Auto Trends

Nissan 370Z Roadster, originally uploaded by www.Dream-car.tv

The photos are out of the new Nissan 370Z Roadster, and while many enthusiasts prefer the all out masculinity of the coupe… the drop top really isn’t half bad. In fact, it is not bad at all, it is rather quite improved over the original 350Z convertible.

The Changes from the Old

Originally Uploaded by  cienporcienmotor

The new 2010 370Z Roadster by Nissan carries a presence with it that signifies class and finesse. While the casual enthusiast may not notice a lot of change from the 350Z roadster, there is. The top itself is made of a much higher grade of canvas, rather than vinyl. The top has also been reconfigured to follow the smooth transitions of its sleek, sexy body. In other words, the top looks as if it was designed for the body, rather than as an afterthought.

How many times do you ever see a 350Z with its top up on a nice day. Not often, and there is good reason for it. It just does not quite look as good. Well, many convertibles don’t look as good, but the new 370Z roadster is a slight exception to this rule. The canvas top now follows the same basic slope as the coupe, allowing a gradual transition from canvas to metal, which offers a much less clumsy overall appeal.

The roadster also has a slightly adjusted rear-end, which offers a more soft and rounded muscularity that compliments the Z when covered or topless. It has also had some improvements on refinement and insulation towards the interior. A new inside liner has been put in place, which not only looks better, but functions better at removing unwanted road noise. This offers a slightly better atmosphere from which to pump out your tunes with the optional Bose performance audio system, or to take on the blustery, cold winter weather of the North.

The Similarities of the New

Originally uploaded by www.Dream-car.tv

You’ll be happy to know that this is where the changes stop, and its similarities to the coupe begins. The engine remains the current 3.7-liter V-6 with 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. I’m sure you are wondering how much added weight the roadster adds to the coupe, and I’m happy to report that Nissan says its 194 pounds of added reinforcement/safety features, will only add 0.2 or 0.4 seconds to its already quick 0-60 in 5.1 seconds (Edmunds.com road test).

The roadster has a remarkable presence on the road, which does not offer any excuses for its topless condition. Yes, the true hardcore driver may notice a reduction in its prowess over bumpy terrain, but for the average enthusiast, the Z is plenty capable and fun to drive. While the chassis has been de-tuned slightly to keep the ride comfortable, it still comes with its basic sport-tuned suspension, SynchroRev Match shifting, and 18-inch wheels.

Starting at $37,500, the new Z roadster offers little loss in performance and style, for the optimum gain of open air motoring. This is one of those rare times in automotive history, where the convertible option actually offers a win-win situation for the consumer. Go test drive one for yourself, they are scheduled to be on the lots by this coming month (September 2009)… just in time for those Fall road trips through the Aspen trees.

Car Repair With Auto Aid, originally uploaded by pranksterjay

A recent survey by DriverSide and Kelton Research, set out to prove just how well most of us take care of our vehicles. The first questions of interest in this survey asked point blank, How well do you take care of our vehicle? Over 90 percent of respondents claimed confidently that they were above average when it came to taking good care of their beloved vehicle.

That is great America, we are looking good so far! When respondents were asked if they followed the basic maintenance schedule of their manufacturer, only 41 percent could admit they actually even paid attention to this. Not so good America. This would include oil and transmission fluid changes, tire rotation, brake inspections, etc. All very important aspects of up-keeping a healthy vehicle.

The next series of questions asked respondents how often they wax the paint on their vehicle, and if they repair the dents, scratches, and any other damage (window chips and cracks) that occurs. Only 31 percent said that they wax their paint regularly, and even less (16 percent) bothered to repair the daily wear and tear (minor accidents, rock chips, bent wheel rims from curb checks, etc.) that occurs from daily use. These can lead to safety issues, but more importantly, it drastically reduces the value of a vehicle.

The Problem and a Solution
This research shows a dangerous trend that some drivers may not be heeding warning signs of potentially serious problems with their vehicle, or having warning lights checked out within a reasonable amount of time. Or even more likely, driving around with a cracked windshield, impeding a portion of their viewing area. The real problem here, is the danger you could be putting yourself and other drivers in (failing brakes, for example).

Much of these results can be explained by a lack of time and money by the consumer, and this is something that few people are willing to give up readily. Even when it comes to the health of the drivers themselves, some surveys suggest that people do not have regular check-ups, or go to a doctor at the onset of any “warning signs” of an impending medical condition. In the case of our own health, one of the things that the Internet has brought, is a number of medical sites where one can ask questions and check symptoms. This gives quick access to a second opinion (other than our own), of when we really should see a doctor.

DriverSide, the company that helped organized the research, is offering the same type of service for our vehicles. What they learned from these survey results, is that some consumers do not know their recommended maintenance schedule, or how serious certain symptoms can be. They have organized their website around free maintenance reminders, a diagnostic tool to help you narrow down what a specific problem could be, offers advice on do it yourself repairs (videos), and even a means for asking mechanics various questions.

Keep those wheels of freedom spinning!

originally uploaded by Li Song

Minding your carbon footprint has always been a very noble cause, and I for one applaud that. However, for those of you who have recently made the switch to one of these small, fuel efficient models, such as the Smart Fortwo, Honda Fit, or Chevrolet Aveo, you have a new enemy to watch out for besides your footprint…

I am of course talking about the other drivers who are not driving small, fuel efficient vehicles.

Watch this video presented by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to see exactly what I mean:

There are of course many sides to the argument against small vehicles, but the argument that cannot be denied, is that a small car (no matter how safe it has been built), is no match against a 6,000 pound SUV, or even a 4,000 pound mid-size sedan for that matter. In a perfect world, everybody would prefer, afford, and drive equivalent vehicles. This would put everybody on equal ground as far as their safety in concerned.

But it is not an equal world, and therefore the choice to be economical and sustainable, can be a choice to put yourself at increased risk of injury or death during an accident. If you ask the small car manufacturers about these results, they will point to their excellent crash ratings (running into a stationary object, or vehicle of equivalent size and weight).

The Smart Fortwo for example is a very well received vehicle as far as its safety ratings go. Just as safe as most mid-size sedans. The problem is, when a Fortwo is faced with a much larger vehicle, instead of the impact ratio being the same, it is actually decreased for the large vehicle and increased for the Fortwo. The math is simple.

As you can see from the video above, the mid-size Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the advantage of weight and size over the Fortwo. Upon impact, the C-Class continues traveling forward, thereby relieving some of its impact for its passengers. The Fortwo on the other hand, is stopped abruptly, thrown back into the air, and obviously receives the brunt of the damage and impact.

Alternatives to Sub-Compacts
This is not to say that you shouldn’t buy these vehicles, but to be aware of the increased risk and your other alternatives. Mid-sized hybrids offer the best of both worlds (such as the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry). The hybrid engines offer equivalent economy and carbon reduction as smaller vehicles, but its overall larger body style offers longer crash zones, which translates to a reduction in impact for its passengers.

The only problem with this equation, is often the luxury of owning a larger hybrid translates into a significantly higher price tag. For instance, the 2009 Smart Fortwo averages $12,200 to $17,100, while the Toyota Camry Hybrid averages $25,600. This puts quite a few folks in a bit of a pickle. However, with continued advancements in technology, the vehicles of the future will be much lighter, helping to level out the playing ground.

Until then, remember to buckle up, keep both eyes on the road, and always be aware of the other drivers around you. Especially the ones in the really big vehicles!