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Turboner
11/30/09

In reply to 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
Keep you damn slushboxes out of my "sports" cars, please? What do you want me to do, take up smoking just to give my left foot something to do?
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DoogieFullHouser
11/30/09

@Turboner: Thinks... Yes, yes I do!

-Hands free cigarette-
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günter macbeetle, codename: chrystlubitshi promoted this comment DoogieFullHouser was starred DoogieFullHouser was unstarred

chrystlubitshi still güntered and dieseling
11/30/09

@DoogieFullHouser: good for her and all.. but wow.. i don't think i needed to see that...............
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Rust-MyEnemy
11/30/09

In reply to 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
As a fussy bastard, I'm starting to take issue with most reviews of sports cars I ever read, and how they are drivers cars etc. etc. etc.

Yeah, they are, compared to an Infiniti or something, and I've not driven the 370z. But I have driven the 350, and;

The thing is, the limits are too damned high. There's loads of grip. Theres good weight distribution and masses of power. But unless you're really damn good (and I'm probably not) you don't really get involved other than aiming the car and pressing go.

Personally speaking, and I know I'm probably wrong here, a Drivers Car is one where you can feel the limits and know what to do when you reach them. Like an old Capri or Ford Mustang. Primitive suspension. Skinny tyres and too much power for the chassis.

That's where the fun is. Getting a "Whoa" moment at 60 and knowing how to catch it.

In this, I just know any "Whoa" moment would see me doing a Nick Hogan.

Give Nick a TR6 or a '68 Vette and maybe he'll learn something. Stick him in a Lambo with immense grip and power, and the soft tissue behind the helm starts to be a big problem.
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Wes Siler
11/30/09

@Rust-MyEnemy: We've addressed that concern with the Z a couple of times, first in Matt's review:

[jalopnik.com]

Then in mine:

[jalopnik.com]

And I think it's a totally valid criticism. Luckily, there's an affordable, practical solution. Just buy a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, it makes all the same moves as the Z, but its limits are lower so it's more fun to drive in everyday conditions and for a wider range of drivers.
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Wes Siler
11/30/09

@Rust-MyEnemy: Oh, and here's that Gen Coupe story:

[jalopnik.com]
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Rust-MyEnemy
11/30/09

@Wes Siler: Yeah, I read them, i'm totally with you and not hatin' or nuttin.

I just think it's a shame so many people have forgotten what driving is all about.

Keep up the good work by the way!
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tonyola
11/30/09

@Rust-MyEnemy: Oh, how I agree with you. Friends with powerful and capable sports cars or luxosport sedans laugh at me when I tell them how much fun I had with a CRX, but they just don't understand. It was like driving a comfortable and rain-proof go-kart. Every outing was an adventure and a potential test of the car's ability. Light weight and not having scads of reserve power meant I was able to drive at 7/10 or 8/10 in conditions where the 370Z might be at 3/10. I learned all about what the limits of the CRX were. My friends will probably not get the chance to do the same in their ubercars.
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Rust-MyEnemy
11/30/09

@tonyola: Yep, I had an old Rover. Heavy, didn't handle, wasn't fast. And I had so much fun as it was at 8/10 pretty much the whole time.

In fact you needed some skill to keep the damn thing pointing the right way.
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brick-geek
11/30/09

@Rust-MyEnemy: I know what you mean. I love my S60R. It is a wonderfully refined daily driver and can be sporty in advanced mode. However, I am just not comfortable pushing her to the limit. Maybe on a track somewhere, but certainly not on a public road.
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Rust-MyEnemy promoted this comment brick-geek was starred brick-geek was unstarred

SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R)
11/30/09

@Rust-MyEnemy: I agree. And I think that is a problem even with entry cars that new drivers are likely to own. A Ford Focus can probably out-handle many a 1980's sports car (that'd be a fun comparison article). So drivers just think they can go as fast as their engines will propel them and they only have to turn the wheel (like a lot of SUV drivers in the snow). Older, slower cars are way more fun because they keep you thinking about what the car is trying to do. Cars with super high limits scare me because I think I won't know I'm in over my head until I'm going much faster. I'll take 'em old and low-adhesion, thanks.

Fantastic car and nice write up though.
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Rust-MyEnemy promoted this comment

brandegee
11/30/09

With that kind of waist and that kind of price (up to $46K!!!) you'd think they'd splurge on a convertible hardtop.
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Rust-MyEnemy
12/01/09

@SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R): It's just as well our friendly 'Lopnik scribblers seem to be able to drive a bit, and the write-ups are always worth reading.

I'd love to see a few reviews of older cars, just to get a bit of context. What does a SVO Mustang feel like compared to a Genesis Coupe? That sort of thing.
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Rust-MyEnemy
12/01/09

@brick-geek: Hell of a car, the S60R. Anything that builds on the T5 legend is awesome, and a bit of understeer is fine in the right hands..
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SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R)
12/01/09

@Rust-MyEnemy: I think that would be great. Like a 2L Alfa GTV vs mid-90's Sentra SE-R vs ... hmmm well, some small-ish fun 2-door sedan from today... maybe a 1-series? I always remember when Grassroots Motorsports put a Honda Odyssey minivan on an autocross course and compared it to a 365 and an E-type. It lost at first but they put some better tires on it and the minivan beat 'em both.
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Edited by SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R) at 12/01/09 9:38 AM

pauljones
11/30/09

In reply to 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
It's nice to know that it drives and performs well, but I just can't get over the oddball looks it is sporting, and this is coming from a guy who likes the looks of the original 350Z coupes.
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Jeremy
11/30/09

In reply to 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
It looks really nice. Though I liked the last Z Roadster, too.
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MushyHeirloom
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
Wheels? Wheels? Uhh, guys, what wheels has this guy shoved on?

Regardless, the body's all straight, the colour scheme is fairly tasteful, and it's a pre-smog car (presumably with a 454 added). Not a bad price for a convertible this uncommon. Definitely an if-you-want-it car, though.

Acid hit.
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Edited by MushyHeirloom at 11/10/09 2:29 PM MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred

Muscles Marinara
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
What you can't see from this ad are the outrageous "deuce-sixes" that are probably the reason why this car is about $8k over what any sane person would pay for it. I love these big Chevys, but crack pipe, all the way.
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Graverobber promoted this comment Edited by Muscles Marinara at 11/10/09 11:25 AM Muscles Marinara was starred Muscles Marinara was unstarred

that ain't the way to have fun, son
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
Has pipe painted all over it.

However, I'd love to have a '74 one of these so I could give it to my wife. It was her first brand-new car. Gotta love how the headlights and the steering wheel are in different ZIP codes. #1975chevycaprice
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that ain't the way to have fun, son
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
One stroke over the line sweet Jesus
One stroke over the line
Painted downtown on the trunklid baby
One stroke over the line

Awaitin' for the cable car that goes home, sweet Mary
Hopin' that the check clears on-time
Stittin' downtown at the cable car station
One stroke over the line
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Edited by that ain't the way to have fun, son at 11/10/09 10:55 AM

Mobius
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
Stay classy, uh...

Did you buy that car at the toilet store? #1975chevycaprice
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jbownsabmw- Koopas Beware
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
I'm not paying anything for a car with custom paint unless it is a tasteful replica of race livery. Crack Pipe. #1975chevycaprice
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DieselDutchman
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!

Forget the Golden Gate, I'll take the Golden Arches! #1975chevycaprice
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Novaload promoted this comment DieselDutchman was starred DieselDutchman was unstarred

Frisco Fairlane500
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
San Francisco is the second largest city? When did we grow past Los Angeles, San Jose and San Diego? And I guess that Caprice would be a pretty decent place to pick up some crack in the Tenderloin and smoke it with a grade-D tranny hooker. #1975chevycaprice
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snapoversteer 'bout to get told promoted this comment Frisco Fairlane500 was starred

snapoversteer 'bout to get told
11/10/09

@Frisco Fairlane500: Maybe he meant the entire MSA. #1975chevycaprice
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Graverobber
11/10/09

@Frisco Fairlane500: Yes, San Francisco is California's second largest city. #1975chevycaprice
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Frisco Fairlane500
11/10/09

@Graverobber: Please elaborate. By population? No, LA, SD and SJ are home to more people. Sheer size, hell no, it's only 49 sq. miles. Population density, probably, but that is not what qualifies the "largest city" in general. The most bums, vegan windbags and hipsters? Yea, we have that market cornered, but that does not make it the 2nd largest city either. Either I am genuinely confused or totally right. #1975chevycaprice
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MushyHeirloom
11/10/09

@Graverobber: ...after Lan Diegeles. #1975chevycaprice
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Graverobber
11/10/09

@Frisco Fairlane500: Hey you're right. My bad. #1975chevycaprice
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beercheck
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
Huh. I'd have figured to feel dirtier after voting Pipe for a full-size Chevy.

But, that's not the case. Not the case at all. It feels like I did the poor thing a favor. #1975chevycaprice
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snapoversteer 'bout to get told
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
2 things:

1) too expensive by $6K
2) San Diego #1975chevycaprice
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
11/10/09

In reply to Leave Your Heart in San Francisco for $14,000!
It's the wrong season, but I could really use a new boat. #1975chevycaprice
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