Welcome to Episode 64 of **Cool Cars with Chris!** Chris Smith and co-host Courage from The Driven Dad break down an early morning Southern California mountain drive that put Chris's Nissan 370Z to the test.
What started as a fun canyon run quickly turned into a learning experience. With unfamiliar mountain roads, sharp corners, cyclists, changing elevation, and the Z's oil temperatures climbing toward 240°F, Chris had to find the right balance between enjoying his sports car and knowing when to back off.
Meanwhile, Courage explains how his Hyundai Elantra N performs on twisty roads and why front-wheel-drive performance cars can surprise rear-wheel-drive enthusiasts.
Plus, we share driving footage, Nissan 370Z exhaust sounds, Hyundai Elantra N pops and bangs, and an unexpected encounter with a group of incredible cars!
🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:
🏎️ Nissan 370Z First Spirited Drive – Chris takes the Z on its first serious mountain run.
🌡️ 370Z Oil Temperatures – Is 240°F too hot during aggressive canyon driving?
🏁 RWD vs. FWD – Nissan 370Z vs. Hyundai Elantra N handling and cornering techniques.
🔊 Exhaust Sounds – Listen to the Nissan 370Z V6 and Hyundai Elantra N's factory pops, bangs, and rev matching.
🐎 Ferrari California T & Shelby GT350 – Japanese, Italian, and American sports cars sharing the same mountain roads.
🔧 Car Modifications – Lowered suspension, coilovers, factory handling, and how modifications affect resale value.
🛣️ Canyon Driving Safety – Blind corners, unfamiliar roads, and learning your car's capabilities.
🚗 Hyundai Elantra N Ownership – Courage shares his experience after reaching 60,000 miles.
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
💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Have you ever taken your Nissan 370Z or another sports car on a spirited canyon drive? What's the highest oil temperature you've seen, and what did you learn from the experience?
Drop a comment below! We'd love to hear your stories.
👍 LIKE this video if you love cars and spirited driving!
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🌐 Cool Cars with Chris Website:https://coolcarswithchris.com
▶️ Cool Cars with Chris on YouTube: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/
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