Man, did I make a big mistake yesterday...

[7T1240]

Yup, that's right, I made a big mistake yesterday. A friend of mine tossed me the keys to his newly acquired 350Z and let me drive it. For about 10 or 12 blocks I took it very easy, becoming more familiar with the general feel while the car warmed up. Thoughts at the time - very solid, reasonably compliant suspension (roads here are notoriously bad), lousy rear vision. About 3 blocks before returning to our starting point, he says "jump on it", so I did :laugh: ! Only for about 1/2 block and then back to brakes for the next intersection, but the acceleration was very impressive!

Now, all I can think about is what a nice bookend one of these would make for my Mexican Orange '71. Something like the attached picture.

Note to self: When a friend tosses you the keys to a nice high performance ride and you may be remotely susceptible, JUST SAY NO!

Gary S.

[oldhemi]

In my case, lack of funds due to permanent disability pay will ALWAYS trump actually going out and BUYING one - dont stop one from WANTING one, though.

[sblake01]

That's pretty much how I ended up with the GTO....

[ZCurves]

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.

Please post picks of your new "Book-End"LOL

[sblake01]

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED.

Please post picks of your new "Book-End"LOL

Who, me?

[WingZr0]

When a friend offers you the keys to his ride just say no? Come now, don't we all wanna be like the cool kids and jump off the bridge too? !

[sblake01]

My buddy let me drive this February last year (2009):

Four months later I bought this:

And I've driven both the 350Z and the 370Z. I'm not impressed with either, however.

Edited February 9, 2010 by sblake01

[7T1240]

My buddy let me drive this February last year (2009):

Four months later I bought this:

And I've driven both the 350Z and the 370Z. I'm not impressed with either, however.

Hi Stephen. I must admit, I've been intrigued with the GTO ever since I saw you went in that direction. I did a little search on czc to see if you elaborated on your decision, and I didn't find anything. Anyway, please tell me more. Likes / dislikes? What year is yours? What are the differences between years, which is preferable? What ultimately made your decision to buy one? And please share some of your thoughts on the 350/370Z's.

Thanks, Gary S.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Damnit Gary, I didn't help you fix your 240Z only to have you peak interest in another brand of car. WTH?

Just kiddin. Did ya stop forcing the stalk yet?

Dave

[cajunz]

If you were impressed with the 350z, then go an test drive the new 370z. I've had a stupid grin on my face since last May when I picked mine. It's a totally different breed of cat from the 350z. I still love my '78 though.

[sblake01]

I'm 6-2 and 210 and I didn't like the way I fit in either of the Nissans. My GTO is a 2005. 2004s have a 5.7 liter 350 hp engine (LS1) while the 2005-2006 have a 6.0 liter 400 hp engine (LS2). Mine is a 6 speed manual. I done a couple of mods to mine giving it roughly 430 hp at the rear wheels as opposed to the advertised 400 hp at the crank. I've run a 12.435 in the 1/4 on street tires. It's just more of a beast than the 350/370Z. Muscle car rather than a sports car. cajunz, selling my truck and my 810 was fairly easy but I'll miss my 78 280Z for a long time.

[7T1240]

Damnit Gary, I didn't help you fix your 240Z only to have you peak interest in another brand of car. WTH?

Just kiddin. Did ya stop forcing the stalk yet?

Dave

Hey Dave. Well, you know, I like Datsuns / Nissans a lot, but I also like cars in general, especially high performance sports cars! And (shameless plug here) yes, the turn switch you rebuilt for me works flawlessly, so I'm trying to break myself of the formerly necessary habit of "helping" it. :stupid:

If you were impressed with the 350z, then go an test drive the new 370z. I've had a stupid grin on my face since last May when I picked mine. It's a totally different breed of cat from the 350z. I still love my '78 though.

Hey cajunz. For me, 350Z = depreciated to somewhat affordable status while 370Z = still too new for my budget. (The most I've spent on a car to this point is $10,000, and I feel somewhat challenged to double or triple that). Still, I'm curious to know if you've driven a 350Z, and how the 370Z differs significantly to you.

I'm 6-2 and 210 and I didn't like the way I fit in either of the Nissans. My GTO is a 2005. 2004s have a 5.7 liter 350 hp engine (LS1) while the 2005-2006 have a 6.0 liter 400 hp engine (LS2). Mine is a 6 speed manual. I done a couple of mods to mine giving it roughly 430 hp at the rear wheels as opposed to the advertised 400 hp at the crank. I've run a 12.435 in the 1/4 on street tires. It's just more of a beast than the 350/370Z. Muscle car rather than a sports car. cajunz, selling my truck and my 810 was fairly easy but I'll miss my 78 280Z for a long time.

Thanks for the info. Stephen. See, I'm used to the 150 hp of the 240Z, so the 350Z was a big increase in muscle, but a fair bit short of 400 or 430 hp you're talking about. BTW, I really like your license plate.

Gary S.