370z opinions?

[Tunerguy1989]

Hey I have been reading alot about the 370z, They look great and apparently are all around a better version than the 350z. I'm a honda guy (Its not stock, cams, bolt-on, tuning etc.) right now but I will soon be in the market to purchase a new car and the 370z has definitely stuck for me.

For those of you who own one or work on one what are your opinions on it. The pros and cons and if the car is easy to deal with. Just want to make sure I know what I'm getting into.

Thanks in advance

[Retired Chief]

I used to own a 2008 350Z and I currently own a 2009 370Z so I have personal experience with both cars. Both are great cars IMO. The only con I can think of that is in both cars is limited rear visibility. But, this is a common problem in almost all true sports cars.

I'm not sure what you mean by "easy to deal with". A stock 370Z should give you no problems at all. There are some people who have experienced an oil over heat when on long highway drives. But, I've had no problems at all with mine. As you know, with any car, as soon as you start to modify it you may experience problems. Especially with engine mods.

The 370Z weighs less, has a shorter wheel base and has more horse power. So, stock vs stock, the 370Z is faster and handles better.

There are plenty of after market parts available for both cars but you'll find the parts are typically more expensive than what you would pay for the same upgrades to your Hondas. You can boost a 350Z with stock internals to about 400WHP. Higher than that and you'll want to consider forged internals. I'm not certain what the stock 370Z motor can handle as far as F/I. I've seen videos of TT 370Z on stock internals well over 400WHP but that doesn't mean the motor will last long. Time will tell...
The drive train on both cars are near bullet proof. I know a 350Z owner who has a forged TT and is putting down around 600WHP on the stock drive train and has been for about 3 years with no problems at all. And he races his Z pretty regularly so it gets plenty of abuse.

I think you'd be very happy with a 370Z.

[BusyBadger]

Wow Chief, I missed when you got your 370...did you make a post about it?

I personally love the contents (ie: numbers) of the 370Z, but I'm a little iffy on the packaging. The boomerang headlights and taillights really get on my nerves. I hate the multi-function gauge in the dash...it looks out of place on a car that looks so decidedly retro. It's weird but those two (three) elements really hurt my opinion of the car. My dislike has softened a bit over since the original release but it's still there. Not that I would turn one down if someone handed me the keys.

The one thing I think that Nissan really got right with the 370 was the decision to make a convertible version from the outset and making a knockout look for it from the get-go. The 350 convertible doesn't look nearly as polished its younger brother. I've have heard the "hot oil" complaints and the potential for the car going into limp mode but all of those were related to track events and not during normal driving conditions.

I think the first question you need to ask yourself is, "How much do I want to spend?" Another question is how long you will be satisfied with driving a stock car and how much you are willing to sink into modifications. If you plan on modifying your car straight away you may actually be better off with a 350Z thanks to the lower price point and the wider range of modifications (and examples) available. Think about it, you could pick up a new 370Z for $30K (I've not priced on lately so it's just a number) but you can pick up a middle mileage 350Z for $15K or so give or take. Think about what that extra cash you saved could do to the 350.

[Retired Chief]

Hey BB. I don't want to hi-jack the OP's thread but, yeah I didn't make a thread when I got the 370Z. To be honest, it's really my wifes car but I drive it just as much as she does. She sold her Altima Coupe 3.5 so she needed another car so we traded in my 350Z for her 370Z. I also had an Xterra so I drove it around for a while and then traded it in for my Nissan Titan. I do miss my 350Z some times though.

I'm with you on the headlights and taillights on the 370Z. I thought I'd get used to them over time but I still don't like them. But, the car drives like a dream. I also agree with you about the convertibles. I like the 350Z with the top down but it looks terrible IMO with the top up. The 370Z on the other hand looks good both ways.

[Tunerguy1989]

Thanks for your guys comments. I will proble hold off on buying the 370Z for a few more years so all the kinks are out in the open and for the prices to go down. I will get one used definitely and start with suspension and wheel setup followed by bolt ons and a stillen supercharger as long as its proven its reiliablity. I will track this car so I hope they figure solutions to the oil heating issue. We'll see what the future holds

thanks

[ztouring]

I test drove a 370z and was impressed by the extra power. 32 or so extra hp feels like alot more than is sounds even with the TQ being simular to the 350z. If you add stillens new centerfugal supercharger you will have 350z tt power with supercharger relyabilaty. I drove the auto and the shifts felt sloppy but i've heard good things about the manual. The thing that makes me side wirh the 350z is the over all feel of the interior. I know alot of people think just the opposite so if you havent alreaddy drive both and see. Also I agree with retired chief 370z looks best in convertible.

[Tunerguy1989]

Damn really I don't like convertibles at all so I have a bias opinion on that. But definitely I will test drive the 370z before I make my decision. I feel like the 350z is much heavier then the 370 thats why I will not even consider the 350 or is the weight difference negligible?

[Retired Chief]

Damn really I don't like convertibles at all so I have a bias opinion on that. But definitely I will test drive the 370z before I make my decision. I feel like the 350z is much heavier then the 370 thats why I will not even consider the 350 or is the weight difference negligible?

The weight difference is less than 100 lbs.
Base 350Z Coupe - 3320 lbs
Base 370Z Coupe - 3232 lbs

[NSRsheets]

I've owned both and I like the 370z better. The interior is much better and so far the only problem with the 370z is the oil over heating , but I replaced the sensor for the gauge pod and it works fine now.

[Tunerguy1989]

So its just a sensor? There is no mechnical reason for the oil overheating?

[NSRsheets]

It might be but like I said mine appears to be working fine now. Just keep an eye on the led gauge and you should be fine. I still plan on getting an oil cooler eventually.