Call it what you want to call it, the Nissan GT-R was a breakthrough moment for the automotive industry when it bowed only so long ago. From that point forward, there were tons of claims and speculation, "Would it kill the Porsche 911 Turbo?"
Just about every week, every website with a focus on automotive content featured a GT-R Vs. Turbo thread. And, we cannot blame them. The GT-R was a really competitive offering with performance that was unparalleled for the price. But there was one problem:
The 2011 Nissan GT-R costs $84,060*. Womp, womp; that's still a helluva price that is out of reach for many.
Although the geniuses at Nissan have a solution to this brick wall, the NISMO 370Z. This means that it rings the bell at $39,610*, which is less than half of the entrance fee of the GT-R.
*These prices exclude destination and handling, tax, title, license and options.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
Now I know what you may be saying ladies and gentlemen, the NISMO is not a GT-R and will never be. Well, you have to look at it from this perspective. Although Godzilla is a magnificent piece of engineering, you cannot use much of it on the road. Most of the time you are driving it, it is just a big tease because some old timer is going pull in front of you and ruin your day.
As Leo Parente said while doing his video review on FLDetours, "This thing's [Nissan GT-R] a handgun, you can't use it you just wave it around to get the effect you want and shout to the crowd 'there is a new sheriff in town!'"
So why not pay half the price AND use all of the car's capabilities on the road? Exactly my intention when I was handed the keys to a shiny, red 2010 NISMO 370Z with approximately 400 miles on the clock.
Problem is the NISMO would have to make a better impression than the already impressive 370Z, which I still think is a best buy for under $35,000.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
Let's just say it didn't get off to a good start. The normal 370Z is an already low slung vehicle but when you tack on a body kit it makes an already tough situation even more difficult. Plus, you need to have a flamboyant attitude to match this outrageous body kit. It looks good but it is a bit over the top.
The extended front nose and new chin spoiler, upgraded side sills, rear bumper and spoiler all come together to set off the NISMO from the rest of the Z pack. But for my personal taste it is bordering on overkill and a bit too impractical.
Case in point: I received this brand-spankin' new press car with a scrape on the underside of the front spoiler and it had just under 400 miles on its clock. By the grace of God I somehow did not manage to scrape it while under my watch, but I will be the first to admit I was very careful scooting this in and around New York City.
Funny thing is that although I may have found the car's looks to be a bit on the abrasive side, the NISMO resonates with passerbys and garage attendants. Street walkers can be heard saying "Oh look at that," or "Is that a Porsche," or "Nice car!"
I find the Porsche comment funny because I thought the rear spoiler was paying homage to the Porsche 996 GT2.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
On another occasion, while parking in Midtown Manhattan, a whole collection of parking attendants gathered around the Z saying things like "OoooHhhHh," and "AhhHhhH," and "Ferrari?"
I don't get how people confuse a Ferrari, Porsche or Nissan but hey, c'est la vie.
Getting behind the wheel is not a difficult task, even when you are six foot eight. If you cannot fit in the car, the problem is you. If I can fit in the damn car, anyone can. Once you become settled, it is relatively comfortable, as was the regular Z. It has ample room just about everywhere but my only beef was with the lower cushion of the seats. They were constructed to hold in someone much smaller than my 6'8, 245 pound build. This means after a good hour of driving you are going to feel a little bit "pinched."
Looking around the cabin it essentially boasts the same trimmings as a standard 370 with the exception of the constant reminders that you are in a NISMO. I am thoroughly convinced that Nissan thinks its clientele have short-term memory loss. Granted, when you buy anything that is a "special edition," you will find that badges adorn everything. Yes, I am talking to you Audi -- I recently drove a 2010 S5 that has the same problem.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
**NOTE: This is probably too much NISMO
Otherwise, the seats are placed down low and there is a surprisingly significant amount of headroom, which has been scalloped out of the roof. The only aspect that could make the driving position better would be to equip the vehicle with a telescoping steering wheel.
But something tells me you do not get into a NISMO because of the black and red cloth seats. It may have something to do with the powerplant and its tuning.
No kidding.
Slotted under the hood is a 3.7L V6 motor from the VQ family. Since this is the more serious version, you get 350-horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. These numbers are not overwhelmingly different from the standard 370 and you will not feel a profound difference. Although, when you hit a imperfection in the road you will quickly know Nissan spent most of its time refining the NISMO.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
That's because, depending on the severity of the bump, you may get jolted.
Nissan says that its suspension has been modified to provide "...exceptional stability and handling," with the spring rates dialed up 15/10 percent -- front/rear -- stabilizer bars upped 15/50 percent -- front/rear -- damping factors increased 40/140 percent -- front/rear -- and the roll stiffness rate has been increased by 15 percent.
So, what's that mean in English? Essentially the car is much more stiff going over bumps and corners like it is on a set of rails. Aiding this along are the 285 rear tires that give the driver a ton of confidence when handling those S-curves.
The issue with a car that is tuned this hard is that although it feels like it is carved out of a solid hunk of metal on smooth surfaces, when you bring it onto rough pavement it gets tiresome quite quick.
You can drive it daily but it is one of those cars that is on the border of "Do I really want to do this?"
Moving onto brighter details, the six-speed manual gearbox is set up with a short and wide gate. I like this particular set up because it is allows you do know exactly what gear you are in. A recently driven 2011 Ford Mustang GT had such short throws, it caught me off guard one time and I launched it from third gear. Whoops.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
What is a bit of a challenge at first is that the Z's clutch can be a bit tricky. Especially if you are not gentle and easy with the third pedal. The NISMO loves to punish driver's who are not precise with their shifting, take up and throttle.
Of course this is where I speak about the SyncroRev Match. This is the system that throttle blips for you on downshifts, which is ingenious. But if you are a control freak like me that appreciates learning, which will likely involve you being cracked a few times for bad behavior, you will likely have the button turned off.
Hopping out of a NISMO 370Z into a Mustang GT was like dining at a fine sushi restaurant that has California rolls, which are perfectly executed, and then strolling into a restaurant with American cuisine, which lays down a Sloppy Joe.
Both are tasty but are completely different in their presentation and delivery.
Yes, the hardcore Z is an incredibly precise vehicle but that may not bode well. Sure it is cool that NISMO is "...bringing racing-inspired performance and engineering to the street," but there is a reason tuning like this is meant for racing.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
The issue that I find with this is that it is a bit too brutal and does not really make a sweet street vehicle. It is just a bit too much for the rough and tumble environment that is the real-world. Same goes for the GT-R, which was way too punishing for New York's all too real bumps and potholes.
If you are NOT a weekend racer that plans on going to the track with your daily driver, I think there is a better option for you; the standard 370Z with the sport package.
It is just has that perfect balance that will allow you to enjoy it always.
Although, if you really are Jones'ing for a GT-R and only have $40 large to invest, the NISMO 370Z delivers an incredibly similar driving experience minus the huge power difference.
So, if you want a half-price GT-R, this is just about as good as it gets.
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
2010 NISMO 370Z Photo Gallery
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