350z  REAL ONES

[parmenter]

<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp;Saw my first 350z today in real form not just toys it was parked in swindon behind a motorbike shop & i nearly had someone hit me up the rear of my van!! as i stopped so suddenly !!. I got out & took some photos & spoke to the owner , the colour was metallic grey & it was the auto version but the car was gorgeous!!! it still had trade plates on & the guy had bought it from an importer in london & paid £31,700 &nbsp;for it!!!! It looks as good as the photos & i couldnot believe the shortness of it & i must say i think it is a worthy successor to the 240z nissan are on a winner .Has anyone else seen one yet??? <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Mr.F]

You should all have been at Steve Lack's Kent Group Meet on Sunday - a representative of Nissan Ancaster (Penge) brought a blue metallic Fairlady Z auto 350 for us to paw and prod (and sit in).

I have some quite cynical observations as a result, concerning Nissan's plans for the U.K. version and the changes inflicted on this car by SVA testing:

1. The prediction is that 60% of sales will be auto (because this is the figure from the Z32 sales).
2. The front indicator strips and bumper repeater strips may not be legal for U.K. / Europe: this example had them disabled and an orange bulb stuck in the upper part of the headlamp. Also, the wings had been drilled to fit some tacky side repeaters under the Z emblem.
3. We can't have Xenon headlamps unless at least washers are fitted - cue two ugly blobs on the front bumper.....
4. Although Japanese cars made in the U.K. and Japanese home market cars have the indicator stalk on the right, Nissan plan to swap the 350Z one to the left. Also, apparently cars for U.K. / Europe made in Japan have this feature.....
5. The standard brakes look like recycled 280ZX units - please let us have Brembos......
6. The jewel-like Z logo rear strut brace has already been toned down to a matt alloy finish and may have to go altogether. Complaints apparently of reflected Z logo in rear view (pretty cool, I'd say&#33<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>. If golf club toting executives had their way, the strut brace would be removed entirely (can't get the golf bag in the back).
7. Already the "Nissan cheap plastic" jibes are starting and there are complaints that there is no glove box - despite cavernous storage bins behind the seats!
8. Paint quality was dubious with poor colour matching of fuel filler and bumper / bonnet / wing lines.
9. SVA speedo conversion had disabled some trip computer gauge functions and made two buttons inoperative.
10. U.K. cars will have a restyled (read big and ugly) rear number plate indent and probably separate inserts for rear fogs. This car had the worst SVA fog lamp conversion (bar the "Halfords dangler") - a bit of red plastic stuck on the outside of one reversing lamp.......

Personally, I'm still very impressed by the car, but would be very choosy about spec. I'm not convinced that U.K. cars are going to be right (somebody please prove me wrong!!!&#33<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>. The interior is wonderfully tactile for all the driver bits, seating position is excellent, the tilt wheel perfect, the plastic is quite acceptable, even the wobbly centre bin lid (Sat-Nav cover on fully equipped cars) is fine as long as you don't deliberately bash it about like most motoring journalists seem to.

I still want it, but the higher import specs look much more appealing than a base model Fairlady Z. Are the importers providing the information on options to prospective punters? £31,700 would be a lot to pay for a base model car.......

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

I suppose that as the first owner of an SVA altered car you could change the items back again as the 1st MOT isn't for 3 years! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Mr.F]

What - buy a new pair of front wings or put filler in the holes they drilled to fit the repeaters?
And Xenon headlamps involves more than just a bulb change.

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

Hi,
&nbsp;Was it the same Fairlady 350Z that was featured in the Autocar test the other week?
That car had side repeaters under the Z logos on the front wings, but they didn't look too bad.
JEZ
p.s. I still want one! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Mr.F]

It is not so much the look of the repeaters that irks, but the fact that the classic design work that has gone into the strip indicators and repeaters has just been switched off as if they are worthless. BTW, in the pictures just received from Steve, it is now evident that whoever fitted the repeaters couldn't even be bothered to centralise them with the Z logos.

P.S. I still want one too, but that won't stop me criticising the SVA regs and Euro requirements and petty rulings imposed on the excellent design of a very competent motor car.

 

[datty240Z]

There is a small pic in this weeks Autocar of the Euro 350Z. &nbsp;One of the rev lights has been replaced by a fog light; the rear indicators still appear to be in their proper place (bumper strip); the rear lip spoiler is standard; the no. plate recess has been elongated; the side repeater is as on Jap spec 350's below the Z wing emblem. &nbsp;BUT most interestingly the car in the pic is fitted with the 18" wheels fitted to the US spec Track model. &nbsp;I may be mistaken but are those gold brake calipers just visible not the Brembo brakes.

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

The UK Z32 had similar changes made to the indicators and sidelights.
UK cars had a piece of black plastic where the Jap spec clear indicators were fitted.I know quite a few owners have reverted to these Japanese style lights.
Unfortunately there are so many regulations in Europe and the UK regarding height and positioning of lights...and why don't the Japanese fit rear foglights when they do fit front foglights?
Hopefully the official import 350s will have their changes more professionally executed than the grey import cars.
JEZ

 

[Conrad]

So glad we're in the Eurine Community so that they can make all these lovely improvements to our cars !!! &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

I suppose it's one way to force us all onto public transport - make our cars look like buses ! &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Conrad]

Wonder if you'd get away with creating side indicators out of Z badges, ie peeling the backing off and using them as the lens for a bright orange repeater ?

Probably really pricey to design but they could be sold to Z32 owners as well and thus get the economy of scale.

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

<!--QuoteBegin--datty240Z+Feb. 27 2003,08<img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>

datty240Z : There is a small pic in this weeks Autocar of the Euro 350Z.  One of the rev lights has been replaced by a fog light; the rear indicators still appear to be in their proper place (bumper strip); the rear lip spoiler is standard; the no. plate recess has been elongated; the side repeater is as on Jap spec 350's below the Z wing emblem.  BUT most interestingly the car in the pic is fitted with the 18" wheels fitted to the US spec Track model.  I may be mistaken but are those gold brake calipers just visible not the Brembo brakes.

<span id='postcolor'>
I've taken the liberty..... <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

x

 

[Mr.F]

I'm going to have to apologise for my comments on the side repeaters - it seems that we have to suffer these as standard equipment on the Japan import cars. My error - but they are still tacky, not in keeping with the original design concept and not centred under the Z logo.........

And the rear fog lamp was a bit of red plastic stuck over the outside of the RH reversing lamp..... <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

Hi,
&nbsp;I don't like the look of the rear spoiler...it ruins the clean lines of the rear of the car.
But then I also prefer Z32s without the rear spoiler! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
JEZ

 

[datty240Z]

Initial UK specs have been published.

Two models 350Z £24,000
350Z GT £26,500

Both have electronic stability program ESP, brembos, 18" wheels, Xenon headloghts, front side & curtain airbags, keyless entry, climate control, computer.

Basic has carbon cloth seats, radio & 6-CD. GT has heated elec charcoal leather seats, BOSE audio system and cruise. Options on GT are 18" RAYS alloys and Alezan orange leather seats, gear knob, handbrake and steering wheel. Orange leather is £350.

Colours are as US except no White or Brickyard.

 

[Mr.F]

Additional details (which are supposed to be Nissan in-house for the moment) include:

Power 280 PS, torque 363 NM, max speed 155mph
Only 6 spd manual gets a mention, no auto (?)
LSD as standard, assume ESP is the same as VDC in Japan
Underbody airflow management
Rear spoiler as standard
Front foglamps (wonder where they go?)
Heated mirrors
Power seats and heated seats only on GT package, leather wheel, knob and brake are standard.
Auminium pedals standard
Shift light included
Phone integration(??)
Bose system on GT is 240W with seven speakers, inc. sub-woofer.

Did anyone read C******n in the Sun motoring section last week? Apparently he slagged off the 350Z with a vengance - he's obviously been reading our posts and thinks this is a way of getting of getting even. I didn't see it, but he hated the ride, suspension, noise, trim.......Thought the "finished car" might be improved!

 

[whitesd]

I can also confirm the specs and pricing info mentioned on earlier posts. Does anybody know the likely volume in the UK for Oct sales? Also does anybody know the likely mpg?

Having read some of the other posts, I do hope that you can at least pre-order the base spec version, even if you have to wait awhile.

Simon

 

[datty240Z]

It is now confirmed that for delivery in 2003 the only model that can be ordered is the GT with the Rays alloys and the orange leather as an option.

So any one wanting a base model or indeed a GT without Rays alloys will have to wait until 2004. <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

But be warned that it is necessary to pre-order now even if you want delivery of your base model or GT without Rays early in 2004.

Nissan really knows how to screw us, eh!

 

[Ben]

See http://www.nissan.com.au for information on what another RHD country is getting as far as the new Z is concerned (The RAYS alloys are an option here).

It's interesting to note the public & press crticisms of the 350Z in the UK, as it's the 100% opposite here.

The motoring press in Australia love the car, in a recent 3-way comparison between the Audi TT coupe, the MY2003 STi WRX & the 350Z Track, the 350Z kicked arse. The criticisms were few & far between, but generally very minor. Apparently Nissan Australia sold over 220 cars pre-release & I've seen 2 go at my local dealer in the last 2 weeks (I regularly visit to drool).

Yes, I want one, but I can't afford it, so I'm waiting (and saving) for the roadster's release at the end of the year. Funny that, I can't afford $65K AUD for the track, so I'm saving for the $80K+ AUD roadster....

 

[datty240Z]

I would really like the orange leather but given that you also have to upgrade to the GT pack is putting me off. &nbsp;The £350 for the orange is reasonable. &nbsp;I suppose it would be given that the GT already has &nbsp;black leather. &nbsp;What I find hard to justify is &nbsp;spending the extra £2500 just to get Bose stereo and a pait of leather seats on the GT. &nbsp;I still think that cruise in the UK or especially in N Ireland is a total waste.

So I would be inclined to wait until 2004 for a basic version. &nbsp;The two cars are identical otherwise.

 

[Mr.F]

I think we might be showing a biased level of criticism on this site at the moment (guilty), but the fact remains that we have a very significant and desirable addition to our heritage - it's just that we don't like being messed about by the manufacturer, or being told what we do or do not want. The GT option pack is only the same as the T version in Japan and at least we haven't been insulted with the basic Fairlady Z specification. Add the GT option to our "base" spec and you have a top of the range ST version.
The mini brouchure should not be stating that we can "...pre-order to your exact choice of specification and colour".

I tried to confirm direct with Nissan today what the situation is, but it would appear that we already know more than the guys they are putting on the help-line. They are "going to get back to me to clarify the situation". The only positive news was that the initial 450 cars are for distribution between October and December at a rate of 2-3 cars per dealership.....

The car is already a classic and an icon - in years to come, perhaps the first 450 GT option limited edition cars will become the absolute collector's items?

You could always opt for an import version S now......but they are hard to find if you are fussy about colour.