RE: Nissan 370Z NISMO: Driven
Discussion
I had my 370z GT for almost 4 years, sold it 2 weeks ago. Had an S2000 before that for equal amount of time.
Both cars were excellent, fun and reliable.
The car sounded good, just too quiet after engine warmed up. Was very quick. Interior was good quality, miles ahead from that of the 350 or newer GT86.
I'd much rather have one of these again with the weight of a true naturally aspirated V6 up front rather than a turbo'd 4 pot anyday.
Last point. Depreciation. It held its value fantastically for a mass production car. 4 years old and held nearly 55% of its value from new. Don't see many of the German marques managing that.
Both cars were excellent, fun and reliable.
The car sounded good, just too quiet after engine warmed up. Was very quick. Interior was good quality, miles ahead from that of the 350 or newer GT86.
I'd much rather have one of these again with the weight of a true naturally aspirated V6 up front rather than a turbo'd 4 pot anyday.
Last point. Depreciation. It held its value fantastically for a mass production car. 4 years old and held nearly 55% of its value from new. Don't see many of the German marques managing that.
MrGeoff said:
Why make a car all shouty and put a poxy map on the ECU which makes it no quicker than a standard 370 with some sensible tweaks?
I believe I am qualified to be that standard 370Z owner with sensible tweaks.I bought my Z as a replacement for an E60 M6. Almost immediately I regretted it for one main reason - the M6 had an exhaust note to bend the ear of God, the standard 370Z had a dismal racket that sounded marginally better than a barried Corsa with a knackered engine.
I bought a Stillen system (cats, exhaust, intake) for it and it transformed the sound for me. The car went from an uninspiring drone to a fruity rasp turning into a meaty bellow up in the high revs. Simply put, I've owned my 370Z longer than my M6 and 911 put together. That's how much a new exhaust transformed the car for me.
Without knowing what people expect from the 370Z it's difficult to respond to PH's question. However I love my car as it's an uncommon mix of a few traits - it's a sports car by nature, so it's low-slung and generally impractical. Note that a GT86 has roughly the same body shape as a Z, but incorporates two extra seats and just over half the size of the engine. That said, it's a very easy car to drive long distances, and while it's built to a price, it's very good at what it does. The Z is never going to be a supercar, but it's a lovely piece of engineering for someone who understands it's not competing with M3s or GT86s. In all honesty, I think it's competing with the 350Z.
To prove the noise capabilities of the 370Z, here are a few clips of mine. Nothing is particularly hoon-worthy but should be a good indication of exhaust note.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHTIo942Bo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o00GNAvtsc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqFJhF23E8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r766VPhl-Hw
As if to prove the total lack of interest – a mere 2 pages of response. If this were a Porsche or lotus thread we’d be on 10 by now. Having said that I like being 1 of only 100 in the UK with a MkI Nismo, probably only 25 in black? I’ve only seen three white models in the UK.
Re the previous post he makes some good points – it’s neither trying to compete with the M3 (and isn’t priced as such) and nor is it trying to be an Exige. I have added a Cobra backbox and Cosworth filters to mine and this has helped on the exhaust note side of things, but the induction noise is unchanged and perhaps more to do with the fundamental note generated by the cams / VVEL. Apparently the MkII has different engine mounts which helps a bit, but during my test drive they both still sounded like electric blenders. I was warned off adding custom intakes like the K&N Typhoon and Stillen Gen3 because they (allegedly) don’t make enough of a difference relative to the outlay. It’s something I’m willing to explore once out of Nissan warranty though. I had high-flow cats on my 350z and they added a lot of drama but are £600 odd quid for the 370 which is a chunk of post-tax change…
I also wouldn’t call the seating position “low-slung”, on the contrary I appear to be a seated a foot higher than any Caymanite. If you’ve seen the Japanese interview with the 350z designer he explains why this is their preferred method for GT cars along with the 53/47 weight distro – very interesting and counter-intuitive. The pedals and seating position itself is great though – as for the constant moaning about the lack of reach adjustment? MTFU!
Re the previous post he makes some good points – it’s neither trying to compete with the M3 (and isn’t priced as such) and nor is it trying to be an Exige. I have added a Cobra backbox and Cosworth filters to mine and this has helped on the exhaust note side of things, but the induction noise is unchanged and perhaps more to do with the fundamental note generated by the cams / VVEL. Apparently the MkII has different engine mounts which helps a bit, but during my test drive they both still sounded like electric blenders. I was warned off adding custom intakes like the K&N Typhoon and Stillen Gen3 because they (allegedly) don’t make enough of a difference relative to the outlay. It’s something I’m willing to explore once out of Nissan warranty though. I had high-flow cats on my 350z and they added a lot of drama but are £600 odd quid for the 370 which is a chunk of post-tax change…
I also wouldn’t call the seating position “low-slung”, on the contrary I appear to be a seated a foot higher than any Caymanite. If you’ve seen the Japanese interview with the 350z designer he explains why this is their preferred method for GT cars along with the 53/47 weight distro – very interesting and counter-intuitive. The pedals and seating position itself is great though – as for the constant moaning about the lack of reach adjustment? MTFU!
sebhaque said:
To prove the noise capabilities of the 370Z, here are a few clips of mine. Nothing is particularly hoon-worthy but should be a good indication of exhaust note.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHTIo942Bo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o00GNAvtsc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqFJhF23E8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r766VPhl-Hw
Wow, now that's more like it. Sounds fantastic!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHTIo942Bo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o00GNAvtsc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqFJhF23E8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r766VPhl-Hw
Make it sound like this one and it'll be a winner... or illegal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6LsXGIZqGk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6LsXGIZqGk
Dynamic Turtle said:
I also wouldn’t call the seating position “low-slung”, on the contrary I appear to be a seated a foot higher than any Caymanite.
In all honesty, that's probably more due to my vertically-challenged posture since the seats don't go up or down. The Porks are at least somewhat more forgiving to drivers of a shorter stature.Guvernator said:
Wow, now that's more like it. Sounds fantastic!
Thanks! I now own a Black edition 370 GT fitted with an invidia exhaust (soon to add stillen gen 3 intake and either ark resonated bypass pipe or berk high flow cats).
It's a more refined drive than the 350z but the huge amount of torque and excellent weight distribution makes it awesome once you know how to get the best out of it. It's also lighter than the 350z, wider, lower height and 10cm shorter.
370's do benefit from airflow tweeks, followed by an 'uprev' tune (resulting in circa 350bhp that the nismo has), and possibly lowering along with eibach away bars which stiffen the car. It's personal preference though- and the lower price (compared to Porsche etc) allow you to do this and have a rare care which is uber reliable compared to the bore scoring- engines of the porches in this price bracket. Also, i think the car looks awesome but regardless of point of view, it looks miles better than the awkward-dog-squatting mess that is the mk1 Cayman with an interior that looks like a 1990's Russian library.
Sadly though, the nismo still needs these tweeks despite costing £30k+ even second hand- which is why I went for the rare black edition which has all the options and a great interior/ sexy paint job without having to spend nismo cash.
The only thing which would tempt me away now is if the new a brz sti is supercharged/ turbo'd to 300bhp with 200kgs less...
It's a more refined drive than the 350z but the huge amount of torque and excellent weight distribution makes it awesome once you know how to get the best out of it. It's also lighter than the 350z, wider, lower height and 10cm shorter.
370's do benefit from airflow tweeks, followed by an 'uprev' tune (resulting in circa 350bhp that the nismo has), and possibly lowering along with eibach away bars which stiffen the car. It's personal preference though- and the lower price (compared to Porsche etc) allow you to do this and have a rare care which is uber reliable compared to the bore scoring- engines of the porches in this price bracket. Also, i think the car looks awesome but regardless of point of view, it looks miles better than the awkward-dog-squatting mess that is the mk1 Cayman with an interior that looks like a 1990's Russian library.
Sadly though, the nismo still needs these tweeks despite costing £30k+ even second hand- which is why I went for the rare black edition which has all the options and a great interior/ sexy paint job without having to spend nismo cash.
The only thing which would tempt me away now is if the new a brz sti is supercharged/ turbo'd to 300bhp with 200kgs less...
I now own a Black edition 370 GT fitted with an invidia exhaust (soon to add stillen gen 3 intake and either ark resonated bypass pipe or berk high flow cats). Moved on from a 350z with the excellent nismo exhaust and other bits which I loved.
It's a more refined drive than the 350z but the huge amount of torque and excellent weight distribution makes it awesome once you know how to get the best out of it. It's also lighter than the 350z, wider, lower height and 10cm shorter.
370's do benefit from airflow tweeks, followed by an 'uprev' tune (resulting in circa 350bhp that the nosmo has anyway), and possibly lowering along with eibach away bars which stiffen the car. It's personal preference though- and the lower price (compared to Porsche etc) allow you to do this and have a rare care which is uber reliable compared to the bore scoring- engines of the porches in this price bracket. Also, i think the car looks awesome but regardless of point of view, it looks miles better than the awkward-dog-squatting mess that is the mk1 Cayman with an interior that looks like a 1990's Russian library.
Sadly though, the nismo still needs these tweeks despite costing £30k+ even second hand- which is why I went for the rare black edition which has all the options and a great interior/ sexy paint job without having to spend nismo cash.
The only thing which would tempt me away now is if the new a brz sti is supercharged/ turbo'd to 300bhp with 200kgs less...
It's a more refined drive than the 350z but the huge amount of torque and excellent weight distribution makes it awesome once you know how to get the best out of it. It's also lighter than the 350z, wider, lower height and 10cm shorter.
370's do benefit from airflow tweeks, followed by an 'uprev' tune (resulting in circa 350bhp that the nosmo has anyway), and possibly lowering along with eibach away bars which stiffen the car. It's personal preference though- and the lower price (compared to Porsche etc) allow you to do this and have a rare care which is uber reliable compared to the bore scoring- engines of the porches in this price bracket. Also, i think the car looks awesome but regardless of point of view, it looks miles better than the awkward-dog-squatting mess that is the mk1 Cayman with an interior that looks like a 1990's Russian library.
Sadly though, the nismo still needs these tweeks despite costing £30k+ even second hand- which is why I went for the rare black edition which has all the options and a great interior/ sexy paint job without having to spend nismo cash.
The only thing which would tempt me away now is if the new a brz sti is supercharged/ turbo'd to 300bhp with 200kgs less...
Edited by Si_man306 on Wednesday 1st April 23:42
dufunk said:
Would do with a charger but unsure if this chassis could handle the extra power they were never the best handling things, 2GR makes 320bhp and more torque than this hyped engine without the charger and tuning we all know how well it sounds in the evora a different animal altogether.
That's a good point - 2GR does seem to be the sweeter engine as a direct comparison, but both are ultra-well engineered, well-built NA V6s with plenty of revs. Mmmmm I love me a 2GR.Guvernator said:
sebhaque said:
To prove the noise capabilities of the 370Z, here are a few clips of mine. Nothing is particularly hoon-worthy but should be a good indication of exhaust note.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHTIo942Bo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o00GNAvtsc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqFJhF23E8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r766VPhl-Hw
Wow, now that's more like it. Sounds fantastic!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHTIo942Bo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o00GNAvtsc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqFJhF23E8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r766VPhl-Hw
How is it on the motorways with that on it?
BORN2bWILD said:
I just parked my 1993 TVR Chimaera, which has about the same performance figures as this 370Z.
I also own a 600bhp GT-R so really not impressed with the performance of this Nismo 370Z
Good comparison a 30 grand 326 bhp car is slower than a 600 bhp car worth twice as much.I also own a 600bhp GT-R so really not impressed with the performance of this Nismo 370Z
I hear top gear are recruiting
Ved said:
Well, well. Suddenly my ears are open
How is it on the motorways with that on it?
No problems on the motorway at all. Cruising at typical UK motorway speeds draws a very quiet drone from the exhaust, it's barely audible over general wind/tyre noise. If you apply more than half throttle or drive at over ~4500rpm, you tend to get a bit of noise from the car.How is it on the motorways with that on it?
At low revs, applying a bit of throttle (e.g. to speed up an overtake) results in a low-pitch rumble from the intake. It's not really intrusive although it's easy to turn the radio down/stop the conversation to hear the gutteral roar from the intake. At high rpms the sound does drown out most conversation - but unless you're driving a 3-cylinder 107 I'm struggling to think of many cars where you'll be asking how Aunty Margaret is while exploring north of 7000rpm.
There's some clever trickery in the exhaust as it's satisfyingly loud on WOT but is remarkably quiet at warm idle and under light load. On cold starts it's rather noisy (well, noisy for 7am) but quietens down after 30 seconds on the move.
My 370Z travels from Bristol to London infrequently and I've never had a problem with noise intrusion at all.
ETA - is that a VC10 in the lead pic in the article?
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