Nobody has mentioned the suspension. For an everyday commute ride I find it very harsh. But for cornering when you want to have a little fun, it could even be a little stiffer. So having an electronically adjustable suspension switch like the 300ZX twin turbo, would be the perfect answer. I've had three 300ZX's and now the 350Z and feel that it was a great option. Who needs that stabilty control and traction control on the touring model, its a waste of money. Any time I want to enjoy the car I have to turn it off, because it cuts back on the power when I'm accelerating if the tires would have slipped ever so slightly. I would much preferred an electronic suspension and switch.

 

I think an electronically controlled suspension would be awesome, but once again its a price-versus-performance argument. I know there is at least one company (not coming to mind right now) that is producing a high-performance adjustable height/dynamics suspension system with on the fly ride hight adjustment. They make it for the WRX, and supposedly are looking at building a system like that for the 350z.

Lets not forget what killed the 300zx. It wasn't that the 300zx wasn't an outstanding sports car, its simply that it became to expensive for its own good. People looked at a 96 300zx on a showroom floor and were also looking at the price tags for BMW m3's, corvettes, supra's, etc. The 10 items that I listed on my most wanted upgrades for future models are almost all low-cost upgrades that might raise the sticker of the average 350z by $200-300. Not the leaps and bounds that happen when you start offering new & complicated pieces of equipment like adjustable ride control.

Also, I think TCS & VDC are valuable additions. I've had my TCS come on when I entered a corner that I didn't realize would be as sharp, and I'd say it actually saved me from potential disaster at least once. I agree they aren't perfect, but I would guess they do save lives & cars. And I think the beauty of the design is that you can turn off these systems if you like, just like you said - if you want to play around you can shut it off. But when you're taking an unmarked freeway exit and all of a sudden it plunges in to a 55degree corner, you might be glad its there.

 

Actually, every study I've seen on mix of colors show the two silvers at the top of the production list, but Silverstone does always seem to edge out Chrome Silver by one or two percent.

Personally, I will be verrrrry disappointed if Nissan adds another silver to the line up. With two silvers now, every other Z you see is silver (CS and SS make up over 50% of the production run).

Also, I hate to see Brickyard go. Obviously, I'm biased, but I think it offers a definitive, different color to those available.

Yellow is not an improvement, but I think it is the most likely choice to replace Brickyard.

If a third silver (Liquid Silver) is offered, I'd expect either LeMans Sunset, or more likely, Chrome Silver to get the axe.

 

I hope they don't come out with the gunmetal because thats the color I wanted. I ended up buying the PPW because I didn't like either of the silvers. If they do come out with the gunmetal I'll be having a fit because I'll want to trade mine in for that color.

 

1. Change the springs and shocks for a firm, not harsh, sports car ride;

2. Make high performance, all season tires an option;

3. Make camber adjustable on wheels; and

4. Make the steering wheel telescoping and allow a higher wheel height for larger drivers.

 

It reallly seems unlikely that Nissan will make another silver for the Z. As mentioned prior, the show car paint job was very unique. Don't expect that on your car.

Yellow seems very played out. It's a nice color, but every car that has vaguely sporty intentions comes in yellow now.

The only things I'd like to see changed

Fix the Bose.
All weather tires as option depending on geographic location
My center console door does a crummy job of popping up
Optional track wheels/brembos on other models
Agree with sunglasses pocket, it's really worthless

Sunroof/T top if technically possible.

 

rouxeny: I agree with all of you suggestions. But the center console door sticking is easily fixed. The little black rubber stops in the left and right front corners are very sticky, so by putting a little powder (baby, talc, etc) on them with a Q-tip, the problem totally goes away. Pops up every time. Try it !!

 

Someone (I think it was Vandy) said to slide the removable cup holder inside this console forward and this helps too.

 

Just so you guys know, I was at Santa Monica Nissan this weekend taking another look at the Z and a salesman there told me a "removable roof version was coming out in either '05 or '06. I was a bit skeptical because 75% of these guys are morons and how he knows this I have no idea but just thought it was interesting....

Next time I'm there I'll try to find out more...

 

Yuck. I hate the idea of nothing moving forward. I understand it's not cost effetive to design a car and sell it for one or two years...but it's this kind of garbage that hinders the onset of new design and technology. The fact that the intergra had the same design for 9 years is atrocious. Look how long it took for tape players and recorders to phase out f the market...

I know we have moved relatively fast technologically in the past 100 years. But we COULD do better

 

word!