Well I picked up this book called Lust, Then Love: the story of the new Z by Rob Sessions at Barnes & Noble today. Great book, many pictures, great details, a good addition to my collection of Z trinkets.

In the book is covers all generation Z's, from the first 240Z to the new 350Z and everything in-between. I got me wondering; What does a car have to have to be a real Z? It's more a badge and a marketing slogan than Nissan would want us to think it is. I know the first Z's recipe for success was a low price, good handling, modestly powerful (for the time), and a good dealership network that made them available. Plus, they were pure sports cars. No frills.

So then my mind started to wander some more and I thought does the 280ZX count as a Z? How about the first 300ZX? Then the last 300ZX? How about the new 350Z? I thought it would be interesting to have a poll here to see what you guys think. Please feel free to add input.

Dave

All Nissan cars that have "Z" attached to their name plate are real Z cars, period. The one or many that an individual has a passion for is irrelevent. Most importantly we must never forget that we ALL are Z people.

a z is a z is a z...... no matter how you say it!!!

good feedback, let's hear some more!

Technically all Nissan cars that are calld Z's are just that a Z car. However, I am only interested in owning an older Z like a series I 240.The z's past 1978 just do not do much for me. I have a series II from 1-`71 but I would love to get a low vin `70 one day. Probably the only car I would get rid of the Z for is a Lotus Elise. To me it is a modern day Z. It is light no frills and handels great, a true sports car; however it is not like the Z in price at 45K but it is like an original Z in price when compared to a 911 or any of it other compitition. I would love to see Nissan produce a 240 again wheather it is a retro or not, just following the original Z's recipie for as sports car like the Elise.

Back to the topic, I think all Nissan Z's deserve to be called a Z and I am glad to see the Z name alive and I hope it stays that way for ever. I really like having a car that belongs at the top of a long family tree (well it is not as long as some cars but over time it will get there). Having new Z's out there helps spark interest in the older ones that most of us own, there is nothing wrong with a little good publicity.

I agree with that spark interest comment, and it breathes new life into our cars with a new Z in the media constantly.

I like them all. The best Z's are the one's owned by Z enthusiasts. The fellow or gal dottering over every detail of their 88 Z31 are just as much Z people as we here. The poor folks restoring their 83 S130 have to have more dedication as we, because their parts are harder to find! Every loved Z car is a classic Z to me.

Simple...

S30 & it's brothers [HS30, HLS30 etc]= zed

anything else isn't.

Simple...

S30 & it's brothers [HS30, HLS30 etc]= zed

anything else isn't.

EXCELLENT ANSWER ! ! I agree.

so i got to ask my favorite question when does a modified zed become a non zed

does adding mags and such classify it as non zed

does change to different engine make it non zed

any thoughts

Mick

Hi Mick,

Not sure if I'm getting sucked into something here, but what the heck....

The 260's came with mags, any changes to wheels, spoilers, engines IMHO do not change the fact that bodily it still is a S30.

MOM

I have owned two 90-96 TT Z's over the years and i must say they are my favroite Z. They're a gorgeous looking car, the handling in those cars is amazing, the power is subtantial, and the ride quality/creature comforts are un-matched by even today's cars. When i get to a comfortable point in my life again i will own another one.

My 94 TT went low 12's on stock turbos with 18's and a killer stereo, handled like it was on rails, and i could still take the t-tops off and cruise. The only thing that sucks about them is the fact that their a pain to work on.

I have fallen in love with the retro looks of my 240z though, which is why i bought one, but the power/handling/comfort leaves much for me to be desired. Although i lt's a much different (and welcomed) driving feel compared to my old 300zx. I know it's apples to oranges to compare the two, their both great for what they are/when they were produced.

Here's a pic of my old 300zx, sold it for the down payment on my house...