2010 Nissan Z Coupe 370Z
Vital Stats
Engine: 3.7 liter V6 (332HP/270TQ)
Drivetrain Layout: Front engine/Rear wheel drive
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Seating Capacity: 2 Passengers
EPA Fuel Economy: 18 city/26 highway
Base MSRP $29,990 + $720 (destination charge)
Recommended Options: Sports Package ($3,000)
The Basics
Take whatever you didn’t like about the 350Z, improve on those said items, then chop about 4 inches in length… and voila! All kidding aside, what Nissan did with the 370Z is what exactly what other manufacturers should follow suit.
The 350Z was a good, back-to-the basics, sports car – if not a little raucous. The 370Z is quieter, handles sharper, lighter, more powerful, and oh gawd… huge improvement in interior design and materials!
Highs: Interior design and materials, near top-notch driving dynamics, SyncroRev Match gearbox, fun-at-anytime power delivery
Lows: Coarse engine noise at high speeds, awkward exterior styling, floaty clutch engagement
Exterior (Brendan – 7, Tae – 6)
Basic design architecture is similar to the 350Z, but the 370Z feels like a hodge podge of design studies. Take the 350Z, shorten it by a few inches, slap on the new corporate boomerang headlights and tail lamps, give it a catfish bumper, copy the GT-R roofline, and finally graft a rising beltline from the 240Z for heritage sake. The overall effect is not offensive, but compared to its brother, the Infiniti G37, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Interior (Brendan – 7.5, Tae – 8.5)
Gone are the days of massive, pockmarked, giant piece plastic door panel. From the soft-touch plastics to high quality cloth, the execution of the interior design is spot on. Just one minor complaint – the top of the door panels and dashboard is made of this new textured plastic that resembles painted styrofoam.
Drivetrain (Brendan – 8, Tae – 8.5)
Pretty much a twin brother of the Infiniti G37, except that it feels more refined in the G Coupe. Excellent power from off-idle to redline, but the engine noise becomes a little harsh as the RPMs rise. The addition of SyncroRev Match technology might trick you into thinking that you can take on Takumi Fujiwara in his tofu delivery Panda Hachi Roku (Initial D). Very, very cool piece of technology!
Performance (Brendan – 9, Tae – 9)
It will do 0-60mph in under 5 seconds and a 1/4 mile in the 13 second range. Even just 5 years ago, this is a supercar territory. And, oh yes, this car will more than keep up in the handling department with those supercars of yesterday.
Ride Quality (Brendan – 7.5, Tae – 7.5)
In a car like the 370Z, the point is to feel the road, except that in the 350Z, you felt a little too much of it. The new Z Car’s chassis soaks up most bumps just fine and the steering feels nicely weighted. Compared to the 350Z, the car feels lighter (it actually is lighter by about 100lbs), more nimble, and more solid.
Technology (Brendan – 8, Tae – 9)
Some will argue that the 370Z with the SyncroRev Match technology is the most advanced non automated manual transmission in the world- and we won’t argue against that. The black box below the shifter senses the movement of the shifter and will send a signal to the engine computer to blip the throttle, effectively giving you a virtual heel-and-toe. Perfect for the lazy manual transmission drivers!
Value (Brendan – 9, Tae – 8.5)
The 370Z starts at $30k for the standard model, and tops out at just shy of $47k (convertible with every option). The Z we tested (at $34.5k) is about half the price of a comparably equipped Porsche Cayman S, it’s most direct competitor. This is a very broad segment though, and just about anything with 2 doors and a six-cylinder engine can compete with and will be compared to the Z.
Overall (Brendan – 9.0, Tae – 8.5)
The 370Z will give you one of the most enjoyable driving experience under six-figures. Loads of fun when you want, and just civil enough that you can live with it on a daily basis. Handling is nearly razor-honed, and more than capable. In the ’affordable sports car’ segment, there isn’t car vehicle that combines the power, handling, and value like the 370Z.
-KF
Paul and Todd’s Z Car Comparison (2009 Nissan 370Z) Video Review
