mcduck

Just curious... if you were on the Nissan design team that crafted the 350Z. What 3 things would change/modify/add for the 2004 model year?

Specifically, what 1 exterior design element would you have made different?

What 1 mechanical element would you have made different?

And what 1 interior element would you have made different?

To kick it off, here are my answers.

1 - Personally, I reeeeally like the overall appearance of the car so this is a tough question for me. Probably, I would give the grill a different treatment... maybe something like the horizontal bar on the Nismo body kit.

2 - option for tighter "race-tuned" suspension. HP would be a close second, though I think that is an easier gain from mods.

3 - automatic lights. The one luxury feature I really miss from my Grand Cherokee. Got used to not having to touch the light switch.

Dolfan13

iTrader: (1)

One thing I would want is a more luxurious inside, Those cardboard door panels really bother me. Also to much plastic. The outside of the car is absolutely stunning.

John

iTrader: (17)

Mechanical: Torsen-type LSD instead of the viscous unit
Design: water flow / drainage around windows
Interior: Better quality materials, too many rattles exist

PistolPete

The car exceeds my expectations, except for paint quality. The colors are deep, but I had two noticable chips in the bumper by 1200 miles.

Don't change anything else!

Carterattorney

I would have liked to have automatic lights.. or daylight running lights.. since the car is fairly low.. Since the interior gauges and meters have lights.. It is kind of deceiving that your outside lights are on.. BUT after 2000 miles.. you do get used to it..
I have no problems with the interior, otherwise.. and the outside is stunning..

WayneTN

1. Storage that's easier to get to.

2. Retractable moon roof.

3. Cup holder more accessible to driver.

WayneTN

Shift_Speed

1. SUNROOF!!!! SUNROOF!!!! SUNROOF!!!!
2. Better place for the cup holders
3. Interior could of used a lil bit more work.

mickey

iTrader: (1)

1. Exterior: would like a 911 Turbo-like wing.
2. Mechanical: More HP from factory engine in form of turbo/supercharger
3. Interior: Leather trims instead of plastic.

Rahtok

Exterior: I honestly can't think of anything to change. I fell for it as soon as I saw it.
Mechanical: Make the Brembo's an option on the Touring.
Interior: Upgraded materials. It feels a bit cheap in there, Nissan.

Gadgetman

1) Exterior is fine but the grill is lacking. It just looks like a big black hole. They cut a corner bu making it just part of the bumper molding. If you look closely, you see it’s quite bigger than needed since only about the center 2/3’s is open, the sides are solid backed. SO it could have been shorter opening (and perhaps narrower pending the styling) with silver or brushed look horizontals and maybe a s/s meshed screen behind for a higher end look.
2) Inside functions are a tough one… I agree teh doors could look better, thiugh not sure what I'd want as an effect. I would have preferred a classier looking interior such as using real metal on parts which are aluminum look plastic. Or the touring version could have used a little wood trim (granted it’s not an SL 500 or SC 430 but) a little accenting would add some class. Or I would also have liked a somewhat padded and useful armrest… perhaps which was hinged and shaped to allow access and use of E-Brake. (I may see if I can build something which slides on top of the E-brake this winter unless someone like Courtesy can get a vendor to mfg interior match versions at a reasonable price.)
3) OK, now another tough one… I hate the a/c always on when starting, even if defeated during last run. My Z32 does this also but my Z31 doesn’t. So, they went backwards. Or, since they tell us to minimize unnecessary turn on/off of the Zenons… why do they start when we use highbeam flasher (pulling the stalk backward)… that’s a design flaw if I ever saw one! But perhaps the more appropriate improvement could be the shifter. It’s pretty good but I think it could be engineerd for a bit better feel.

insaneamine

iTrader: (1)

I would replace;

Nothing, nothing and then nothing!

This car is great!

mcduck

Hmmm... just glancing at the responses, it seems interior quality, a sunroof, and optional upgrades are priorities for most.

It will be interesting to see what Nissan does with the next two year models. I have no doubt we will see some performance increases from year to year, but I really like the idea of optioning out some things (like tighter suspension or a SC/TT motor upgrade).

Not keeping my fingers crossed on a sunroof with a convertible model around the corner, though. Wonder if further down the road we may see one or t-tops or a targa top. I think a targa top would suit the current Z body style pretty well.

In the meantime, I'll just wait on Nismo to start kickin' it stateside!

SandMan

For the states that require a Front License plate. Make a better one that doesn't look so damn bad, and require no drilling. I tie wrapped my front license plate but it would be nice for them to make it from the factory.

TheOne

this is my opinion from not owning the car (yet) ....
1. i would definite do something about the tailights...maybe instead having it come to a sharp end...i would somehow...round it out or something...
2. all options available for all models
3. if its possible a t top or moon roof or sun roof....anything...

chromesilver909

1. The tacky looking antena.

2. The tacky looking door handles (I'd prefer to see something like on the RX-7).

3. Errrrrrrrr .... other then those two I love the car.

robbyn

1. Front grill, the big black hole should be smaller.
2. Automatic lights would be nice. My Maxima has them, I would have paid a few bucks more to have them on my Z.
3. A GLOVE BOX. I HATE having to pull the passenger seat forward to store stuff. This is my only real GRIPE about the car, storage is just so damned inconvenient.

Viral

What do you think?


--Viral

mcduck

awwwww yeaaaaaah. That's what I'm talking about, Viral.

Now can you do that in a larger size and make the Z canary yellow, then email it to me so I can make it my new wallpaper?