OT?: Nissan 350Z
07-11-2002, 08:14 PM
#16
Racer
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I like the look of the wheels on that new z-car. and if someone gave me one I would drive it. However I'm not giving up my 944, unless it is for newer 944.
If I was shopping for a new fun car with my low budget... I would look at the WRX and the Mini Cooper.
If I was shopping for a new fun car with my low budget... I would look at the WRX and the Mini Cooper.
07-11-2002, 10:06 PM
#18
Three Wheelin'
[quote]Originally posted by UDPride:
<strong>Cant go wrong with a WRX. Very cheap.</strong><hr></blockquote>
With the exception of the awful styling of the car, the WRX is a cool car. As for the new Z, I don't care for it. When Nissan started throwing concepts around, I was really excited (I was driving a 72 240Z at the time) that the show cars had a lot of 240Z in them. The first concepts were beautiful looking cars and the 240SX chassis it was based on was a real winner. The 240SX is one of the most underrared cars out there, in my opinion. Even the engine was the proper 2.4L displacement, regardless that it was down 2 cylinders to the original (not that it's a problem, look at our 4 cylinders!). The car was promised to be inexpensive to buy and insure, and was to be the spiritual successor to the 1st generation Z cars. THAT was the car they should have built. I'd have one on order if that was the case. The original Z was popular because of it's styling, performance and low price. The 350Z? The styling is certainly not beautiful (interesting maybe) and I don't think it will age well. The biggest complaint I have is that it's too expensive for most people who would be interested in buying it. Why do these companies assume that only affluent people want sports cars? The Miata is one of the only real options to those of us with 'regular' incomes. Until one of them realizes this, I'll stick to buying used Porsches and 1st gen Z cars!
Side note: Now THIS is what a Z car should look like!
<strong>Cant go wrong with a WRX. Very cheap.</strong><hr></blockquote>
With the exception of the awful styling of the car, the WRX is a cool car. As for the new Z, I don't care for it. When Nissan started throwing concepts around, I was really excited (I was driving a 72 240Z at the time) that the show cars had a lot of 240Z in them. The first concepts were beautiful looking cars and the 240SX chassis it was based on was a real winner. The 240SX is one of the most underrared cars out there, in my opinion. Even the engine was the proper 2.4L displacement, regardless that it was down 2 cylinders to the original (not that it's a problem, look at our 4 cylinders!). The car was promised to be inexpensive to buy and insure, and was to be the spiritual successor to the 1st generation Z cars. THAT was the car they should have built. I'd have one on order if that was the case. The original Z was popular because of it's styling, performance and low price. The 350Z? The styling is certainly not beautiful (interesting maybe) and I don't think it will age well. The biggest complaint I have is that it's too expensive for most people who would be interested in buying it. Why do these companies assume that only affluent people want sports cars? The Miata is one of the only real options to those of us with 'regular' incomes. Until one of them realizes this, I'll stick to buying used Porsches and 1st gen Z cars!
Side note: Now THIS is what a Z car should look like!
07-11-2002, 10:20 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
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i figure you'll be seeing alot of car coming to the US...
for instance.....the 2.5RS was the experimental for Subaru....they were seeing how many they could sell....the car done well so they brought the WRX (which i would of kept the older style body) over....
now Mitsu has the Lancer....and in a few years, you'll probably see the EVO come to america <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
VW came with the turbo S beetle....and i dont know but maybe ford will bring the cosworth here....ford dose have the svt focus though..but not AWD....what a shame
with the nissan coming back with that 350Z, toyota thinking of bringing the supra back, then mitsu might come back witht he 3000GT...then dodge with the stealth....and mazda with the RX7
space
for instance.....the 2.5RS was the experimental for Subaru....they were seeing how many they could sell....the car done well so they brought the WRX (which i would of kept the older style body) over....
now Mitsu has the Lancer....and in a few years, you'll probably see the EVO come to america <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />
VW came with the turbo S beetle....and i dont know but maybe ford will bring the cosworth here....ford dose have the svt focus though..but not AWD....what a shame
with the nissan coming back with that 350Z, toyota thinking of bringing the supra back, then mitsu might come back witht he 3000GT...then dodge with the stealth....and mazda with the RX7
space
07-11-2002, 11:01 PM
#21
Burning Brakes
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[quote]Originally posted by Operator:
<strong>
lookie what i made
heh. did you even read the article?
anyway.. i'm seeing more yays than nays...
</strong><hr></blockquote>
your little picture doesn't prove a lot, a 944, 924, rx7 (gen 1 OR 2) 240sx, etc. etc. would fit over it almost exactly the same. Hell, I bet an XKE or an MGB GT wouldn't be too far off. maybe that's a stretch
That car has nothing to do with the original Z cars, it might be a nice car on its own, but nissan is essentially ripping of the letter 'z' for marketing purposes.
<strong>
lookie what i made
heh. did you even read the article?
anyway.. i'm seeing more yays than nays...
</strong><hr></blockquote>your little picture doesn't prove a lot, a 944, 924, rx7 (gen 1 OR 2) 240sx, etc. etc. would fit over it almost exactly the same. Hell, I bet an XKE or an MGB GT wouldn't be too far off. maybe that's a stretch
That car has nothing to do with the original Z cars, it might be a nice car on its own, but nissan is essentially ripping of the letter 'z' for marketing purposes.
07-11-2002, 11:18 PM
#22
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I feel a bit of a pious attitude in some of these posts regarding this car. I have never and will never think that my car is better than anybody else's because it is a porsche...the reason I got my 951 was because I couldn't afford an rx-7 twin turbo at the time, which I think is a much nicer looking, better handling car with more potential. Who cares if the 350z is a nissan, what it is ripped off of, etc.? The only things I care about are:
Does it look good? I think its decent...I've seen better.
Does it handle well? Jury's out on that one...the writer of that article never really touched on specifics, but my guess is yes except for the weight.
Does it brake well? I am guessing with 13"ish rotors and brembo calipers that it will be up there with boxters and 911's.
Does it accelerate well? Better than average...they should come out with a turbo model (single turbo...nothing too fancy) down the road. The motor is nice, and probably every kid with a new altima V6 will be wanting to get the heads and pistons off of the 350z.
How does it price out? The base model is only a few thousand more than a miata or MR2-spyder, and just a little more than a WRX. If they had the LSD as an option, not forcing you to buy a trim package, I would easily opt for this car over the miata and MR2. WRX...I don't know. I would have to drive both. Personally I am waiting for the 4th gen RX-7, which may or may not be a reality...at least the rx-8 will give this thing a run for its money, and a new supra...I can't wait for 3 years from now when all of this stuff is a reality.
Does it look good? I think its decent...I've seen better.
Does it handle well? Jury's out on that one...the writer of that article never really touched on specifics, but my guess is yes except for the weight.
Does it brake well? I am guessing with 13"ish rotors and brembo calipers that it will be up there with boxters and 911's.
Does it accelerate well? Better than average...they should come out with a turbo model (single turbo...nothing too fancy) down the road. The motor is nice, and probably every kid with a new altima V6 will be wanting to get the heads and pistons off of the 350z.
How does it price out? The base model is only a few thousand more than a miata or MR2-spyder, and just a little more than a WRX. If they had the LSD as an option, not forcing you to buy a trim package, I would easily opt for this car over the miata and MR2. WRX...I don't know. I would have to drive both. Personally I am waiting for the 4th gen RX-7, which may or may not be a reality...at least the rx-8 will give this thing a run for its money, and a new supra...I can't wait for 3 years from now when all of this stuff is a reality.
07-11-2002, 11:50 PM
#23
Thinking outside da' bun...
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WRX does look funky from the front but its slowly growing on me as I drive it more. The stock wheels and rims are so pitiful I wouldnt put them on a Toyota Echo, so if you chuck those for some good 17 inch rims/rubber, add the factory ground effects pieces that are fairly cheap, etc, it looks like a diff. car for not much more, which is why I chose it over the 330ix which was another $100/mth on a lease after that. First time Subaru owner and was hesitant but happy so far. Prefer new body style to old but I do like the old too. It has its quarks but the thing hauls ***.
Back to the Z. Last generation was one of my all time favorite silhouettes. Low, wide, and all business. I think it was an Automobile All Star about every year. Did anyone actually by the 2+2???
I also hear they are bringing back the RX-7, the RX-8 or something they call it. I LOVED the last RX-7 R model but I heard the engines were major weak spots and many had to have new ones under warranty. A wankel problem? Bad engineering?
I think we're seeing a lot of companies bringing out new models of old standbys or current mainstays and really rounding out the edges everywhere. I dont like it. I hate the new Viper, not impressed with the new Vette sketches, and prefer the last Z Car to this one.
I feel like everything will eventually morph into a VW New Beetle if you look at it long enough.
I think Toyota may have something big in store for the next Supra. They know what the tuners have done. Perhaps they want to bring some of that out from the factory and create a monster?
Lastly, what has the larger all-time sales? Z cars or Supras (and Celica Supras)? I would bet Z cars by a long shot.
Back to the Z. Last generation was one of my all time favorite silhouettes. Low, wide, and all business. I think it was an Automobile All Star about every year. Did anyone actually by the 2+2???
I also hear they are bringing back the RX-7, the RX-8 or something they call it. I LOVED the last RX-7 R model but I heard the engines were major weak spots and many had to have new ones under warranty. A wankel problem? Bad engineering?
I think we're seeing a lot of companies bringing out new models of old standbys or current mainstays and really rounding out the edges everywhere. I dont like it. I hate the new Viper, not impressed with the new Vette sketches, and prefer the last Z Car to this one.
I feel like everything will eventually morph into a VW New Beetle if you look at it long enough.
I think Toyota may have something big in store for the next Supra. They know what the tuners have done. Perhaps they want to bring some of that out from the factory and create a monster?
Lastly, what has the larger all-time sales? Z cars or Supras (and Celica Supras)? I would bet Z cars by a long shot.
07-12-2002, 01:26 AM
#24
Burning Brakes
I love Z's. I ponder buying a TTZ over a 951 daily. The 944's just have too much character. With that aside the new Z is horrific. ALL Z's are meant to look MEAN. This Z says "Hi how are you doin?". Like the previous posts I too prefer ANY of the older Z models over this one. The Z32 (1990-1996) 300ZX's were by far more beautiful than this. It proves once again you don't need to radically reshape a vehicle to make it "new"(Porsche 911 and BMW 5 series are some of the best at this) The Datsun 240Z was by far the best Z. Then the Z32 twin turbos. Then the Z31. This Z comes somewhere after those mid 80's maximaz...it may look nice parked next to a pontiac aztec but that's about it......YIKES!!!
07-12-2002, 01:39 AM
#25
Three Wheelin'
Operator: That morphing graphic is amazing! What program did you use to do it?
Back to the Z issue: I have to agree with the comments about the last 300ZX. That was a fantastic styling job that still looks fresh today. You know you have a good design when the stock versions of a car look better than any/all the modified examples. Nissan really hit the bullseye with that car. As for the 2+2 versions, they are rare but they're out there. They do look a little strange, kind of like a stretch limo. For those looking to spot one, look for the gas door location. In front of the rear wheel arch: 2 seater, behind the wheel arch, 2+2. I did see a 2+2 with the twin turbo front and rear spoilers that looked quite good but normally they lack the style of the 2 seater. Anyone remember the 2+2 versions of the 260Z/280Z? Where the 2 seaters looked perfect, the 2+2's looked ridiculous with the extra length. One observation though, the 1st gen 2+2 cars had a rear side window that was exactly like the 924/944 rear side window. So... whose was first? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Back to the Z issue: I have to agree with the comments about the last 300ZX. That was a fantastic styling job that still looks fresh today. You know you have a good design when the stock versions of a car look better than any/all the modified examples. Nissan really hit the bullseye with that car. As for the 2+2 versions, they are rare but they're out there. They do look a little strange, kind of like a stretch limo. For those looking to spot one, look for the gas door location. In front of the rear wheel arch: 2 seater, behind the wheel arch, 2+2. I did see a 2+2 with the twin turbo front and rear spoilers that looked quite good but normally they lack the style of the 2 seater. Anyone remember the 2+2 versions of the 260Z/280Z? Where the 2 seaters looked perfect, the 2+2's looked ridiculous with the extra length. One observation though, the 1st gen 2+2 cars had a rear side window that was exactly like the 924/944 rear side window. So... whose was first? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
07-12-2002, 01:49 AM
#26
Banned
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Speaking of Nissans...... we have one of the 25 or so, Nissan Skyline R34's that were imported to America, in the shop. This is the real deal. Its got all-wheel drive and it is right hand drive. We are putting on a huge intercooler, aluminum piping, huge turbo(TO4S), custom equal length header and exhaust, HKS wastegate, fuel system, Big Reds on all four corners and an Apex-i Power FC. It is going to be a pretty cool car when we are finished. It should make about 550-650 horsepower which is relatively modest considering these cars can make over 1000 horsepower. All of the parts like the intercooler, header, exhaust, etc... are being made from scratch by us:^) I will post some pics of the before and after when it is finished. I might post soem pics sooner if you guys really want to see it.
07-12-2002, 02:05 AM
#27
Hmm, pics of a cool rare car, being fabbed to make more power....
I cant imagine why a bunch of "car guys" would want to see something like that.
Maybe you should just tease us some more?
<img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />
I cant imagine why a bunch of "car guys" would want to see something like that.
Maybe you should just tease us some more?
<img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />
07-12-2002, 02:22 AM
#29
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Tim,
I would love for you to post pics of the skyline. It is definately one of my top five dream cars. I would choose it over a Ferrari anyday (excluding F40s, F50s, etc..). Thanks a lot.
Matt
I would love for you to post pics of the skyline. It is definately one of my top five dream cars. I would choose it over a Ferrari anyday (excluding F40s, F50s, etc..). Thanks a lot.
Matt
07-12-2002, 02:48 AM
#30
Here in Finland where cars prices are third highest in the whole world (only Greece & Denmark prices are higher) this Nissan would cost way over $50.000 !!! Too much for Jap Crab !
Olli
'88 951
Olli
'88 951