what about the new z's?

[Mr Camouflage]

Originally posted by 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".

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.

You should have seen some of the concept drawings!!

Thank god it didnt look like any of them!

It looks conservative compared to some of the concepts.

I still like my photoshopped 350z better.

[Dan Baldwin]

Originally posted by Mike

You guys have to realize that we are also in a different era where laws (created by man) are causing this problem. Creature comforts and ammenities also add to this equation.

That's what everybody says, making excuses for the unacceptably (to me) overweight Z. BUT, the Miata weighs 2400 lb., and the MR-2 Spyder weighs 2200 lb. *SURELY* Nissan *COULD* have made a 2600 lb. V6 closed-roof sports car!

A 1970 Corvette weighed 3200 lb. What does a 2004 model weigh? 3200 lb.!

Despite all the talk about reviving the character of the 240Z, Nissan simply chose to use the 350Z as another way to market their luxury sedan. A 2-seat luxo/sport sedan is NOT what I had in mind.

Again, I know it's a very good car (I've driven one), it's just not a Z. It's a ZX.

[Zrush]

I must admit that I was excited to hear that Nissan was bringing back the Z. I expected a 340Z, not a 350Z. It took some getting used to. Comparing the 350Z to the 240Z is like comparing the young, slim Elvis to the fat, bloated, overweight Elvis. I can't even think of the 350Z as a "Z". Even the Z emblem is shaped different.

No offence to any Elvis fans or 350Z fans, OK

[daddz]

Mr Camouflage,

I like your photoshopped 350Z as it is close to what I had hoped for. The longer hood and truncated tail recall the overall proportions of the S30.

I would like to see a modern E-type, Toyota 2000GT, Ferrari 250, 275, Daytona re-introduced to the world. I also prefer mesh type wheels but, nobody seems to make that style anymore either.

[Alex 240Z]

Being a member of the South Florida Z Car club the 350 Z makes up about half of the club members and they seem to be in a group of there own !!! Nice car would I by one no ! but if I had the extra 30 grand I would have on nice 70 240Z 260Z and 280Z for the 30 or so grand !!! It is hard to teach and old dog new tricks !!!

[yuppie69]

The other thing I've read of late is that the auto press is almost universally appalled at the cheap centre console door in front of the optional NAV set up, and various monochromatic plastic materials used on the dash bits. Apparently, some of the Z designers tried to harken after German coldness for darkness as somehow becoming a "serious" sports car, and while I appreciate the functionality of the instruments more than surroundings (all the gauges are properly placed and designed), I am beginning to wonder if my 83 280ZXT might also suffer from the cost cutting fray of using cheap interior materials as sucker fodder, as so obviously does the new brethren.

Even if the 350Z is a 30 grand plus car, that is not very much money in relative terms (though it is to my wallet). My Z cost about 18 grand in 1983, and given inflationary adjustments, that would amount to well more than 30K in today's bills, I estimate. Even if it's the same, what I am stabbing at is that Nissan, in its financial/design compromises of late-and perhaps of old-definitely put styling issues secondary to overall design performance. I had said earlier that new Z's remind me of new American cars in overall execution of quality and performance, but let me reverse this...it seems like old Z's had the same cheapness of ancillary frills and supplementary materials (anyone looking for a "digital infometer" (my dash center cluster!), or a talking woman's voice telling you "lights are on..door is open"..these days?!!? I mean, cheap novelty is cheap novelty, and when it wears out, you wonder why they spent so much time putting cheap auxilliary devices and trim into such awesome basic structures. The thing that surprises me so is HOW MUCH MORE they put into making CHEAP appear classy in the very earliest models: dashboard model plaques, hood flip doors for checking aux. equip., little button-like things in the seat binding (I don't know what those are called, but they are really cute and warm little appendages to no functional purpose other than fake hand-sewn warmth, like something my 5 year old daughter might do to my car, unsupervised of course!).

The only thing I can think of is they were so pressed to be price down from Toyota/Honda, that they then and now cheapen such great blueprints with questionable cost saving do dads that they hope people will over look such corner cutting. To the extent that I see Mercedes and BMW getting uberclassmen to fork out hundreds of thousands for stark design vehicles, I can see that as fair. When I look back at the history of Z's, I find it is hard not to lust after the older ones more than newer, 280, 260, 240 in ascending order. I guess that's like the Miata in spirit (also no frills, but also no PRETENSES of frills).

If they'd bring out a stripped Z cabrio, I'd be in the running for it (manual top, plus two config, no a/c, computer, creature comforts), that would kick the shitte out of the Pontiac Solstice/06 Miata. No, chances are better they'll fatten this 350Z to 400 and so on!

Sorry to rant, just it seems to me that the Z is the best car on earth for statements like they used to say about corn flakes, that 'the original is best'!

Cheers

John

[fsward]

Now that I think about it, if I had $30k to throw around I'd have one hell of a 72 z. Wow, where would I start on my z with that much money........

[datsun260z]

Is the 350Z a nice car?

Yes.

Is the 350Z a replacement for the 240Z?

No

Early Z's won thier credience on dirt tracks racing in rallys. Would anyone want to take a 350Z rallying? I dont think so.

Is the 350Z the evolution of the 240Z?

Yes.

After the release of the 280ZX it was no longer about the drive but about the driver comfort. So the 350Z is where Nissan decided to go with thier car. You dont have to buy one. But most people put comfort before performance. But really it should have been called a 350ZX.

[Mike]

Yes, it's true that Nissan got a low score for the interior parts in the 350z. I really wish they would fix that problem because it seems to have been passed down to their new truck (Titan) as well. Car & Driver rated the Titan #1, but, they got low scores for interior. It looks "plastiky and cheap"

[beandip]

My personal openion of the 350 z is it is ugly with a capitol U . The interior is cramped , For 30 large I can find a lot more car , maby not as quick around a corner but looking one hell of a lot better. I will give them that , they are quick and handel fine , just dont look at the windows of the stores as you pass , for your reflection , it spoils the ride. sorry thats my 2c

[ZmeFly]

Is the 350Z a nice car?

Yes. ( I agree )

Is the 350Z a replacement for the 240Z?

No ( I agree )

Early Z's won thier credience on dirt tracks racing in rallys. Would anyone want to take a 350Z rallying? I dont think so. ( I agree you woldnt take a 350Z to the rally ) But you forget how much the Z won its respect on the track of the SCCA circuit as well winning and winning and winning again. It was a formidable car that suprised the $^!# out of others and well, for that matter still today holds its own.

Will that be seen with the 350Z we shall see.

Is the 350Z the evolution of the 240Z?

Yes. ( I totally disagree )

If you look at all the Z models and even the ZX models ie S30 bodystyle to S130, to the Z31 and even the Z32 with each one all side by side you can see how each car evolved into the next one.

The Z to the ZX, just a little smoother and longer, The ZX to the Z31 style ZX, same length, it had gotten a little smoother but still bold lines and what seemed to be a wider body, but you could still see cues from its predicessor as you could in the Z32.

Now go and put any of these cars agains the 350Z. Besides the rear quarter windows, I see no resemblence to what the Z was at all. Nothing reminds you of the car it has replaced, its its own car and is to me very different.

To me its just another COOKIE CUTTER CAR with the Z name on it. It just doesnt stand out on its own like the others from the past have, its joined the same looks as the audi tt and the like.

Keep it I wouldnt want one.

[thefastestz]

Originally posted by ZmeFly

".........the Z won its respect on the track....."

What about Big sam in the Uk...

http://zhome.com/History/BigSam.htm

If i had 30 grand and wanted to spend it on a newer car i would probably buy a well maintained used low milage C5 corvette. Some early C5's are seeing the low 20k right now.

Lighter(by a few 100lbs), and WAY more fun. I still get a plasticy interior but Whole lot more.