A Special 'Zed' - 370Z 40th Anniversary (Black Edition)
Discussion
I haven't done a reader's car thread before, mainly because none of my previous cars have really warranted a thread about them!
Having recently moved into our first house and knowing my MOT, tax and insurance were all falling this month and with a load of bits needing fixing/sorting on the 3 series, I started looking through the classifieds at something to replace it with. I'd been thinking of getting something silly to feed my craving for more fun, coming to the conclusion that it was going to be an RS4, 987 Boxster S or E92 M3.
In the back of my mind, I'd always had a soft spot for old 'Z' cars, ever since my dad bought his first 260Z. It was replaced with a slightly newer 280Z a few years on and I've had fond memories of them ever since. So when the 370Z was first released, it caught my eye and my love for the shape was recently rekindled when I started browsing, trying to find my ideal spec. All of this was irrelevant however, given that I'd never driven one. That all changed however when I got up yesterday...
I'd spotted an MY10 40th Anniversary 'Black Edition' over at a dealership in Chertsey and decided to go along for a test drive. Big mistake. It was honestly every bit as good as I'd wanted it to be. Having had a spate of fairly 'normal' cars, I hadn't prepared myself for just how quick and well equipped it might be. Power delivery was incredible, even though limited while on a test drive. The synchro rev matching feature is a nice touch when wanting to press on or pass where possible, and particularly when cruising through a 40 and dropping into second approaching the lights.
Suffice to say I got back to the dealership with a smile on my face and wanting to get back in again. I loved it.
So, let me introduce you to my new 'Zed' (not Zee to the americans among us!). My 370Z 40th Anniversary 'Black Edition', #083.
Currently going through its dealership checks and a new ceramic paint protection and chip repair. I'll start to update this once I've taken delivery at the end of the week and can really get to grips with it properly.
More photos and updates to follow shortly!
Thanks for looking.
Having recently moved into our first house and knowing my MOT, tax and insurance were all falling this month and with a load of bits needing fixing/sorting on the 3 series, I started looking through the classifieds at something to replace it with. I'd been thinking of getting something silly to feed my craving for more fun, coming to the conclusion that it was going to be an RS4, 987 Boxster S or E92 M3.
In the back of my mind, I'd always had a soft spot for old 'Z' cars, ever since my dad bought his first 260Z. It was replaced with a slightly newer 280Z a few years on and I've had fond memories of them ever since. So when the 370Z was first released, it caught my eye and my love for the shape was recently rekindled when I started browsing, trying to find my ideal spec. All of this was irrelevant however, given that I'd never driven one. That all changed however when I got up yesterday...
I'd spotted an MY10 40th Anniversary 'Black Edition' over at a dealership in Chertsey and decided to go along for a test drive. Big mistake. It was honestly every bit as good as I'd wanted it to be. Having had a spate of fairly 'normal' cars, I hadn't prepared myself for just how quick and well equipped it might be. Power delivery was incredible, even though limited while on a test drive. The synchro rev matching feature is a nice touch when wanting to press on or pass where possible, and particularly when cruising through a 40 and dropping into second approaching the lights.
Suffice to say I got back to the dealership with a smile on my face and wanting to get back in again. I loved it.
So, let me introduce you to my new 'Zed' (not Zee to the americans among us!). My 370Z 40th Anniversary 'Black Edition', #083.
Currently going through its dealership checks and a new ceramic paint protection and chip repair. I'll start to update this once I've taken delivery at the end of the week and can really get to grips with it properly.
More photos and updates to follow shortly!
Thanks for looking.
Edited by CypherP on Monday 1st July 20:23
Edited by CypherP on Monday 1st July 20:24
Nice car!
Black Interior? Reversing camera?
I test drove one in 2009 when I was looking for something a bit more fun to replace the Evo and was (and still am) sorely tempted. Lots of go, and a nice presence. Great interior, too.
In the end, it would have been a daily driver, and three things put me off - utter lack of rear visibility; reversing would have been a chore, the vibration through the gear stick, and the unbelievably light clutch, though I'm sure I'd have got used to the last.
The newer models in the US have the reversing camera, so would get round that issue for me.
Still tempted, might have to start looking again next year after paying off the forthcoming arrival.
Black Interior? Reversing camera?
I test drove one in 2009 when I was looking for something a bit more fun to replace the Evo and was (and still am) sorely tempted. Lots of go, and a nice presence. Great interior, too.
In the end, it would have been a daily driver, and three things put me off - utter lack of rear visibility; reversing would have been a chore, the vibration through the gear stick, and the unbelievably light clutch, though I'm sure I'd have got used to the last.
The newer models in the US have the reversing camera, so would get round that issue for me.
Still tempted, might have to start looking again next year after paying off the forthcoming arrival.
jimmyjimjim said:
Nice car!
Black Interior? Reversing camera?
I test drove one in 2009 when I was looking for something a bit more fun to replace the Evo and was (and still am) sorely tempted. Lots of go, and a nice presence. Great interior, too.
In the end, it would have been a daily driver, and three things put me off - utter lack of rear visibility; reversing would have been a chore, the vibration through the gear stick, and the unbelievably light clutch, though I'm sure I'd have got used to the last.
The newer models in the US have the reversing camera, so would get round that issue for me.
Still tempted, might have to start looking again next year after paying off the forthcoming arrival.
Thanks for the comments guys.Black Interior? Reversing camera?
I test drove one in 2009 when I was looking for something a bit more fun to replace the Evo and was (and still am) sorely tempted. Lots of go, and a nice presence. Great interior, too.
In the end, it would have been a daily driver, and three things put me off - utter lack of rear visibility; reversing would have been a chore, the vibration through the gear stick, and the unbelievably light clutch, though I'm sure I'd have got used to the last.
The newer models in the US have the reversing camera, so would get round that issue for me.
Still tempted, might have to start looking again next year after paying off the forthcoming arrival.
Jimmy - as its the 40th anniversary, the interior is a mix of red leather and alcantara. The reversing camera was on the options list, but wasn't included.
I do have to agree with you on the lack of rear visibility. Having come from a 3 series, its going to take me a while to get used to reverse parking and double checking mirrors when lane changing. However, while its a bit of an nuisance, I've become too used to driving my 3 series and knowing the size and space I have. I'm looking forward to focusing a bit more on the driving, rather than finding myself a little complacent.
As for the clutch, both of my test drives felt that the clutch actually had some weight behind it, which was nice. However, this might be because I've just come from 3 years of an autobox!
Have just spoken to the dealership who have confirmed the car will be ready for Monday (was hoping to get it today to be able to enjoy the weather in it this weekend but no such luck). More photos to follow early next week when the weather will hopefully still be nice. Rapidly losing patience by waiting this long for it though!
The newer gen 370z is pretty nice car overall if you could live with the visibility and lack of rear seats.
It's pretty tail happy too if you want some fun and very comfortable cruiser otherwise. Only thing I don't really like is how raspy the engine sounded when revved.
Reverse camera can be retrofitted for about £150.
It's pretty tail happy too if you want some fun and very comfortable cruiser otherwise. Only thing I don't really like is how raspy the engine sounded when revved.
Reverse camera can be retrofitted for about £150.
crazy about cars said:
Only thing I don't really like is how raspy the engine sounded when revved.
Funnily enough, this is one of the things I love about these and the 350Z. The reverb from the exhaust at around 5-6k rpm is a very lovely sound indeed!Interesting that the reversing camera can be retro-fitted. This may be something I look at doing if reverse-parking is proving more difficult that expected.
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