JL's Nissan 370Z Review On Its Way

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Jonny Lieberman just belled me from Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch outside of Sin City. JL’s flogging the new 370Z on Nissan’s nickel, putting the transplant’s smaller, faster coupe through the corners on our behalf (quel sacrifice!). The TTAC scribe will be scribing his review soon, but initial impressions are… good. “It’s a good car,” Jonny told me with uncharacteristic reserve. “Neutral. Nice.” Tell me more, tell me more, did the synchro revs match? “Around town, it’s fine. But let’s say you’re charging down a straight in third gear, at about 7000 rpm. Red line’s at 7500 rpm, right?” “Right!” So you’re braking hard and you want a lower gear. As it shifts, the tranny blips the throttle. That sucks.” “Yeah I hate it when that happens.” Anyway, even though JL believes Nissan’s assertion that their updated roadster is as fast around a track as Porsche’s hardtop two-seater, a Cayman killer the new Z ain’t. “It’s probably more aimed at the Mustang GT. Against that it’s a Hell of a lot more neutral in the corners.” Safe! Not that Mr. L has that at the top of his priority list. What does linger there will soon be revealed….

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • JEC JEC on Dec 12, 2008

    It is Car and Driver that suggested that. Probably between hyperboles about the latest (or any) BMW.

  • Konaforever Konaforever on Dec 12, 2008

    Um, they don't make the NSX or Supra anymore. Anyway, this is why they called it that: "Think of the 350Z as a Japanese Corvette. It has plenty of speed at a good price but lacks the refinement needed for all-around greatness. In this group, that's enough to keep the 350Z down."

  • Thetopdog Thetopdog on Dec 13, 2008

    "Refinement" can kiss my ass, give me pure speed and cornering ability over "refinement" any day

  • Kamikaze2b Kamikaze2b on Dec 13, 2008

    Where's the review?

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