I recall being excited to see the new 240Z when it arrived on these shores at a Nissan dealership on Telegraph Rd, west of Birmingham. I would have loved to own one, even if they did quickly become rust buckets. As they got bigger and bloated I lost complete interest in them.

Well, it seems there is a new one. I didn't look up the details but they mention 400hp and manual transmission. Nice. Like my first visit I would have to see one in the flesh to judge the design. This is an interesting 0.5 hour discussion with the designer.

 

Also just introduced is the Toyota GR86 (built by Subaru I suspect) with 2.4L 228hp and a 6-speed manual.

So it looks like the younger generation is going to have to learn to drive a manual if they want to join in the fun-to-drive and take to the track cars that they can afford.

 

Are we witnessing the return of the hot Japanese two-seater? GR86, Z, Supra? And the Miata is still a thing. Where is Honda?

Or will the Supra and GR86 die off, leaving the field to Nissan and Mazda? There are rumors that the gen 2 GR86 only exists because of contractual tie-ups with Subaru and the BRZ.

It is worth noting that the 400 Z undercuts the 255 HP 4 banger Supra by $3000 and comes in more than $10K cheaper than the 382 HP straight six. And there is no manual available in either Supra model. I know which one I would test drive first if I was in the market.

 

We owned a 240z, and we had to eventually sell it as they were rust buckets, no matter how many times we repaired the body it refused to stop rusting. Such a great car with a swiss cheese body. They are worth a lot of money now, I don't know how people kept them from rusting unless they kept them in a sealed bubble.

 

I think we are - the US car makers are so focused on "the future" that they are willing to give up on sporty cars - hell even cars - they just want to sell profit making trucks till EV's catch on - - in 30 years! As for Honda - - they lost their mojo when Mr Honda left us.

 

I owned a 280 and 300 ZX. No rust issues but the earlier Z’s were more exciting. The 300 was a boulevard cruiser. The 300 twin turbo was more fun.

 

My friend had the 300 TT. Drove it once, Much more power than I was used to. I don't recall if I had my S yet.

As for the new Z- the pics from the side show a very retro looking shape from the 240/260/280 line and very different from the 300 line (both generations), and even the 350/370 shape IMHO. I likey!

 

I really like what I've seen and read about the new Z so far. 400 h.p. which is definitely enough for me, 6 speed which I never thought I'd see offered on a newer car, and supposedly a 40k price tag. I'm going to keep my eye on this one.

 

The owner of the dealership I bought my 280 and 300 ZX from called me to take a ride in the 300ZX twin turbo. He raced and I was scared $hitless during the drive. He also owned a speed shop and Paul Newman would stop by his speed shop quite often. Newman was an accomplished race driver.

 

And Newman mostly drove Datsuns and Nissans, IIRC. I think he would have had fun in a 400 HP 6-speed Z.