replaced the track car, 370z
Discussion
I've always been a big fan of nissan Z cars.. The 350z at one point was a dream car with the GTR being unobtonium for me at that age.. but times move and one GTR, a 300ZX and two 350Zs later, I find myself weirdly lusting after one not long after selling each one.
Since getting the westfield, a normal track car makes no real sense, but there's something about going to a further away track in something with a roof that probably has some logistical benefits.. but that sasid, I have always enjoyed the z cars nonetheless
Where as the GTR was out and out fast, the Z cars take a balanced sports car view on things.
Big v6, no silly 2+2 seats, engaging enough drive, it's always fun.
The first 350 I had had no paperwork and was showing its age, but it was still fairly fun. being a Gen 1 it was down on power and had the usual broken cheap plastic centre console lid, window regulators, intermittently failing amplifier and a whole host of worn bushes.
[url
The second was an absolute rat, ripped seats, higher miles, everything that could wear was wearing including the paint and a cheap, LOUD exhaust. I still enjoyed them and now I have a bit of space again, I find myself naturally browsing Z cars once more.. Problem being a 350Z track in 'ok' condition is now commanding a serious premium. So much so that I began considering 370s..
I was never convinced that the 370 was worth 2,3,4 times the 350. But now the pricing has gone nuts, man maths took over. For an extra handful of change, I could pick up a basic 370 rather than a 350 track which prooved a bit dififcult to overlook.
A week later I've picked up this:
Track pack so importantly has the LSD and rev matching.
I'm impressed with the interior if im honest.
A step up from the 350 with its cheap bin lid, and has a few touches of alcantara and faux leather to the dash. It feels nice and focused with the three dash dials too but the button heavy satnav hasn't aged well
Someone's added a niamo wheel, unsure if its genuine or not bur it's super chunky, reminds me of the z4m wheel. My hands are big ish so it suits me and the steering controls are the only infotainment buttons that work at the moment..
It's either been dropped on some coilovers, have had the wheels off to see what make but the csr did handle beautifully on the track, tbh this one was a literal get it and drive the wheels of it type of acquisition.
Zero roll, nice firm ride without being an absolute bone shaker and couple place the car exactly where I wanted to.
Paint needs a polsh up but ti does come with a Seibon GTR style bonnet.
Another couple of tweaks included a titanium exhaust and AEM intakes, a combination which sounds surprisingly ferocious. It's a shame that it currently bottoms out and lost both bolts on the trackday
It's a challenge to not get carried away, a touch screen android based unit for the infotainment (the buttons have all failed) is on its way, I'm hoping to be able to load track addict on it, some nismo seats would be a nice add but unfortunately are far from abundant (I want to go oem ideally as the road rules here are rediculously strict sometimes, good to retain the airbags etc)
So far - it's been the most fund I've had on the track, ever - possibly owing to treating it as a car to punish.
Looing forwards to get stuck into it, the aim is going to be to save a few kgs if I can, get the most out of it performance wise - most likely keeping it naturally aspirated though
Since getting the westfield, a normal track car makes no real sense, but there's something about going to a further away track in something with a roof that probably has some logistical benefits.. but that sasid, I have always enjoyed the z cars nonetheless
Where as the GTR was out and out fast, the Z cars take a balanced sports car view on things.
Big v6, no silly 2+2 seats, engaging enough drive, it's always fun.
The first 350 I had had no paperwork and was showing its age, but it was still fairly fun. being a Gen 1 it was down on power and had the usual broken cheap plastic centre console lid, window regulators, intermittently failing amplifier and a whole host of worn bushes.
The second was an absolute rat, ripped seats, higher miles, everything that could wear was wearing including the paint and a cheap, LOUD exhaust. I still enjoyed them and now I have a bit of space again, I find myself naturally browsing Z cars once more.. Problem being a 350Z track in 'ok' condition is now commanding a serious premium. So much so that I began considering 370s..
I was never convinced that the 370 was worth 2,3,4 times the 350. But now the pricing has gone nuts, man maths took over. For an extra handful of change, I could pick up a basic 370 rather than a 350 track which prooved a bit dififcult to overlook.
A week later I've picked up this:
Track pack so importantly has the LSD and rev matching.
I'm impressed with the interior if im honest.
A step up from the 350 with its cheap bin lid, and has a few touches of alcantara and faux leather to the dash. It feels nice and focused with the three dash dials too but the button heavy satnav hasn't aged well
Someone's added a niamo wheel, unsure if its genuine or not bur it's super chunky, reminds me of the z4m wheel. My hands are big ish so it suits me and the steering controls are the only infotainment buttons that work at the moment..
It's either been dropped on some coilovers, have had the wheels off to see what make but the csr did handle beautifully on the track, tbh this one was a literal get it and drive the wheels of it type of acquisition.
Zero roll, nice firm ride without being an absolute bone shaker and couple place the car exactly where I wanted to.
Paint needs a polsh up but ti does come with a Seibon GTR style bonnet.
Another couple of tweaks included a titanium exhaust and AEM intakes, a combination which sounds surprisingly ferocious. It's a shame that it currently bottoms out and lost both bolts on the trackday
It's a challenge to not get carried away, a touch screen android based unit for the infotainment (the buttons have all failed) is on its way, I'm hoping to be able to load track addict on it, some nismo seats would be a nice add but unfortunately are far from abundant (I want to go oem ideally as the road rules here are rediculously strict sometimes, good to retain the airbags etc)
So far - it's been the most fund I've had on the track, ever - possibly owing to treating it as a car to punish.
Looing forwards to get stuck into it, the aim is going to be to save a few kgs if I can, get the most out of it performance wise - most likely keeping it naturally aspirated though
Edited by thejaywills on Sunday 14th September 01:36
Edited by thejaywills on Sunday 14th September 02:18
Kaveney said:
Iv had a few 350Z but always wanted a 370Z as they are such a great looking car with a great old school big engine rear wheel drive set up .
Do you have any pictures as i would love to see what the car looks like .
Oops. - I think I forgot to save the edit with the photos, now added Do you have any pictures as i would love to see what the car looks like .
Agreed, I really love the looks of both but from some angles the 70 has these little flares and details that I love
First track day was eventful, on old, cheap tyres, scrabling for grip all over but it made it heaps of fun and I left blown away at just how well balanced the 370 felt despite the clear lack of traction.
Once I got a feel for it, the back end would rotate on command, it'd pull nicely to the redline down the straights, and it would hold a little drift as long as needed if i wanted to havve a bit of fun.
Only immediate issue was the temperature dipping towards 130 when pressing on. So an oil cooler will be first up.
Surprisinly I got zero brake fade (unlike on the GTR on the same track) from the sports pack's upgraded brakes - but I would have been tearing along less rapidly too and it is half a tonne lighter.
The only casualty was two bolts that came off the exhaust mid section. The entry ro the track had a very low clearance point which something scraped the length of then on the final section I found I had a section of the exhaust hanging done. Cue a scramble for some jacks and axle stands
Once I got a feel for it, the back end would rotate on command, it'd pull nicely to the redline down the straights, and it would hold a little drift as long as needed if i wanted to havve a bit of fun.
Only immediate issue was the temperature dipping towards 130 when pressing on. So an oil cooler will be first up.
Surprisinly I got zero brake fade (unlike on the GTR on the same track) from the sports pack's upgraded brakes - but I would have been tearing along less rapidly too and it is half a tonne lighter.
The only casualty was two bolts that came off the exhaust mid section. The entry ro the track had a very low clearance point which something scraped the length of then on the final section I found I had a section of the exhaust hanging done
. Cue a scramble for some jacks and axle standsjimmyjimjim said:
I test drove a 370Z many years ago. After the Evo I had at the time, the only things that struck me were the incredibly light clutch (kept banging it to the floor very loudly) and enormous vibration through the gearstick. Brand new dealer demonstrator with under 1k; feature or bug?
This is the first 370 I've driven at length but no vibration on my gear stick and the clutch is actually fairly heavy - I do know that a new clutch has been added within the last 10k kms though so it could be an afyermarlet kit fixed those problems or it could have just been that demo?Great cars, had a GT spec manual enjoyed the rev matching and general robustness of the thing. Needed an exhaust as the standard one was too quiet. Ideal base for a track car, though cooling something to keep an eye on.
Would have liked a Red facelift Nismo but the money they are here puts them up against other very compelling options. Gratuitous pic:
Would have liked a Red facelift Nismo but the money they are here puts them up against other very compelling options. Gratuitous pic:
thejaywills said:
jimmyjimjim said:
I test drove a 370Z many years ago. After the Evo I had at the time, the only things that struck me were the incredibly light clutch (kept banging it to the floor very loudly) and enormous vibration through the gearstick. Brand new dealer demonstrator with under 1k; feature or bug?
This is the first 370 I've driven at length but no vibration on my gear stick and the clutch is actually fairly heavy - I do know that a new clutch has been added within the last 10k kms though so it could be an afyermarlet kit fixed those problems or it could have just been that demo?I had a 350Z on my shortlist years ago, but test drove a BMW Z4 Coupe and decided I had to have one of those (albeit not that one)!
They look like very close competitors and I still wonder how I would have found the Nissan Z had I tried one. But 11 years on I'm still in love with my Z4M Coupe.
They look like very close competitors and I still wonder how I would have found the Nissan Z had I tried one. But 11 years on I'm still in love with my Z4M Coupe.
jwwbowe said:
Great cars, had a GT spec manual enjoyed the rev matching and general robustness of the thing. Needed an exhaust as the standard one was too quiet. Ideal base for a track car, though cooling something to keep an eye on.
Would have liked a Red facelift Nismo but the money they are here puts them up against other very compelling options. Gratuitous pic:
Definitely too quiet standard but with induction and an exhaust they sound fantastic Would have liked a Red facelift Nismo but the money they are here puts them up against other very compelling options. Gratuitous pic:
Cooling is definitely the first concern, I hit 130 degrees pretty quickly and that was on a cool day so next purchase will be an oil cooler. I'm not sure if one is needed for the tranny, or if a beefier radiator is needed
I'd love a nismo too and similarly the prices are hard to justify - I'd need to fork out over double what I did for the sports - and thats including the mods it has already.. By the time I throw another few thousands at it, I'll have something that can go harder than the nismo ever could so it's a no brainer!
Beautiful pic, the colour makes it look really classy imo
MB140 said:
Wife s and I had 350 and 370z, the 370z to this day is the only car we regret getting rid of, oh and maybe the mustang for a 911 turbo which will be gone soon.
They look great, I wanted a coupe for the track but there has always been something really likable about the roadster. Interesting with the Turbo, didn't get on with it?
thomasrs50 said:
Car looks great! I always wanted one of these, but road tax (in Belgium) is insane (will have a look later just how insane).
That 'side-by-side' picture with the GTR? Is that an optical illusion? Or is the GTR really that big?
Thanks That 'side-by-side' picture with the GTR? Is that an optical illusion? Or is the GTR really that big?
Didn't know that about road tax in Belgium! Did you find out how insane??The 350 is ever so slightly in the background, but yes the GTR certainly makes them look small!
jimmyjimjim said:
No, idea! - that's why I was curious. I do get more vibration than that on the GR Corolla now, but that was the first time I'd felt significant vibration on any car. Would have been the first year of 370 production.
Interesting, I wonder if it improved, I remember the early 350s were reknowned for being rougher around the edges from the laster euro versions Mr Tidy said:
I had a 350Z on my shortlist years ago, but test drove a BMW Z4 Coupe and decided I had to have one of those (albeit not that one)!
They look like very close competitors and I still wonder how I would have found the Nissan Z had I tried one. But 11 years on I'm still in love with my Z4M Coupe.
Tough choice! I love the Z4Ms although I've only ever had roadsters but would love to try a coupe! Comparing the 370 to the roadster isn't a fair comparason but I think I've just got a soft spot for the Z, probably leftover emotions from my GTR for the most part - but I think I'd feel a little less hessitant to flog it around the track!They look like very close competitors and I still wonder how I would have found the Nissan Z had I tried one. But 11 years on I'm still in love with my Z4M Coupe.
Interior needs a little attention
The car came with Android auto which I accidentally found. Coincidentally the heating and ice controls didn't work. I figuer either the controls packed it in and they added an Android auto module - or they added the module and stuffed the controls in the process.
So I've gone from a large format tablet style screen to replace the ancient satnav
As luck would have it, i was also searching for new seats. I wanted a set of nismos which I appreciate arent as light as they could be (saving of around 10kg per seat), but they are factory so no issues with potential inspections required, come equipped with airbags and are plugged and play. They look great as recaro sportsters always do
Will miss the heated seas but they feel heaps gripper.
The car came with Android auto which I accidentally found. Coincidentally the heating and ice controls didn't work. I figuer either the controls packed it in and they added an Android auto module - or they added the module and stuffed the controls in the process.
So I've gone from a large format tablet style screen to replace the ancient satnav
As luck would have it, i was also searching for new seats. I wanted a set of nismos which I appreciate arent as light as they could be (saving of around 10kg per seat), but they are factory so no issues with potential inspections required, come equipped with airbags and are plugged and play. They look great as recaro sportsters always do
Will miss the heated seas but they feel heaps gripper.
Edited by thejaywills on Friday 19th September 04:08
Well today I gutted the oem heavy cd unit, screen and heater controls.
The controls had packed in and a previous owner had added an Android auto module that retained the dated oem head unit.
Changing the air con and getting Bluetooth audio were out.
So sourced a 14" vertical style screen.
While I was at it, time to add the nismo oem recaros. I wanted to go oen becauae despite the price, they retain airbags and are at least a little lighter.
I also hate leccy seats in sports cars.
Chuffed with the outcome, colour adds some contrast and the screen definitely modernises it over the overloaded old satnav. And I have Hester control again - win win!
Before
The controls had packed in and a previous owner had added an Android auto module that retained the dated oem head unit.
Changing the air con and getting Bluetooth audio were out.
So sourced a 14" vertical style screen.
While I was at it, time to add the nismo oem recaros. I wanted to go oen becauae despite the price, they retain airbags and are at least a little lighter.
I also hate leccy seats in sports cars.
Chuffed with the outcome, colour adds some contrast and the screen definitely modernises it over the overloaded old satnav. And I have Hester control again - win win!
Before
Edited by thejaywills on Sunday 21st September 15:02
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff