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.
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.
@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.
@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.
@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.
@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.
@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.
Edited by SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R) at 12/01/09 9:38 AM
SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R) was starred
SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R) was unstarred
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.
Looks a great deal better than the 350, but still seems a bit chubby. If I was looking to drop $40k on a car, I'd go for this over a Volt in an American heartbeat.
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
@DЯ. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ: No, really, I posted with a pic. Then there was no pic. Then it came back. There's a problem in the site that is hosting the pic, that's why it wasn't showing.
11/30/09
11/30/09
-Hands free cigarette-
11/30/09
11/30/09
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.
11/30/09
[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.
11/30/09
[jalopnik.com]
11/30/09
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!
11/30/09
11/30/09
In fact you needed some skill to keep the damn thing pointing the right way.
11/30/09
11/30/09
Fantastic car and nice write up though.
11/30/09
12/01/09
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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07/13/09
ahhhhh!
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07/13/09
Bullitt says "Smile when you say that".
http://jalopnik.com/5252193/steve-mcqueens-23m-ferrari-250-gt-lusso-what-can-brown-do-for-you
04/07/09
No, I don't mean that figuratively. It looks like a soft brown dookie brick.
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04/07/09
I call payola!
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