Finally...a decent test drive and a decision made
08-22-2014, 08:55 PM
#41
Racer
Member Since: May 2014
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A local dealer got in a TR Z51 coupe with AT about a week ago. I looked at the car, but they wouldn't let me drive it because they thought it was sold. I rode by this morning, and it was still there, so I called them. Turns out the guy's wife nixed the sale (That's GOTTA suck.), and the salesman invited me over to drive it.
I arrive a few minutes later, he hands me the keys, and he walks away. "Aren't you going with me?" "Nah, don't trust your driving." Smile on his face. He's never been in a vehicle with me, but we've talked a few times.
So off I go on a fifteen minute ride over all sorts of roads at different speeds and in different modes. Here's what I learned.
The engine, handling, and brakes are fabulous, but you already knew that.
The transmission is OK, but you can feel it downshift almost every time you add a little throttle. It's WAY too busy. My 350Z with 5AT would have easily kept up with the Stingray without a downshift at those speeds and accelerations.
Then there's the road noise, and I mean NOISE. I'd taken a short drive in a non-Z51 coupe a couple months back, and I thought it was comparable to the 350Z, or maybe only slightly worse. It must be the lower-profile tires on the Z51, but whatever the reason, it's just unbearably noisy on all but the smoothest of roads.
I really thought for a while that I'd end up buying a Z51 so I could get the Mag ride, but now I know that won't work for me, and the standard C7 has too harsh a ride for my taste. For now, I've set aside the whole idea of getting a C7.
I arrive a few minutes later, he hands me the keys, and he walks away. "Aren't you going with me?" "Nah, don't trust your driving." Smile on his face. He's never been in a vehicle with me, but we've talked a few times.
So off I go on a fifteen minute ride over all sorts of roads at different speeds and in different modes. Here's what I learned.
The engine, handling, and brakes are fabulous, but you already knew that.
The transmission is OK, but you can feel it downshift almost every time you add a little throttle. It's WAY too busy. My 350Z with 5AT would have easily kept up with the Stingray without a downshift at those speeds and accelerations.
Then there's the road noise, and I mean NOISE. I'd taken a short drive in a non-Z51 coupe a couple months back, and I thought it was comparable to the 350Z, or maybe only slightly worse. It must be the lower-profile tires on the Z51, but whatever the reason, it's just unbearably noisy on all but the smoothest of roads.
I really thought for a while that I'd end up buying a Z51 so I could get the Mag ride, but now I know that won't work for me, and the standard C7 has too harsh a ride for my taste. For now, I've set aside the whole idea of getting a C7.
08-22-2014, 09:12 PM
#42
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Posts: 54,199
Received 173 Likes
on
107 Posts
And there is a specific section for "Other Cars"; perfect for this type of report.
08-22-2014, 09:21 PM
#43
This is the 1st time I've observed anyone state the base C7 suspension is harsh. The op's comments regarding the A6 are also a 1st. Maybe another test drive in a 15 with the A8 will sway your opinion.
08-22-2014, 09:21 PM
#44
Race Director
Other people interested in wanting a c7 might want to read about it in the c7 forum.
whine whine whine...
08-22-2014, 10:21 PM
#45
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Posts: 54,199
Received 173 Likes
on
107 Posts
his review best served on the 350Z forum... where it would be welcomed news. But here ?
Someone's trollin (or just foolish).
08-22-2014, 10:34 PM
#46
Race Director
Again more retarded logic and whine.....
Yea that's right when I want Corvette info I go to a Prius site...
No one has to troll up here lol...a few of you guys troll yourselves enough for a good time.....
08-22-2014, 10:37 PM
#47
Race Director
08-22-2014, 10:38 PM
#48
Race Director
I guess we should be asking where we can get a unescorted test ride at
08-22-2014, 11:34 PM
#50
Safety Car
Member Since: Dec 2011
Location: New Rochelle N.Y. 2013 Grand Sport
Posts: 3,608
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes
on
11 Posts
But when 90% of the people on here give reviews that are positive than that is ok. But when some review that they didn't like it then this isn't a car review site. Gimme a break.
08-23-2014, 01:43 AM
#57
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Denison, TX
Posts: 22,551
Received 232 Likes
on
119 Posts
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'16
c7 is equal to 350z is equal to accord if all three are driven like a Maw Maw? Is that what I read?
08-23-2014, 11:38 PM
#58
Drifting
I drive a Honda Accord as my daily driver and it certainly can't keep up with a 350Z, not to mention a C7. I test drive a 350 when that came out and found it noisy and jittery over bumps. I haven't driven a C7 yet but my previous C5 rode way better and was much quieter than the 350. I'm a bit surprised at the OPs review like others who've posted.
08-23-2014, 11:42 PM
#59
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Denison, TX
Posts: 22,551
Received 232 Likes
on
119 Posts
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'16
I drive a Honda Accord as my daily driver and it certainly can't keep up with a 350Z, not to mention a C7. I test drive a 350 when that came out and found it noisy and jittery over bumps. I haven't driven a C7 yet but my previous C5 rode way better and was much quieter than the 350. I'm a bit surprised at the OPs review like others who've posted.
08-24-2014, 12:39 AM
#60
Pro
A local dealer got in a TR Z51 coupe with AT about a week ago. I looked at the car, but they wouldn't let me drive it because they thought it was sold. I rode by this morning, and it was still there, so I called them. Turns out the guy's wife nixed the sale (That's GOTTA suck.), and the salesman invited me over to drive it.
I arrive a few minutes later, he hands me the keys, and he walks away. "Aren't you going with me?" "Nah, don't trust your driving." Smile on his face. He's never been in a vehicle with me, but we've talked a few times.
So off I go on a fifteen minute ride over all sorts of roads at different speeds and in different modes. Here's what I learned.
The engine, handling, and brakes are fabulous, but you already knew that.
The transmission is OK, but you can feel it downshift almost every time you add a little throttle. It's WAY too busy. My 350Z with 5AT would have easily kept up with the Stingray without a downshift at those speeds and accelerations.
Then there's the road noise, and I mean NOISE. I'd taken a short drive in a non-Z51 coupe a couple months back, and I thought it was comparable to the 350Z, or maybe only slightly worse. It must be the lower-profile tires on the Z51, but whatever the reason, it's just unbearably noisy on all but the smoothest of roads.
I really thought for a while that I'd end up buying a Z51 so I could get the Mag ride, but now I know that won't work for me, and the standard C7 has too harsh a ride for my taste. For now, I've set aside the whole idea of getting a C7.
I arrive a few minutes later, he hands me the keys, and he walks away. "Aren't you going with me?" "Nah, don't trust your driving." Smile on his face. He's never been in a vehicle with me, but we've talked a few times.
So off I go on a fifteen minute ride over all sorts of roads at different speeds and in different modes. Here's what I learned.
The engine, handling, and brakes are fabulous, but you already knew that.
The transmission is OK, but you can feel it downshift almost every time you add a little throttle. It's WAY too busy. My 350Z with 5AT would have easily kept up with the Stingray without a downshift at those speeds and accelerations.
Then there's the road noise, and I mean NOISE. I'd taken a short drive in a non-Z51 coupe a couple months back, and I thought it was comparable to the 350Z, or maybe only slightly worse. It must be the lower-profile tires on the Z51, but whatever the reason, it's just unbearably noisy on all but the smoothest of roads.
I really thought for a while that I'd end up buying a Z51 so I could get the Mag ride, but now I know that won't work for me, and the standard C7 has too harsh a ride for my taste. For now, I've set aside the whole idea of getting a C7.