slownrusty Posted December 18, 2002 Share Posted December 18, 2002 Hey Gang - spotted by one of my friends coming out of a self serve car wash in Anaheim. Car was dumped sitting on 19s, with a pretty big front mount intercooler. The driver owner was leaving and my buddy chased him with his MR2 Turbo and caught him at the lights. Apparently this is the new project car for Axis wheels and the owner of Axis, its his car. Afterwards we went to the dealership to test drive the new Touring model and without telling the Manager what we just saw. He said they had the 350Z up on the hoist and the way the exhaust runs and the way the engine is positioned, it is almost like Nissan deliberately designed the car for a twin turbo set-up. Ha - imagine that! I heard rumors of a few Japanese companies developing Turbo kits for the 350Z and new it would be a question of time before we started seeing them - but wow this is pretty soon! Unfortunately he got no pics - damn! But I am sure car will be making an appearance in some magazines soon. Regards - Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 18, 2002 Share Posted December 18, 2002 Sweet! I've seen a prototype turbo on a 350Z making like 364hp with hardly any mods, but a twin! That would be sweet! Some of the touring/racing GTRs in Japan have actually dumped the RBDETT in favor of the VQTT. Get some pix next time! Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 then they should have done it stock instead of maknig you pay 30k, then dump tt cash into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 Originally posted by LEN168:then they should have done it stock instead of maknig you pay 30k, then dump tt cash into it. Pretty much my thoughts - they can keep it until they do it right. I've already seen kill stories on these cars - it's pathetic. One raced a Vette' and when he lost was confused - seems the dealer told him it would "eat a Vette'". Not even close! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 i dont see anything good coming out of the 350zx platform, they go from a tt model to a na model? their going down like mitsubishi. they coulda done a single turbo model or something, besides doesnt a tt mod void a warrenty- a 30k warranty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 I'm waiting on the EVO VII and hopefully the WRX STI to make it over. From what I've read they screwed the Skyline too and I won't touch it either. Sad thing is I was actually pondering one if it was as nice as we've been led to believe in the past. Instead it's looking to be N/A too. Guess we'll see. The Mitsu could be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ON3GO Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 i dont care what anybody says, the new 350Z is badass, test drive one..you'll see. for the price you cant beat it, its so comfy, handles awesome, looks badass, feels badass, everything inside the car isnt cheap like a Vette or Stang. go to www.i-m-racing.com they have a 350Z page with turbo kits and awesome body kits and etc for it. good things will come from this car Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody 82 ZXT Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 Those are some crazy prices on the stuff for the 350Z. I could afford the car but, no way I would pay the prices they are asking for some of that stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 It boils down to taste... Some folks call the Mustang and Corvette interiors "Plastic and Cheesy". I like them because they are functional. Drove my buddies 94 Volvo 850 Wagon a few months back... Now that is plastic and cheesy... But the Stang or a Vette? I disagree... Those cars are built pretty darned well. Nissan has struck a cord with the younger generation, but most of us guys who know what real performance is, we have differing expectations... I've said it before, and I'll likely say it again... For $30K + ('cause I'd only ocnsider the track version) I can get a LOT of car elsewhere for that kinda scratch... Good luck to Nissan, But they won't get my dollars... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Z-rific Posted December 19, 2002 Share Posted December 19, 2002 What's so nice about carbon fiber? I hate Rice cars painted one color, then have carbon fiber hood thrown on top. U-G-L-Y. It seems as though there are two basic flavors of sports car design. 1) The Porsche 911, Audi TT, and now Nissan 350Z, and 2) Ferrari, Vette, GT40 The first is taller, rounder and kinda bubble looking. The second is longer, curvier and sleeker. I've always been attracted to #2. In fact the previous gen Z car was more like #2. Hell, all the previous Z cars were. To me, the new Z looks like a stretched out VW. I just don't like the direction they went, at all. So if the styling isn't to my taste, and it can't out perform a Vette, the only thing it has going is price. I'm just hating the new Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted December 20, 2002 Share Posted December 20, 2002 Is this rice looking or what! www.i-m-racing.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest livewire23 Posted December 20, 2002 Share Posted December 20, 2002 Originally posted by Mike kZ:Is this rice looking or what! What! Definately What. edit: oops, thought that said "nice looking". I agree, that has been totally riced out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ON3GO Posted December 20, 2002 Share Posted December 20, 2002 the wing yes. but no to the other body panels or rims. carbon fiber is a nice thing. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 21, 2002 Share Posted December 21, 2002 The G35 coupe looks WAY better than the Z33! Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted December 21, 2002 Share Posted December 21, 2002 Where would I buy a car with near 300HP for $27K? How about I BOUGHT a 390RWHP car for $27K? 1995 Supra. It's now closer to 500RWHP for a few grand extra. How much will that Z cost to get to say 400RWHP without spray? Yeah, I thought so. RX7 left out shores primarily due to emissions - making a rotary clean is tough. Supra left due to low sales - the asking prices were insane. My window sticker say $50K+ I think, but am no sure, that low sales killed the 300ZTT. The 350Z will sell I'm sure. Lot's ofpeople want an Audi TT but most cannot afford it. The Z will appeal to those people I'm sure. They will talk all about handling and how power isn't a big deal until a Z06 smokes them A Miata handles great, can be had cheap, and can be turbocharged more easily - I find them at least as appealing as a 350Z. Had they put turbos on the 350Z I'd be doing handstands but they didn't and adding them will cost cubic dollars. Where's the beef?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zfan Posted December 21, 2002 Share Posted December 21, 2002 I'm not picky believe me I would take the 350Z or the G35 I mean what the hell they are both better than my daily driver ford aerostar! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted December 21, 2002 Author Share Posted December 21, 2002 I really love the new 350Z - its a great driving, handling and breaking car for $27grand. You have to really drive it to appreciate it. I think its a great looking car, very handsome and I think it will age extremely well. If I had the finances I would have one for sure. As for why Nissan did not offer a Twin Turbo package? Simple....they wanted to take the car back to an affordable price similar to the 240Z back in the day. Nissan learnt their lesson with the Z32 Twin Turbo, these cars got so expensive by 1996, that the dealers were begging people to buy them, even in NA form much less Twin Turbo. Same thing happened to Toyota with the Supra and Mazda with the RX7, the change to a more SUV and minivan driven market also helped in the demise of these great cars. Regardless where can you get a car thats close to 300hp for $27grand. Who cares if the car is slower than the LS1 'Vettes - we're talking apples and oranges here. It would have been interesting if Nissan did offer a twin Turbo 350Z an option only but I bet the sales of this type of model would be VERY low and almost unprofitable. Nissan basically claimed brankruptcy a few years ago and that's when Renault bought them and created the Revival Program, they want to build profitable (but enthusiast) cars. After all thats why the Altimas, Pathfinders, Maximas, G35, QX4 etc etc all share the VQ35 engine - but who cares - its a great engine and platform. As for carbon fiber - all the Honda guys cheapen it and make it look "ricey". However I think its awesome, light and strong to have on your car. I would love if a CF hood (or any other body panel)was available for my Z. I had a custom CF hood made for my ole skool RWD Toyota Corolla and I love the fact that its 11lbs versus the stock 33lb steel hood. It looks great and I have no regrets splurging a bit to buy it. But everyone has their own indiviual taste and style, thats what makes us unique. Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted December 21, 2002 Author Share Posted December 21, 2002 BLKMGK - I think you are comparing apples with oranges here buddy. Thats neat you have a powerful Supra with lots of hp, but I am talking a brand new car with a 5year plus factory warranty. You cannot beat the value of the 350Z, no ifs, ands or buts. Also the RX7, Supra and Z32 died because of terribly low sales. The RX7 emission problem was going to be addressed by Mazda USA, but the cost of getting the 13B to breathe cleaner was not worth the R&D, as sales had slumped so low that the boys in head office knoew they were going to pull the plug on the car. I have heard many people compare the 350Z to the Audi TT - but I personally think the 350Z is light years ahead of the TT, haven driven the Turbo TT. L8R - Yasin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted December 21, 2002 Share Posted December 21, 2002 The RX7, 300ZX and Supras died simply because they priced themselves out of the market... Like BLKMGK said, near $50K for a supra??? They are nice cars, but DAaeUM! That is 1998 dollars we're talking too! I have said it before, and I'll say it again... The Z is gonna make it for a few years, then sales will slump. Nissan will then be back in the same boat they were in with the Z32. Yea, we are talking apples to Oranges when comparing used to new, but buying a new car makes NO sense to me, and it never will. Why should YOU take the hit on depreciation when some other sucker can... Oh used car buying is SOOO scary... Please. We're car guys here, right? Sorry, but I'll wait and MAYBE buy one used in a few years, and I damned sure won't be paying $20+K for it either... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted December 22, 2002 Share Posted December 22, 2002 Actually my car is a 1995 and they cost that much in 1993 too! By 1997 they were reducing prices but it was too little too late. What did the 300ZXTT cost back then? RX7 wasn't cheap and was a REAL serious track piece but I don't think it was as much as the Supra. Supra isn't the best for the roadcourse but they do it occasionally. So far as I'm concerned we're NOT comparing Apples to Oranges. I had the hankering for a nice car and wasn't willing to spend TONS of loot for something like a Viper. I like to MODIFY my cars, I can't leave anything alone! So for my money the Supra made the most sense. Why would I buy a new car?! That 5 year warranty is going to be voided so many different ways and so quickly. Heck, just getting the thing moving near as fast as I'd want would void the warranty. Those turbo kits that have been mentioned? Oh yeah - warranty smoked! New cars don't make sense. $30K is a ton of money for a car I'll want to modify. And modifying it will cost a ton to get the power I'd want. I'll wait a few years and see how others fare getting power out of it. I still contend they stepped backwards. Cars are a hobby for me and the 350Z doesn't offer enough potential to open my wallet. I agree that they will sell on their looks and people will love the handling but already the owners are getting a wake up call at the stoplights. What are they going to compete against, Hondas? It's like bringing the Skyline over and making it naturally aspirated - what's the point? Oh yeah, supposedly they're doing that too I hope that doesn't prove true too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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