Just test drove a 370Z, although I didn't really get to push the car very hard.
I got in touch with a Nissan dealer last week inquiring about the Z, I wanted to test a base model with the sport package and a 6MT. He said he had one and to swing by, but I couldn't make it this past weekend so I told him earlier today I'd stop by after work. Unfortunately, the car he told me about was sold, but he had a Touring model w/o the Sport package but with the 6MT and a Touring with automatic and the sport package, I said I'd stop by.
As others have said pictures really don't do this car justice, it is gorgeous. It seems bigger than the 350Z, but everything I've read says it's smaller. My only complaint may be the overly outrageous styled headlights/taillights, but that's a small gripe. Inside the cabin is a little tight (at least compared to what I'm used to) but very cozy. Compared to our WRX it felt like a prison cell verses a convention center. Also, the steating position is alot lower than I'm used to, the view out the front/rear window isn't terribly good, but once again, all that is based on what I'm used to. 4 door sports sedan vs. sports car. Our '02 WRX doesn't have alot of creature comforts, so sitting in this felt like I was in a Lazboy. I adjusted the seats and such, which seem very comfortable yet quite supportive, and then I adjusted the steering wheel...I was surprised when the gague cluster on top moved with it (call me old school).
The Touring package has alot of stuff I really didn't want/need (navigation, heated/leather seats, suede door panels, 6 disc changer, etc), but he said the seats were identical in both cars, just the covers are different. Way cool. It's got a pushbotton start, something that's becoming a little too mainstream, but I guess for novelty's sake (for me at least) it was worth a giggle or two. I fired up the 6MT car and off we went.
Unfortunately traffic was pretty heavy and the clutch feel SO much lighter than what I am used to that I didn't want to do anything stupid. We headed out towards the highway and I finally got to see how it pulled. It doesn't have bottomless torque like a Corvette or other muscle-esque car, but it pulls hard from relatively low. It rides very smoothly, nothing really upset the car. Acceleration is pretty good, not "glue you to the back of your seat" Z06/911 Turbo acceleration but for a car at this price it was certainily above par. Can't comment on how well it turns as there really are no tight turns on the route we took, and I wasn't about to do something stupid in a car that I A) wasn't planning on buying and B) had the salesman sitting next to me. The Yokohama's seemed to do alright, although the rave statements are usually referring to the 275 width Bridgestone Potenzas that you get with the sports package. I was really hoping to get to test out the brakes on the sports package (since Inside Line said they stopped the 370Z faster than their 911 Turbo's PCCB's), but the car I was in didn't have 'em. Still, the stock brakes have decent bite.
Overall I really liked it, although I didn't really get to do enough with the test drive to say whether or not it'd be a "sure purchase." It's definately comfortable enough for everyday driving, there weren't any huge bumps to go over but the ride was very...well...plush. I'd like to take it to Barber Motorsports Park which is only a few miles away and put it through it's paces (although I'm certainly not claiming to be the best driver for the job).
The salesman was great, too...not pushy, very compliant, I think that honestly he knew I was there for a joyride but never commented on it and was curtous. Were I to buy a Z I'd head back to him.
Facebook
Twitter