Poss 370Z Roadster/Coupe Purchaser - Somerset

[Sit]

Afternoon all,

 

Joined this site some time back when I was considering buying a 350Z which never came to anything. 

 

Back here again but this time with a 370Z in my sights. I am currently running a 2014 Merc C Class estate as a family wagon, however our daughter is growing up and at 8 no longe requires a child seat and although it’s nice to waft around in day today it doesn’t ‘excite’ me.

 

I have owned around 45 cars since I passed my test and include all manner or performance stuff - VX220, Impreza WRX, Impreza STi, Golf R32, E46 M3, Clio 200, VX220, Supra NA, 9-3 Aero, RS2000, Abarth 500 the list goes on! 

 

The most enjoyment I have had has tended to be from the 2 seater cars, each time you go out in them it’s an ‘event’ and their quirks and difficulties remind you that your driving something special.

 

So I am looking to switch to running 2 cars, a diesel estate to do tip duties, dog walking, bike carriage and daily commute and a 370Z for days off and holidays.

 

It also happens that the first of us within my group of friends is turning 40 this year and wants to go on a driving holiday either Scotland or Europe. He has just bought a VX220, another has an Alfa 4C, another is in the market for an Elise S2 so you can probably see where this is going!

 

Having owned a fair few different cars I have always admired the 370Z and after initially considering the German contingent (Z4, Z4M, SLK55, Boxster, Caymen) I just really wanted to avoid the premium running/servicing costs of these. 

 

To my mind the 370Z will offer the experience I am looking for but the benefit of Japanese reliability and running costs. It won’t be used everyday as mentioned but the ability to jump in it and take it to work ‘just because’ also appeals.

 

Done a fair bit of reading and looked at the market and they can be had for a good price now.

 

At present I am torn between a roadster and a coupe - I love top down motoring and as long as it’s not raining I have always had the roof down, seats on and heater up. I think it just adds to the experience because you see/hear/feel more of what’s around you. This also appeals if we head off to Europe. 

 

I woukd assume the roadster is heavier (due to roof) and luggage capacity smaller hit are they any other distinct advantages/disadvantages to going for a roadster?? 

 

Watched a review which had the auto and it looked like a great gearbox to blip up and down through but is it quick or rather lathargic? The manual I guess offers more direct involvement and I think the synchro rev matching is a nice touch! 

 

Anyway advice on any of the above would be most welcome and hope to be posting up here soon about what I have bought...

 

Si

[Andy_Muxlow]

Hi and welcome buddy.

The roadster has heated and cooled seats in the 370z I think lol. I had a 350z roadster which I loved and went looking for a 370z roadster but ended up with a coupe which is awesome. I never got to try an auto, although I did go out with the intention of trying both.

my wife has a vert 350z so I get the benefit of both worlds.

Edited February 10, 2019 by Andy_Muxlow

[Sit]

Hi Andy thanks for prompt reply, heated AND cooled seats is a nice touch - not had them before! 

 

To be fair coupe/roadster would both be a perfect fit I think for what I am after but as you know roof down motoring just offers that extra dimension to a Summers day drive or even a Winter morning for that matter. 

 

You have the perfect setup then!!

 

si

[Akumanozetto]

Hello, i would say coupe over roadster. i have tested drive both and the coupe is so much better in handling plus more good looking imo 

[Wayne370Z]

My response to this question, as always, is;

I don`t think we get enough nice weather (last summer excepted) in this country to make it worthwhile having a soft top.

You have to put up with not having a proper roof on the car all through the cold, wet, crappy winter (and summer) weather just for the odd few occasions when it`s nice enough to get the top down.

And, as above, the coupe looks far nicer.

[Wheels 370z]

Hiya Sit - I've owned a roadster from Sept 17 to Sept 2018, had a great summer with the roof down but chopped it in for a new Coupe. I'll miss the Roadster...... but I love the coupe. As Andy has said, the roadster does have heated and cooled seats. The softtop used to stress me when we had loads of snow last year- worried the fabric may stretch. If I had to make the choice knowing what I know now having owned both I think I'd be tempted to opt for the Coupe - love the lines of the Coupe. Boot space - can get golf clubs in both. Good luck with your search. 

[Chester15]

Hi and another welcome.

 

I bought my 370z just under a year ago. Have loved it ever since.

 

Bearing in mind two things 1. i did have a roof problem which dealer said was ECU and wanted £2.5k but after some research and good garage analysis got it fixed for under £1k - this hasnt tarnished the enjoyment i have had with the open top of the car.

 

The second point being that I like you enjoy the top down - i used to have a TVR Chimaera 450 which sounded awesome with the roof off - similar with the 370z - not as loud as it is a V6 and not a V8 but the tune is amazing when the exhausts are only just behind your ears with nothing in between but air - or maybe thats what is between my ears Seriously though - 350z GT Roadster is lots of fun if like me its a spare car to be mainly used for fun. Also i think the roadster looks better than the coupe but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Ebized]

Loads of good info here:

 

I believe the 370 roadster is no longer available new, so that could well mean s/h prices will hold up better.  Personally, I loved every minute of the 370 I had for near-on 5 years.

[Sit]

Thanks for the replies, I have worked my way through most of those vids now! Lol! 

 

Interesting to to hear about your roof problem, was it the fifth bow I seem to read a lot about??

 

Very much convinced the 370Z is the right car for me just need to get out and drive one. Did stray a little into considering a Golf R/S3 as an all rounder......avoiding the need for two cars, but not convinced.

 

Si

[StormWhite]

I originally planned to purchase an M3 Z4 Coupe but they command a high price considering their age. In the end I decided a newer 370Z Coupe represented better value. I have now owned the car for 18 months and currently have no intention of changing the car.

Edited February 25, 2019 by StormWhite

[Sit]

Thanks for your input, to be fair there is little about in the same bracket that offers so much whilst retaining sensible running costs.

 

Very excited to pick one up, just need to sell my current car and then the hunt is on!!

 

Si

[Chester15]

A little late in response as have been a bit busy lately.

 

I had read a lot into the fifth bow problem when trying to sort out the issue i had.

 

Found it wasn't that - simple case of part of wiring got trapped in mechanism and severed the connections.

 

Simple fix but cost was in stripping down and identifying. Better than ECU cost though.

[Sim]

My wife and I have both had 350z and now 370z.

 

I've had coupes and the wife roadsters, honestly, they've all been great.

 

We looked at other cars but decided to stick with both having fun cars as I have access to a van for doing rubbish jobs

 

Enjoy

 

[Sit]

Thanks Sim that’s good to know, trying to weigh up whether I go manual or auto?? I set out very much wanting a manual because I think it suits the whole analogue nature of the car. I have watched a few YT vids lately (mostly from the states) and they have tended to be autos and it looks to be a fairly sharp box!

 

si

[Eddie f]

Had mine a month .. love the car . I noticed when cleaning the roof the rubber seal had rips .. don’t no if it’s a easy fix so check the soft top carefully..anyone had this problem.. and when the roof is down the seal is warped .hoping to get a new seal , but the seal goes right round the back of the car .

[Sit]

Car looks lovely! Thanks for the tip, will be sure to have a good look at it. So is that attached to the good then, does it look replaceable?

 

Seals have cracked I would imagine due to weathering, the combination of sun/rain/atmospheric bits all eat away at the rubber which becomes brittle. I used some great stuff on my Honda rubber seals, used to do it twice and year and kept them like new - https://h-tune.co.uk/genuine-honda-shin-etsu-silicone-grease/?currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4obywMuR4QIVjZztCh1vkQRfEAQYASABEgKlgPD_BwE

 

Did you set out to buy a roadster? Did you look at many, interesting to hear your buying journey/experience?

 

I would settle for a coupe but having owned an S2000, VX220 and E46 M3 conv; I enjoyed the extra dimension of roof down motoring they all gave so think I need to hang out for a roadster.

 

Si

 

 

[Eddie f]

Yes it’s attached to the hood .. it looks like you could fit a new one .. I have 3 months warranty..so I think I’ll phone the garage.only thing is am a bit nervous about someone messing with the hood . I look at a coupe , but the front had lots of stone chips , then I seen this one and it was fitted with a cobra exhaust.. it was mint , but I never checked the soft top .. it was only when I got it home I noticed a few  things, but the roof works fine , just worried about the rubbers .