Don't know if any of you read "Automobile" but the current issue features the 370Z in the "By Design" column by Robert Cumberford. The only downside he mentioned was the headlight treatment. He didn't even dog the Pep Boys style gas gauge. And this guy is usually tough on every car he critiques. Nissan did something right get past his eye!

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Ultra Yellow '05 350Z Roadster, Touring

Nismo: Headers, cams, CAI, flywheel, clutch disc & cover, braided steel clutch hose, 1.5 LSD w/finned cover, oil filter, power steering cooler, cat-back exhaust, radiator cap, thermostat, front & rear sway bars, suspension kit, fuel cap cover, oil filler cap, reservoir covers, hi-flow cats, 480cc/min fuel injectors, 19" LM-GT4 wheels w/Rays lugs & Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. Nissan Motorsports: Carbon fiber apron cover, 3.917 final drive, grounding kit. ARC radiator cooling panel. Unorthodox Racing crank & accessory pulleys w/Gates belts. Pi-Thon reservoir caps. Motordyne: Copper Iso Thermal 5/16" plenum spacer & MREV2 lower collector. Datsun Freeway silver CF engine cover. EvoR silver CF battery & brake fluid covers. Samco coolant hoses & clamps. NRG CF hood dampers. NGK Iridium IX spark plugs. KICS Project magnetic oil plug. Brembo GT front brake kit. SARD Electrical Sweeper. Walbro 255lph fuel pump. B&M Racing short-throw shifter. D-Wolf clutch kit. '06 OEM projector headlights and LED tailights. OEM/Europe burnt orange leather steering wheel, shift knob & e-brake handle. 3M invisible bra. Stillen grille insert. 40 tint. AAM ECU reflash & Unichip custom tune.

He didn't have anything to say about the missing overhead sun glass storage compartment?

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Mspeasl
Decatur, Illinois - Forum member since 2/02

'Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional'

2009 Solid Red Touring 6sp W/Sport Package '370Z' - Delivered 7 April 2009
2008 Radiant Red Toyota 'X-Runner' - Delivered 15 November 2007
2005 Satin Jade Green Chrysler 300C 'Hemi' - Delivered 1 June 2004

1957 Chevrolet Belair 2dr post - 'Gas Coupe Drag Car' owned since 1964
1947 Chevrolet Fleet Master sport coupe - 'Street Rod' owned since 1974

Funnily enough, he makes the same comment as I did in this thread: [www.zcar.com] regarding potential "improvements":

"...perhaps a stripped, lighter version of this model with a simpler interior would be a possibility. Nissan has an excellent 2.5-liter engine that could slot right into the engine compartment, and it makes 18 percent more power than the original Z-Car. Wouldn't it be nice to have an affordable and economical-to-run 240Z again, even if it had only four cylinders?"

Actually, the 2.5-liter's 175 latest-SAE-spec-net-hp would probably be more like 30-40% more power than the 240Z made, which was 150 gross. But I say tweak it and rev it up to 250+ hp for the "250Z".

It would take some effort (which they're not likely to expend) to get it down to ~3000 lb. and 50/50 F/R distribution (vs. 3300+ stock and 55/45 distribution), but if they did it they might sell me a car...

I ain't driving no 4 banger Z, especially in N/A form(no torque).
Nissan's 2.5 4 cylinder also comes in 200hp form for their Sentra SE-R spec-v.

I hate the idea of a 4 cylinder engine, that is not not Z like and would be blasphemous. That's what the S platform(Silvia is there for), revive it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit was 2009:04:12:05:17:40.

3360 lb. is even less "Z-like" and more blasphemous if you ask me.

The 4-cylinder S2000 is more of a true successor to the 240Z.

I love the idea of a modern Z, but the 370Z is merely a 2-seat G37 (as the 350Z was a 2-seat G35). Fast? Yes. Modern 240Z? Hardly.

It's not that I *prefer* the idea of a 4cyl. Z, it just seems to me to be a way to salvage something out of this generation. I'd rather have a lighter-weight and better-balanced version than the 3360-lb., 55F/45R 370Z. Such a car would be cheaper and more fuel-efficient, which would help it remain relevant. The days of overpriced/overwrought/overweight "sports" cars are (hopefully) numbered.

Anyway, here's to the NEXT "new Z" (with something like a 250+ hp 2.5 liter six) AND a new S13-like SX, both based on a smaller/lighter-weight rwd platform!

Dan Baldwin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 3360 lb. is even less "Z-like" and more
> blasphemous if you ask me.
>
> The 4-cylinder S2000 is more of a true successor
> to the 240Z.
>
> I love the idea of a modern Z, but the 370Z is
> merely a 2-seat G37 (as the 350Z was a 2-seat
> G35). Fast? Yes. Modern 240Z? Hardly.
>
> It's not that I *prefer* the idea of a 4cyl. Z, it
> just seems to me to be a way to salvage something
> out of this generation. I'd rather have a
> lighter-weight and better-balanced version than
> the 3360-lb., 55F/45R 370Z. Such a car would be
> cheaper and more fuel-efficient, which would help
> it remain relevant. The days of
> overpriced/overwrought/overweight "sports" cars
> are (hopefully) numbered.
>
> Anyway, here's to the NEXT "new Z" (with something
> like a 250+ hp 2.5 liter six) AND a new S13-like
> SX, both based on a smaller/lighter-weight rwd
> platform!

********************************************

Dan,

My grandmother once said many years ago the following:

"If you can not say something nice about somebody or something, do not say anything at all"............

I believe that it still rings true today. Don't you??

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Mspeasl
Decatur, Illinois - Forum member since 2/02

'Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional'

2009 Solid Red Touring 6sp W/Sport Package '370Z' - Delivered 7 April 2009
2008 Radiant Red Toyota 'X-Runner' - Delivered 15 November 2007
2005 Satin Jade Green Chrysler 300C 'Hemi' - Delivered 1 June 2004

1957 Chevrolet Belair 2dr post - 'Gas Coupe Drag Car' owned since 1964
1947 Chevrolet Fleet Master sport coupe - 'Street Rod' owned since 1974

I believe and hold to that philosophy in regards to "someBODY", but NOT regarding "someTHING". And I've never heard that saying with the "someTHING" added in.

Dan Baldwin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I believe and hold to that philosophy in regards
> to "someBODY", but NOT regarding "someTHING". And
> I've never heard that saying with the "someTHING"
> added in.


************************************************

You weren't my grandmothers grandson sixty years ago, I was.

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Mspeasl
Decatur, Illinois - Forum member since 2/02

'Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional'

2009 Solid Red Touring 6sp W/Sport Package '370Z' - Delivered 7 April 2009
2008 Radiant Red Toyota 'X-Runner' - Delivered 15 November 2007
2005 Satin Jade Green Chrysler 300C 'Hemi' - Delivered 1 June 2004

1957 Chevrolet Belair 2dr post - 'Gas Coupe Drag Car' owned since 1964
1947 Chevrolet Fleet Master sport coupe - 'Street Rod' owned since 1974

No one is ever to offer up critical analysis of anything?!

Anyway, it's just a car, I don't think I'm going to hurt it's feelings.

Objective truth #1: it weighs 3360 lb. (with only the "Sport Package" option)
Objective truth #2: it has a static unladen weight distribution of 55/45

If these points don't bother you, then I really haven't said anything "bad" about the 370Z anyway! I'm sure it's a great car, even better than the 350Z which is also a great car. They're just not for me...

Dan Baldwin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anyway, it's just a car, I don't think I'm going
> to hurt it's feelings.
>
> I'm sure it's a great car, even better than the
> 350Z which is also a great car. They're just not
> for me...

*********************************

Dan,

It may be "just a car", and yes you are not hurting its feelings. But, the SOMEBODY that owns the car may be somewhat sensitive to your words. Now do you understand where my Grandmother was coming from?

Just my $.02

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Mspeasl
Decatur, Illinois - Forum member since 2/02

'Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional'

2009 Solid Red Touring 6sp W/Sport Package '370Z' - Delivered 7 April 2009
2008 Radiant Red Toyota 'X-Runner' - Delivered 15 November 2007
2005 Satin Jade Green Chrysler 300C 'Hemi' - Delivered 1 June 2004

1957 Chevrolet Belair 2dr post - 'Gas Coupe Drag Car' owned since 1964
1947 Chevrolet Fleet Master sport coupe - 'Street Rod' owned since 1974

No! Nothing against your gran, but I don't see where she was coming from.

Anybody that buys it and enjoys it and knows what he's getting isn't going to lose much sleep over my thinking the car's too big and heavy for *me*, I don't think...

Anyone who only realizes that it's an overweight, poorly-balanced, 2-seat version of a luxury sedan that is nothing like a "modern 240Z" by any stretch of the imagination because I've pointed it out it in this forum, and gets his feelings hurt over it... Well, now that I think about it I guess I *should* feel sorry for that guy, that's pathetic!

Mainly, I contributed to this thread because I found it interesting that the Automobile Magazine writer guy came up with the same suggestion I did for "improving" the car.

OK, perhaps I'm just a jerk...

Acknowledged: The 370Z is a fantastic car, and offers excellent performance for the dollar.

But *personally* I'd like to see a lighter-weight, better-balanced version.

I understand what you are saying about weight and it should be kept in check. However I think that once they get the car to perform well and feel agile despite its weight then it does not become as big an issue.

the G is the modern day 2+2...competition is way to stiff nowadays to not share parts and platforms.

---

---------------------
03 CS Touring
VIN #189

drivenZ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> the G is the modern day 2+2...competition is way
> to stiff nowadays to not share parts and
> platforms.

I have *nothing* against sharing parts and platforms!

But instead of an oversized/overwrought/overpriced/overWEIGHT G37/370Z/GT-R lineup, how about moving to a smaller/less-complicated/lower-priced/LIGHTER-WEIGHT 510 (2-,3-,4-,and 5-door), SX (2+2 coupe/hatch), and NEW new Z lineup all on the same platform.

Yeah...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit was 2009:04:16:07:04:56.

"but the 370Z is merely a 2-seat G37"

Hm, slightly, the G37 is a big fat family car, and it drives like one. I took it out for a spin and it was downright slow and sloppy. The 370z is much better, but it still isn't a 240z.

There were some rumors that Nissan would bring back the SX, but I haven't heard any lately. A much smaller rwd car would be really cool. Get it under 3000 lbs and I would be happy. The 2.5 engine n/a would be a good start. It is a pretty nice engine in the sentra, very torquey. I think the new z's weight is reasonable considering all the requirements of a modern car. Let's face it, it runs circles around any previous Z. I can't believe those acceleration numbers, they are amazing. It would be nice if they made a totally stripped down version. They might be able to get it almost under 3000 lbs.