Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Nissan 370Z Coupe

[Kris78]

Hmm, $30K.  So in that price range you've got the GTI, Civic SI, BRZ/FRS twins, and the WRX.  Oh, and the Genesis.  Out of that lot the Genesis is the only other true competitor, being a front V6/RWD car.  And I would posit that the Nissan has arguably the better engine.

Mustang V6?
It's funny, we might have an upcoming article that confirms or refutes that assertion

Or is just another opinion. 

Opinions, pics, maybe even a fact or two... it's all coming.   Taking them for a proper rip back-to-back-to-back produced some surprising opinions.

Probably going to get in trouble for this teaser pic... but what the heck...

 

Awesome!

Too bad the Genesis wasn't white. Primary colours and all...

[Snowman]

Hmm, $30K.  So in that price range you've got the GTI, Civic SI, BRZ/FRS twins, and the WRX.  Oh, and the Genesis.  Out of that lot the Genesis is the only other true competitor, being a front V6/RWD car.  And I would posit that the Nissan has arguably the better engine.

Mustang V6?
It's funny, we might have an upcoming article that confirms or refutes that assertion

Or is just another opinion. 

Opinions, pics, maybe even a fact or two... it's all coming.   Taking them for a proper rip back-to-back-to-back produced some surprising opinions.

Probably going to get in trouble for this teaser pic... but what the heck...

Looking forward to that comparo.

[johngenx]

Nissan has just brought its offering in line with these cars in my opinion.

This.  Nissan lost the plot a long time ago with the Zed car.  The original concept of the 240Z was a small and light machine with decent power and a great chassis that most folks could afford.  Over time it grew and turned more into a high performance GT car and the price went up and up and up.  In the 1990s the 300Z was an awesome car, but it was way out of the scope of the original idea it was ridiculous.

Today, the 370Z is a pretty basic car in many ways.  It uses mostly off-the-shelf parts and really doesn't offer anything more than the Mustang or Genesis or other $28-35K car.

[whaddaiknow]

Probably going to get in trouble for this teaser pic... but what the heck...

NICE!!! Looking forward to the article!

[pcsp]

Unbelievable. Nissan has just offered the auto enthusiast a single malt for the price of Canadian Club, and we complain? This is one of the best looking, gorgeous, high performance, best sounding gems for under $50,000. It's $30,000!! I guess, so I'm told, it's not perfect though, because the mother-in-law doesn't like it, the seats are "flimsy", and the driver must actually think about frequent gear changes to extract the performance. Unbelievable.

Genesis 3.8 R spec is $28,400, has more power (on paper).
Mustang has a little less power but starts at $26,000.
Nissan has just brought its offering in line with these cars in my opinion.

I guess I'm referring to the Z's exclusivity, heritage, and presence. Also, the fact that most Zs were sold between $40 and $50 grand, and can now be had for $30, is definitely a plus for current buyers. Comparing specs and hp somewhat misses the point. Entry point to own a legend just improved by 25%.

[Noto]

Probably going to get in trouble for this teaser pic... but what the heck...

[Northernridge]

To an extent I think the 370Z is haunted by its own past.

If this car just plunked down from outer space with no history, we'd probably think it's a damn good start for $30k.

[Fobroader]

If this would have been $30k when I bought my Altima....I would have seriously considered it. Thing is I was never a huge fan of the looks of this thing, something about it just never did much for me. Can't deny the value at this price though.

[chignectohead]

This 370Z engine, with variable cam timing and variable lift requiring no throttle plate except for emergencies and start-up, came out in 2008. It's functionally equivalent to BMW Valvetronic, and until recent BMW revisions, could handily out-rev it due to lower inertia.

Mr. Yarkony, it does not have a separate hot cam.  You need to read how Nissan VVEL works, because the characteristics you describe are not achieved the way you seem to think they are. Not even close.

[jyarkony]

This 370Z engine, with variable cam timing and variable lift requiring no throttle plate except for emergencies and start-up, came out in 2008. It's functionally equivalent to BMW Valvetronic, and until recent BMW revisions, could handily out-rev it due to lower inertia.

Mr. Yarkony, it does not have a separate hot cam.  You need to read how Nissan VVEL works, because the characteristics you describe are not achieved the way you seem to think they are. Not even close.

Sorry about that - I was not even thinking of the mechanical implications of the "hot cam" phrase, just the sensation of a sudden change in the nature of its power delivery. Thanks for pointing that out!

Got any good links about that?

[rrocket]

I see a lot of flat brim hats driving around in these and especially the 350Z.

So like Corvette owners.  Particularly C6 owners.

[Snowman]

  what is wrong with flat brim hats? you guys are getting old 

[johngenx]

what is wrong with flat brim hats? you guys are getting old 

Even among young people snapbacks are for douches.

[Snowman]

what is wrong with flat brim hats? you guys are getting old 

Even among young people snapbacks are for douches.

Is Rickie a douche?

[JacobBlack]

Is Rickie a douche?

From that picture alone: very, very much so. 

[Solstice2006]

Unbelievable. Nissan has just offered the auto enthusiast a single malt for the price of Canadian Club, and we complain? This is one of the best looking, gorgeous, high performance, best sounding gems for under $50,000. It's $30,000!! I guess, so I'm told, it's not perfect though, because the mother-in-law doesn't like it, the seats are "flimsy", and the driver must actually think about frequent gear changes to extract the performance. Unbelievable.

Genesis 3.8 R spec is $28,400, has more power (on paper).
Mustang has a little less power but starts at $26,000.
Nissan has just brought its offering in line with these cars in my opinion.

I guess I'm referring to the Z's exclusivity, heritage, and presence. Also, the fact that most Zs were sold between $40 and $50 grand, and can now be had for $30, is definitely a plus for current buyers. Comparing specs and hp somewhat misses the point. Entry point to own a legend just improved by 25%.

Previous Z's were a legend.  IMHO, I would not consider the 370z a legend.  A good sports car, and now with a decent price. 

[johngenx]

I don't know who that Rickie guys is, but yeah, that's a pretty douchey look.  And golfing doubles it.

[CanuckS2K]

So people are a douche just by the type of hat they wear?   

As far as Rickie is concerned, he's one of the classiest young golfers on the tour. 

[johngenx]

So people are a douche just by the type of hat they wear?   

[JacobBlack]

So people are a douche just by the type of hat they wear?   

As far as Rickie is concerned, he's one of the classiest young golfers on the tour.

Nah, he gets bonus points for the pedo moustache and bum-fluff goatee.