle cars. And it's not the "pure" driving experience you get with GT-86 twins. It's something even better. It's just raw. No BS, no expectations, and best of all, no filter. It truly is you and the monster.

The Z is simply Valhalla. You fight all day, drink all night, and love every minute of it.

candyfobreakfast > revrseat70 12/02/2013 at 01:07

0

Fuck, they still haven't fixed the damn clutch? I own a 05 G35 and the thing drives me mad sometimes. I swear the engagement point moves, gets bigger/smaller, etc. But I completely disagree with you about the GTO comparison. My dad owned a 06 GTO and it was a boat compared to my G. There's no comparison between the two.

911e46z06 > BJohnson11 12/02/2013 at 01:54

0

Because it's ugly and makes ugly noises?

Never driven a 370, but I did drive a 350. It was pretty underwhelming. And god, does that exhaust note suck.

Manuél Ferrari > revrseat70 12/02/2013 at 02:10

0

Wow it has overheating issues? My buddy had a 240sx in high school that had overheating issues, and it was bone stock and well looked after. What gives?

revrseat70 > candyfobreakfast 12/02/2013 at 10:36

0

My 06 GTO had custom suspension, which I forget to consider. I retract that point simply because I can't remember how bad the GTO was. However, I do remember feeling like the 370 feels way heavier and pitches and rolls more than you'd expect. I will say the base sport feels better than the Nismo. But yeah, the clutch and 6 speed are still bad. I always thought the infiniti's felt better, but I could never put my finger on why. I totally know what you mean about elusive engagement points though.

revrseat70 > Manuél Ferrari 12/02/2013 at 10:37

1

Its hard to know. My guess would be engineers and accountants doing battle.

rabidpenguin > BJohnson11 12/02/2013 at 13:06

0

Simply- it is overpriced.

For that price I don't think you get the performance that it should have. Subjective styling and lack of back seats also diminish its appeal.