370 Roadster

[Cookie Monster]

I like the current 350Z 'vert. It has really simple lines that give you the illusion of a smaller car. I think it looks taut and sexy.

The 350Z convertible looks huge. The rear end is massive.

[Tave]

It's a big car, no denying that, but I think the design takes some of the heft off. I also think it looks smaller in person than it does in photographs.

And the rear end on the roadster looks much smaller than the rear end on the coupe or last gen G35.

[Cookie Monster]

It's a big car, no denying that, but I think the design takes some of the heft off. I also think it looks smaller in person than it does in photographs.

And the rear end on the roadster looks much smaller than the rear end on the coupe or last gen G35.

The rear of the coupe looks smaller than the rear of the roadster to me.

[Tave]

What part of the rear are we talking about? I'm talking about this angle:



I have a feeling you're talking about the profile. The roadster is a little "cab foward" to make space for the trunk and top, but I rather like it. It doesn't have the proportions of a Z4, S2000, or SLK, true, but I think the design works.

[MrH]

The 350Z roadster looks like a jelly bean with a driver head and windshield sticking out the top.  It looks awful.

[Tave]

Can you be more specific? I don't have any idea what a jelly bean with a head and windshield looks like.

[MrH]

I'm cleaning my room right now.  I'll photoshop a picture for you with a comparison picture shortly.

[Tave]

I could do that on my own. I'm more interested in specific criticism.

[MrH]

I could do that on my own. I'm more interested in specific criticism.

There's little shape involved in the whole car.  I love the look of the 350Z coupe, but I think the dramatic roofline is what draws me in.

With the convertible, when looking at the profile, all you see is a gradual, round bend up from the headlights, a straight line, a windshield and head popping straight up from the middle, and another gradual curve to the back.

It's all too round and looks like a blob with a windshield stuck on.  If you chopped the windshield off, it's look like an upside down bowl to me.  I feel like the 370Z looks much better because of the rake where the top meets the body.  It's hunched up more, and gives the back of the car a lot more depth.

[Raza]

I like that the 350ZR has the proportions of a mid engined car.  I like the long hood/short deck thing too, but I like the Z's design.  Sure, top up it's not so great.  But top down, it's quite nice.

[MrH]

I like that the 350ZR has the proportions of a mid engined car.  I like the long hood/short deck thing too, but I like the Z's design.  Sure, top up it's not so great.  But top down, it's quite nice.

If there was more substance to the back of the car, I'd agree.  I think it would look much better.  There's nothing there though.  It's nearly dead level with the front of the car.  There's just a vast expanse of metal on the back of the car.  Enough to have a picnic for 4.

That rear fender bulge, and the angle the back rises right after the wind screen in the 370z looks much better in my opinion.

[Tave]

I think the long, straight edge of the convertible body helps balance a car that is otherwise nothing but curves (AKA the coupe).

[MrH]

I think the long, straight edge of the convertible body helps balance a car that is otherwise nothing but curves (AKA the coupe).

It's nothing but curves, but there's not many of those either.  It curves up gradually from the front end to the hood, and back down in the back.

I don't find it a dynamic design at all.  The coupe looks infinitely better in my mind.  I still love the look of the 350Z coupe.  The roofline and how it blends with the back of the car is what does it for me.

[Tave]

My other criticism of the coupe, as I mentioned earlier, is that it really shows its size. It is a huge 2-seater. Chopping of the roof cuts some heft and moves the entire car closer to the ground (visually).

[MrH]

My other criticism of the coupe, as I mentioned earlier, is that it really shows its size. It is a huge 2-seater. Chopping of the roof cuts some heft and moves the entire car closer to the ground (visually).

Are you talking about the 350, 370, or both?

[Tave]

Are you talking about the 350, 370, or both?

The 350. I prefer the 'vert to the coupe.

On the other hand, I like the 370 coupe better than this mock up.

[Vinsanity]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/automobiles/autoshow/NY-370ZROADSTER.html



Prime candidate for my "spontaneous" 30th birthday present to myself

[CALL_911]

I HATED the 350Z vert. This, on the other hand, looks great. I love it!

Man, I want a 370Z so badly.

[NomisR]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/automobiles/autoshow/NY-370ZROADSTER.html



Prime candidate for my "spontaneous" 30th birthday present to myself

You need a real roadster, not a chop top convertible.

[Xer0]

The 370Z is fast becoming one of my current favorite cars, I love it.

[Vinsanity]

You need a real roadster, not a chop top convertible.

It's hard to justify the extra cost over the Nissan Z for a Boxster or a newer model Z4, and I'd want more panache than the Miata or Kappa roadsters. That leaves me with the Corvette, which I'd gladly take, but is also just a "chop-top convertible".

I'd probably go used, anyway, making a 987 Boxster or ~2008 M roadster more justifiable propositions. But it's nice to have choices.

[SVT_Power]

i can't stand the 370. I might be a minority but I prefer the 350 to the 370 from pretty much every angle. ESPECIALLY the damn headlights...

[NomisR]

The car would look better if the flattened it down a bit and gotten rid of some details.

[Sigma Projects]

I just can't get over the door handles on the Z. I couldn't stand them on the 350 and they still kill it for me on the 370. Something so small can just ruin it for me. Kind of like a hot girl with an awful voice.

i feel the same way and when the mules were running around i was excited cuz i thought they got rid of them. But then later versions came out and it had the fisher price handles for the handicap again.......... I thought companies strive a lot cut back on drag...

The rear curves make me think of Z3.

[BimmerM3]

Tave and Raza, you all are both insane. The 350z roadster might be my least favorite coupe to roadster conversion ever. I agree with every single one of MrH's points, particularly the one about the trunk lid being a picnic table.

Oh, and the new one looks pretty nice, although the whole thing would look a lot better if they lowered the waste line 2 or 3 inches.

[Raza]

i can't stand the 370. I might be a minority but I prefer the 350 to the 370 from pretty much every angle. ESPECIALLY the damn headlights...

The 350 is much better looking, I agree.  The 370 seems heavy handed and forced, but this roadster looks nice.  I'll have to see it from more angles.

[MidnightDave]

About that Genesis... ;-)

[565]

Here is something interesting about the 370Z, looks like the auto is faster than the manual.  I guess that extra 7th gear really helps.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/japanese_performance/2009_nissan_370z_automatic_short_take_road_test

Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 sec

Standing ?-mile: 13.1 sec @ 108 mph

Actually I guess it's probably also due to the fact that this 370Z didn't have the track package with the huge 14 in brakes and huge 19in wheels (275 in the back).  Dropping all that extra rotating weight probably helped alot.

The trade off seems to be .91G's on the skidpad instead of close to a 1.0G with sports package. 

[Rich]

I like the way the 18" wheels look more than the 19s, but I think I'd be kicking myself over not getting the LSD and bigger brakes...

[ChrisV]

Here is something interesting about the 370Z, looks like the auto is faster than the manual.  I guess that extra 7th gear really helps.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/japanese_performance/2009_nissan_370z_automatic_short_take_road_test

Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 sec

Standing ?-mile: 13.1 sec @ 108 mph

Actually I guess it's probably also due to the fact that this 370Z didn't have the track package with the huge 14 in brakes and huge 19in wheels (275 in the back).  Dropping all that extra rotating weight probably helped alot.

The trade off seems to be .91G's on the skidpad instead of close to a 1.0G with sports package. 

I doubt the 7th speed is going to come into play in the 0-60 or quarter mile. It probably has more to do with actual gear ratios and the fact that the auto shifts faster than the manual.