What I Did This Afternoon (370Z Content)

They're great cars, albeit hard to place on the market.

I think that's a succint way to put the point i was trying to make about people leaving it off their cross-shopping lists.

But i have to agree with racerdave in that you have to get a 5.0 Coyote Mustang before they're faster than a 370.

I also feel like a 370 is a much more purposeful/'special' experience than a 'normal' Mustang, Camaro, or even 86 or Miata. I think it comes down to a combination of things already mentioned such as being strictly 2-seater, having those interesting sightlines out over the body, etc. It's a more aggressive design than any of those other 4 cars, in my book.

Snrub wrote: Has anyone driven a 370Z and a 6th gen Camaro? If so, could you compare and contrast?

No, but I would like too.

Vigo wrote: But i have to agree with racerdave in that you have to get a 5.0 Coyote Mustang before they're faster than a 370.

Oh absolutely, I was more referring to new vs new. And even then, only barely.

Vigo wrote: I also feel like a 370 is a much more purposeful/'special' experience than a 'normal' Mustang, Camaro, or even 86 or Miata. I think it comes down to a combination of things already mentioned such as being strictly 2-seater, having those interesting sightlines out over the body, etc. It's a more aggressive design than any of those other 4 cars, in my book.

It's something you don't get anymore. I'd argue that the reason why the ND and 86 and Camaro and Mustang feel the way they do is because all the undesirable things have been erased out. The steering weight is set up to be a happy medium, the throttle response is set up to be fast yet tractable, The suspension is set up to be a good compromise between compliant and stiff, the unpleasant bits of NVH are largely ironed out, and the gearchange is nice and smooth. In the 370Z, you have rough edges. The steering is weighty, the ride is very firm for stock suspension, the throttle response is almost a bit too sharp at times, everything's loud, and the gear stick is notchy and buzzy and wiggles about a bit. It doesn't fall into an uncanny valley, and instead sends a proud message that it's mechanical and flawed and that you're always doing something meaningful as it takes more work to drive it than an 86. And thus, you put up with or enjoy these rough edges as they can make the emotional connection between you and the car stronger.

I'm car shopping, and a 370 went by me with an exhaust, and sounded great. Got me into a bit of 'net research.

I'd consider it as a daily driver + a handful of track days per year, replacing my current Saabaru DD and Miata NB track car.

It seems they have overheating, oil cooling, and fuel supply problems when tracked. Like you have to fill up every session or it starves in right hand corners. Doesn't sound too conducive to my needs.

Bummer, as there are so few naturally-aspirated and/or rwd options these days, between the small four bangers and the pony cars.

In reply to MattGent:

An aftermarket oil cooler usually fixes both the oil and overheating issues (99% of the time it will overheat through the oil), and hydramat fixes the fuel starvation issues. After that, it's pretty much bulletproof. I know it's a PITA to spend a grand making a sports car be trackday capable before even upgrading the brakes (you will need high performance pads, no doubt), but you are getting a hell of a lot more car than an 86. If you go used, they're terrific bargains.

My positive comments were related to their availability on the used market. You new vs. new guys are too rich for my blood.

SEADave wrote: My positive comments were related to their availability on the used market. You new vs. new guys are too rich for my blood.

New VS new is too rich for my blood as well. Used, however. Now we're talking!

At least where I live, 370Zs hold their value well. You can pick up a new base model for $32k CDN. The cheapest 5 year old model is going for $21k. The cheapest 8 year old model is $17k. If you ignore features (they matter less with used), the car depreciates at $2k/year with a 15 year lifespan. New is arguably not much more expensive on a yearly basis.

^agreed. Here in Canada, the used market has not really caught on to the fact that a new base 370Z is $30k. It's a really good buy.

In reply to Run_Away:

My main problem is that you don't get an LSD of any sort on the base model. That's not especially excellent for what the 370Z seems to do best (lurid powerslides for days).