Nothing special about the 350z?

[geezer]

“Nismo does have a 400-bhp 3.8-liter version of the VQ that’s being used in the 350Z RS Competition (a race car created for a one-make race series in Japan); why it didn’t drop this engine into the Nismo 350Z’s engine bay is a mystery”

Maybe this is a sign of things to come. It sure would peak the interest of the naysayers. A redesigned body that would more pleasing to the masses and maintaining a good handling package would allow Nissan to be profitable and give the enthusiasts what they want. It would be interesting to revisit this thread in a few years time and see what’s in the works.

"A comparison test in the making? Oh yeah." Isn't that what the 240Z did back in 1970 against the 911?" Good point Mark, but the difference seems to be everyones perception of styling. Either you like it or you don't. I never heard anyone in 1970 describe the 240Z as ugly. We can look forward to your evaluation report when your new Nismo 350Z arrives. I know you will love it and be one of the few of us to experience it firsthand.

[jmark]

Thanks Ron. There will never be another 240Z IMHO. The car put the whole Japanese auto industry on the map. That's why I own 2 S30's. I really like the look of the Z4 M coupe. Could have been the new Z styling wise. Price wise it is $15K higher. As far as the 350Z goes, I think Nissan could easily drop in the 3.8 RS motor in the Nismo 350Z. They are selling the 3.8 RS in Japan now. Problem is the cost would prohibitive. That is what killed the Z last time. 306 HP & a 5.5 0-60 time isn't exactly chopped liver. That's what the Z does with the US motor. The more I look at the Nismo 350Z the more I like it.

http://nissannews.com/multimedia/nissan2007/z1.shtml

[John Coffey]

I've always liked the 350Z and have been very impressed with the performance you get for the price. I bought a 2006 base model for under $26,000 and it weighs 3,217 lbs, has a an almost perfect 49.8% cross weight, and handles very well right out of the box. It feels (acceleration and handling) very much like my old BSP prepared 240Z, although softer. It brakes far better then my old 240Z.

IMHO, compared to its current competition, it fills the modern 240Z roll very well. Its also building up a race resume that's comparable to the 240Z.

[Mr Camouflage]

He felt that the 350 was much more froggy which I can see why.

Funny he should say that. Renault (a French company) own the controlling interest in Nissan, which is why the former vice president of Renault is now in charge of Nissan. If Renault didn't bail out Nissan, the there might never have been a 350Z.

I saw the old Top gear review again recently in which Jeremy Clarkson describes the 350Z like this:

"a Japanese car designed in America, and the head of the whole project is a chap called Ajay Panchal whose an Indian, from Leicester (England), and the engine, thats French" - Jeremy Clarkson.

(The same engine is used in the Renault Vel Satis).

Yep Time for a redesign.

[whamo]

I love my 350z. Its no 240z for sure. (I have both)

Its faster, runs better, stops better and handles better.

I think that makes it special.

[SportBikeMike]

I love my 350z. Its no 240z for sure. (I have both)

Its faster, runs better, stops better and handles better.

I think that makes it special.

Exactly!

I have both also. However, I will give the 240Z the slight edge in style (nothing is purtier than an S30 IMO...)

[=Enigma=]

I love the way the 350Z looks in dim light, but like a girl you bring home from the bar after too many beers, things aren't so pretty in the daylight. You guys can have your frog shaped slot cars, and thanks for financing future Nissan endeavors.

[SportBikeMike]

I love the way the 350Z looks in dim light, but like a girl you bring home from the bar after too many beers, things aren't so pretty in the daylight. You guys can have your frog shaped slot cars, and thanks for financing future Nissan endeavors.

No problem!!!!

My car is quite popular with twenty-something females.....don't really care if old men like it or not....

[hls30.com]

No problem!!!!

My car is quite popular with twenty-something females.....don't really care if old men like it or not....

Buhahhhahha!

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22520&highlight=alltel

see post #10

...Along those lines, here is what happened to me:

A couple of years ago I drove my 240Z up to the Alltel office to discuss my bill, and parked right next to a new 350Z fresh from the Nissan lot! When I walked in, every person in their store commented on my car. Two fine ladies (schaawing!) walked out to my 240 to look at it.

The 350Z driver was in the Alltel office scratching his head-he had no clue what my car was(other than old), and to top off his pain, the ladies didn't even notice the factory sticker in his window! I guess it hurt to realize that having ugly on the street and a freak at the track just didn't cut it the eyes of of a pair fine females. He would take me at a light, but then the ladies would have been in my car and he would have been alone...

Will

[ChrisA]

.....don't really care if old men like it or not....

Around here, more "old men" drive the 350Z than any other age group. Mid-life crisis car???? Although someone needs to tell them that the canary yellow version doesn't match their black socks and birkenstocks!

I'm with jmark though, I like the look of the Nismo Z. The new front end is much better.

Chris

[whamo]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Asthetics are subjective, performance is not. I agree that the 240z is more attractive and certainly turns more heads. Im not sure why the old Z crowd feels it nessesary to denigrate the 350z. Sour Grapes maybe, they should be happy that Nissan is building a car that has impacted the auto industry and presents itself quite well. Dream all you want boys but they will never build another 240. If they did you would all be crying that they devalued your cars by flooding the market with a bunch of look a likes. Do you think that your 240z recieved this much attention in the 70's when you pulled up to the grocery store? No, they were everywhere and everyone took them for granted, much like the 350z is getting to be now.

[hls30.com]

Im not sure why the old Z crowd feels it nessesary to denigrate the 350z. Sour Grapes maybe, they should be happy that Nissan is building a car that has impacted the auto industry and presents itself quite well. ... Do you think that your 240z recieved this much attention in the 70's when you pulled up to the grocery store? ...

I have fought to stay out of this-deleteing posts after I wrote them because of respect for others. Those of you who love the 350Z, please don't take offence-this is just my opinion and it is no more important than you make it.

I can't speak for everyone, but my "sour grapes" come directly from Nissan drawing dramatic parallels between the cars where they exist only in the minds of Nissans Marketing Department. A 350Z hleped to revolutionize Nissans come back, and that was only with a "shared approach" when it came to development costs, major assemblies, and reskinning. Granted the shared technology is impressive, and the results are excellent. but it makes every car with shared parts by definition deravitive-something an editor of Sport Z accused the 240Z of... My "Sour Grapes" are a direct result of Nissan promissing something they were making something highly related to the 240Z in the 350Z, telling us they did it, and from my opinion based on the reality of the 350Z, they flat out lied-I don't like being lied to!

If they had said here is a new Z car, and drawn a few lines parallel(there are a few), There would be no issue, but they promised and wrote everything they could to tell the world that the 350Z was strongly-if not directly-related to the 240Z. In thinking about it, It is strangely akin to an old girlfriend telling you her son is yours when their could have been a chance, then finding out she actually knew different all along-I would guess! That is so wrong on so many levels, and so was what they did!

Yes, I am a 240Zaholic, and I have a problem...Nissans Marketing Department!

Will

ps, The Nismo is a big step in the right direction....

Will