370Z GT Roadster

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The 370Z doesn't get much love on here(but I thought I'd do one after Jacko on here suggested it).

I was on the look out for another weekend/occasional car and a TVR Chim was high on my radar but I had slight concerns regards age/reliability. I test drove a 350Z Roadster back in 2006(also loved my 200SX) and I liked it and the 350Z/370Z have always been on my bucket list.

The 370Z is a pretty rare car in Roadster form but I noticed this one within my budget(2011/Black Rose), and the fact that it had a Stillen Gen 3 intake and Tarmac Sportz full custom exhaust system with sports cats on it made the difference for me. I've always criticised the quietness of most performance cars after my TVR...but this certainly delivers on the noise front.

Driving wise I really like the old school feel of it(heavy clutch/heavy gearbox). I'm also pretty vocal at how poor some manual gearboxes are but I really rate this one. Another must have for me was a Limited Slip Diff because I've appreciated those on other RWD cars that I've had.

Early impressions of the car are very good although because of its weight(around 1600kg) and power delivery(max power at 7000rpm) it doesn't feel that quick...it sounds fast though! I think I will be very happy with it for sure.

Few pics(Dealer and one of it in my garage)(I will add more when I take them). Thanks for reading.

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Thanks.

They've always been a lot of car for the money I think, even new they were good value versus their rivals. You still don't see many around though, I guess the 20 mpg and £575 tax puts most off to be fair.

Also they don't really push that much power out for the engine capacity and on paper they're not that quick...especially compared to the Turbo stuff we are accustomed to nowadays.

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Jimmy Recard said:

Very nice, I absolutely love these. They're on my list too

Cheers

I've always fancied one since the 350Z launched and I remember requesting a sales brochure for one. It has still taken me 13 years to get one after a test drive in 2006 though!

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LaurasOtherHalf said:

One of those cars that is so much VFM, your neighbours will all think you've won the lottery.

Loved my 350Z and these look just even better.

I remember being blown away by the 350Z when it first came out and I had my 200SX then...so the 350Z really grabbed my attention. I could do with a lottery win to keep on top of the fuel bills I reckon!

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ZX10R NIN said:

Nice OP is it that rare Aubergine colour?

Thanks, I think it is officially called Black Rose but it does look an Aubergine colour in certain light. I always think of you regards the 350Z/370Z because you always recommend them.

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Turn7 said:

I do like a ZED, but not a fan of the roadster Im afraid.

A few of my mates have ribbed me for going for the Roadster! They did too when I had my Z4M Roadster. One of my priorities/favourite thing with a car is the noise/sound so a Roadster really appeals to me in that regard.

Both the 370Z and Z4M in Coupe form do look immense for sure though I agree.

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SiT said:

That’s lovely, I have been posting about these recently and joined the 350z UK forum which is really active.

I think they are great value for money and you get all creature comforts including ventilated seats!!!!! Saw that one myself, it’s a lovely colour and mods are a bonus.

Just sold my own car and in a difficult place - be sensible and get a 370Z or not and get a C63!


Decisions!

Si

Thanks very much and I've recently joined the 350Z UK forum too.

The C63 is a tremendous motor and the engine in that is out of this world for sure. All the best whichever way you go.

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milu said:

Looks great
I reckon it has wheel spacers on too. Bonus!

Thanks and that's a good spot. I didn't even realise that it had spacers on it until I got it home!

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CousinDupree said:

A lovely 370Z OP, congrats!

I've tried a 350z, but not a 370z so far. Any idea how they compare?

C63s are awesome with the 6.2. Not suitable for hair dressers though

Cheers!

I've only test drove the 350Z so I've not had enough experience with them but I did like it when I did. I don't think there is that much between the two in fairness. Both have a lovely old school recipe about them.

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liner33 said:

Some nice subtle mods , rare car and great colour

Worth checking if the timing cover gaskets have been replaced , they were revised in 2012 and the earlier ones are prone to failure and can cause low oil pressure to the camshafts (Happens on the 350z HR as well but they have a pressure gauge to show the low pressure unlike the 370)

More info here https://www.350z-uk.com/topic/108292-oil-gallery-g...

Thanks and thanks very much for the experience share. I wasn't aware of this problem. Cheers.

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Still over the moon with it thanks...although I do only use it twice a week purely for fun/pleasure roof down so I suppose I'm going to really enjoy it in that situation.

I absolutely love the noise it makes and at really high revs it gives an angry noise that reminds me of my TVR a fair bit. It does suffer from some drone though but I guess that is to be expected because it only has the two rear silencers on it...the rest is just pipe and the sports cats.

It is doing 20 mpg which I think is fair for how its being used, I did get caught up in a bit of stop/start traffic the other day and I found it a little tiring in that situation.

It is more suited to sweeping bends rather than the tight twisties and I think my Cooper S is more fun on them. But with a bit of open space it is fantastic to rev out and I'm appreciating enjoying the depth of a N/A engine again.

I've put some new rear pads on it and I think the fronts won't be long either. One annoying thing is the traction control and it flashes at you loads above 4k rpm so I turn that off now as soon as I get in it.

The 370Z comes very highly recommended from me for sure.

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MB140 said:

My wife’s old one sadly now sold on. Slightly breathed on by Seven Valley Motorsport (engine and map). H&R springs and spacers. Tarmac Sportz splitter, skirts, spats and defuser. Ark Grip exhaust. R35 bonnet vents and other stuff I can’t remember. The joys of being married to a petrolhead that can drive fast and well.

It’s one of the few cars she has regretted selling. Sold without the Ark Grip.

Hope you have as much fun and enjoyment out of it as we had hers. There’s a great forum that organise weekends away. In fact my wife organised one in the Peak District for the owners club a few years back.

Thanks.

That looks awesome with the tasteful mods.

Really pleased to hear that you both enjoyed the car.

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coldel said:

Hope you are enjoying the car, I was a mod on the 350z-uk forum

As someone said above google steering lock failure, it doesn't sound like a big deal but you can be hit with up to a four figure bill if it goes on you. The general recommendation is you pull the fuse on it the second you buy the car, if it hasn't been already.

In terms of the other question 350z vs 370z, bear in mind there are three engine versions of the 350z if you like which appeared one after the other during the life of the production run. DE, Revup and HR - the HR is much closer to the engine spec of the 370z, in fact many people buy the 350z HR instead of paying extra for the 370z and live with the older look and more dated interior and put the extra thousands back in their pocket. But its all personal preference. Oh, and rev-matching

I am big time thanks.

Really appreciate the share regards the steering lock and I've recently joined the 350Z forum but I've only been browsing up to now.

I love the rev matching too-although with it being coupled to a loud exhaust...I could be accused of showing off a bit too much with it!!

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I will do then cheers.

I bet your VX220 is cracking fun!

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liner33 said:

What tyres do you have on it? I found the OEM Potenzas to be pretty lacking but Mich Pilot SS were awesome

I was chuffed to see Michelin pilot sport 4's on it and I'm happy enough with those at the moment. Super sports are brilliant from what I've read for sure. I've always liked potenzas in the past but from doing some reading they don't work as well on the Z as you mention.

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Thanks Andy and yours looks gorgeous there.

They are so rare and I do like the individual nature of it to be fair. I also enjoyed having my Cerbera/200sx for similar reasons.

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A couple of pics from today, I'm sorry they're cropped to high heaven but my phone won't let me upload the originals.

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I did notice that they do a supercharger conversion for it for 7k!

I'm happy with it in fairness though at the minute with the light mods it already has. I've never touched the suspension of any cars that I've had but I know plenty do with very good results.

I'm just waiting now for some decent weather so I can start using/enjoying it more.

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liner33 said:

Probably nearer 12-15k for the supercharger conversion . I had one myself with the Stillen kit , wouldn't bother personally

That is expensive...and I don't think I will bother then!!

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Alias218 said:

Lovely colour you have on your 370z. Good to see another patron of the Zed community; I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks a lot!

Pleased you're enjoying your Z.