What happens when you take a Nissan 370Z on its first serious spirited mountain drive alongside a Ferrari California T, a Shelby Mustang GT350, and a group of passionate car enthusiasts? Twisty mountain roads, roaring exhausts, rising oil temperatures, and a few unexpected surprises!
In Episode 64 of Cool Cars with Chris, Chris Smith and co-host Courage (The Driven Dad) hit the Southern California mountains for an early morning driving adventure. Chris puts his Nissan 370Z to the test on unfamiliar canyon roads, discovering how the Z handles tight corners, elevation changes, and sustained spirited driving.
But things don't go exactly as planned! Between rising oil temperatures, an unfamiliar mountain route, cyclists on the road, and a suspension that's getting a serious workout, Chris quickly discovers there's a big difference between cruising around town and pushing a sports car through the mountains.
Meanwhile, Courage shares his experience behind the wheel of his Hyundai Elantra N, explaining how front-wheel-drive performance cars handle corners differently from rear-wheel-drive sports cars like the 370Z.
And when a Ferrari California T and a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 join the adventure, the conversation turns to what makes Japanese, Italian, and American performance cars so different—and surprisingly similar.
Nissan 370Z First Spirited Drive: Chris takes his Z into the mountains for its first real canyon-driving adventure.
Oil Temperatures & Performance: Watching the 370Z's oil temperature climb toward 240°F and discussing how hard driving affects engine temperatures.
Canyon Driving & Handling: Tight corners, elevation changes, braking techniques, and learning the limits of an unfamiliar road.
Nissan 370Z vs. Hyundai Elantra N: Rear-wheel drive versus front-wheel drive and how each car approaches cornering and traction.
Ferrari California T & Shelby GT350: Three different approaches to front-engine, rear-wheel-drive performance from Japan, Italy, and America.
Exhaust Sounds & Driving Footage: Hear the 370Z's V6 exhaust alongside the pops, bangs, and rev-matching sounds of the Hyundai Elantra N.
Modified Cars & Resale Value: Does lowering a Ferrari or changing factory suspension hurt a performance car's value?
Suspension & Maintenance: Coilovers, lowering springs, bottoming out, oil changes, and keeping a performance car ready for the road.
Hyundai Elantra N Ownership: Courage talks about reaching 60,000 miles and why his sporty sedan continues to work as both a fun car and practical daily driver.
🌐 Cool Cars with Chris Website:
https://coolcarswithchris.com
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https://www.youtube.com/@CoolCarswithChris619
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▶️ Courage — The DriveN Dad on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealDrivenDad
📸 Courage — The DriveN Dad on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/therealdrivendad/
00:00 – Welcome & Morning Drive Recap
02:00 – Nissan 370Z's First Spirited Mountain Drive
04:28 – Tight Corners, Challenges & Rising Oil Temps
08:40 – Canyon Driving Safety & Knowing Your Limits
12:18 – Nissan 370Z vs. Hyundai Elantra N: RWD vs. FWD
14:39 – Exhaust Sounds, Flybys & Rev Matching
18:03 – Ferrari, Corvette & Mustang GT350 Meet
19:59 – Modified Cars, Suspension & Resale Value
24:38 – Chasing a Ferrari Through the Mountains
26:50 – Nissan 370Z vs. Ferrari California T vs. Shelby GT350
30:35 – Mountain Driving Footage & Scenic Roads
34:37 – Engine Sounds, Heat & Car Maintenance
37:20 – Hyundai Elantra N: 60,000-Mile Ownership Update
41:09 – Final Thoughts & Driving Safety
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