Nissan 370Z

[jsr]

Sat in the new 370Z this lunchtime at the Canary Wharf MotorExpo. It is a lovely car. Has a lot of presence and while i was inside, it really did feel like the modern day equivalent of my Chimaera.

I have been looking at replacing my Chimaera for sometime and this is the closest i've found. Realistically, i'll probably keep my TVR, but i am gonna give the Z some serious thought

The GTR next to it looked even better, but my budget cant stretch that far

[thegman]

Does it have the plastic door handles like the 350? This really spoiled the car for me - just made it feel a bit cheapy.

[jsr]

I didn't notice the handles - will take another look tomorrow lunchtime!!!

[Byker28i]

thegman said:

Does it have the plastic door handles like the 350? This really spoiled the car for me - just made it feel a bit cheapy.

Are we talking inside as the 350Z had alloy ones on the outside. On the earlier ones I thought they looked like an afterthought, but the more recent ones look a lot better

[thegman]

Byker28i said:

thegman said:

Does it have the plastic door handles like the 350? This really spoiled the car for me - just made it feel a bit cheapy.

Are we talking inside as the 350Z had alloy ones on the outside. On the earlier ones I thought they looked like an afterthought, but the more recent ones look a lot better

No I meant the ouside ones. Maybe they were alloy (!?) didn't notice - to me they looked pretty cheap

[V8 GRF]

I've not seen the 370Z in the flesh but I test drove the Nissan 350Z convertible when I was doing my reality check before I bought the Griff and really liked the car but the appearance of the interior really let it down in my eyes. Bits that were metal looked and felt like plastic and the fake carbon fibre attempt on the dash was poor. I said to the sales guy that it might look good in a Micra but not in a £25K + car he had to agree.
I just knew that after a couple of months I wouldn't turn to look at it as I walk away as I still do with the Griff after nearly 3 years of ownership

[nawarne]

[quote=V8 GRF]
I've not seen the 370Z in the flesh but I test drove the Nissan 350Z convertible when I was doing my reality check before I bought the Griff and really liked the car but the appearance of the interior really let it down in my eyes.

Exactly what I did - and thought - before selling my V8S and buying the Chimaera.
Saw a few 370Z's at Goodwood on Sunday and externally, they appear a (much?) bigger car - the GT-R also seems bigger than the predecessor. Might be the higher waistline giving that appearance.

I know I/we are biased, but few cars look as good as TVRs of the last 15 years.

Where did it all go wrong?
Nick

[jsr]

The GTR is definitely much bigger than the past Skylines. The 370Z is actually a smaller car than the 350Z, but i think the wider track and big arches make it seem bigger!

You are correct - where did it all go wrong! I still think the 370Z is the closest car i've seen that follows in the spirit of TVR - big front engine, lots of power and torque, rear drive, though not quite as good looking nor as good sounding

The Boxster, Z3/4, TT, SLK etc killed off the sports car. I'm sure they are great cars but they do seem bland, common, souless, and just dont excite me.

I've not driven it yet, but the reviews are great and the 370Z seems to offer the some of the raw thrills and driving enjoyment of TVR. Is it enough to make me replace my Chimaera? May be not.