2009 Nissan 370Z Review

2009 Nissan 370Z - Hot Hatch.

By: Dan Jedlicka

The 1970 Datsun (now Nissan) 240Z hatchback coupe was Japan's first wildly successful sports car in America, beating many European sports car producers at their own game for a reasonable price. The redesigned 2009 Nissan 370Z coupe again is the best sports car for the money.

Nissan' attained its goal of keeping the 370Z hatchback's list price under $30,000. It costs $29,930, excluding a $695 destination charge. That's not a lot for a fast, rakish sports car--one that's been favorably compared with the much costlier Porsche Cayman S. In fact, the 370Z's price makes it far and away the best sports car for the money sold in America.

The 370Z replaces the popular 350Z hatchback coupe, which has been around since late 2002. The fast 350Z looks racy, but it appears big and bulky next to the 370Z. Nissan kept the general shape of the 350Z, although the new "Z" has different sheet metal. One of the first things one might notice about it are its racy boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights. Slender hood blisters look as if from the iconic 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300SL sports car.

(A 370Z convertible isn't expected until next year, so the only "Z" car soft top model now sold is the 350Z.)

The 370Z's vertical door handles have been slightly reworked. They're a definite design element, but are awkward to use quickly. Inside door handles have an offbeat shape, but are easily used. Doors are long and heavy--making entry and exit difficult in tight spots.

While many sporty cars are getting bigger and heavier, partly to meet new crash standards, Nissan went in the other direction and followed top sports car designers of the 1950s and 1960s in making the 370Z leaner and more purposeful-looking.

The new car is nearly 3 inches shorter, with a wheelbase cut by 3.9 inches, mainly behind the doors and rear wheels. It's also slightly lower and wider, with stiffer construction. Nissan says the 3,232-pound 370Z is 88 pounds lighter than the 350Z, despite weight-adding structural stiffness.

But there's still plenty of room for two tall occupants, despite a large console. Retained is a low seating position that might give some shorter folks a closed-in feeling.

Thankfully, the interior no longer has a taxi-grade look The cockpit now is downright plush and has decent storage areas, including a new glovebox.. Straightforward gauges can be quickly read, but are hard to read under some sunlight conditions. The digital fuel-level/engine coolant gauge should be tossed--it has an odd design and sometimes is unreadable during daylight. There are rear blind spots.

Audio and climate controls are large, but the bucket seats need more side support. At least the seat material is first-rate.

The 370Z is well-equipped, with comfort and convenience features, including automatic temperature control, tilt steering column with integrated wheel and instrument panel cluster, cruise control, AM/FM/CD audio system and power windows and door locks.

Safety items include front-side and curtain-side air bags, anti-skid and traction control systems and anti-lock brakes.

There's more cargo space because Nissan relocated the rear cross-body strut brace forward and lower in the cargo compartment. It no longer subdivides the cargo area into barely usable cubicles. Still, cargo room isn't generous, and the cargo opening is quite high.

Engine size has been increased from 3.5 to 3.7 liters (hence the "370Z" designation). The four camshaft, 24-valve V-6 is from Nissan's upscale Infiniti G37 four-seat coupe. It produces 332 horsepower--up from 306 in the 350Z. And there's slightly more torque.

The sophisticated V-6 gives the 370Z sizzling acceleration--0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and 0 to 100 mph in 11.8 seconds, with a top speed of nearly 160 mph. Too bad the engine sometimes emits a rather agricultural, tractor-like sound just not expected from this car.

Premium fuel is recommended and estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.

The engine works with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature. An available SynchroRev Match feature automatically matches engine revs on downshifts, making downshifts very fast and precise. That feature is part of an optional $3,000 Sport package, which includes front/rear spoilers, 10-inch forged aluminum wheels, upgraded brakes and a limited-slip differential.

My test 370Z had the manual transmission, which works with a long-throw, rather heavy clutch. Shifting effort is somewhat high, although it's easy for lazy drivers to keep the car in fairly high gears while loafing in town.

Steering is heavy, but accurate. The 370Z is very athletic, so handling with the revised suspension is superb. The ride is supple, but the car has a rather heavy, ponderous feeling at low speeds. Powerful brakes are controlled by an easily modulated pedal.

There have been some mediocre and overly expensive "Z" cars since the 240Z arrived, but the 370Z is a worthy successor to the original.

Visit DanJedlicka.com where veteran auto writer Dan Jedlicka reviews the latest cars and trucks in an easily understood but detailed manner. In addition, Dan's Web site also includes colorful classic and collectible car articles, a letters column and candid interviews with auto-field personalities.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka's Website

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

For more reviews from Dan, visit Facebook.

2009 Nissan 370Z Review

2009 Nissan 370Z - Hot Hatch.

Dan Jedlicka

Find Used Cars in Chicago or Chicago Car Dealers at DriveChicago.com

Navigation

Site Links

Privacy & Security