Fighting words from Nissan.......
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: LA
Exact quote from CAR magazine, arguably one of the best, if not the THE BEST automobile magazine in the UK and entire world.
Nissan 350z review:
Revival of the fittest- January 2002, pg. 35
"Six-speed 'box good, but not S2000 good"
Nissan 350z review:
Revival of the fittest- January 2002, pg. 35
"Six-speed 'box good, but not S2000 good"
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Mish-she-gan
When the S2000 came out, it clearly raised the bar and became the new benchmark. It sent Porsche Boxster and all the others scrambling. Only the Boxster really responded with the Boxster S that now goes for something like $20,000 more. The fully loaded new Nissian will go out the door at the S2k's price. But hey, it's a tin top and they plan to make a zillion of them. Nissian does know how to make a sweet 6-cylinder engine, I'll give them that. Their car is no benchmark setter and can't match what we already have. It's nice being the target everyone is shooting for.
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From: Timonium
I'm sure the new Z will be a fine car, but you may remember that the chief engineer, in the piece in R&T a few months ago, all but admited that the car is being designed for the "softer" side of the US market.
It will satisfy many drivers, I'm sure. But I won't be one of them, for sure.
It will satisfy many drivers, I'm sure. But I won't be one of them, for sure.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: The wilds of
Ah, the Z again.
There's nothing as great as the specs for a car that nobody's driven yet. The last I heard it was going to have a 260-hp V6, weigh 2800 lbs., have 50/50 weight distribution, and cost $28K. And now the best shifter on the market.
IMO, Nissan may hit some of these targets, but they will not hit all of them. For starters, that engine is probably 200 lbs. heavier than the f20c. So they'd need to add another 200 lbs. in the rear to keep that weight distribution. The extra 400 lbs. will somehow be scavenged out of the rest of the car, possibly by using lightweight stereo components and drilling the pedals.
Nah. The Z will weigh close to 3200 lbs. and have at best a 55/45 distribution. It will have 260 hp, and it may cost $28K (but not for long). It will be as quick as the S2000, but the Honda will leave it for dead on a twisty road. The pleasing overall design will continue to be spoiled by dissonant light and grill opening shapes that will not improve with age. IMO, of course.
And I won't be even a little tempted to trade for one, even if they make a roadster.
There's nothing as great as the specs for a car that nobody's driven yet. The last I heard it was going to have a 260-hp V6, weigh 2800 lbs., have 50/50 weight distribution, and cost $28K. And now the best shifter on the market.
IMO, Nissan may hit some of these targets, but they will not hit all of them. For starters, that engine is probably 200 lbs. heavier than the f20c. So they'd need to add another 200 lbs. in the rear to keep that weight distribution. The extra 400 lbs. will somehow be scavenged out of the rest of the car, possibly by using lightweight stereo components and drilling the pedals.
Nah. The Z will weigh close to 3200 lbs. and have at best a 55/45 distribution. It will have 260 hp, and it may cost $28K (but not for long). It will be as quick as the S2000, but the Honda will leave it for dead on a twisty road. The pleasing overall design will continue to be spoiled by dissonant light and grill opening shapes that will not improve with age. IMO, of course.
And I won't be even a little tempted to trade for one, even if they make a roadster.