UCP Awards 2009: Car of the Year

[Kitdy]

So 2009 comes down to these two, the Ferrari 458 and Nissan 370Z.

Which and why?

[Kitdy]

The poll closes in 4 days aka March 3 at 3:37 AM EST.

[Niko_Fx]

I'll throw a slightly biased vote to the 370Z. Why? Well, of course the Ferrari IS the better car, there's no doubt about that, but consider that the 370Z costs only a small fraction of the Ferrari's price and its performance is outstanding. They vastly improved the 350Z by making it lighter, giving it more hp, and improving the interior x 10,000.

I absolutely 100% would rather own / drive a Ferrari 458, but I guess we have to consider the 2 cars for what they are and offer.

370Z = US $30k - $35k
458 = £169,545 + £19,000 current dealer markup.

Performance for the buck?

[W.R.]

Originally Posted by Niko_Fx

I absolutely 100% would rather own / drive a Ferrari 458, but I guess we have to consider the 2 cars for what they are and offer.

370Z = US $30k - $35k
458 = £169,545 + £19,000 current dealer markup.

Performance for the buck?

But this a car of the year poll, not best value car of the year. Otherwise the Zed would've had another vote from me.

[Ferrer]

In terms of performance or bang for buck it isn't even that impressive.

[Niko_Fx]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

In terms of performance or bang for buck it isn't even that impressive.

The Ferrari? I know, you're paying about £300.00 for every HP!!!

But this a car of the year poll, not best value car of the year. Otherwise the Zed would've had another vote from me

Wouldn't "car of the year" include pricing? That being the case I'm sure Nissan can take US $300k and build a better car... If price is not even considered when voting then why bother?

[RSOWNER]

Voted for the Ferrari here, simply because the stylists have finally made a bold move away from the rather bland (everything smooth) look of the last few models.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by Niko_Fx

The Ferrari? I know, you're paying about £300.00 for every HP!!!

Haha true.

But we have hot hatches, and those are what get us value for money. They are to us what for you is the Mustang.

[NicFromLA]

I really hate the way the 370Z looks. I think those fishhook kinks in the lights look idiotic and sort of kink in the shoulder near the b-pillar makes the car look like it's been in an accident. The 350Z was so stately and clean looking, what was Nissan thinking?

[wwgkd]

I took the sucker vote. The Z is probably a better car when you factor in price, but I just couldn't vote for it.

[Rockefella]

The 458 Italia is impressive, but has it even gone on sale yet?

[VOGUE_MAN]

I feel the 370Z has a really good engine in a really good car - but the Ferrari is exceptional in every category.

[Ferrer]

This is again another battle of the classic against the contemporary. The cutting edge against the proven receipe. The traditional approach against modern engineering.

I like the 370Z. Styling aside, in which I agree with Nic, everything where it should be. There's a big normally aspirated engie up in front, a proper manual in the middle and rear wheel drive at the back. It's what we've come to know and love as a sportscar, and I wouldn't mind at all having one. It's curious that the same company makes such different approaches to the performance question. Points for the synchro-rev-o-matic gearbox, which I don't like very much, but I reckon it is quite clever and it takes the good ol' fashioned manual into the 21st century.

And then there's the 458 Italia, which is a technological tour de force. Starting with the engine the specific power and torque outputs are simply unbelievable and it's quite a frugal car if we take into account the performance. Then there's the 7-speed dual clutch flappy paddle gearbox, a first for a mid engined Ferrari, the studied aerodynamics or the attention to detail in the interior. And let's not start with the electronic diff and traction control modes.

So, the Dino takes my vote. But give me a Datsun please.

[cargirl1990]

" Jingle bells, new Ferrari's smell, Nissan all the way... "

[Niko_Fx]

Since the Ferrari is like 10 times more expensive, and no one but me factored in the price... 7 (current) votes for the Nissan = 7 x 10 = 70 votes.

370Z wins car of the year award!!!