It's the little things...
 

Well, I finally got around to driving a 370Z a couple of weeks ago. It was an auto Touring without sport, and I posted impressions somewhere else.

However, there was a weird nagging uncomfortableness with the car when I drove it. I liked the interior updates, the power, and the handling, etc. But the car just didn't fit me. It was one of those weird things... most of it was the lack of visibility, both rearward and blind spots that made me uncomfortable.

Those blind spots are atrocious, and the side windows are useless. Not having had a dedicated sports car in several years, I figured I had just gotten spoiled, driving my Lexus SUV and Mini Cooper S, which are basically upright glass boxes with plenty of visibility. During the 370Z test drive, I chalked it up to just not being used to having a sports car... sitting so low, small sight lines, etc. I'd be curious if anybody else noticed this during test drives...

The way I drive, I'm always making myself aware of what's around me... using peripheral vision and quick glances out the rearview and over each shoulder. I'm usually travelling faster than the flow of traffic, easily threading from lane to lane as needed, because I already know what's there. What was weird in the 370, was when I went to change lanes, I had to think about it, slow down a little bit, double check blind spots, side mirrors, back view, etc... to make sure nothing was around me or coming up on me. It was very unsettling... and broke my driving rhythm. I'm used to having a mental picture in my head of the vehicles around me, and I found it very difficult in the 370Z to keep this mental picture updated, with the visibility so hindered. After the test drive, I even had halfway decided that maybe I was getting old, and should reconsider the G37 sedan...

It's too bad, I really wanted to like the 370z, even though it came to fruition much heavier than anticipated, and still with very little usable trunk space. Then, I went and drove some other cars. I drove a new 6MT G37 sedan, and liked it. It was so comforting, the way I could easily keep tabs on what was around me- I could actually drive it faster than the 370z. Then I drove a Cayman S, another car I've been considering. And my view changed. That car has great visibility, I didn't feel uncomfortable at all - it fit. I drove it for 30 minutes... a lot of that in traffic, and never felt un-nerved. It's also got twice the cargo capapcity than the 370z, something else that bothered me. Thank goodness, turns out I'm not growing old...

Sorry to say, the 370Z has a lot of potential, but it's just not quite there. I think it's a great new car bargain, and I think it will be popular. But for the way I drive day-to-day, I just can't get settled in it. I'm just relieved to know that a true sports car is still at the top of my list...

the 350 has the same bad blindspots, im sure the 370 cant be any worse. You get used to it, it's not that big of a deal once you adjust your mirrors correctly.

+1 there was nothing to compare the 350 to, so the 370 is under much. much more criticism.

Thanks for starting a new thread to tell us how it sucks!

Hey trebien.............merci, et toi?? You are not only getting old....I think you've got a foot or two in the grave already but nobody has told you yet!! (lol)

Looks like you need all that trunk space to stow your walker. By all means steer clear of the Z as you'll make the rest of us look bad!

P.S. Don't go near the Porsche either!!

can we merge all these 'personal feelings' threads?

Thank you! It could be on giant thread of douchebaggery, it got old about 3 weeks ago.

I felt that the 370's blind spots were worse as well. It was immediately noticeable.

I would get used to it, but I can see how it would bother some ppl.

+1. While the rear quarter windows on the 370 are completely useless, as opposed to being almost completely useless on the 350, why the hell are you looking behind you? If you need to pass, floor it! :icon17:

I just see it as a new car. A first test drive, of course your gonna slow down, be thinkign when should I switch. You are not used to the spots of where to look,how to look, and what the sweet spots to look out for are. As with any car, you get used to it and just eventually become natural and youll figure out ways around the so called blindspots.

its like anything new, you'll eventually get used to it.

The biggest problem I've experienced with my 350 is other drivers not seeing me! In the past three years I've had at least three instances where someone to my right started to pull into my lane (forcing me into the median or shoulder) while passing them. It's like I must be so low that they are looking over me instead of at me. It can be a bit rattling when passing other cars.

i think u will be used to the blindspot because i had this problem with my C-180 K
but now i dont even bother like only i need 1 second to check and press the gas pedal

Oui, bien.

And too late... I'm already doing a dealer search for the Cayman I want.

Under one condition... we merge all the blatant fanboism as well that thinks the 370Z is the 8th wonder of the world.

It's a car. That's it. And it isn't perfect. Unless you are a designer or engineer at Nissan, the car's success has nothing to do with you or reflect upon you personally. Nothing. And if you do work for Nissan, you should be able to listen to criticism with an open mind. If not, go work for GM.

I made a valid point, and several other people have noticed it as well. When driving the 370Z and Cayman S back-to-back... it became all too apparent. I doubt many people on here have actually driven a Cayman; then you'd know.

And it's good to put information like this on the forums... you bet your ass that Nissan scours these forums for feedback. Now they know why they lost a sale, and may choose to improve these issues in the future. I'm their target market, a "swing voter". Not brand loyal, I buy the best car for my money.

i completely understand what you just wrote (im not the biggest fan of the 370z either)....but i cant see how you write "i buy the best car for my money." i know there are a lot of factors going into a purchase, besides performace numbers and such.

nevertheless, the difference in msrp between the 370z and cayman S is quite large, thats why i would think its one of the better "bangs for the buck"...anyway, good luck with the cayman, thats one sweet machine

:rolleyes: please get a porsche.

your thread is useless & everyone who has or has owned a Z knows it has huge blind spots. i dont think nissan was unaware.

G37s have same blind spot problems too and it's quarter windows are bigger than both Z cars. Horrible. But you do get used to it with proper mirror adjustments.

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'08 G37 black/black 6MT | Premium | Navi

Get your wrong on:

http://www.sheepholetees.com/main.php

The best car for the money completely depends on what you deem valuable in the car you are looking to purchase, and is therefore relative to each individual buyer unless their tastes and values match completely. So, as you see, the Cayman is not the best car for the money. In fact, that is a completely meaningless sentence as there is no such thing. For instance, if you are looking for the 'best performance car for the money', the Z is a far better value as it offers Cayman performance for half the price.

That said, I agree completely with your first half of your post. Why people feel a personal need to defend a car I don't know. People should know that this car won't fit everyone, and neither will the Cayman.

Your critiques of the car are certainly valid.

it's funny because it's true

Whats wrong with the guys write up? He has somep ersonal feelings in his summary about the car. About a Nissan car. About a Nissan 370Z on a Nissan Forum. Umm, isnt that what this whole thing is for? I personally liked the guys write up and could fully understand his perception. I however have not driven a Cayman so i have no Porsche to compare. I have driven a Vette and will buy a that over a 370Z anyday.