RE: 370Z NISMO updated

[Ved]

The front looks much better but I agree with the first post; the engine sounds utterly crap. It should sing like an R32 Golf. That's a big issue for a sports car.

Edited by Ved on Tuesday 26th August 22:32

[J4CKO]

Shouldn't have to mod it to get some sound out of it, but if you do, they sound rather good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_HkqL1vr9Y

[Goofnik]

cheddar said:

I was given the task of promoting these at trackdays, the price/bhp numbers looked good so I started calling it a Cayman for half the money whereas the truth was that they were pretty mundane to drive, didn't feel particularly quick and the engine lacked soul.

For smaller technical circuits, the reality is a base Cayman is quicker around the track (for actual people, not just racing drivers), feels much sharper and sounds unbelievably better. And the reality is the Cayman is less than 10% more expensive than the 370Z NISMO, and is actually more practical. That's a hard sell for Nissan when someone who is just a bit more patient to save a few more quid can instead get the Porsche with maybe the sport chassis, sport exhaust and PTV... and be happy with it for the next decade and beyond.

[elementad]

The standard sound is certainly no worse than any Porsche IMO

http://youtu.be/nAaZ-4Uq570

[cheddar]

Goofnik said:

cheddar said:

I was given the task of promoting these at trackdays, the price/bhp numbers looked good so I started calling it a Cayman for half the money whereas the truth was that they were pretty mundane to drive, didn't feel particularly quick and the engine lacked soul.

For smaller technical circuits, the reality is a base Cayman is quicker around the track (for actual people, not just racing drivers), feels much sharper and sounds unbelievably better. And the reality is the Cayman is less than 10% more expensive than the 370Z NISMO, and is actually more practical. That's a hard sell for Nissan when someone who is just a bit more patient to save a few more quid can instead get the Porsche with maybe the sport chassis, sport exhaust and PTV... and be happy with it for the next decade and beyond.

Not only quicker but soooo much more polished, involving and rewarding.

[J4CKO]

I think if you went to actually buy a Cayman new and spec it to be equivalent there might be more in it price wise, the Cayman would come in base black red or yellow and be fitted with some rather dull wheels, the Nismo is the top of the 370Z range at 37 grand, the Porsche is 40 before options, suspect 34 is more realistic by the time most people get some nice wheels and some other twiddly bits. I suspect Nissan may be a little more open to a discount.

I think the 370 looks better, but I think a drive of the Porsche would probably get me leaning that way.

I think the 370, for me would make more sense second hand, might get one next, would be more wary with the Porsche as they age, do they still have the engine issues, when did they sort that ?

[elementad]

Goofnik said:

cheddar said:

I was given the task of promoting these at trackdays, the price/bhp numbers looked good so I started calling it a Cayman for half the money whereas the truth was that they were pretty mundane to drive, didn't feel particularly quick and the engine lacked soul.

For smaller technical circuits, the reality is a base Cayman is quicker around the track (for actual people, not just racing drivers), feels much sharper and sounds unbelievably better. And the reality is the Cayman is less than 10% more expensive than the 370Z NISMO, and is actually more practical. That's a hard sell for Nissan when someone who is just a bit more patient to save a few more quid can instead get the Porsche with maybe the sport chassis, sport exhaust and PTV... and be happy with it for the next decade and beyond.

I think you need to compare like for like. The equivalent of the entry cayman is the entry non GT 370z which is still 328bhp but only £27k with Nissan reliability and cheap servicing.
Although the nismo is an whopping £37k that is the absolute top version. What's the top spec cayman?

It sounds like the GTR vs 911 has shifted down to 370z vs cayman.

[Dagnut]

I don't understand Nissans approach to this car. The 344bhp should be standard on the base model. Ok bhp figures are not everything but this cars needs the numbers to get interest. The us Hyundai genesis coupe offers 350bhp now in the base spec 3.8. I can't believe Nissan the ability to release some hp and up the rev limit, I think it's been such a flop they can't arsed, too much badge snobbery in Europe in this sector

[J4CKO]

Dagnut said:

I don't understand Nissans approach to this car. The 344bhp should be standard on the base model. Ok bhp figures are not everything but this cars needs the numbers to get interest. The us Hyundai genesis coupe offers 350bhp now in the base spec 3.8. I can't believe Nissan the ability to release some hp and up the rev limit, I think it's been such a flop they can't arsed, too much badge snobbery in Europe in this sector

Just had a look at those, quite nice isnt it, they dont sell it over here, which is a shame, the base model has the same engine as the others in the range which they quote as 348 bhp.

I don't think Nissan do seem to be all that bothered about the 370, I suspect they will quietly drop it off pricelists, they have only ever sold 1600 or so according to howmanyleft, but I love that fact.

[bobberz]

I don't think the new bumper/fascia is any improvement over the old one; they're both awful.



IMO, Nissan lost the plot years ago. I would never buy one, as they have some of the most asinine "engineering" I've ever seen. Woe to anyone who gets stuck working on one.

I've always said Nissan are like the Japanese Chrysler. If you compare the relationship of the "Big Three" US manufacturers (GM, Ford, Chrysler) to the "Big Three" Japanese manufacturers (Toyota, Honda, Nissan), Nissan, like Chrysler, is always in third place. There's a reason for that!

It's a shame, because Nissan (like Chrysler) has built some fantastic cars in the past (I'm actually a Nissan fan, but back when the cars were called "Datsun").

That said, you're still better off with a Nissan than any Mitsubishi (who are perennially on the brink of destruction and seemingly intent on sales suicide)!

[cheddar]

elementad said:

Goofnik said:

cheddar said:

I was given the task of promoting these at trackdays, the price/bhp numbers looked good so I started calling it a Cayman for half the money whereas the truth was that they were pretty mundane to drive, didn't feel particularly quick and the engine lacked soul.

For smaller technical circuits, the reality is a base Cayman is quicker around the track (for actual people, not just racing drivers), feels much sharper and sounds unbelievably better. And the reality is the Cayman is less than 10% more expensive than the 370Z NISMO, and is actually more practical. That's a hard sell for Nissan when someone who is just a bit more patient to save a few more quid can instead get the Porsche with maybe the sport chassis, sport exhaust and PTV... and be happy with it for the next decade and beyond.

I think you need to compare like for like. The equivalent of the entry cayman is the entry non GT 370z which is still 328bhp but only £27k with Nissan reliability and cheap servicing.
Although the nismo is an whopping £37k that is the absolute top version. What's the top spec cayman?

It sounds like the GTR vs 911 has shifted down to 370z vs cayman.

It's a solid price hike from a 370 to a Cayman but one of them is reputedly the best sports car in the (real) world and the other is an underwhelming drive where reality fails to match the expectation.

There's always the slightly cheaper Cayman convertible for those who can't quite stretch to the tin top

[elementad]

cheddar said:

elementad said:

Goofnik said:

cheddar said:

I was given the task of promoting these at trackdays, the price/bhp numbers looked good so I started calling it a Cayman for half the money whereas the truth was that they were pretty mundane to drive, didn't feel particularly quick and the engine lacked soul.

For smaller technical circuits, the reality is a base Cayman is quicker around the track (for actual people, not just racing drivers), feels much sharper and sounds unbelievably better. And the reality is the Cayman is less than 10% more expensive than the 370Z NISMO, and is actually more practical. That's a hard sell for Nissan when someone who is just a bit more patient to save a few more quid can instead get the Porsche with maybe the sport chassis, sport exhaust and PTV... and be happy with it for the next decade and beyond.

I think you need to compare like for like. The equivalent of the entry cayman is the entry non GT 370z which is still 328bhp but only £27k with Nissan reliability and cheap servicing.
Although the nismo is an whopping £37k that is the absolute top version. What's the top spec cayman?

It sounds like the GTR vs 911 has shifted down to 370z vs cayman.

It's a solid price hike from a 370 to a Cayman but one of them is reputedly the best sports car in the (real) world and the other is an underwhelming drive where reality fails to match the expectation.

There's always the slightly cheaper Cayman convertible for those who can't quite stretch to the tin top

I had an S2000 for four years before I got the Z. Could've easily got a boxter but I have what can only be described as the opposite of badge snobbery.
I see so many boxsters driven by a mixture of
A) I know nothing about cars but the badge looks good - get yourself a boxster
B) someone who likes a nice car but is frightened of trying anything other than a Porsche or BMW brand
C) a car enthusiast.

It all puts me off and maybe I suffer on that one day a year I push the car to 10/10 but I get a bit of exclusivity and I know that 99% of the other owners are enthusiasts that have gone out if their way and had balls to go with the underdog - which is actually pretty good if you care to read any reviews apart from Chris Harris's.

[lamboman100]

The 370Z is basically a poorman's GTR.

But while the GTR looks good(ish) and sounds good(ish), the 370Z is just a bland eyesore.

Nissan need to pill their finger out.

[neil1jnr]

I quite like it. I have seen quite a bit more GTR's than 370Z's on the road. It would certainly interest me more if I see one than any Cayman, which here in Aberdeen, are just too common.

I love the sound of the 350Z's with a free flowing exahsut, I imagine this would sound quite good too, surprised to read Nissan have made it so muted!

[elementad]

lamboman100 said:

The 370Z is basically a poorman's GTR.

But while the GTR looks good(ish) and sounds good(ish), the 370Z is just a bland eyesore.

Nissan need to pill their finger out.

Thank god 99% of the professional motoring journalists don't agree.
After all, a RWD naturally aspirated old school sports car is exactly same as a 4wd twin turbo gadget filled modern day super car.... Hang on a minute

[NigelCayless]

I had a 370z black edition for 3 years from new. I thought it was great.

[thatguy11]

Apart from the front bumper that's a stunning bit of kit!

[J4CKO]

bobberz said:

I don't think the new bumper/fascia is any improvement over the old one; they're both awful.



IMO, Nissan lost the plot years ago. I would never buy one, as they have some of the most asinine "engineering" I've ever seen. Woe to anyone who gets stuck working on one.

Asinine

adjective : extremely stupid or foolish.

synonyms:stupid, foolish, pointless, brainless, mindless, senseless, doltish, idiotic, imbecilic, imbecile, insane, lunatic, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd, preposterous, nonsensical, fatuous, silly, childish, infantile, puerile, immature, juvenile, inane, witless, half-baked, empty-headed, unintelligent, half-witted, slow-witted, weak-minded; More

[Dagnut]

J4CKO said:

Dagnut said:

I don't understand Nissans approach to this car. The 344bhp should be standard on the base model. Ok bhp figures are not everything but this cars needs the numbers to get interest. The us Hyundai genesis coupe offers 350bhp now in the base spec 3.8. I can't believe Nissan the ability to release some hp and up the rev limit, I think it's been such a flop they can't arsed, too much badge snobbery in Europe in this sector

Just had a look at those, quite nice isnt it, they dont sell it over here, which is a shame, the base model has the same engine as the others in the range which they quote as 348 bhp.

I don't think Nissan do seem to be all that bothered about the 370, I suspect they will quietly drop it off pricelists, they have only ever sold 1600 or so according to howmanyleft, but I love that fact.

Yeah not bad at all and only $28k. Probably not the last word in refinement or handling, but the figures it offers put the NISMO in perspective. You would expect a NISMO version to be hitting 370-380 and hitting 8000rpm, with noise to match, with the standard version hitting 350bhp by now

[Dagnut]

elementad said:

I had an S2000 for four years before I got the Z. Could've easily got a boxter but I have what can only be described as the opposite of badge snobbery.
I see so many boxsters driven by a mixture of
A) I know nothing about cars but the badge looks good - get yourself a boxster
B) someone who likes a nice car but is frightened of trying anything other than a Porsche or BMW brand
C) a car enthusiast.

It all puts me off and maybe I suffer on that one day a year I push the car to 10/10 but I get a bit of exclusivity and I know that 99% of the other owners are enthusiasts that have gone out if their way and had balls to go with the underdog - which is actually pretty good if you care to read any reviews apart from Chris Harris's.

When it was released it was match for the Gen 1 Cayman and was an absolute bargain compared to it...plus it is far better looking and has much more presence on the road IMO...but 5 years later they want to charge you an extra 10k for what should have been an end of life revamp...the Cayman now runs rings around it and is closer in price, it's hard to make a case for this NISMO version.