Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2015-...photo-2776226/


If you blinked, you missed the opportunity to pick up the last iteration of the 370Z Nismo, because after just a touch over a year of availability, Nissan is replacing it with this updated 2015 model – the third 370-based iteration from the brand's in-house tuner. Consider this version to be the 370Z's swan song. An all-new version is expected soon with a downsized turbo mill (something in the vein of a 240Z would not be impossible). That reality aside, the latest 370Z Nismo is a compelling package. It looks like a million bucks, takes a corner with verve, and gets belated tech goodies. Here are our impressions from a drive we took last week near Nissan's US headquarters in Tennessee.

Driving Notes

• The Recaro seats are wonderful (shocker!). In fact, the interior in general has a much more strapped-down feel about it. A run-of–the-mill 370Z feels pretty great, although it's not a place for the big-boned. As with past Nismos, upgrades include contrasting colors on the faux-suede seat inserts, the gauge hood, the ten and two positions on the steering wheel, and a red centering stripe on the wheel. The upgraded materials are all nicely chosen and the cabin is a very sexy place to live – weirdly practical, too, considering the huge cargo area. Checking the "Tech" model option box brings a 7.0-inch nav screen in place of the upward swinging door over a storage cubby, a much-needed backup camera, an impressively good Bose stereo, and de riguer Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming. Everything seems to work as advertised.
• This is probably the best-realized version of the 370Z's styling. The car looks finished in a way that can only come with – get this – six years of refinement (believe it or not the 370Z debuted in 2008). The nose and tail have been given a more purposeful look that's also less street-racer. A side benefit is improved aero performance with more downforce and a whopping three inches of reduced overall length. Muy bueno. The side skirts claim to improve aero, but we think they just look cool. Also, we dig that Porsche 911 RS-style ducktail spoiler and restyled 19-inch Rays Engineering alloys.
• The 3.7-liter V6 engine remains one of the gems of the auto industry: quick to rev, gutsy torque curve, and a bit more power than the standard car, although the same as the last model – still up by 18 horsepower and 6 pound-feet of torque versus the standard Z, to 350 hp and 276 lb-ft. The exhaust note is a delight, offering just the right amount of raspy crackle without even a hint of fart cannon.
• Straight-line acceleration can get into illegal territory really quickly, but it's the other elements of performance that shine. Stomp the brakes too often and you may walk away with a chest bruise, for instance. The Nismo benefits from chassis bracing and increased spring rates that provide a machine that's more tool than car – it's only as good as the driver wielding it, so in the hands of a master, it turns out beautiful work.
• Most of our complaints have nothing to do with the Nismo-ness of the car and everything with the Z itself: the weird gauges for fuel level and engine temp, aging interior plastics, terrible – terrible – rear visibility, and less than stellar steering response. This platform is really showing its age.
• Although we will always prefer manuals, we're beginning to turn the corner on the paddle-shifters versus the row-your-own manual – the best dual-clutch boxes are just quicker. However, in the 370Z Nismo the traditional hydraulic autobox still can't respond quite urgently enough. With anything but full throttle, there's too much of a delay.
• The manual box is simply a delight to work. Pleasingly notchy shifter, well-placed gears and rev-matching for the normals, but optimal heel-toe pedal placement for experienced drivers. Even better news for true believers who buy the manual is a shorter final drive ratio, bumped from 3.69:1 to 3.92:1. Automatic cars get stuck with a 3:36. Of course, it's all in the trans gearing choices, but we'd by lying if the manual didn't feel a lot more responsive in the all-important second and third gear ratios.

The 370Z has always had one crucial fault: a starting price about five thousand dollars too rich. Nissan undoubtedly has very good reasons for the model's price point, but it always feels like there's just not quite enough bang for the buck. Pricing for the refreshed Nismo version hasn't dropped yet, but the old car started at around $43,830 and we wouldn't expect it to budge much. Does it look cooler, go a bit quicker in a straight line and around corners, and have a better interior? Yes. Is it worth almost $8,000 over the base car's starting price? Probably not. But that doesn't make it any less fun.

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/16/2...ew-quick-spin/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Is it sad that I've lost interest in the Z? Sure it's mechanically better and more refined, but I can barely get a rise from this :/

Z programs needs an overhaul IMO

Justin2JZ

Well the 350Z ran from 2003-2008 so hopefully we see a new Z soon.

Sweatshop

iTrader: (11)

Some car manufacturers make a car too good the first time. The 90+ 300zx TT was that car for Nissan. Just too high a benchmark to follow immediately. To chic, too cool, too right. That's what makes this Z so wrong!

UDel

Agree, loved the 300zx, still think it is a much better looking car inside and out then a 350 or 370Z, 300ZXtt was a legit Corvette/911 competitor in all aspects where the 370 just isn't. I am afraid the RX-7, Supra, and NSX were all like this, well ahead of their time, and done so well it will be very hard to top them with new versions.

Initial B

iTrader: (2)

agreed....The Z32 was a car kids dream about, but then Nissan cheapened the interior and took away the turbo for the Z33...OOPS

jwong77

I think they were forced to go cheaper on the Z33 because the Z32 had become too expensive and wasn't selling well.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Iirc there a rumor a while back about a smaller 240X/Datsun with a blown 4 would slot below the Z?

bagwell

Correct answer...same thing that happened to the rx7...way overpriced but they just cxld it completely instead of cheapening the car.

Nospinzone

Yup, I agree with you guys. I had a '90 300ZX from '90 to '95. Beautiful car and always got compliments on it.

bagwell

still like the 370Z but its a little too round looking er sumthing....but they still look good on the street IMO.

Blackraven

Z34 at its finest

rawr2is250

Sadly to me, there just no more "wow" factor in a Z any more...

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I feel it's gotten stale. The passion behind Z vehicles isn't like it once was

fly2low

Sorry for resurrecting a dead threat

I like the 2015 iteration in white and red interior and lip spoiler, but can't help to think it is $10k to expensive. If it were $10k cheaper, I'll get one and put a Stillen supercharger ASAP.

Yes, I could buy the older model, which depreciates much by the way, but the older models don't look as good as this one

What do CLers think about this car?