VeeTec

The guys down at the local Nissan dealership have been trying to get me to test drive the only 370Z they have for the last few weeks.

It is a red Touring model, and has the 7 speed AT. I had been waiting for a 6 speed to drive, but it may be a while before they get one.


I only took a somewhat short test drive, about 4 miles, as I was pressed for time. I will be going back on Saturday, to take the car out for a while with my wife, for a more thorough test drive.

My review for now is short, as was the drive, but some questions were answered for me rather quickly.

The first thing I noticed was how it had a more refined ride. Even so, it was apparent that it was wider and shorter, and it's reflexes were sharper and more precise as a result. My 350Z handles VERY well, but the 370Z is a definite improvement.

Another observation was the brakes, which seemed to do a better job hauling the car down, with little effort. Once again, my 07 350Z brakes VERY well, but the 370Z is better.

While driving I also heard that the 370Z has a noticably louder exhaust note, which surprised me, even louder than my old 04 350Z.

Accelerating came with ease, and very little throttle produced a lot of torque, and a lot of go with little effort. Shifts were quick, and the 7 speed made short work of accelerating into traffic, or onto the freeway.

Compared to a new HR, not a well broken in HR with miles mind you, it definitely feels faster. IMO it is a couple of tenths quicker than an HR with similar miles, and the drive reinforced my earlier estimate that it would be a little quicker.

Ofcourse a trip to the drag strip would be needed to confirm this.

Then there were the visuals, like the exterior. I still don't care for the taillights too much, but the rest of the car, and the headlgihts are growing on me, and it does have a meaner stance. The looks are still somewhat of a toss up to me though, as I like the smoother lines of the 07-08 in some ways, while also liking the aggressive stance of the 370Z as well.

The interior is MUCH better, take away the tacky fuel gauge cluster. I have no idea what Nissan was thinking there. The rest of the interior is so much nicer, with materials that not only look better, but have a much better quality feel to the touch.

After getting back into my 07, I am still loving my car, but the 370Z definitely got my attention. No worries though, as the San Marino Blue, and its current performance, do not disappoint. I can live with a little less refinement for now.

Lookout though, if I can get my hands on a loaner 370Z 6 speed at the track, I expect to see slightly quicker times than I saw in my current 350Z given similar miles. The best possible contender imo would be a base 370Z, as it would weigh less, and have slightly less driveline loss due to the lack of a LSD. Some might look at this as a handicap, but I don't, and a slight improvement in parasitic drag will make a slight difference.

Now someone loan me one so I can attempt the first stock 370Z's 12.9 second run.

I will report back after the more thorough drive this Saturday. The sales manager is familiar with my track experience and was interested in my opinion on whether it was indeed quicker than the HR. I told him I thought it was about 2/10ths quicker than an 07-08 with similar miles, but only some track time will confirm it. *hint hint*

No, I will not be taking a dealer's demo 370Z to find out, but maybe Nissan would loan me a car, or meet me with one at Steele, so we can find out that way. Nissan, are you reading this post?!

blasian

iTrader: (29)

I hope someone lets you do it to see one in the 12s

SnakeBitten

iTrader: (8)

So you have a bonestock HR down to the filters etc and you trapped 109mph? Thats way and above anyone elses. 13.1 doesnt surprise me but 109mph is a bit hard to believe. Not getting at ya just the first time Ive seen this. Been just a slight lurker last few months...If its been discussed please point me to the thread. This would bode well for the 370z bonestock should you get your hands on one.

VeeTec

Yes it's stock, and the slave cylinder/clutch is the only thing that kept me from running a 12.9. I had to launch too easy to get a 1.9 60', which resulted in 13.1's with 2.0's.

The slave was acting up, and the clutch is getting a bit weak with 56K miles, especially when you attempt a hard launch at a track.


https://my350z.com/forum/drag/418694...the-track.html

BrianV

With a username like VeeTec.........................

Greg06

I second that..

SnakeBitten

iTrader: (8)

Thanks for the link. Great runs. Im seriously impressed. Someone give Veetec a 370z to run lol..BTW you should change your name to VVEL now

VeeTec

I first used that nic back in 1997, when I had a 93 Prelude VTEC. The name stuck, and I have owned and leased many different cars since then, probably over 20 total.

I didn't change the nic, since so many people knew that name, and I chose it back when internet nics were usually goofy versions of the real word or acronym. I thought about getting a new nic years ago, but it was like changing your real name, people wouldn't know who you are.

So for over a decade I have used the same old goofy internet nic.

Seel

iTrader: (5)

OP wtf are you smoking dude? Seriously....

savvy

iTrader: (1)

.....ok?

savvy

iTrader: (1)

Nice little edit there Seel taking out the bashing and saying no one cares.

Brandon26pdx

What track was that at where you ran your best 1/4 time? Tires? pump gas?

109 is really moving for an N/A 350Z...

DIGItonium

iTrader: (1)

For those of you who don't know VeeTec, he is one amazing stock Z driver who manages to achieve some of the fastest 1/4mi. times. It's nice to see how well the Z runs in capable hands.

SOLO-350Z

iTrader: (26)

Takes a noob to say something like this. Obviously you don't know Veetec well.

Brandon26pdx

I mean, you can run a certain time and say oh yeah my car is "bone stock", but anyone who's spent time around the drag strip knows there's lot's of wiggle room there. Even the weather temp. and atm. pressure can affect how a car runs, not to mention tire pressure, fuel, total rolling weight with the driver, etc.

VeeTec

When I say bone stock, I mean BONE stock. I ran stock tire pressure, even checking to make sure it was at 35 lbs, there is no weight removal, and I weigh 186 lbs, in addition to the cars weight. I had a 1/4 tank of Quick Trip 93 octane gas in the tank, which it really seems to run well on. I use to run BP 93 only, until finding that the QT stations seem to run consistently better, probably having better tank monitoring.

The weather was very cool, in the mid to upper 40's with a crosswind/tailwind of about 10-15 mph. The DA was in the -800's.

I ran at the Alabama International Dragway, located in Steele, Alabama. I posted all of this in the Drag Racing forum, but don't mind posting it again.

JSDZ33

Brandon26pdx

Yeah that's impressive then. You might even hit 12's and 110+ running some unleaded 100. Most would still consider that "stock"

SnakeBitten

iTrader: (8)

The -DA has a good bit to do with it as well. Engines make more power at or below sea level than they do at higher elevations. So dont expect that your HR will do the same at an above sea level track. Not taking anything away from VeeTec as he is a great driver and that has alot to do with it as well. Great 1/4 mile times have alot of variables involved besides just car and driver. This is the fastest HR time and mph Ive seen to date and really speaks volumes of the hr's top end power compared to the other 350z engines. Cant wait to see the 370z in similar conditions.