Tuesday 4th May 2010

PH Fleet Update: Nissan 370Z

RacingPete heads to Scotland in the newest member of the PH Fleet

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What do you do when you are handed the keys to a new car? Take it for a quick spin around the block, go to your mate Dave's and show him your new motor, or take it on a 1180-mile journey to Scotland and back?

Luckily, some weeks before the keys to our new Nissan 370Z Coupe were in my hands, an invite to a wedding in Fife was delivered through my door.

The first task was fitting in all the necessary attire one takes to a wedding. The 370Z's boot is not the most practical, resembling more a parcel shelf than an actual boot, so when a hat box suddenly appeared on the luggage list I started to have my doubts.

The boot is also a little peculiar in its shape, as the top of the rear shock mounts and arches encroach into the space. With a little game of boot-tetris everything fitted, but the large single suitcase had to be exchanged for two smaller bags.

With a full boot sorted and seats comfortably positioned for the long journey north it became instantly apparent the visibility out of the rear half is pretty awkward. The seating position is very low - which I love on a race track - but when reversing or negotiating a tight junction you do feel you are guessing where the rear is. There is also a problem with the blind spots; they are just that, and looking over your shoulder as you come down a slip road or to change lane is a pointless affair as you find yourself starring at the C-pillar instead.

The lower part of the UK was the usual trudge through traffic and roadworks but, as the congestion dissipated north of Birmingham, the car felt like a pretty good a motorway cruiser.

Around the Lake District the fuel light popped up, so 290 miles into the journey we pulled up for some lunch and a spot of fuel. Some cars make you feel tired and exhausted when you get out after four-and-a-bit hours in the saddle, but the 370's seats caused no issues and the break was only needed to fill car and occupants up with fuel. A quick fuel calculation showed the car running at 25.6mpg, which I must admit felt a little disappointing after motorway cruising.

Entering Scotland, the terrain changed and the A74(M) didn't look like the most exciting road to be on, especially with some nice A- and B-roads winding up to Edinburgh on the map. So we speared off. On the windier roads the car came alive. Approach a corner and turn-in is about perfect; responsive and accurate and, with the viscous limited-slip differential in the rear, you can easily get back on the power early.

The only problem with the dynamic experience is the engine note. On full power the 3.7-litre V6 doesn't sing like you feel it should and, though it gives a lowish rumble when you get above 5000rpm, you feel the car is running out of breath. Push to the max 8500rpm and the screaming from the engine is a little painful. This engine note is not helped by the six-speed SynchroRev Match manual transmission as, when you change down, it makes noises akin to a torture chamber rather than a reassuring rumbling blip. The SynchroRev works very well when manoeuvring around the gearbox, though.

The B-road traffic we encountered was effortlessly despatched, too. Most of the time you can happily make swift progress using no more than 5000rpm. We made swift progress through Scotland and arrived at the wedding venue after eight hours of driving ready to party the weekend away on the finest Scottish cuisine.

With a slightly sore head for the return leg I decided to let the sat-nav show us some sights. The 370Z is fitted with the latest sat-nav from Nissan which includes the usual routing options, but also nestled in the POI are Michelin guides for restaurants, hotels and tourist spots. So a little time sitting through the options of "worth a journey", "worth a detour", and "yeah, it's all right" (not strictly the name) we plumped for a castle on the Scottish eastern coastline and headed off towards it. Nissan's latest version is one of the best in-built navs yet. It is clear and has a breakdown of all junctions (and, on a motorway, service stops).

 

We eventually arrived at Tantallon Castle and decided that Michelin must have had an off-day when categorising this one and it is definitely a "yeah, its all right" kind of sight. In fact the only famous thing I could find out about the place is that it has had two pictures - independently verified - of ghosts in windows published in newspapers. I am pretty sure my picture of it has none. Not perturbed by this I went for another "worth a detour" castle but also set a route via The Holy Island of Lindisfarne - as I've always wanted to see that - and to the great driving roads around Hadrian's wall.

Deciding not to tackle a rising tidal-covered causeway to the island, we skipped Lindisfarne and went straight to the castle. This time Michelin got it spot-on and we pulled up at the quirky and interesting Chillingham Castle. I reckon that touring sights purely by sat-nav is a highly enjoyable and mysterious way of seeing the country. I highly recommend it. Before stopping for the night we pointed ourselves down the B6318 Military Road into Newcastle.

As I headed back to the busy south down the last parts of the M1 the following morning it dawned on me that I was approaching 1180 miles and just under 24 hours sat in the driver's seat and I loved every bit of it.

In fact, I'm enjoying the 370Z so much I may now have to go round to my mate Dave's house to show it off.

[bencollins]

I reckon that is a fantastically styled car. Every angle is dramatic and pretty original. Hard to be new, quirky, manly and also pretty all at the same time, but IMO it definitely succeeds.

[Stu R]

bencollins said:

I reckon that is a fantastically styled car. Every angle is dramatic and pretty original. Hard to be new, quirky, manly and also pretty all at the same time, but IMO it definitely succeeds.

Have to agree, I think they're cracking looking cars.

[XJSJohn]

hopefully pick mine up from the dealers on Friday or Saturday

Fingers are already itching to buy the HKS true Dual exhaust and Intake Plenum!

and the cat's may even fall out on teh install .....

Great write-up too, planning to take mine up into Malaysia for the public holiday we get at the end of teh month, similar sort of trip only hotter

[bencollins]

Stu R said:

bencollins said:

I reckon that is a fantastically styled car. Every angle is dramatic and pretty original. Hard to be new, quirky, manly and also pretty all at the same time, but IMO it definitely succeeds.

Have to agree, I think they're cracking looking cars.

Ahh, so we are both definitely right then. Anybody who says otherwise is wrong. Fact.
The photos pretty good / complimentary to the lines too.

[Hellbound]

I 'emjoyed' that article....*scoff*

[Jellymonster]

it really is a delicious car...

[Beefmeister]

What's a 'motot'?

Great writeup though Pete - I do love those 370s.

The only issue i still have is with the wheels - i really don't like them. I think they far too fussy for that car. If i got a 370Z the first thing i'd have to do is change the wheels.

[RacingPete]

Beefmeister said:

What's a 'motot'?

As you know, you spend hours writing the most perfect article and hand it to the subs team and they add loads of errors

[tonym911]

Never been convinced by this engine in this application. Drove a couple of 350s in the early days and it felt like quite an old-fashioned lump, more like the old Jag straight six, better suited for steady touring (and dare I say it, an auto) than for razzing up and down the gears.

[West4x4]

Looks great. Never driven one or been in one but i like them

[vz-r_dave]

tonym911 said:

Never been convinced by this engine in this application. Drove a couple of 350s in the early days and it felt like quite an old-fashioned lump, more like the old Jag straight six, better suited for steady touring (and dare I say it, an auto) than for razzing up and down the gears.

What would the right engine be in Nissans current lineup?

They dont really have anything else, although this is used in several platforms I suppose. If you look at it from that perspective then its a good all round engine.

My question is, will they ever throw in a V8? The GTR is supposed to rival the M3 where price concerns but its a much quicker car. A V8 in the 370Z for 35-40K would surely steal pottential M3/Porsche buyers and would be as quick or quicker.

Exciting times ahead for Nissan

[CoopR]

Nissan did the 370z right I think, lighter, smaller, faster and better looking than the 350z. Everything an upgrade should be.

It's a shame the recession hit them right at launch although I'm seeing more and more on the roads these days.

[nick_j007]

I enjoy reading about this car. Love it in white.

Pictures. Looks like your sensor needs a blast of air? Spot in the sky. Also with a white car you'll need to dial in a couple of extra stops for exposure...some of these were a little dull.

Nick

[soad]

Looking good, like the rear too.

[davee7]

nick_j007 said:

Pictures. Looks like your sensor needs a blast of air? Spot in the sky. Also with a white car you'll need to dial in a couple of extra stops for exposure...some of these were a little dull.

Are you for real?

[TU Tuning]

Rears an improvement on the 350, but the front bumpers fangs and the wheels look awful imo.

[nick_j007]

davee7 said:

nick_j007 said:

Pictures. Looks like your sensor needs a blast of air? Spot in the sky. Also with a white car you'll need to dial in a couple of extra stops for exposure...some of these were a little dull.

Are you for real?

No. It's my medication talking

[adilmon]

Did anyone else notice it was parked in a disabled bay???

[TaylotS2K]

Like the looks of these, although the front could do with tweeking. Those front lights need a re-style IMO.

[Patrick Bateman]

Stu R said:

bencollins said:

I reckon that is a fantastically styled car. Every angle is dramatic and pretty original. Hard to be new, quirky, manly and also pretty all at the same time, but IMO it definitely succeeds.

Have to agree, I think they're cracking looking cars.

There's one at my work, first one I've seen in the flesh and it does look fantastic.

Much nicer than the 350Z although the differences aren't even that great.