Anyone lucky enough to own both? Has anyone here driven the new 370? There is one or two at the dealer I got my Maxima from and I think they are fully loaded with auto trans. Is the 370Z like Maxima in terms of options and comfort but with 2 doors and more power?

 

I've driven both the A36 Maxima and the Z33 370Z on both the road and track. There's really little comparison btween the two. The 370Z is a RWD sportscar with improved power from the VQ37VHR and slightly lighter weight from a shorter wheelbase of the FM (front midship) chassis. Improvements to the chassis and shock/spring combinations vastly improve the ride over the 350Z. But it still feels like a sportscar with a 54/46 weight distribution at the limit!

Options and marketing may be where the two Nissans converge. Notice how NNA has cut back on the number of option packages for their new models? The new Z offers only two (370Z and Touring) models with sport and tech packages available. For both the Z and Max, this simplified marketing plan should cut down on the # of models that each dealer must carry, as well as confusion on the part of consumers.

But the Z is a sportscar; pure and simple. The Maxima looks, feels and performs in a totally different way.

 

Yeah I would love to go test drive the 370...maybe they would let me. I'm buying another nissan in a couple weeks...maybe they would let me take it for a spin! anyone trading the Max for the Z?

 

you gotta keep in mind your comparing 2 very different cars here.. sedan vs coupe..family car vs sports car... i doubt there would be many ppl getting rid of their max 2 get the 370 as i would think many ppl got the max 4 family & space wise... if anything they'd get both!! lol i drove the 370 in need for speed undercover LOL it was pretty hawwt

 

I certainly hope no one is trading their Max in for a new Z. With the market being what it is, there is a downside in resale pricing. If you can purchase a new Maxima for thousands under invoice pricing, you can only imagine how that'll impact used car prices. I wouldn't want to be the one trying to find out!

 

yes it's FWD too w/ a cvt.

 

I wish I owned both

 

wouldnt that be z34?

 

No, I just own a Bugatti Veyron and an MB S63 AMG

 

You're correct. Nissan's internal designation for the 370Z is the Z34.

 

I'm going to at least sit in the 370Z next time I head to the dealership...it looks like an awesome performance car...but I just never liked the look of it.

How does it compare to the V8 muscle cars?

 

IBbsflag...


Any Bugatti owner knows better than to degrade they're Bugatti's reputation by parking it next to a Mercedes.

 

Not much comparison to be made--the 370Z handles and stops much better. With 332 HP and 270 lb ft of torque, it will even out-accelerate most of the older V8 muscle cars.

 

Do you guys think they will put the 3.7 in the maxima in the next year or 2?

 

CVT goes BOOM!!!!!!

 

I believe the VQ37VHR won't fit as FWD. BTW Detroit Auto Show Nissan didn't show the Maxima Diesel due 2010.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J92_c_T_VeA

You don't know that yet...

Nissan could easily build a FWD block...now whether they would want to is a different story. Why would you need any more than what they already have in a FWD CVT family sedan? Buy a G37 sedan if you want more power. (and the ability to put that power to the ground..)

 

I'd agree that the R&D costs for putting the VQ37VHR into the Maxima don't make sense. While Nissan could do it, there's not a strong enough business case to do so. Maxima is having a difficult time gaining sales traction currently-why would you want to make it MORE expensive? Look for more exterieo/interior changes in 2011, but don't hold your breathe on the 3.7 being used.

 

Well since they did not put the 3.7 atleast they could throw in 6 speed manual as an option.

 

You must not read this board vey often. We have this discussion every few weeks. Manual in the '11 Maxima? Not a chance. When sales are horrible, and money is very tight, why in the world waste the money to develop and get certified a manual version of the Maxima that was down to 2% of Maxima sales when Nissan gave up the manual with the '07? Even that 2% sold with manual is misleading, because many manuals were let go at below cost by the dealers to make the space available for a car that would sell.

The Maxima is a low volume vehicle. Nissan hoped to sell 70K Maximas, but will not come close this year. It is also a near-luxury, 3600 pound family sedan. The Maxima is not the car we knew in the 1990s. The manual option belongs in the more affordable 3.5 Altima, where sales goals of around 250K justify all kinds of variations.

As if all that was not enough, this redesigned CVT in the '09 is more efficient than a manual or automatic, and the government is finally getting serious about fleet fuel economy.

In some areas of the country, places where a manual is still fun to drive are disappearing fast, unless you love a manual in stop-and-go traffic at 0 to 5 MPH.

 

I do not read the boards that often but what you said does make sense. I would have loved to see 3.7 with a 6 speed manual but you always can't get what you want. The outside design and interior of the 09 is really nice though.

 

That is so funny because my laptop's wallpaper has a picture of a Bugatti Veyron parked next to a Mercedes SLR McClaren. Does that count? LOL There is also a bunch of other cars in the picture including two Ferrari Enzo's and antoher cheaper Mercedes, Porsches, Lambo's, A Bentley..... Looks like some rich guys driveway.

 

Heard and read the same thing a while back!

 

No 65 no care.
:

 

I understood the 2010 diesel Maxima was put on indefinite hold about a month ago because of the ghastly economy and the fluctuations in the supply and price of diesel fuel this past year. I think it may appear as a 2011 in spring of 2010, unless the economy stays dead.

 

Well, although I have given many reasons we won't see a manual in the Maxima, I must admit that those of us who have loved the Maxima for over a quarter of a century, as well as all the magazine car testers, felt a little like you. But it just wasn't meant to be.

 

Don't mess with lightonthehill! He knows his stuff. ^^^

 

Actually, all I know is what I learned driving a '49 Studebaker sixty years ago. I just assume everything I learned on the Studie can also be applied to the '09 Maxima. The Maxima does have 84 profile tubed balloon whitewall tires, three speed manual tranny and drum brakes, doesn't it?