Nothing special about the 350z?

[ChrisA]

Ahh, if only Carl were around to read this thread. His comments would have been priceless. The "old farts" know how he felt about the 350Z.

Chris

[whamo]

My 240z is a classic, Ill bet it had its naysayers in the day but it is a time tested classic. Will my 350 be a classic someday? I dont know. Do I care? No.

I enjoy both cars...... Nissan/Datsun has made some more embarrasing cars than the 350z and some of them I suppose could be considered classics. I would have my eyes gouged out if I had to look at a 280 2 plus 2 everyday. sorry 2+2 enthusiasts.

[Go240Zags]

But personally, I'd probably buy a Mustang GT over a 350Z. At least the Mustang's looks are distinctive and everyone knows what it is...

Ditto on that - the new Mustang is a great looking car that screams Mustang from every angle - without being an exact copy of the original. If Ford could do it, why couldn't Nissan?

[JimmyZ]

I didn't know there was such a contempt for the 350Z by the S30 community until I got on here....

I've no problem with the 350Z except that most 350Z drivers I've run into aren't in touch with with the Z legacy.

When you drive a motorcycle suddenly you realize that you are part of a larger brotherhood. Depending on where you ride, other cycle riders usually display a nod, wave, fist or some other method of greeting.

When driving an S30 this brotherhood mentality comes to an abrupt decline when one encounters the newer 350Z crowd. This is what pisses me off. We're part of the Nissan Z "brotherhood" and the newer crowd often chooses not to see it.

I've had exceptions. Winding down a country road, I looked up and saw a 350 in the mirror. Stuck my hand out and waved and both people in the 350 leaned forward and waved. Things like this make motoring a great experience... Sharing the road with your kind.

Jim

[geezer]

Ditto on that - the new Mustang is a great looking car that screams Mustang from every angle - without being an exact copy of the original. If Ford could do it, why couldn't Nissan?

Nissan could do it. The question is, do they want to? With a "looking to the future" company policy and not concerning themselves with the past, I don't think so. They are in business to be profitable and one of the best ways to accomplish that is by creating vehicles with a high number of parts interchangability and by staying mainstream. Also, they are keeping a close eye on the competition, and will follow suit with successful practices. Ford is having great success with the Mustang. It is after all, an American icon and the people flipping the switches at Ford recognized the feasibility of going retro and took the gamble. I'm sure Nissan has done a case study of the Mustang success and many others. It takes a long time for a good idea from within a company to reach the people who make the final decision. These "good ideas" are sometimes put on the back burner, half heartily followed through with due to compromise, or killed during the development stage. It would be a huge gamble for Nissan to try to fill a niche market without a garanteed return on their investment. I know we would like to see a new wholehearted attempt made at a retro Z, but does it add up for the Nissan beancounters?

[jmark]

I have heard the retro concept was floated by Nissan. Ultimately it was voted down. I agree a new 240Z or ZG would sell. The beancounters said no.

[Go240Zags]

Not to belabor the point, but as far as parts interchangeability, lest we forget the original Ford Mustang shared the same frame (albeit slightly modified) with the Ford Falcon of the day. I believe several other parts were interchangeable between models as well. And even though I've never sat in a new Mustang, I'd be willing to bet there are some shared parts with the Ford 500 or Taurus or whatever is out there. Just like nearly all other car companies, they share parts between models. Nissan could do the same with engine, interior parts, etc. and still have made a body more reminiscent of the first gen Z. My mother had an '86 Mustang and it had, IMO, very disappointing styling. The next model was slightly more attractive. The Mustang IIs, like the Bronco IIs were disappointing as well. (Sorry I miss my '74 Jeep Wrangler size Bronco.)

[jmark]

Comment from Bruce Campbell Vice President, Nissan Design America, Inc.

Where do you see sports car design heading in the future? What about the next generation Z – must it always have ties to the original 240Z or is there a point where you’ve taken the original concept as far as it can go and you start completely fresh?

The current 350Z, when it was introduced in 2002, marked a point of departure. It signaled the birth of the "modern Z," offering design that is clearly distinct from its predecessors while retaining the spirit of the original – not only in design, but in driving exhilaration and performance value. The following generations of the Z will continue to be modern, with very emotional design impact. The DNA of the 240Z will always be present, but the visual cues might be less prominent.

[hls30.com]

Comment from Bruce Campbell Vice President, Nissan Design America, Inc.

Where do you see sports car design heading in the future? What about the next generation Z – must it always have ties to the original 240Z or is there a point where you’ve taken the original concept as far as it can go and you start completely fresh?

The current 350Z, when it was introduced in 2002, marked a point of departure. It signaled the birth of the "modern Z," offering design that is clearly distinct from its predecessors while retaining the spirit of the original – not only in design, but in driving exhilaration and performance value. The following generations of the Z will continue to be modern, with very emotional design impact. The DNA of the 240Z will always be present, but the visual cues might be less prominent.

Comment from William Stokes Customer to Nissan America to Bruce Campbell.

If you are going to make a radical departure that is fine and perfectly acceptable, and even potentially laudable, but make one on all fronts of the product.

Read you statement, then go look at the 350Z advertising from the first year. The big picture shows the styling and technology departure, but Marketing obviously didn't get the memo, and the guy with the big picture either wasn't looking or didn't care... It comes down writing a coeherent marketing plan. Tell me what you are going to do, do it, then show me that you did it.

1) What Nissan told us they were going to do didn't happen.

2) What they did was not what they told us.

3) What they told us they did was not what happened.

In fairness Bruce, you did your part. The project manager of the company either wasn't managing, or he believes customers and his superiors are lazy, morons, or both.

Personally I think Carlos told him what was going to happen, and paid him to take a vacation at his desk for the duration of the project.

[jmark]

Got my VIN # for my Nismo Z. Car should be here week of July 13!

[daddz]

In 2000, we sold the Cobra R with no AC, back seat, or radio as a track-ready super limited edition (300 total) Mustang and we got reamed by every major magazine for selling a $55,000 car without these "necessities". It was a factory built TRACK car with a factory fuel cell, Recaro race seats, a mega expensive differential, super sticky tires and an extensively tested aero package that added real downforce. If that car can't get away without the creature comforts, then a high volume car like the Z sure isn't going to get away with it.

Personally, the Track model would be my only choice, but yet the Touring sold in much higher numbers proving that the US buyer doesn't care about extra weight.

Jeff,

The Cobra R was a great example of what Ford can accomplish when given the chance to produce a focused car. While I still love my old S30's I do enjoy driving the old '91 Mustang GT that sits in the garage next to the 350Z in Florida. Even though it is stock it still is alot of fun to drive. I have taken it on three trips from Md. to Florida and at 6'1" it could stand a bit more legroom but the new Mustang seems to have cured that problem.

[daddz]

Mark,

like you said a few posts back I also like the look of the new BMW Z4 coupe. It is alot closer to what the 240Z looked like in terms of proportions and overall size. Factor in the inline 6 cylinder engine and the spacious interior and BMW has a nice car on there hands.

If only they offered it in maroon?