So, has anyone noticed the similar look of the Infinity G35 Coupe and the 350z ?! Let's also not forget the similar look of the Audi TT model which came out a few years ago.

Are car manufacturers losing their creative spirit? Do they need to copy each other just to get something interesting on the market? Or, do they all perform the same studies and come up with identical designs? It really makes you wonder.

If you look at any automotive era of the past you will see that all manufacturers copy each other! The Z was a copy of Ferrari and Jag cars. Just be glad Nissan didn't try to decide to copy one of Pontiac's crazy ideas! I agree that I am not fond of the recent trends! But with the bar being so high on efficiency and performance most of the car builders seem to be spending a lot of time in the wind tunnels. I to hope there are some fresh design ideas around the corner! And hopefully it includes some chrome!!!

I like the PT Cruiser, VW Bettle, and Mini. But I personally would take the G35 over any of them plus the Z or TT. Or just about any performance coupe. Well, okay maybe not over the Ferrari 550 Maranello!!!

Have fun!

I would like to throw in my point of view on the two cars. Coming form a young persons point of view (freshmen in college). We all love the new Z.Nissan priced it too high for our reach. That's where Nissan totally messed up. I to believe the 240 is and always will be the best Z-car design. When the 240 came out it was the reach of my hands, they never sold it to lets say the well set . Yes, I'm sure mom and pop's bought the car but mostly college students. Then in the 80's they got too expensive and everything went down hill from there. I have to say the 90-96 300Zx is a damn good design

The G35 it's perfect for the type of people they are marketing-selling too. Middle class American's. In other words.....All of you guys, my Mom just bought one.

Don't take anything personal,

Brandon

71 240'z series I( orange, Silver, Gold&black in my shop)

It seems that for the last few years the designers favor the big butt look(stink bug look) with the huge and high and rounded rear ends. While this may give you great trunk and rear seat headroom, it just doesn't look very streamlined or sporty to me. I prefer the less practical angular, smaller, but firmer butts. On cars. Victor.

Originally posted by BambiKiller240

I too like the look of the PT, but I've heard from some owners that fit and finish is not good. What is your take on that MikeW?

That's interesting because I find it to be excellent. I've got a fully loaded limited edition (but of course with the 5 speed) which might have better fit and finish than the base models. Perhaps others are comparing it to a BMW or something. I do know that they're assembled at a new plant in Mexico with state of the art quality control. In almost 3 years and 36 thousand miles we've only had one problem - the power steering pump failed. Luckily it was covered under warranty because it was an 8 hour repair job.

I think it's well designed. Just the other day I had to change a brake light bulb. You remove a single screw through the lens cover and tilt the whole housing out. At that point you have easy access to the bulb from the rear. That's just one example of where the PT cruiser is better than any other cars I've seen.

240ZX,

Yes you should get some heat for the "chubby woman" comment! The bottom line is Nissan thought they were the person for the job and as far as I am concerned they didn't get the job done. I don't care if it was a "chubby woman" or skinny guy, etc.

lordbiotree,

I am not so sure that the 350Z is so different to the 240Z when it comes to marketing and price. I was born in the '60s so cannot speak from experience but wasn't the original Z a little expensive for the average college student of the time!? Isn't it pretty comparable to the value/dollar to a Porsche of the time and currently? I think it is the increase in cost of everything, including the cost of a college education, that may have taken the new Z out of the hands of the colledge student! But then, I bet you will find a few bew Z's on the college lots!

Originally posted by Royce

I am not so sure that the 350Z is so different to the 240Z when it comes to marketing and price. I was born in the '60s so cannot speak from experience but wasn't the original Z a little expensive for the average college student of the time!?

A 240Z had close to the same performance of a 911 for about half the price, so yes, the 2003 350Z ($30K) vs. 2003 911 Carrera ($68K) is perfectly valid.

Originally posted by 240ZX

Hey Guys, I recently saw a special on TV about the Nissan design team. Guess what? I chubby woman is responsible for the design of the 350Z......go figure!!!

So who is this "chubby woman"?

As far as I know, the designer that has been credited with penning the Z33 is called Ajay Panchal.

He is a he, and he is a British national who works in Nissan's Californian design studios.

Has he got a secret?:classic:

Alan T.

Alan, the info I got was on the Discovery channel so I'm not touting this as gospel. I just thought it was interesting and worth a post. I see ROYCE took a little offense to my comment and I appollogize if it offends anyone else, but she is chubby in deed!!!

Ajay surely knows her....If I remember, the woman was the design team leader and not necessarilly the one who penned the drawings of the 350Z.............am I forgiven?

P.S. If I had a choice, I'd still prefer an Infinity G35 SPORT over the 350Z

Hey, no problem - I didn't take any offence!:classic:

Ah, I see. She was in charge of the project then ( I thought it meant that she penned it ). Now I understand.

Product design is now a truly international affair for any big corporation. The design teams seem to be ever bigger as the products get more and more complicated, and they draw their talent from all over the world too. We are probably way past the age when an automobile can be claimed as the child of one mind.

And I didn't have any problem with the C word by the way ( I'm getting increasingly c****y recently too ).

Alan T.

Originally posted by MikeW

That's interesting because I find it to be excellent.

Maybe you're just too used to the F&F and replacing light bulbs on your Z!!! ROFL

About hte price of a Z compared to a Porsche, I would say that Porsches are more expensive today than they were back then relatively, but who am I to say?

68k for a 911? That is a little more than HALF of what they cost here in Aus, are you sure that figure is correct? If so .... we're being RIPPED

Originally posted by Alfadog

Maybe you're just too used to the F&F and replacing light bulbs on your Z!!! ROFL

Actually, my 240Z bulbs aren't bad right now as I'm missing the rear plastic inside panel. The fit and finish of the 240Z leaves a lot to be desired compared to my daily driver 1990 240SX. For instance, Nissan learned how to make a dashboard that doesn't crack.

About hte price of a Z compared to a Porsche, I would say that Porsches are more expensive today than they were back then relatively, but who am I to say?

68k for a 911? That is a little more than HALF of what they cost here in Aus, are you sure that figure is correct? If so .... we're being RIPPED

I simply wen't to autos.yahoo.com and picked what appeared to be the best Porsche to compare with the 350Z. You can see the whole model line with US prices here; note that there is a wide range to the 911 line : $68K to $180K.

http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/porsche/index.html?refsrc=autos/home

Originally posted by 240znz

The airdam on the front of the 350Z makes it look like a goldfish...swap it with the nose of the Infinity and it would look a lot better.

Goldfish, thats a new one! maybe its the lemanns sunset paint that implies it that name. Its been called a Toad very often. Maybe they should make a metallic green one.