anyone else regret getting a ZR?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
From: Houston, Texas
I always wanted a convertible and after window shopping for 2 years I settled on the ZR.
I live outside of Philadelphia PA so I get plenty of top down time come spring etc. It is strictly my toy car which I drive on weekends mostly. That being said, I absolutely love the car for lots of reasons. You don't see that many on the road, and even though mine is an 06, it still turns heads. Finally, it's a great escape when I want to just disappear for a few hours. It's a great car.
I live outside of Philadelphia PA so I get plenty of top down time come spring etc. It is strictly my toy car which I drive on weekends mostly. That being said, I absolutely love the car for lots of reasons. You don't see that many on the road, and even though mine is an 06, it still turns heads. Finally, it's a great escape when I want to just disappear for a few hours. It's a great car.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 132
Likes: 3
From: Metro Atlanta, Georgia
I personally wouldn't take any TWO coupes for my ZR!!! I've driven plenty of both in lots of different weather conditions, etc and I absolutely prefer the roadster for anything but SERIOUS track work. Actually, I even prefer the ZR for most track fun, but some tracks don't allow cageless verts and only an idiot puts a cage in a street car [EXTREMELY dangerous if you are in an accident unless you wear a helmet for street driving, lol].
I have to laugh when I hear kids on here talking about how "they messed up by trying to make the Z coupe into a convertible". The 350Z was designed as a convertible from the start --- the coupe version was added later in the prototype-runs ramping up to initial production. You have to remember -- to most of the world your car is NOT a sports car if it has a hard top! It may be a GT car (like 911's and most of your Italian exotics) but in the traditional sense of the term it is not a sports car unless it is a 2-seat, RWD roadster (I don't necessarily agree with them, but it is what it is). The coupe was introduced first because the executives at Nissan were looking to appeal to a broader market instead of only to sports car enthusiasts. But shortly thereafter the engineers got their way and the vert was released to the public. As to the whole "It's ugly with the top up" idea, that's purely subjective. Personally, I think a vert with the top up is still WAY better looking than 95% of the coupes. And with the top down there is absolutely no comparison! Add a few tasteful body enhancements (V2 front, nismo skirts and rear add-ons, and a Shine copy of the C20 rear spoiler for verts are my personal favorites) and the gap becomes even larger, regardless of what mods have been done to the coupe. Don't get me wrong, I love ALL Z's -- but the ZR is my absolute favorite and is much more distinctive than the coupes imho. There also seems to often times be a maturity difference between the drivers, but I digress....................
I have to laugh when I hear kids on here talking about how "they messed up by trying to make the Z coupe into a convertible". The 350Z was designed as a convertible from the start --- the coupe version was added later in the prototype-runs ramping up to initial production. You have to remember -- to most of the world your car is NOT a sports car if it has a hard top! It may be a GT car (like 911's and most of your Italian exotics) but in the traditional sense of the term it is not a sports car unless it is a 2-seat, RWD roadster (I don't necessarily agree with them, but it is what it is). The coupe was introduced first because the executives at Nissan were looking to appeal to a broader market instead of only to sports car enthusiasts. But shortly thereafter the engineers got their way and the vert was released to the public. As to the whole "It's ugly with the top up" idea, that's purely subjective. Personally, I think a vert with the top up is still WAY better looking than 95% of the coupes. And with the top down there is absolutely no comparison! Add a few tasteful body enhancements (V2 front, nismo skirts and rear add-ons, and a Shine copy of the C20 rear spoiler for verts are my personal favorites) and the gap becomes even larger, regardless of what mods have been done to the coupe. Don't get me wrong, I love ALL Z's -- but the ZR is my absolute favorite and is much more distinctive than the coupes imho. There also seems to often times be a maturity difference between the drivers, but I digress....................
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: chandler, az
I personally wouldn't take any TWO coupes for my ZR!!! I've driven plenty of both in lots of different weather conditions, etc and I absolutely prefer the roadster for anything but SERIOUS track work. Actually, I even prefer the ZR for most track fun, but some tracks don't allow cageless verts and only an idiot puts a cage in a street car [EXTREMELY dangerous if you are in an accident unless you wear a helmet for street driving, lol].
I have to laugh when I hear kids on here talking about how "they messed up by trying to make the Z coupe into a convertible". The 350Z was designed as a convertible from the start --- the coupe version was added later in the prototype-runs ramping up to initial production. You have to remember -- to most of the world your car is NOT a sports car if it has a hard top! It may be a GT car (like 911's and most of your Italian exotics) but in the traditional sense of the term it is not a sports car unless it is a 2-seat, RWD roadster (I don't necessarily agree with them, but it is what it is). The coupe was introduced first because the executives at Nissan were looking to appeal to a broader market instead of only to sports car enthusiasts. But shortly thereafter the engineers got their way and the vert was released to the public. As to the whole "It's ugly with the top up" idea, that's purely subjective. Personally, I think a vert with the top up is still WAY better looking than 95% of the coupes. And with the top down there is absolutely no comparison! Add a few tasteful body enhancements (V2 front, nismo skirts and rear add-ons, and a Shine copy of the C20 rear spoiler for verts are my personal favorites) and the gap becomes even larger, regardless of what mods have been done to the coupe. Don't get me wrong, I love ALL Z's -- but the ZR is my absolute favorite and is much more distinctive than the coupes imho. There also seems to often times be a maturity difference between the drivers, but I digress....................
I have to laugh when I hear kids on here talking about how "they messed up by trying to make the Z coupe into a convertible". The 350Z was designed as a convertible from the start --- the coupe version was added later in the prototype-runs ramping up to initial production. You have to remember -- to most of the world your car is NOT a sports car if it has a hard top! It may be a GT car (like 911's and most of your Italian exotics) but in the traditional sense of the term it is not a sports car unless it is a 2-seat, RWD roadster (I don't necessarily agree with them, but it is what it is). The coupe was introduced first because the executives at Nissan were looking to appeal to a broader market instead of only to sports car enthusiasts. But shortly thereafter the engineers got their way and the vert was released to the public. As to the whole "It's ugly with the top up" idea, that's purely subjective. Personally, I think a vert with the top up is still WAY better looking than 95% of the coupes. And with the top down there is absolutely no comparison! Add a few tasteful body enhancements (V2 front, nismo skirts and rear add-ons, and a Shine copy of the C20 rear spoiler for verts are my personal favorites) and the gap becomes even larger, regardless of what mods have been done to the coupe. Don't get me wrong, I love ALL Z's -- but the ZR is my absolute favorite and is much more distinctive than the coupes imho. There also seems to often times be a maturity difference between the drivers, but I digress....................
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg
I never regretted getting my ZR. I in Canada so i can only drive my car for half the year anyways, but for those 5-6 months of nice weather is exactly why i bought the roadster to enjoy the win, sun and skies
I just want everyone to know that before the Datsun 240Z in 1969,
there was the Datsun Fairlady Roadster in 1964.
The Datsun Sports (called Datsun Fairlady in the home market), was a series of roadsters produced by Nissan in the 1960s. The series was a predecessor to the Z-car in the Fairlady line, and offered an inexpensive alternative to the British MG and Triumph sports cars.
So when those 350Z Coupe guys knock on you for having a Roadster, you can reply back and say, "Your Great Grand Daddy is a Roadster!!".
there was the Datsun Fairlady Roadster in 1964.
The Datsun Sports (called Datsun Fairlady in the home market), was a series of roadsters produced by Nissan in the 1960s. The series was a predecessor to the Z-car in the Fairlady line, and offered an inexpensive alternative to the British MG and Triumph sports cars.
So when those 350Z Coupe guys knock on you for having a Roadster, you can reply back and say, "Your Great Grand Daddy is a Roadster!!".
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Kitakyushu Japan
don't really care how it looks because I am sitting inside it and from the inside my bonnet just looks fine.
Maybe I am weird. I just enjoy driving the thing. The moment I enjoy driving a car I start to like it despite looks. The best example was the Nissan GTR. I really thought that was an ugly, fat, heavy car. Until I stepped inside and someone showed me what it could do. Now I don't think it is a designer car (like the Spyker) but I can see some beauty in it now.
Maybe I am weird. I just enjoy driving the thing. The moment I enjoy driving a car I start to like it despite looks. The best example was the Nissan GTR. I really thought that was an ugly, fat, heavy car. Until I stepped inside and someone showed me what it could do. Now I don't think it is a designer car (like the Spyker) but I can see some beauty in it now.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Downeast Maine
Why the ZR is better then the Coupe
1. The ZR w/ top down looks better then any Z coupe on the road IMO.
2. If your looking for a roadster the Z is hands down the best option in its price range. All the others require something I don't have to own one...ovaries
3. Again IMO if I wanted a sports car with a roof there are better cars out there then the Z (let the flamespray begin).
I live in Maine, can't believe that your weather is any worse then here. I have a truck for the winter and the ZR for the rest.
1. The ZR w/ top down looks better then any Z coupe on the road IMO.
2. If your looking for a roadster the Z is hands down the best option in its price range. All the others require something I don't have to own one...ovaries
3. Again IMO if I wanted a sports car with a roof there are better cars out there then the Z (let the flamespray begin).
I live in Maine, can't believe that your weather is any worse then here. I have a truck for the winter and the ZR for the rest.
Last edited by stilez; Apr 23, 2013 at 09:03 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Kitakyushu Japan
I recently bought a Z because there is nothing else around here in Japan.
Looked into Z4 -> only automatic transmission
SLK -> automatic transmission only
BMW 3 series cabrio -> automatic transmission only
Audi TT -> front wheel drive, meh
Honda S2000 -> very cramped cockpit and no booth space whatsoever for a daily driver also not the easiest car to get into.
Toyota MR S -> looks good but the engine is a bit lacking
Porsche boxster -> right hand drive with manual transmission cost an arm and leg and cramped cockpit (how do they fit in these tall Germans ?)
So I ended up with a Z. I think it is too heavy to be a real sports car but it makes for a great tourer and I am very happy with it.
Looked into Z4 -> only automatic transmission
SLK -> automatic transmission only
BMW 3 series cabrio -> automatic transmission only
Audi TT -> front wheel drive, meh
Honda S2000 -> very cramped cockpit and no booth space whatsoever for a daily driver also not the easiest car to get into.
Toyota MR S -> looks good but the engine is a bit lacking
Porsche boxster -> right hand drive with manual transmission cost an arm and leg and cramped cockpit (how do they fit in these tall Germans ?)
So I ended up with a Z. I think it is too heavy to be a real sports car but it makes for a great tourer and I am very happy with it.
I haven't even owned my ZR for a month and I can tell you it's the best car I've ever owned. I owned a Z32 and loved having the T-tops off but it's not the same as having the whole top down.
Nothing beats cruising on the free way with the top down on a beautiful sunny day!
As far as looks the ZR with the top is one of the best looking cars on the road PERIOD!
The next 5 months are going to be fun as hell!!
Nothing beats cruising on the free way with the top down on a beautiful sunny day!
As far as looks the ZR with the top is one of the best looking cars on the road PERIOD!
The next 5 months are going to be fun as hell!!
BMW Z4 (M model with M3 engine can be had for 25k...)
Honda S2000 (Even the CR goes under 25k)
Porche Boxter S (ugly, but previous generation goes around 20k)
C6/ Corvette Convertible/T top (saw them around 25k)
All the cars above has better driving dynamics than Z will ever have... Only reason I chose ZR is because it had certain charateristics that couldn't be explained with logic when I test drove it. Also I love the VQ Torque
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
From: Houston, Texas
Yeah... except for
BMW Z4 (M model with M3 engine can be had for 25k...)
Honda S2000 (Even the CR goes under 25k)
Porche Boxter S (ugly, but previous generation goes around 20k)
C6/ Corvette Convertible/T top (saw them around 25k)
All the cars above has better driving dynamics than Z will ever have... Only reason I chose ZR is because it had certain charateristics that couldn't be explained with logic when I test drove it. Also I love the VQ Torque
BMW Z4 (M model with M3 engine can be had for 25k...)
Honda S2000 (Even the CR goes under 25k)
Porche Boxter S (ugly, but previous generation goes around 20k)
C6/ Corvette Convertible/T top (saw them around 25k)
All the cars above has better driving dynamics than Z will ever have... Only reason I chose ZR is because it had certain charateristics that couldn't be explained with logic when I test drove it. Also I love the VQ Torque
