what about the new z's?

[fsward]

I don't know, I haven't been on the forums for a while, but what does everybody think about the new 350z's? You guys probably had a million threads about this when they first came out, but what's your 2 cents? Who has one? If you do, do you like it?

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by craigcully

I don't know, I haven't been on the forums for a while, but what does everybody think about the new 350z's? You guys probably had a million threads about this when they first came out, but what's your 2 cents?

It's a FUGLEY Toad

[seerex]

I might be the exeption on this site but I really like them, I hope to get a Silverstone track one soon. I look at it this way if someone steals or runs into my 240 I would be hard pressed to replace it or the time I have put into it. A 350z if stolen or wrecked can be replaced the next day. I think it would make a wonderful daily driver. Just my 2 pennies:geek:

[fsward]

I think seerex has a good point. I think that a 350z would make an awesome daily driver. Sure it's missing a few things in the cosmetic department and it will never match up to the beauty of the 240z, but I think it's a fair trade when you get all of the creature comforts of a new car. Plus a lot of the younger women I am around seem to prefer the new to the oldROFL

[Bambikiller240]

If I was in the market for a new car in the $30K price range, I would purchase something else. The styling is VERY lacking to my eye. :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick:

To each his own, I guess.

[v12horse]

The 350z??? This is a car that I question wether I like or not. I say I don't like them, but when I see one I oooh and awwwweee. If I stopped comparing it to the early Z's I would like it a lot more. All and all, go fast for cheap, too many plastic bits, but a great car. If it were my choice, I would get the exact one you explained seerex. I sure do like the nismo version though.

Take care,

Ben:classic:

[v12horse]

Photo of Nismo 350z at MSA 03'

[Rusty1]

Having driven a 350 recently I must say that they are a very nice package and one would be welcome in my garage anytime....but.

I am of the opinion that the only reason a classic Z owner would ever buy one is brand loyalty, the 350 is one of several cars in the same category, the market has several choices for consumers looking for a high performance sports coupe in that price range.

I don't know about other members on this site but the attraction of a classic Z for me is that the cars have charisma and a style that goes beyond performance. Their is an immense sense of satisfaction in building/repairing/maintining your own car that cannot be bought from a showroom. Most classic Z cars are not the fastest or best handling or even the most reliable but they are big on the smile factor. Not to mention that they are also affordable. My 260 is a hobby as much as it is transport.

I feel that there is no comparison between the old and the new, they are just too different.

[Dan Baldwin]

350Z? I was/am disappointed. Way too heavy and less than attractive IMO. You can spend the same money and get a G35 with the 6-speed and Brembos and have a much better-looking car that is much more utilitarian and only weighs ~150 lb. more.

They should've cleaned up Jerry Hirschburg's concept. It was a lot smaller and had very nice proportions, it only needed some work on the headlights and grill opening. The VQ engine in a shortened/lightened Sylvia (240SX) platform would've been perfect! Instead they went with a luxury sedan platform. Durn.

Still, the 350Z IS a very good and capable car. But just imagine the performance if it had come in at, say, 2600 lb. instead of 3300!

NOBODY (well, maybe Toyota's MR-2 Spyder and Mazda's Miata) selling performance cars in the U.S. today is paying ANY attention to the most important performance parameter, WEIGHT. Which is one reason my track car is 34 years old:)

Motorcycle enthusiasts are (believe it or not) far more sophisticated. If a new sportbike is even 5% overweight, it's borderline unacceptable. In cars, apparently adding 1000 lb. is OK! All the mags raved about how the new Z was a return to 240Z values. I gotta call B.S. on that.

OK, rant over...

[brianglawson]

i would rather have an EVO or a WRK STi but if i stayed with nissan it would be a infiniti g35 coupe 6spd

[daddz]

Wow!

The car does seem to generate alot of strong opinions and rightfully so. I own such a beast, a 2003 Base model finished in Brickyard Red. The car and I have covered a bit over 13,000 miles and it is very similar in feel to my '78 280Z (most like HLS30456240-- the car that I rescued from Datsun Dynamics) which has Tokico Illumina struts and Tokico springs (set on 3 front/rear with an engine that has been fully balanced and bored .020 over with an HKS 12lb. flywheel). If you don't like the creature comforts that crept in with the 280Z ('75 through '78) then you probably won't like the 350Z.

It is a stiff ride without being jiggly and it corners fairly quickly albeit with a bit of noticeable lean. If you have piloted a Miata, the steering is similar. It has alot of headroom and good footwell room ( I am about 6'1"). The HVAC controls and the radio conrols are well placed.

Mechanically speaking the oil changes are a cinch (I can't imagine paying/entrusting someone to perform that simple task) and the engine has a timing chain (I wish my '86 300ZX hardtop had a chain instead of that timing belt) and most things are easily accessible (battery, radiator, clutch master cylinder, brake master cylinder).

I based my purchase on both brand loyalty and personal experience with the Z car family. I wanted to explore the new car purchase experience with a Z car as my father had done 25 years ago with his Z. I have been pleased on both counts so far. The only generation of Z that I haven't owned yet is the Z32. I think that I would like to acquire a hardtop Z32 at some point.

At some point I would invite all of you Z enthusiasts to at least test drive a 350Z. Even though the styling could have been better I still enjoy the car on other levels. My ideal "new" Z would have been an S30 Datsun Z with skinny bumpers, covered headlights, an RB26DETT or RB26DE for base models. I applaud Porsche for sticking with a 40 year old design that has been continually updated over the decades.

[Zs-ondabrain]

They're both beautiful in there own way. Lines, curves, power, handling, etc, etc, they both stand out in an era that screams "look at me, look at me".

The 240Z, even 33+ years later, exhudes quality, style, power and class. A simplistic engine that is easy to work on, easy to upgrade, and true engineering above the rest at the time it was designed.

Yes, the 350Z is heavy, a crap load of emissions, heavy steel and plastic will do that to a car. When it first came out, Jaws were dropping, eyebrows were raising, and grins were ear to ear.

No, it's not a 240Z. Its 33 years later and you can never go home again. People, styling, engineering, and the pure and simple thought of how things should be, have changed.

Soooo..... Like it, love it, or leave it. IMO we all love some part, if not all of the original 240Z. Some of like or love some part, if not all of the new 350Z. We're all intitled to our opinions.

I LOVE MY 240Z, I really like the new 350Z, Hell, I might even buy one some day. but until then, I'll stick with what I know and love, Datsuns and Nissans. Thats it.

Dave.