Geez, did you see this TRASHING in C&D?
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From: siphonband.com
Geez, did you see this TRASHING in C&D?
This month's issue of Car & Driver just arrived, along with reader mail about the Z. Man, everyone TRASHED it! I was really quite surprised. There wasn't a single positive mail. Here are some excerpts:
Isn't anyone else amazed that when compared with a Subaru Impreza WRX, Nissan's new 350Z has identical performance number? ... The new Z is bloated. The WRX gives up 60 hp and 57 pound-feet of twist to the NIssan. With nearly 300 hp, the Z should be faster. Perhaps it's sharing too much platform with Infiniti's G35?
I would suggest that the base model, without the track model's big wheels and tires, aero package, and limited-slip differential, will go from 0-60 in closer to seven seconds, not the 5.4 you advertise.
I think if you look closer, you'll find its DNA is related to the sophisticated but pricey and unloved and discontinued 300ZX. It's the same size, same look, same price, and probably the same level of interest. Unlike the 240Z, it's not a breath of fresh air.
The 350Z is hideous. There is no excuse for it to weigh more than a Corvette. The problem with getting something right, as with the styling of the 240Z, is coming up with a successor that is also right. That Nissan has failed to do, in every case.
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From: siphonband.com
Yeah, how they could compare a Z to a crappy WRX is beyond me. I guess if you like being seen in crappy 4-door Honda Accord with a blower on it, the WRX is the car for you!
Rob you are so HARDCORE! 
Originally posted by rpgonzalez
ps. I know, the sig. is shameless!
ps. I know, the sig. is shameless!
Last edited by nizl; Oct 3, 2002 at 06:39 PM.
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I read them to and was like you've got to be kidding me! First, WHY would C&D print all negative letters, most of which have no basis in fact. I happened to love the last 300ZX, as did a lot of other people. The 350Z certainly isn't priced like the previous 300ZX. And what about the idiot who thinks the base car will take 7 seconds to get to 60?? At least the editor called him on that one. 
Also, I am sick and tired of people comparing this car to the WRX! A 2 seat sports is not comparable to an econobox sedan with a somewhat big engine and 4-wheel drive. Geez....
Also, I am sick and tired of people comparing this car to the WRX! A 2 seat sports is not comparable to an econobox sedan with a somewhat big engine and 4-wheel drive. Geez....
Last edited by Todd; Oct 3, 2002 at 07:20 PM.
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From: The Hawaii of the East Coast, scenic NJ
Originally posted by nizl
Yeah, how they could compare a Z to a crappy WRX is beyond me. I guess if you like being seen in crappy 4-door Honda Accord with a blower on it, the WRX is the car for you!
Yeah, how they could compare a Z to a crappy WRX is beyond me. I guess if you like being seen in crappy 4-door Honda Accord with a blower on it, the WRX is the car for you!
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It's amazing that once again, a car that has the potential to be considered a classic in the near future, gets bashed by BMW & Driver. For god's sake, can those writers take their heads out of their asses? I understand that the writers themselves didn't write those letters, but even their own review was barely tepid, at best. And to print only the negative comments about the Z shows a reall lack of class on the part of C&D. I would love to ask every one of those a$$holes who bashed the Z, if they have even sat in one. Pfffft, a 7 second 0-60 in a Base Model. What brand of crack is he smoking???
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From: Los Angeles
**** car and driver, too bad I just sent in a subscription but will cancel it as soon as I get the first issue. It's not that they are pro-BMW, that doesn't bother me cause they are really good cars and I like them but the thing hat pisses me off most is that they seem to be Anti-Nissan/Infiniti. I mean they even rated the G35 one spot behind an acura tl in a recent comparo, bahahaha hahaha cmon even a douchebag who's been living in a cave for the past 2 decades would be able to see that the G35 is better. Now they've gone too far with this ****, they should stop taking letters from punks who drive hondas with fart pipes and NASA spoilers who think they can hang with Ferraris.
Also, the WRX does not compare to the Z in any way, it's fast but not that fast. A stock WRX won't be able to touch a Z on the streets or the track. Just look at the power to weight ratios of the 2 to get an idea. It's not rocket science.
Also, the WRX does not compare to the Z in any way, it's fast but not that fast. A stock WRX won't be able to touch a Z on the streets or the track. Just look at the power to weight ratios of the 2 to get an idea. It's not rocket science.
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From: ATL/Auburn U.
Originally posted by Todd
I read them to and was like you've got to be kidding me! First, WHY would C&D print all negative letters, most of which have no basis in fact. I happened to love the last 300ZX, as did a lot of other people. The 350Z certainly isn't priced like the previous 300ZX. And what about the idiot who thinks the base car will take 7 seconds to get to 60?? At least the editor called him on that one.
Also, I am sick and tired of people comparing this car to the WRX! A 2 seat sports is not comparable to an econobox sedan with a somewhat big engine and 4-wheel drive. Geez....
I read them to and was like you've got to be kidding me! First, WHY would C&D print all negative letters, most of which have no basis in fact. I happened to love the last 300ZX, as did a lot of other people. The 350Z certainly isn't priced like the previous 300ZX. And what about the idiot who thinks the base car will take 7 seconds to get to 60?? At least the editor called him on that one.
Also, I am sick and tired of people comparing this car to the WRX! A 2 seat sports is not comparable to an econobox sedan with a somewhat big engine and 4-wheel drive. Geez....
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From: The Hawaii of the East Coast, scenic NJ
Originally posted by NissaNZ
Also, the WRX does not compare to the Z in any way, it's fast but not that fast. A stock WRX won't be able to touch a Z on the streets or the track. Just look at the power to weight ratios of the 2 to get an idea. It's not rocket science.
Also, the WRX does not compare to the Z in any way, it's fast but not that fast. A stock WRX won't be able to touch a Z on the streets or the track. Just look at the power to weight ratios of the 2 to get an idea. It's not rocket science.
However, I would strongly suggest that before you start with the eye-rolling, you take a trip down to your neighborhood Subaru dealer and really open up a manual trans WRX on the road. I think you'll be singing a slightly different tune. (I'm especially floored by the remark made about the WRX not being a good track car because of P/W ratios.)
You're right, this isn't rocket science. But you might want to read up a bit.
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From: San Fran
We all kmow its BS, why not go to the Car and Driver forum and let them know
http://forums.caranddriver.com/ubb/u...?ubb=forum&f=5
http://forums.caranddriver.com/ubb/u...?ubb=forum&f=5
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From: Santa Cruz, CA
This same thread was floating around yesterday, and this is what I think:
The C&D review of the Z was very positive. Therefore, they are posting the letters from people who think it sucks in order to generate controversy and get people talking about the magazine. It is just a way to drum up conversation. It is quite clear that many of the letters are blatantly incorrect, so it is not really worth worrying about. The people that research and test drive the cars they are interested in will find the Z performs very well. The rest, well, they don't deserve it anyway!
-D'oh!
The C&D review of the Z was very positive. Therefore, they are posting the letters from people who think it sucks in order to generate controversy and get people talking about the magazine. It is just a way to drum up conversation. It is quite clear that many of the letters are blatantly incorrect, so it is not really worth worrying about. The people that research and test drive the cars they are interested in will find the Z performs very well. The rest, well, they don't deserve it anyway!
-D'oh!
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From: frisco, tx
Yes, let's talk about the WRX, shall we? CHEAP-*** shell/interior connected to an engine with HUGE tuning potential. Transmission is WEAK and the slightest mod will throw the CEL into the constant ON position. You buy a WRX and you do it up right. Send it to COBB and let them turn it into a monster. You'll pull low 4s 0-60 times, but at the end of the day you're still driving an econo-box on steriods.
I wonder how many WRX owners have gone to a restaurant, sat at the window, watched a couple of kids pull up to their car in the lot and drive around it a couple of times drooling. Then, have those same kids see them in the restaurant window, wave and give big thumbs up because they love the WRX so much.
I doubt that happens to WRX owners, but it did happen to a Z owner tonight.
I wonder how many WRX owners have gone to a restaurant, sat at the window, watched a couple of kids pull up to their car in the lot and drive around it a couple of times drooling. Then, have those same kids see them in the restaurant window, wave and give big thumbs up because they love the WRX so much.
I doubt that happens to WRX owners, but it did happen to a Z owner tonight.
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From: Los Angeles
Originally posted by NSANY
Before you get the wrong idea, understand that not many people love the Z more than I do.
However, I would strongly suggest that before you start with the eye-rolling, you take a trip down to your neighborhood Subaru dealer and really open up a manual trans WRX on the road. I think you'll be singing a slightly different tune. (I'm especially floored by the remark made about the WRX not being a good track car because of P/W ratios.)
You're right, this isn't rocket science. But you might want to read up a bit.
Before you get the wrong idea, understand that not many people love the Z more than I do.
However, I would strongly suggest that before you start with the eye-rolling, you take a trip down to your neighborhood Subaru dealer and really open up a manual trans WRX on the road. I think you'll be singing a slightly different tune. (I'm especially floored by the remark made about the WRX not being a good track car because of P/W ratios.)
You're right, this isn't rocket science. But you might want to read up a bit.
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From: The Hawaii of the East Coast, scenic NJ
True, true. The turbo is the key to the WRX. Without it, you have a pretty tepid car. But MAN that handling... Honestly, I can't wait to see what the new STi will be like. It ought to be a monster.
One comment about the head-turning thing. You're right as rain: the WRX will never snap someone around in traffic. But the one nice thing about the WRX is that owning one makes you part of a small group who all give each other that knowing nod -- "Yeah, you're into rally racing, too, aren't you?"
One comment about the head-turning thing. You're right as rain: the WRX will never snap someone around in traffic. But the one nice thing about the WRX is that owning one makes you part of a small group who all give each other that knowing nod -- "Yeah, you're into rally racing, too, aren't you?"