For those of you who actually like a car with 3 proper pedals and a stick (unlike the 458 Italia), have a look at this set of wheels: 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring.
Edmunds noted “Compared to the 350Z it replaces, the new Z is shorter, wider, lighter and powered by a new 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 with variable valve timing and lift that’s more powerful, too. It’s a serious car, not just a stylish one.”
Not only is it a full-bore sports car, but it makes proper use of computer software — not to shift the gears for you, but the innovative stick shift blips the throttle for you on downshifts (no heel and toe driving necessary). Its called Synchromatch.
My only real design criticism is the interior. It is a sea of black, especially the dash. That won’t matter as much in the roadster, but in a coupe it gets seriously hot when left in the baking sun. My previous black cars — the RX8 and 330i — were both miseries in the summer.
Marketwatch excerpt:
“It is out on the road where the 370Z comes into its element. Especially with the $3,000 sport package that came on the test car. That added bigger 19-inch wheels, and larger tires, sport brakes, a limited slip rear end, a spoiler or two, and the most outstanding gizmo I have experienced this year in a stick shift car.
The SyncroRev Match Manual Transmission has been in development for some time. What it does electronically, is blip the throttle, and match the revs on your downshift, better than you ever could through the art of heel and toeing. You will love it when carving up old back roads and during a Saturday track session. Bravo Nissan!
Out on the highway, the new Z is all sports car. It handles as if the darn thing is on rails with excellent feedback to the driver and a real bucket seat to keep your passenger from flying around while freaking out. How good? Most published testers turned up a high 0.9g on the skid pad, and that boys and girls is playing in the big leagues.”
You can get the basic package — 336HP engine and 6 spd drivetrain — for under $30k.
And of course, a few pictures:
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Source:
2009 Nissan 370Z Touring
Ron Amadon
MarketWatch
Sep 5, 2009, 6:01 a.m. EST
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/2009-nissan-370z-touring-a-full-bore-sports-car-2009-09-05
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