I test drove a 350Z

[GTZZZ]

I drove by a Nissan dealership today and stopped to check out the new 350Z they had out front. It was silver and looked very nice. While I was checking it out a salesman came out like usual and wanted to help me with any questions I had. I noticed the Z was an automatic and wasn't interested in driving it unless it was a standard which I let him know. He brought me into the showroom where they had a brickyard red touring addition with every option possible, and a 6-speed too. I sat in it and was immediately offered a test drive. I had to go just to see how far Nissan has come with the Z. After, all I can say is go for a test drive, it doesn't cost anything for the grin you will have when your done. The car is amazing! I felt the cockpit didn't look that good in pictures, but while sitting there it couldn't be any better. The seats fit like a glove and all the gauges are situated in the perfect positions. It is much better in person. The performance of the car is outstanding. Acceleration is smooth and very satisfying even for someone that is used to sportbike performance. The car is very tight. I know it is new and should be, but it is much tighter than many other spotscars on the market now. I didn't notice much body roll through corners. I got the car up to 140mph in not much time at all, and when it was there it was very in control.

I just wanted to tell everyone how impressed I was with the new Z. Everyone that owns an old Zcar should take one for a ride to see for yourself what an outstanding car Nissan has built and what technology and time has transformed the new Z into.

[beandip]

I agree the interior , fit and finish is superb. If it wasen't so UGLY on the out side ! I am getting sort of use to it but , I would go the Honda 2000 or an Eclips 1st.

[240znz]

I have to agree with you beandip. The front is a pig. I must say that the side and rear veiws are now yummy in my book as time has gone on.

There is a 350z in bronze at the local Nissan showroom here in Christchurch, New Zealand...only problem is that there is a Ducati 748 in the window across the street. This makes it very hard for me to go and view either as I would be run-over trying to decide which to visit first.....some people have it good down here.

So...if only they'd sort of the front? Any aftermarket front ends yet???

[TKR514]

Get used to the looks, guys.

The days of non-wind tunnel design(1st Gen Z's) are over.

Heck, the view from the INSIDE of the Z is what counts.

140MPH? My 1st gen Z got scarry at 90mph due to lift at the nose. Yea, you can add aftermarket spoilers, but then you start to loose the "look" that you had in the first place.

Sounds like a stellar car! That's great news for us with classic Z's. If it was a flop, less folks would care about Nissan/Datsuns Z's and their lineage. Maybe the older Z's will finally start to appreciate?

[thefastestz]

I have to say i didn't really like the 350z's looks at all when i saw the prototypes.

Now after seeing it compared with all the other newer cars, and seeing it on the road a few times(once next to a chevy avalance, that is probably the one that did it for me, made it look like a Z),

I LIKE the way it looks.

[MikeW]

Originally posted by GTZZZ

I got the car up to 140mph in not much time at all, and when it was there it was very in control.

Hmm. I test drove a G35 coupe 6-speed a while back and was very gentle with it. If I ever decide to buy either I better ask for one with 0.0 miles on the odometer.

[Dreco]

Here's a nice pic of a 350Z with some spoilers

[thefastestz]

Thats the 350z S-tune, Nice pic!!!

I am actually growing to like the front end. (I never thought I would actually say that and mean it):classic:

[Carl Beck]

TKR514 Wrote:

TK> Get used to the looks, guys.

TK> The days of non-wind tunnel design(1st Gen Z's) are over.

TK> ...snipped.....

Hi TK

Nissan used the University of Tokyo's wind tunnel to do comparisons between several design concepts - before selecting the car that we know as the Datsun 240-Z. By the way what is the Cd. on both cars?

Carrying an extra thousand pounds - I'd hope that 350Z is VERY SLIPPERY indeed. (actually the G35 Coupe is better I understand).

TK> Sounds like a stellar car! That's great news for us with classic Z's. If it was a flop, less

TK> folks would care about Nissan/Datsuns Z's and their lineage. Maybe the older Z's will

TK> finally start to appreciate?

I believe that Nissan put the 350Z together as a short term stop gap. They have said that they expect it to sell around 30K units the first year (that would be less than half the units sold in the first year of the 280ZX- and that would put it on a par with the 90+ 300ZX for first year sales. If I'm correct you will see second year sales drop below 20K units.. (just as the 90+ 300ZX did).

The Infiniti G35 Sedan and Coupe will eat into the Nissan Dealers Z market also. Same car with better styling and utility. The 350Z is todays 1968 AMX. (take one AMC Javelin and chop the rear seat out). It's going to have lots of competition in that price range also..(Madza RX-8).

I wouldn't say that the 350Z is a bad car - no indeed - I'd say it's just a bad modification to the really great Infiniti G35 Coupe.

"older Z's will finally start to appreciate"?..... that started about four years ago. Mint examples are selling for $16K to $18K now. Nice rust free, stock daily drivers that were $2,500.00 four years ago here in Florida are now $6,500.00 to $7,500.00.

Just my perspective...

FWIW,

Carl B

Clearwater,Florida USA