Positive rate From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 2143 posts, RR: 1 Posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1147 times:
The 350Z is finally here! What a car. It has style and awesome power to back it up. It's normally aspirated V6 engine produces a whopping 206kW of power giving it a 0-100km/h time of around 5.7 secs. This performance is truly sensational for a non-turbo. I think Nissan has really produced a winner with the 350Z, it has the heritage of 300Z with finer more modern styling. Nissan has really been producing some fine cars in the last few years- with the S15 200SX being labelled Wheels magazines 2001 car of the year. Then there is the Skyline R34 GTR which is a kickass car. The 350Z looks more European in styling, almost like a Audi or Porsche. Only thing is the $75,000AU price tag for the top of the range model Nissan, just wait till you drift it!!!!!!
Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 1009 times:
They will be a huge success.
Three suggestions: 1. get rid of that huge hole in the front where the intake is--it's screaming for a mesh grill or something--car looks unfinished.
2. The interior is about as cheap as it gets. Put better plastic in there!
3. If your serious about the car...check out the G35 Coupe by Infiniti. Same engine but more horses. And all the refinement that the 350 lacks. Also..it specs out pretty close to the Z car (not in price, of course...).
I had two friends that opted for the G35 Coupe--the M6 model--instead of the 350.
Captaingomes From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 6413 posts, RR: 59 Reply 2, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 999 times:
Nissan has been on a roll lately, with exceptional products. They are unique, have high levels of equipment, power, etc, and are priced very well. Some of the vehicles aren't as successfully styled, such as the new Maxima, but overall, Nissan has achieved a style that is mostly individualistic. They had about $20 Billion in debt just a couple of years ago, and were going to shut down. Carlos Goshn (sp?) really turned that company around. They estimate to be debt free by 2005, they have made a strong profit, and are growing immensely. Of course, nothing is perfect, and Nissan has had to cut costs dramatically to be this strong financially. This is noticeable in the interiors. My dad had a 1992 Maxima with an interior of really high quality, and that was several notches above the current Nissan products. I just hope that cost cutting doesn't turn into reliability or durability concerns, as has happened with other companies.
"it's kind of like an Airbus, it's an engineering marvel, but there's no sense of passion" -- J. Clarkson re: Coxster
Ilyushin96M From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 2609 posts, RR: 14 Reply 3, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 986 times:
The Nissan 350Z is getting rave reviews across the board. I've heard it's the rebirth of the Z sports car, and I place some stock in what the writers of Car & Driver have to say. They are in love with the car!
I sat in the 350Z at the Milwaukee Auto Show last week, and was unimpressed with the interior - far too austere for the price range, although the exterior is exciting - an excellent design, overall. I'd like to check out the Infiniti offering to see the difference - though most of the Inifiti line are carbon copies of Nissans, they do have much nicer interiors. I'd love to drive both, but I'm afraid to, because I might do something really irresponsible...like buy one.
United_Fan From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 7157 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 976 times:
I work at a Lincoln Mercury Nissan dealer and we have been selling these as fast as we get em. I like them,they look better than the old Z's (the Z32 model)parts-speak for 1990-1996 300Z. I think they're a little too cramped for me. I'll keep my 2000 Camaro Z28.
I think we'll really sell a bunch when Spring comes to upstate NY.
'Empathy was yesterday...Today, you're wasting my Mother-F'ing time' - Heat.
Galaxy5 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 2034 posts, RR: 27 Reply 5, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 974 times:
Did you say the nissan 350z was $75,000? or was it a different car, because i found this in Car & driver Even the top-of-the-line Track model tested here — with its front and rear spoilers (eliminating front and rear lift and cutting the drag coefficient from 0.30 to 0.29), Rays Engineering forged-aluminum 18-inch wheels (saving a total of almost 18 pounds of unsprung weight), Brembo brakes, viscous limited-slip differential, aluminum pedals, and raft of nonperformance upgrades — goes for only $34,619, $7810 more than a base Z.
"damn, I didnt know prince could Ball like that" - Charlie Murphy
LOT767-300ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 970 times:
I have sworn on the bible I will abstain from this thread unless it comes down to a Import war. I will try my hardest no to give my opinion (or facts) in this thread.
Ryefly From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 1383 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 962 times:
My brother bought a silver 350Z. It's an amazing car to drive, actually the best sports car I have ever driven. Excellent power, handling and braking and believe it or not good head room. The only negative I found is there is a large blind spots if you need to change lanes.
TWAL1011 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 194 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 959 times:
Saw a pair of them at the strip last week. One driver seemed to know what he was doing and the other didn't have a clue.
One running 14.40's and the other running 15.40's.
What are these things supposed to do in the 1/4 mile?
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7673 posts, RR: 19 Reply 9, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 947 times:
NKP S2 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1714 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 945 times:
Depends what the mph was at the end of the 1/4 mile. Trap speed is a good measure of the relative horsepower available and what a car would be _capable_ of, ET-wise, especially under ideal traction and launch conditions. -- With two ostensiby identical cars, the trap speeds may well be the same ( or quite close ) despite different ET's....This is assuming that the "slower" car driver shifted at a decent RPM. -- My drag race nose smells about 97-98 mph if the car that ran 14.4 launched well.
NKP S2 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1714 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 940 times:
I never can seem to time it right: My above post was directed mainly at 'TWAL1011', but magazine times will vary wildely from mag to mag...and as well from the real-world drag-strip times most production cars will actually run...and not to mean necessarily slower either. --
TWAL1011 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 194 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 927 times:
Well, the 14.40 seems pretty close to the mark then...
We had a D/A of @ 1,900' that day and I had a best of 14.63 @ 94.
I'd say that your guess of 97-98 mph is pretty darn close, NKP S2.
Captaingomes From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 6413 posts, RR: 59 Reply 13, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 918 times:
One thing is for sure, the 350Z is better than ANY American product in that category and price range! Ok, LOT, you're turn!!! What American product for the same money equals the performance, refinement, quality, handling and so forth? This should be fun.
"it's kind of like an Airbus, it's an engineering marvel, but there's no sense of passion" -- J. Clarkson re: Coxster
Positive rate From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 2143 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 916 times:
The performance is good enough as it is but imagine slapping a turbocharger on one of these babies? This car would be superquick in turbocharged form- although i don't think Nissan is planning on bringing a turbo version out. I'm sure some tuning company in Japan will no doubt turbo this car! Regarding the interior it does look a little cheapish but on the other hand i do like the gauge layout- it reminds me of the good old 280Z from the 1970's. Performance-wise though i'd still perefer an R33/R34 GTR.
Galaxy5 that $75,000 i was referring to was in Australian(AU)$$$$$$ which unfortunately is totally out of most peoples price range.
NWA742 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 912 times:
Hey Captaingomes, ever heard of the Camaro and Trans Am?
Stocks LS1s will run in the 13s with a good driver no problem, and the newer models sold for around 20-25K.
Also, stop whining about the quality of interiors. If you want a good interior, fine, buy an overpriced BMW or something of that sort. Look at it this way, you can get a decent Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Tahoe in the high 20s or low 30s if you make a deal. The BMW SUV that sells for 50-75K is twice as much, but why?
Just for a BMW emblem and leather seats and a navigation system, with quality plastic on the inside, should cost you an extra 25K?
That's complete BS.
Back to the original topic, if you want speed, muscle, handling, and descent quality, looks towards the American sports cars.
RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7694 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 900 times:
Actually, the really hot Nissan model coming is the upcoming replacement for the Skyline GT-R.
The car will be based on the Infiniti G35 coupe, but will sport something like 375 to 400 bhp from a turbocharged version of the current V-6 engine. It will of course have much more radical styling, and unlike previous Skyline GT-R's there will be versions sold for the US market.
All-wheel drive plus 400 bhp equals serious BMW M3 and Audi RS4 competitor.
Buckfifty From Canada, joined Oct 2001, 1314 posts, RR: 21 Reply 17, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 884 times:
No offense to my American friends here, but I've lived in Canada for 19 years, and have driven all kinds of cars. The only American car that I've driven with decent (actually quite fun) handling is the Z06.
I've also driven Firebirds (including a Formula a friend of a friend lent me), and Mustangs galore (except for the last Cobra version). All I can say is that they feel heavy, they drive heavy, and they handle like a pig. However, I have seen a modified Camaro that looks quite the part on an autocross, though I never got to drive it.
Some people like to live their life a quarter mile at a time (sorry Vin), but I'd rather drive something where I can chuck it around with reckless abandon, and still feel confident driving it.
DC10Tony From United States of America, joined May 2001, 1012 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 881 times:
The Nissan 350Z is a great sports car, I'm glad to see a revival of Nissan's popular nameplate. Good thing they didn't call it the FairLady again.
I do however think that it's a little pricey for what it offers. If Nissan priced these cars a little less, they would be a bigger hit. It seems like Nissan went for exclusivity with the 350Z and priced it higher to justify that.
To all you who think America builds junk when it comes to sports cars, you're VERY wrong. It it wasn't for America's muscle car era, all your foreign companies would still be making boring economy cars, and the NSX, Supra, MR2, Celica, etc. would have probably never been made.
I wholeheartedly agree with what NWA472 said. I drive a V8 F-Body and it's a GREAT car for the money. Let's see another car company make a 300+HP V8 that gets 22 MPG and runs low 13s.
Buckfifty From Canada, joined Oct 2001, 1314 posts, RR: 21 Reply 19, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 874 times:
Actually, it wasn't because of the American muscle car era that the afforementioned cars were made. In fact, that's truly a broad generalization that cannot really be substantiated.
If you look back at history, the musclecar era only spawned cars with V8's strapped into saloon bodies, which everyone could afford. If you wanted to see true sports cars, you would have to look at Europe, and the influences that the Jaguar E-Type and Porsche Speedster have made. In fact, along with the Lotus Elan and other small sports cars, you can clearly see where the influence has been among Japanese cars, and where their direction has been taken from.
The MR2, for example, was essentially an idea taken from TVR's TR7 and the Fiat X1/9. From the MR2, however, came the Fiero. Strange, isn't it.
I don't deny the contribution that American musclecars have made in automobile history. In fact, affordable mass production of cars with exotic power levels is something that was an American ideal. Still is today, though much less so. However, a true sports car is more than just power, though that is my opinion.
LOT767-300ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 20, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 867 times:
"One thing is for sure, the 350Z is better than ANY American product in that category and price range! Ok, LOT, you're turn!!! What American product for the same money equals the performance, refinement, quality, handling and so forth? This should be fun. "
Oh no not in this post...im not doing another rice-boy bash...se my post above.
Captaingomes From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 6413 posts, RR: 59 Reply 21, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 866 times:
NWA742, I only made that comment to get lots of pictures of Mustangs and Camaros in this thread! And yes, I really have heard of the Camaro, eventhough GM has cancelled them.
Don't get me wrong, the Camaros, Trans-Ams, and Mustangs provide great bang for the buck. But it ends right there. People who are looking for a package with a lot more come back disappointed in those cars. They are thrill rides, and nothing more.
By the way, it's unfair to compare a premium product like a BMW to a GM product costing much less. As is the case with any premium product, you never get the same value as you do with a more accessibly priced product. If you really want to look at it fairly, then you must compare American premium products to imported premium products. The only areas where the Americans usually win is in towing capacity (not everybody needs that much towing capacity) and overall size (not everybody needs or wants to drive a behemoth). Is a Yukon Denali or an Escalade worth the same amount of money as a BMW X5? Depends on who you ask and their needs. But their prices are not as far apart as you make it out to be.
That brings me to the 350Z. Some here think it's overpriced, but really it's a pretty decent value for what you're getting, cheapish interior notwithstanding. It's in the same price range as the Honda S2000 and Audi TT, as two examples. The Nissan definitely provides more performance than those two.
"it's kind of like an Airbus, it's an engineering marvel, but there's no sense of passion" -- J. Clarkson re: Coxster
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7673 posts, RR: 19 Reply 22, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 862 times:
You can still get into a 350Z for a little more than $25,000US. Not pretty bad for a pretty well sorted out sports car. $35K gets you into the fully loaded Track model. I would hardly call that expensive. Probably more practical and driveable everyday than a Honda S2000. You don't have to rev it above 5,000 rpm to get any power. And it has more sports car credo than an Audi TT has anyday... the TT is nothing more than a GT car plain and simple.
As for real competition by an American mark... I would say the current SVT Cobra, which actually handles fairly well despite being based on a platform older than most of the posters (including myself) in this post. Or a Corvette. Which would set you back another $5-$10k or more.
Stop drop and roll will not save you in hell. --- seen on a church marque in rural Virginia
Marcus From Mexico, joined Apr 2001, 1719 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 859 times:
Now that you mention the Audi TT.........VW based the new Beetle on the design of the old VW Bug.........and the TT looks like a modern version of the Karmann Guia.
Kids!....we are going to the happiest place on earth...TIJUANA! signed: Krusty the Clown
Captaingomes From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 6413 posts, RR: 59 Reply 24, posted (10 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 853 times:
I think the TT is a VW Bug catering more to men, as the Bug is really a feminine car. I can't wait for the VR6 TT to show up with its new revolutionary transmission. Still wont quite match the 350Z for performance, but will come close while having a better interior, AWD, and different character.
"it's kind of like an Airbus, it's an engineering marvel, but there's no sense of passion" -- J. Clarkson re: Coxster
25 Toner: One of our sons is on a waiting list for this beauty.
26 AA61hvy: This is a cool car, but as NWA742 said, You can get a much better American car, much more powerfull to. I am very biased to American Muscle.
27 Flight152: Back to the original topic, if you want speed, muscle, handling, and descent quality, looks towards the American sports cars. Thats why Chevy canceled
28 AA61hvy: Flight 152: The Camaro was canceled because the Mustang was killing the Camaro in sales. Look for more Camaro's and Firebirds and TA to come out in 4
29 TWAL1011: The Mustang outsold the Camaro and Firebird by a significant margin. The GM's had more showroom power, but they take a serious ass-whoopin' on the str
30 DesertJets: Honestly, it isn't fair to compare a Mustang or a Camaro to a 350Z. We are talking about apples to oranges here. A stock 'Stang or Camaro couldn't mak
31 AA61hvy: A little money does make a Mustang go fast
32 LOT767-300ER: "Back to the original topic, if you want speed, muscle, handling, and descent quality, looks towards the American sports cars. Thats why Chevy cancele
33 Ilyushin96M: Hate to break it to ya, LOT, but the new GTO is about as close to being an American car as those so-called "rice burners" you love to bash. The car is
34 TWAL1011: This is what it's really all about: http://www.svtperformance.com/~blades/giddy_up_my_ass.mpg
35 Flight152: that car is seriously dangerously powerfull and fast. And going for $50k christ... Anyone that pays 50 grand IMO, for a Ford needs their head examined
36 NWA742: Thats why Chevy canceled the Camaro? Opps.. Did I say that out loud? Chevy simply cancelled the Camaro because sales were falling. That doesn't mean i
37 DesertJets: LOT, hate to break it to you, but the new Impala SS is nothing but a trimmed out version of the current car with the supercharged 3.8L. Which incident
38 Captaingomes: BMW minivan chassis? I don't recall a BMW Minivan, please let me know about that one please. Also, the 4.6iS is a limited production vehicle, it's mar
39 CoRocks: My point of view...... The 350Z is a very nice looking car. If I was in the market for that kind of car, I would by it. Now, I am very "buy American"
40 NWA742: BMW minivan chassis? I don't recall a BMW Minivan, please let me know about that one please. You actually think BMW designed an off-road suspension? H
41 Mx5_boy: GTO is an Australian developed and engineered car. mb
42 Captaingomes: NWA742, please. If you really look at American products in general, and there are exceptions, they are losing market share because of generally outdat
43 CoRocks: "Of course, GM HAS to go out of the country for a car like this, because it seems their engineers can't come up with one on their own... Sad, in my op
44 Captaingomes: The Holden was still engineered in Australia and has nothing to do with GM of America. Same with Opel products in Europe. Opel market share dropped a
45 CoRocks: True, the car is engineered in Australia, but it is still a GM product. This is no different than if Coca-Cola in Australia created a new drink. They
46 DC10Tony: "The GM's had more showroom power, but they take a serious ass-whoopin' on the street....daily" LOL, yeah right dude, I want some of what you're smoki
47 AA61hvy: Your friends 5.0 is OLD the last 5.0 they made was 96, so there will be HP lost, thats why it was rated so low, the new GT's have plenty of HP. By the
48 Buckfifty: Nowadays, you're going to see more global platforms, whether you like it or not. Detroit is increasingly relying on foreign content in their cars to s
49 Captaingomes: Buckfifty, you are absolutely right about the platform sharing. Large companies are using this strategy to cut costs, and it seems to be working. Volk
50 TWAL1011: I highly doubt that. GM has always put larger and more powerful engines in their muscle cars. There may be a few victorious Fords, but GM will more th
51 NWA742: NWA742, please. If you really look at American products in general, and there are exceptions, they are losing market share because of generally outdat
52 Flight152: know that American companies are losing market share to foreign companies in the car category, but that is certainly not true of the Truck and SUV cat
53 NWA742: I disagree. In fact in a test with 7 mid-size SUV's (from the US, Japan and Europe) the GMC Envoy ranked worst. Reasons which it ranked worst: -Blowzy
54 Flight152: It was a Car and Driver Test report. *cue*Yeah, whine away. #8 GMC Envoy #7 Land Rover Discovery #5 (tie) Linclon Aviator #5 (tie) Volvo XC90 T6 #4 BM
55 NWA742: It was a Car and Driver Test report. *cue*Yeah, whine away. No. Did I say that? I do think it represents the average American midsize SUV however. I'm
56 Ilyushin96M: OK...reality check here. How the hell did a topic entitled "Nissan 350Z" turn into "Chevrolet Envoy vs. BMW X5"??? I can see comparing American sports
57 Flight152: Ilyushin96M Waaaaa. Who nominated you the a.net police?
58 Captaingomes: You want to continue point for point, I can handle that. We agree that American car manufacturers are losing market share with cars, good. I also agre
60 NWA742: We agree that American car manufacturers are losing market share with cars, good. I also agree with you that American SUV and truck sales are strong.
61 United_Fan: Like I said,I see the new Z's everyday and I'll keep my 'dinosaur' LS1 Z28. Besides,I think the Z's too cramped inside,and I'm sick of car payments.
62 United_Fan: For AA61hvy, 1995 was the last year for 5.0l Mustangs. 1996 was the first year of 5.0l's in Explorers,2001 was the last. Also T-Bird/Cougars had opti
63 Flight152: Ilyushin96M If your going to say something, why not say it to my face in a language I can understand? moron. NWA742 Make no mistake, the X5 will live
65 AA61hvy: American Muscle, Imports will not be able to touch that kind of heritage
66 Captaingomes: NWA742, I think we've come as close as is possible to a consensus in this thread. I can rest easy now! But LOT was too quiet, I'm disappointed there.
67 NWA742: NWA742, I think we've come as close as is possible to a consensus in this thread. I can rest easy now! But LOT was too quiet, I'm disappointed there.
68 Positive rate: The thing that i love about Nissans is their potential for upgrading. Take the Skyline GTR as an example. Stock standard straight out of the box this
69 TWAL1011: Race Results: 10 Second Class: Team Mustang OWNED 11 Second Class: Team Mustang OWNED 12 Second Class: Team F-Body 13 Second Class: Team Mustang OWNED
70 Ilyushin96M: That would be PISS OFF, Flight152. I'm surprised admin let us get this far!
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Nissan, just wait till you drift it!!!!!!
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