Top Gear looking for an unmodified 300ZX for show

Gio

Well-Known Forum User
Gosh what a good way this is of trying to build a good relationship with Top Gear - at least a Japanese car fan on the editorial team.

The idea (still a good one) was to bung a 350Z and a 300ZX on the track and let Stig test them one against the other. Which one goes round the track faster? Not a road test (general interest in a road test of a 14 year old car is probably quite low) and not a simple drag race.

Just bung them on the track in the hands of a good track driver and see what happens. Yes, he knows the 300ZX is a different style of car as opposed to the 350Z (GT vs sports) but it's still one of those pub questions you will have from time to time and I bet you'll all be talking about it at the next Royal Oak! (or wherever).

But the first time we get an interest from Top Gear on this forum, all we are interested in is heaping bile on JC and on the programme as a whole. Wonder when they'll be back?

Still, I shall be interested in watching the piece when it happens and I know you will too.....

Cheers - Gio
 

suzy

Well-Known Forum User
If anyone is going to watch it!!!!
it will be on this coming Sunday but not sure what time.
 

Mr.F

Inactive
Yes, he knows the 300ZX is a different style of car as opposed to the 350Z

No, Clarkson does not understand this concept (or refuses to acknowledge it). If he understood that Nissan have built Zs and ZXs for different markets, he would appreciate the changes in the heritage for what they are rather than insisting on a direct 240Z comparison weight for weight.

the first time we get an interest from Top Gear

If this was the first time, there might be some enthusiasm left, but we have already subjected Z Club and Z Register members to unjustified abuse for the programme earlier this year and just received much the same treatment from the Top Gear team at MPH '03. How many times did the boy cry wolf?

Wonder when they'll be back?

Hopefully never - 5th Gear might be a more sympathetic medium for the Z series. Or how about a 280ZX restoration on "Salvage Squad"?
 

Gio

Well-Known Forum User
Originally posted by Mr.F
No, Clarkson does not understand this concept (or refuses to acknowledge it).

I was referring to the phone conversation I had with Rowland - he is fully aware of the difference in style between the 300ZX and the 350Z. At least that's what he told me and I see no reason to disagree.

And when I said "the first time" I said "the first time on this forum". I know club members have helped (and been abused on) Top Gear but Rowland's post was the first I can recall from a Top Gear editorial bod on this forum

Cheers - Gio
 

jonnyd64

Well-Known Forum User
Hey guys , ,,,,Gio , just because they came to us ,,,does not mean a damn thing,,they want something from us thats why,, and who cares if the z32 is faster than the z33, or viser versa,,,i certainly do not,, .
I can see the point of putting the 350z up against the Audi tt and such like cars but to put it up against a 14 year old car is daft,,,why ?
The Z32 when it was brought out was a luxury fast super car ,,with upto date technology.....The 350Z is a Budget sports car aimed at a certain market , and will be absolute winner and i would buy one if i could ,,,but in fourteen years time ,,,will it be up against another z type,,,to prove some thing ,,,I hope not ,its day is now and its proving to be the best Z again.....


If JC wants to do his show a certain way ,,fine ,,you have the choice to watch it ,,,if not turn off . We the public have made this happen ,,we seem to like it ,,,the ratings show this ,,,He does it cause we respond ,,,So ....Our response should be , that we will not participate in a show where we and the cars , get the piss taken out of us ,,just for a laugh,,,with no apology at the end ,for belittling us in front of his audience.

What we should do,,,, is get in touch with Tiff and his program and offer our cars to his show to get us back online,with tiff driving the classic 240z or 260z etc and the others getting his worthy opinion,,,He is a true racing driver who knows what he`s doing and loves driving ....so stop , and think before we follow the star lights cause it aint all stardom.....

JC and gang ,,,,look what they did the other night(sunday) with two z32`s they got some idiots to wheelspin , crunch gears ,,itwas stupid ,,,turns out it was a set up cause the guys do shows etc and were just pratting about to give out a certain image,,,,I don`t think so ....

I personally had the micky taken out of my car , the Black Z32 at the MPH03 show and i really could do nothing about it , at the time, i don`t think it was personal ,as i chatted to JC after the show , but i did wonder,,,,,,and why were there not more of the specs read out and the fact that our cars looked great and the audience liked them , noted by the amount of flashes from cameras ,why was this not done ,in stead of the comedy act,,but as i`ve said before we have made him so what can we do ....

But one day i aim to go on his show again ,,only this time i`ll have some fun,so watch this space as they say.....The big black bloaty american thing will be back......Later JC(WET LEG)
 
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Tony 260Z

Club Member
This thread could run and run!

I think we should take any request from Top Gear under consideration at least. Reject some, agree to others. We know it's JC that's the 'problem' and not the rest of the crew. We know that ratings rather than facts is the prime motivator. Ignorance, we can only try to counter by providing the right information.

I also think we should throng to the altar of St. Tiff and hope for a divine invitation!

TL.
 

SkylineDave

Well-Known Forum User
To the untrained eye even the mighty Subarus, Evos, Supras and Skylines of this world could be passed off as just another saloon/hatch. Now the ZX, that LOOKS sporty and it LOOKS fast even without bodykit. Now compare a Z32 to an older Supra, MR2 or RX-7 from roughly the same year. Three of them look like rejects from Knight Rider. The fourth looks sexy and modern and still does today. ZX Lastability: 10/10
 

Tony 260Z

Club Member
Gotta agree with the last two posts.

Have been thinking about slinging off an email to 5th Gear, but can't find an email addy at the five.tv website. Am I going blind???
 

JEZ 280ZX

Well-Known Forum User
Originally posted by RickB
Hi Guys - sorry new to this forum !!

Given the other cars included in the test (205GTI v 206 GTI and Golf Mk1 v Mk4) - this looks exactly like a test to prove that new cars are worse performers than their earlier counterparts.

The 206 is disappointing to drive compared to the 205, same goes for the Golf in terms of outright handling etc.

I havent driven a 300ZX TT so can't comment on the direct comparison with the 350Z - but given the other cars being compared - I guess the theme is to prove that older cars are better and give JC another opportunity to slate the 350Z for his own 'JC needs a Ford GT' ends.

The Ford Escort RS was never a great car - so my guess is he will say the only manufacturer who has moved forwards is Ford with the Focus RS.

Dont go fall for it guys !!

RickB

I think RickB has hit the nail on the head! If you think Top Gear are coming to the forum to do us a big favour, you are being ever so slightly naive.Their past track record speaks for itself!
The "Pulling Power" programme did a much better job a few years ago, of appreciating the Z/ZX range and they were supposedly a more lightweight type of motoring programme.
Cheerz,
JEZ
P.S. The Noble "Made in England via South Africa and Leicester" that JC so raves about, just happens to be powered by a FORD mondeo engine!:rolleyes:
 

STEVE BURNS

Club Member
one think I would like to thank the Top Gear team for is getting a active tread going

wonder if we could ask Rowland whether top gear would put up a trophy for our stand at billing and would he like to come along and pick the winning Zor ZX

no matter what the reason is for rowland posting at least he found the website which can only be good for the club and I hope he is the first of many
 

Russ

Club Member
no matter what the reason is for rowland posting at least he found the website which can only be good for the club and I hope he is the first of many [/B]


Hear hear
 

RickB

Forum User
Guys,

The Z32 won the race with the 350Z by about a car length over a standing 1/5 of a mile at Topgear today !!

RickB
 

JEZ 280ZX

Well-Known Forum User
Hi,
I thought that the Z32 would just edge out the 350Z in a straight line due to the longer gearing of the Z32 meaning less gear changes over a short distance.
For instance, 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears in the earlier car are good for 72,107 and139mph, compared to the 350Zs 63,90 and 114mph.Much of it would be down to individual driver ability and technique though.
Otherwise the performance figures of the 350Z are nearly identical to the 300ZX all the way through the speed range.Not bad for a normally aspirated car!
Cheerz,
JEZ:)>
 

jonnyd64

Well-Known Forum User
I`m not sure whether thats good or bad that the Z32 won , god knows what JC is going to say about it , on Top gear......The 350Z is bound to get some thing bad said about it now ,,,,,or he could praise both cars ,,,no thats not going to happen!!!!

Oh well we`ll have to watch it now ,unless some one already knows ,,,?
 

top_gear_towers

New Forum User
Hey all,

If I can poke my head up back in the forum without being burnt as a witch.

Jeremy argues for the 300ZX.

Hammond argues for the 350Z.

The 350 is a bloody fast car, but once we both got into third, I could hear the second turbo on the 300 spool up and glimpsed the rear end sit down another inch - and then it was off into the distance.

Although we raced over a 1/5 mile - Stig and I took all the cars over a 1/4 and placed manufacturers times - so all the results are out up with the cars at their optimum launch and gear changes.

I hope you all enjoy the show on Sunday :)

Rowland
*not trying to save the rainforest or cure cancer...just entertain people with cars...*
 

SRRAE

Well-Known Forum User
Originally posted by JEZ 300Z
Hi,
I thought that the Z32 would just edge out the 350Z in a straight line due to the longer gearing of the Z32 meaning less gear changes over a short distance.
For instance, 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears in the earlier car are good for 72,107 and139mph, compared to the 350Zs 63,90 and 114mph.Much of it would be down to individual driver ability and technique though.
Otherwise the performance figures of the 350Z are nearly identical to the 300ZX all the way through the speed range.Not bad for a normally aspirated car!
Cheerz,
JEZ:)>


Closer gear ratios means better acceleration. ;)


But like "top_gear_towers" says 3rd gear in the 300ZX is amazing. I dont think it ends ;)
 
C

Cos

Originally posted by top_gear_towers

but once we both got into third, I could hear the second turbo on the 300 spool up

Not wanting to take the Michael here, but has anyone heard their second turbo spool up? What was the 1st doing and how could you differentiate between the 2 as they are not sequencial?
 

zedhead260

Well-Known Forum User
Personally I like Top gear, and I like Clarkson, I find it all highly ammusing.

I am not however, influenced one bit on what Clarkson has to say about cars and have never used him as a point of reference.

If he does influence people, then these people are unlikely to be true car enthusiasts and will probably buy a Ford anyway.

Keep it up Top Gear, there's nothing wrong with a bit of car-comedy.

And at this point I would like to say a big "told you so" following the last thread regarding supplying the show with member cars.

Sorry, but you only have yourselves to blame.
 
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