aaronraad

No thanks. I've already got the TX3 - turbo 4wd. Not much difference in performance between the 240Z ('73) with a head job and set of Koni's. Getting 100 bhp at the all wheels with 12 psi boost. I do miss the 240Z classic car feel though, the three gauges and the bonnet, ohhh yeh the bonnet.

I say "instead" because really the Mid-4 would have been quite revolutionary. It certainly would have given the Honda NSX a run for its money and put Nissan years ahead of the current Lotus developments. By this stage Nissan would have easily developed something similar to a Noble M12 (British Lotus spin-off) and be giving the traditional marquies something to think about. I heard it said that "you have to look backwards to go forwards" but I doubt you will catch Porsche or Ferrari trying to win Le Mans races in front engine rear wheel drive car again. Its frustrating watching things plod along. The only reason I look backwards is to review my goals and make sure they are still in line with where I'm going! Don't ever go into engineering because the next thing you know you will be wanting to spice together two Suzuki 4 cyclinder 1300 cc egines, wacking on a supercharger and a set of twin turbos, and trying to get the thing to rev over 10,000 rpm consistantly. Then trying to fit the powerplant into a mid-mounted variable 4wd chassis. With a centrally mounted driver seat splitting two passenger seates slightly set back. Damn it! Oh and don't forget the 6 speed box (maybe 8). The marketing side of me keeps telling me that it will never work. That is where I think I keep confusing the issue. With the new Z car, it really was never developed for the 240Z fans, they have taken a good concept and smoothed it over for the average fast car buyer. So I'll still buy one, blow a heap of bucks on it, lose a couple of girlfriends in the process, and make it work for me. That should keep me happy.

Nissan should of made the Mid-4. Instead we were given the 300ZX. An afordable, light weight Mid-4 would have suited me...poor mans 959.

Yeh, why not? I would certaining be interested in something more purpose built and performance based. Sounds like a good power to weight ratio and just as long as it handles like a go-kart through the corners. Maybe mid-engine rear wheel drive configuration would be tempting also. What about the McLaren style central driver position and side mounted passenger seats slightly to the rear. Don't have to worry about selling the car in two different configurations then.

Any idea when we can expect some more details about the 350Z. Everyone seems especially interested in the weight factor and I agree. I was wondering what enthusiasts thought of the power to volume of the new engine (ie 190kW (250hp) to 3.5 litres). The engine sounds like its up for serious modification if thats the case. No way am I going to buy a Zed that revs out between 6000 and 7000 rpm in this modern age. Surely nissan would be able to produce something a little closer the 100hp per 1 litre of engine capacity. I don't like my chances of modfying the engine bay to make room for any form of forced induction. It is a sports car so let it rev!

Some people are just so superficial. Its not all about looks. I can't say that I enjoyed looking at Porsche 911 in my younger days but I certainly enjoy them now. Porsche go through the same thing as the Z is going through now every time they release a new model. "What's going on with that new shape and is that a water radiator I see", were some of the immediate comments on the new 911 - 996 model. I hope that Nissan are prepared to do more than just produce a nice sports car. I beleive they will have to put a serious effort in on the track as well. It would certaining be to their advantage, I believe, to produce a limited number of road going GT3 and GT2 verision suitable for Le Mans style racing. I was extemely disappointed to see the R391 withdrawn from the Le Mans event a couple of years ago. It was the last major 'international' event that I saw Nissan involved in motorsport. Actually I think the tail design they are using on the new Z is taken from the R391 development with high speed handling. We can only hope that Nissan does not follow the same path as they did with the first run of Z cars ending with the overweight crusier, the 300ZX. There is a real oppourtunity to match the likes of Ferrari and Porsche here, with the styling and performance at a sensible price. At the moment I'm waiting until Lotus release the 250M, with its mid-mounted V6, before I decide on buying a new Z or not. Lets hope Nissan get it right the second time and set a new standard in modern sports cars as Subaru did for the 4WD sport car market. At least people might stop asking me "What's a Datsun 240Z? Is that like a 200B?".