Making the 350Z a REAL sports car
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
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From: Tucson, Arizona
Making the 350Z a REAL sports car
There’s been a lot of debate on the forum over whether a Z has to have an MT to be a “real” sports car. Having grown up in 40s and 50s when “real” sports cars (MG, Austin Healy, Triumph, ) started coming to the US I’ve figured out how you would have to modify a Z so that it fit the definition when sports cars were really sports cars. MT owners should read the following and think twice before they lay claim to being true sports car owners.
Drive a coupe at your own risk. Real sports cars are convertibles. Make sure the top fits poorly, won’t retract without a fight, and leaks when it rains.
Get rid of that road smoothing suspension and acoustic insulation. The roar of the engine should add to the bone jarring nature of the ride as you feel every bump on the road.
Eliminate power steering and power brakes. None of that hydraulic stuff if you want to remain alert and have direct control of handling and braking. Strong arms and leg muscles make good drivers. All that power stuff makes you soft.
Get rid of the power windows. Roll up windows (if you have windows) are fine. Even better, a canvas strap to pull the window up. It works most of the time.
Eliminate the heater and air conditioning. You want to stay warm in the winter? Bundle up and wear gloves. Cool in the summer? Drive fast or leave the car in the garage.
Get rid of those directional signals. Want to signal? Arm straight out means go left, bent up at the elbow means right. Its a little uncomfortable when it rains as the water trickles down you shirt sleeve.
Out with the sound system. You’re driving a sports car, not an entertainment center.
Drive a coupe at your own risk. Real sports cars are convertibles. Make sure the top fits poorly, won’t retract without a fight, and leaks when it rains.
Get rid of that road smoothing suspension and acoustic insulation. The roar of the engine should add to the bone jarring nature of the ride as you feel every bump on the road.
Eliminate power steering and power brakes. None of that hydraulic stuff if you want to remain alert and have direct control of handling and braking. Strong arms and leg muscles make good drivers. All that power stuff makes you soft.
Get rid of the power windows. Roll up windows (if you have windows) are fine. Even better, a canvas strap to pull the window up. It works most of the time.
Eliminate the heater and air conditioning. You want to stay warm in the winter? Bundle up and wear gloves. Cool in the summer? Drive fast or leave the car in the garage.
Get rid of those directional signals. Want to signal? Arm straight out means go left, bent up at the elbow means right. Its a little uncomfortable when it rains as the water trickles down you shirt sleeve.
Out with the sound system. You’re driving a sports car, not an entertainment center.
He's got a point though.
But the automotive industry has boomed and has to keep up with technology to meet demand.
If a "new" car has no a/c, no heat, no power steering, no power brakes, no power anything, it will not sell.
Plain and simple.
Automobiles must keep up with technology, it's inevitable.
But the automotive industry has boomed and has to keep up with technology to meet demand.
If a "new" car has no a/c, no heat, no power steering, no power brakes, no power anything, it will not sell.
Plain and simple.
Automobiles must keep up with technology, it's inevitable.
Originally Posted by trains1937
There’s been a lot of debate on the forum over whether a Z has to have an MT to be a “real” sports car. Having grown up in 40s and 50s when “real” sports cars (MG, Austin Healy, Triumph, ) started coming to the US I’ve figured out how you would have to modify a Z so that it fit the definition when sports cars were really sports cars. MT owners should read the following and think twice before they lay claim to being true sports car owners.
Drive a coupe at your own risk. Real sports cars are convertibles. Make sure the top fits poorly, won’t retract without a fight, and leaks when it rains.
Get rid of that road smoothing suspension and acoustic insulation. The roar of the engine should add to the bone jarring nature of the ride as you feel every bump on the road.
Eliminate power steering and power brakes. None of that hydraulic stuff if you want to remain alert and have direct control of handling and braking. Strong arms and leg muscles make good drivers. All that power stuff makes you soft.
Get rid of the power windows. Roll up windows (if you have windows) are fine. Even better, a canvas strap to pull the window up. It works most of the time.
Eliminate the heater and air conditioning. You want to stay warm in the winter? Bundle up and wear gloves. Cool in the summer? Drive fast or leave the car in the garage.
Get rid of those directional signals. Want to signal? Arm straight out means go left, bent up at the elbow means right. Its a little uncomfortable when it rains as the water trickles down you shirt sleeve.
Out with the sound system. You’re driving a sports car, not an entertainment center.
Drive a coupe at your own risk. Real sports cars are convertibles. Make sure the top fits poorly, won’t retract without a fight, and leaks when it rains.
Get rid of that road smoothing suspension and acoustic insulation. The roar of the engine should add to the bone jarring nature of the ride as you feel every bump on the road.
Eliminate power steering and power brakes. None of that hydraulic stuff if you want to remain alert and have direct control of handling and braking. Strong arms and leg muscles make good drivers. All that power stuff makes you soft.
Get rid of the power windows. Roll up windows (if you have windows) are fine. Even better, a canvas strap to pull the window up. It works most of the time.
Eliminate the heater and air conditioning. You want to stay warm in the winter? Bundle up and wear gloves. Cool in the summer? Drive fast or leave the car in the garage.
Get rid of those directional signals. Want to signal? Arm straight out means go left, bent up at the elbow means right. Its a little uncomfortable when it rains as the water trickles down you shirt sleeve.
Out with the sound system. You’re driving a sports car, not an entertainment center.
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Originally Posted by 6SPD Z33
that was fucking stupid
two door, two seater, RWD, Close to 300hp/300tq stock makes the difference of a "Sports car" and "Sporty coupe".
Originally Posted by bugsbbunny
I think he's being sarcastic...
Originally Posted by trains1937
There’s been a lot of debate on the forum over whether a Z has to have an MT to be a “real” sports car. Having grown up in 40s and 50s when “real” sports cars (MG, Austin Healy, Triumph, ) started coming to the US I’ve figured out how you would have to modify a Z so that it fit the definition when sports cars were really sports cars.
MT owners should read the following and think twice before they lay claim to being true sports car owners.
MT owners should read the following and think twice before they lay claim to being true sports car owners.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Mahopac NY
Bob, as usual, is right on the money. That's exactly what sports cars were. Sports car history anyone? It's historical perspective. OK children?
This "YOU FAIL" stuff is getting tiresome every time someone tries to have some fun and posts something other that 0-60 times or "what color should I get". Jeez.
This "YOU FAIL" stuff is getting tiresome every time someone tries to have some fun and posts something other that 0-60 times or "what color should I get". Jeez.
Last edited by Key Of Z; Sep 24, 2007 at 12:05 PM.
Originally Posted by Key Of Z
Bill, as usual, is right on the money. That's exactly what sports cars were. Sports car history anyone? It's historical perspective. OK children?
This "YOU FAIL" stuff is getting tiresome every time someone tries to have some fun and posts something other that 0-60 times or "what color should I get". Jeez.
This "YOU FAIL" stuff is getting tiresome every time someone tries to have some fun and posts something other that 0-60 times or "what color should I get". Jeez.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Originally Posted by Key Of Z
This "YOU FAIL" stuff is getting tiresome every time someone tries to have some fun and posts something other that 0-60 times or "what color should I get". Jeez.
and for the real sports car guy
