Ok i have had the Crossfire for a few months but everything I have read says the 350z is more fun. i looked on the 350z forum and a few people on their say they traded their Crossfire for the 350z and its a hugh upgrade? I havent driven one but want to, anyone driven one? Can anyone compare the 350z to a 2005 6 speed crossfire? I am thinking of trading it in for one, so any reviews of it would be helpful. thanks

 

I've driven both a 350Z and a 370Z. Comparing a 6speed CF to 350Z, I have found that the 350Z is better in the following ways:

350Z is faster than CF with NA engine
350Z has a slightly more agile suspension
350Z has a tighter shifter

Now for the 370Z:

370Z is way faster than CF with NA engine
370Z has a much more agile suspension
370Z has a much better shifter and transmission
370Z has a WAY better interior by far
370Z is the best new sports car out there for under $45k period

I was completely blown away by the 370Z and I own a Viper and live in the Motorcity. I say skip the 350Z and save up for a 370Z. The 370Z is an amazing car, I'll just never own one because I want to stick with domestics from now on.

 

Ok so how would you compare the xf to the viper? I think you can get a pretty good deal on an older viper now but maybe in a few years I can afford one. What are the main differences other than power?

 

^ Absolutely EXACTLY my impressions when I drove the 370Z (I posted a review on here somewhere).

 

The Viper is a beast and handles better in every respect except low speed turning. The Viper is muscle car unlike any muscle car and is in a class of its own. There is not much out there that you could get for the money that would compare.

The Viper has the following advantages over the Xfire:

Better suspension handling
Better high speed cornering
Way better transmission
Way better styling
More reliable (a head gasket swap is the only problem on gen1's)
Way more attention getting, more stares and looks
Way more upgrade support and parts are actually cheaper
And of coarse the power, WAY more power even over an SRT6. (mid to low 12's stock)

Comparing the Viper to the 370Z, you will find that the 370Z has an easier shifter than the Viper and possible tighter in the turns. You have to be more careful in the Viper when corning because although it does very well, it's torque is nothing to mess around with. Never punch the throttle when entering a turn or in the middle of exiting a turn. Although a gen1 (1992 - 1995) Viper is rated at 400hp, simply upgrading the cat-back exhaust to a high flow system will net you about 450hp at the crank. I got 405hp to the wheels with just a catback and K&N filters so that's about 450hp at the crank.

Some of these comments may tick off Xfire owners but it's the real truth. The only thing better on the Xfire is the amazing turning radius. And as far as the reliability comment, I've had my Xfire in five times at the dealer within the first year of ownership and fix two things myself. They had to replace my Exhaust, fix a leaky valve cover, work on my headlights, fix my headliner, repaint a trim piece, and I've been having clutch squeal for a year now. The first gen Viper needs a Headgasket replacement at some point because the new one is an MLS steel gasket and the old one drips antifreeze over time, but that's it. I've had the Viper for over 3 years and I'm running a 150 shot of Nitrous in this 15 year old engine and it takes it like a beast. Think low 11's.

 

Dont think so.

 

You can't. Two different classes.

 

I really can't defend the XF being second best to the 370Z or the Viper, neither of which I have driven. I was impressed with the brute power and looks of the Viper when it came out, and even thought about buying one at one time. But it's not the kind of car I could have driven from MI to CT three times. I've always liked the Z cars but cannot bring myself to own a Japanese brand -- it's tough enough knowing I haven't helped the US auto industry much with my XFs and Audis (I do own a Mercury Milan). But I also remember my old TR6 and it handled like $hit, did not make much power from it's 2.5l six, and topped out at 110 mph, but it was a blast to drive. That's the way I feel about the XFs. I also see a heck of a lot more Zs on the road than XFs.

 

Originally Posted by klamathpro
370Z is the best new sports car out there for under $45k period

I know so. I've test driven everything from a Porsche Cayman to the Vette and all the muscle cars in between. The 370Z is the champ in this class by fact, not opinion. Go test drive one yourself and read the the articles on this car. It's basically almost a GTR without turbos. And the interior design is amazing, suede and leather everywhere, like out of a $100k car, even better than the Porsche. Headroom is my only gripe. And the engine bay is a work of art. At $33k, I don't know of anything that comes close.

P.S. The only new sports car that would come close is probably the Lotus Elise, but I think the MSRP on that is above $45k.

 

The new 370Z will be available in a soft top roadster tagged as 2010. Car for car, the Z is in a league above the Crossfire - larger, more powerful, nicer cabin - but the novel little XF can never be duplicated.

 

I read with interest your post because had I not found my Crossfire, my back-up choice was going to be the new 370z. It took five months to find a Crossfire Coupe, in the condition I expected and in the colour of choice. I had already been to a Nissan dealership, however here in Toronto, good luck finding a 370z as they are selling out immediately. Basically you order it and wait and wait and wait...........that's how much in demand they are right now. Having said that, I found my Crossfire, paid half the money, it was easier on my insurance and in hindsight, no regrets.....
The 370z is an awesome car....but if you want to turn heads.....well, you know..........

 

Yeah, I do. You put a TT setup on 370z, then everyone will be turning their heads as you fly by them...

mmm....

Then again, a TT setup on an SRT6 would be just as fun.

 

WOW! I found my Roadster (well, DEB WALKER FOUND IT) less than two weeks after I made up my mind I wanted one. Even got red, just like I wanted! (THANKS DEB!)

I hate to say it, but the 350/370Z's just don't "do it" for me looks wise. I guess it's a personal view thing... I picked up my XF Roadster with 13K on it for under 18K. I'm happy! I like the XF's - coupe AND convertible - of course, after driving my company van and my pickup, I think I'm "Magnum, P.I." in the Red Roadster! I have never been a 'car guy' till this car came along. I am SURE I might be missing something, never having driven a "Z". But from my perspective, the XF's are where it's at for me.

I have all the power, handling, and accleration I need. I also like the fact that the XF is such a rare car - I THINK I have the only Roadster in the county. There is a black coupe running around, but haven't seen the tag to see what county he is from.

 

i never cared for the 350z, the 370z is not too bad but there are a lot of other cars i like a hell of a lot better.

they handle/sound nice though.

it is too much like the import version of the mustang, you see one everywhere you go.

 

My sentiments exactly.

In Murfreesboro, there are roughly 1,000 350/370 Z-cars running around, in various levels of tune. There are several dozen Z06 Vettes. Same goes for the Porsches. Heck, I've even seen a handful of Bentleys with Rutherford County tags.

Ironically, I've only seen a handful of Crossfires. Seeing an SRT is right up there with unicorn sightings. They exist, but I seldom see more than one every few months. All of which have been poorly taken care of and ZERO modified ones. Kinda sad...

Moral of the story, most people buy cars to get looks and "attaboys" from other enthusiasts. But much as the murders lose their sting on the 10:00 news, the Vettes and 370's lose their "wow factor" after about the 100th sighting. They're nice, and they're fast. But they're also trite.

The 'fire is rare. Perhaps antiquated, perhaps slower than others. But it's rare and gets tons of looks. And the ladies love 'em. Kinda the spice in this whole game, isn't it?

 

you hit the nail on the head with that post.

there is a kid local to me that has a new 370z, for some reason now he thinks it is not quite as fast as he originally thought it was. I am not sure why though.

 

This is like the difference between a 7th Ave. hooker and a Parisian fille de joie; one is quick and the other is a joy. Which would you like?

 

Haha. I dont know about anybody who drives a 350Z, but the fact that the Crossfire is so rare and gets more attention than any Z out there, makes up for anything that the Crossfire lacks in comparison, which to me is just HP. Scarcity is key folks. It makes people want and love things just because they are rare in the world. I'm getting carried away here haha. Just defending my XF!

-Sam

 

Ok I drove the 350z, its fast but just didnt do it for me. It seamed to ride rougher than the XF, and they are everywhere and I have only seen 2 other Crossfire's around. Decided to keep the XF, it really is a great car

 

The driver of the 370Z that I spanked was was too far behind so I could not ask why he liked it better than the SRT.