JmanZ

Well kids, I have finally seen the light. Well, there were two lights...but I'll get to that in a moment.

I was working late and my wife was hungry so I decided to order some food for take out. I go and pick it up and as I am driving home, I see these bright headlights sitting across the intersection from me. It's dark so I can't really see much more than that.

Light goes green and I notice a 350Z starting to make it's way through the intersection. I watch it as it passes and I notice a "cougar plate", which is a license plate for those that attended WSU (Washington State Univeristy) in Pullman. I immediatley know this car is owned by Dan Johnson, or dv_johnson as he's known in this site.

We had plans to meet up tomorrow (Sat) to do some photos of the Z and so Dan could try and convince me that I needed to test drive his baby. So after seeing him the night before we're supposed to meet, I immediatley floor the gas and crank the wheel causing my Mercedes 300E to spin around in a 180... I start pursuit of the Z. heh. (note to self.. Mercedes were not built to accelerate into a 180 with)

Dan pulls into the Mall shopping lot, most likely confused as to who the psycho is on his tail. I pull up beside him and roll down my passenger window, he sees me and knows who I am (from the site) and he pulls over so we can talk. I am simply blown away by the car.

I had read people again and again in this forum talking about how seeing the car in photos is one thing but seeing it in person is quite another. I am not sure if truer words were ever spoken. This car looks as if the Michael Angelo carved it himself. The lines, the way it sits.... my god, it'll make you find religion. The Religion of Z.

So Dan tells me to get in the car, and he hands his digital camera to his friend Craig that was there as well. Craig stands beside my car and starts to snap photos of Dan and I as Dan gives me a first hand demonstration as to the car's sheer power. I can still remember him saying to himself (out loud)... "Traction Control Off". heh

He turns the wheel and proceeds to spin the 350Z in such a fashion that to try to truly explain the force felt by this donut wouldn't do it justice. Best way to describe it... hmmm... remember when you were a kid and you'd go to the amusement park? Things like Disney Land or the State fair for that matter. There were these rides that would have you sit in a small tea-cup shaped bowl and the ride would then start.... you'd be spiining fine and then all of a sudden, because you're also going up and down sometimes you'd be swung around with much more force than you were expecting. Yeah, the tea cup... that's it.

Well, all I can say is that being in the 350Z is like a trip to Disneyland, only this time... good ol' Mickey has some serious *****. haha

After I stopped laughing from the sheer excitement... the ride was over. For now that is. Dan turns to me... "you sure you don't want to drive this tomorrow?" . I laugh... tell him we'll see and that was that.

I am sure Dan will post images once he gets back, but after I got home with dinner, not so hot anymore (haha), I grabbed my Canon D60 and headed back down to the Mall to snap some shots of the pavement and the rubber Dan left behind. Mall security drives up to me as I am snapping...

"This you"? (motioning to the rubber all over the parking lot)

haha... I laugh, motion to my Mercedes... with THAT?

He goes... "umm... oh yeah, I guess you're right." and with that he left. Had he been there 20 minutes earlier though, Dan might have found himself with a ticket. haha

Ah well, good times... for those that haven't seen the Z... GET THEE TO A 350Z OWNERS CRIB AT ONCE!!! haha

I'll post tomorrow's photos tomorrow afternoon... we might get together on Sunday as well and do a shoot with a model or two as well. No promises... I have to try and upstage my man Abyss somehow though... although I won't be having nude women on Dan's car, haha... my wife would OWN me.

JmanZ

I actually had one of the first 350Z's (Daytona Track, then switched to LeMans Touring) on order, but I sold my position to someone else and pocketed some serious cash. He wanted my car, I wanted his cash, it was a good decision for both of us.

One that I now REGRET HEAVILY.

Damn you Dan Johnson, Damn you. hahahaha

I am re-ordering a 350Z after the new year. I am waiting to see if some news I heard out of Japan through my inside source is real or not... thus far he's been VERY acurate though so I'm hoping.

Redline track though, all the way.

JmanZ

Wait a tic....

RENTED A Z?????

FROM WHERE???? Damn... looks like I am going on a trip.

Corto

He he, I think most of us in CA have rented a Z. It's from "specialtyrentals.com" - National's Exclusive rental branch. They have 3 in their fleet. Best way to test drive the car but like torture when you have to return it! I'm already thinking of renting one again!

Cheers!

JmanZ

It's the same old stuff that has been rumored for quite awhile. A faster 350Z. More HP's through either a supercharger or twin turbos.

There already IS three twin turbo fairlady 350Z's in Japan that were created for testing purposes. Word is, they passed all their tests with flying colors. As for production, it all comes down to economics... if the 350Z sells 35,000 units the first year as Nissan expects, and has a decent second year, you'll see the faster 350Z.

Toyota has two version sof the Supra coming back (although a source at Toyota insists only one will be made, so go figure), a V6 to play with the 350Z and a V8 to play with...well... everything else. haha

The TT 350Z is said to push in excess of 400-450 HP. I have heard both numbers mentioned, but I don't know what those cars had on them as well as far as mods go.

Heck, there is also a couple 350Z's fitted with a 4.5L V8 right now. Will they see the light of day? I doubt it... not cost effective and emissions would be hellish at best.

So there are loads of things coming down the pipe... what gets stuck in the pipe and what actually makes it out though, is anyone's guess.

I will post more when I hear more. (as always)

Remember... this is from things I have been told, it is not the truth, it is not lies, it is rumor and speculation based on what a couple sources in Japan have seen or claim to have seen. Take it for what it's worth.

I have to get some sleep... Dan Johnson is at my home in 4.5 hours and I want to be 'fresh' for my daytime 350Z experience. haha

I'll post photos later today.... maybe some video as well if Dan feels like leaving more rubber on the pavement for y'all