Been talking plates with PaulUK & just thought I'd clarify something...

For anyone that hasn't sussed it, the UK are getting a different rear bumper (than US) with a larger number plate cut out.

The plate cut out will suit standard UK size plates & therefore there will be no need to fit the square two line style plates (as the Guildford JDM model)

Only shot that I have of this is the "First Come. First Stirred" brochure cover, but hope it helps...

 

Thanks mate

Thats the pic that flashes up on the web site trailer as well. I think i prefer the square plate on the back...but i guess its not something which we have a choice on. UK regs and all that.

What do others think?

Square or oblong?!

 

That's really interesting to hear. I had never thought that you all might like our size plates, because you are so used to yours. I think most in the US hate our shape, and love the way yours looks, lol. I think your plates are more subdued looking. You all just have numbers and letters, and it has perfectly square edges right? I hate how ours are stamped, and have rounded corners. Ugh, ours are so ugly!

 

Definitely prefer the US style of plate...

They may be hand pressed by convicts out of old Buicks

But you have a far greater choice of "meaningful" plates

& (some states) can get away without a front plate

 

Gotta disagree Veilside

US style is kind of J-Lo rear effect ...looks good....but too big

UK style with the longer lines flattens it out a bit!

Do agree with the comment about no front plate though

 

Maybe I'm just misunderstood...

My reason for saying that I prefer the US plates was the lack of restriction on the plate numbers / letters...

I get where you're coming from on the length issue , but I always laugh when I see plates like "AWAY I GO" on cars in California, plus you have to admit some of the Z plates are way cool

 

Having test driven the Guildford Z this morning, it's nice to see a photo of a proper UK Z. The rear looks SO much better with a thin, horizontal plate. The Jap square plate looks all squat to me.

Did anyone seriously think the car would be sold here with a Japanese spec plate hole?! I can't believe that. Haven't you seen MX-5's? I think UK cars *have* to have single length plates, unless they're imports.

 

How did it drive girlracer? Tell all!!

 

Well I've driven it (and my god was it FAB!), first thing I noticed was how easy it was to drive around town and how easy it was to attract attention! Secondly how much of a peach the engine is, a very useful spread of torque all the way through the rev range (not like the brutal scooby excelleration after the initial lag) with a lovely engine note (no offence but that's really where the TT has lacked so far). Brakes live up to their name and the handling is that of a PROPER sports car. Of course, I find it takes a bit more than a 30 minute test drive during lunchtime to really know what it's like......... Be interested to see how it compared to your Tuscan Girlracer, not sure if it'll be raw enough for you ! Although more livable day to day I would have thought..........

 

First of all, let it be known that this was my 2nd test drive in a Z . I drove an import car back in January at Wicked Kit, and that test drive blew me away. This second one wasn't as amazing, probably because of a couple of factors:

1) I'd just stepped out of a TVR Tuscan
2) The speed restrictions (I was warned by the dealer that the police had already told them they were keeping an eye on the car, so please stay within the limit).

Add that to the traffic, and the drive could only really serve to remind me of how effortless these cars are to drive, how well they pull away (not 'free face lift' lunges of acceleration, just a sure footed linear supply of power in any gear), and also of course how damn comfy those seats are!!

This is a car I REALLY look forward to driving on a long trip. It will be comfy and safe on the motorway with great overtaking power, but when you get to the twisty bits it will really shine. The handling is lovely, and I can't wait to get to know it on my own time, on some 'proper' driving roads.

My previous 50 minute motorway / twisty B road drive around the outskirts of Wigan earlier this year however was a total joy. I simply didn't want to go back to the dealer! That day the Z amazed me. It was smooth and refined like a modern car, but it handled just great (very akin to the MX-5 I was driving at the time), with absolutely beautiful steering feel. In retrospect very very similar steering feel and feedback to what I'm now used to in my husband's Mini Cooper S. With the wheels planted at the corners and the perfectly weighted power steering not letting you forget you're in control of a great handling car, it feels smaller than you'd expect it to. Definitely not a raw sportscar experience (although of course that's relative!), but bags of punch when you want it and handling that inspires tremendous confidence - something I'm afraid I certainly can not say about my Tuscan.

edited to say: That's not to say the Tuscan handles badly - it doesn't. The steering is razor sharp, the body is low and aerodynamic and the wheels are wide. However, it doesn't inspire confidence (in me). Any tiny imperfection on the road surface can unsettle the car and make you suddenly VERY aware of it's light weight and huge power. Not 2 things I love being reminded of at 100+ on a motorway (in theory of course!). I drove through the Sussex countryside yesterday and the generally wayward camber of the back roads meant I really had to limit my speed, even on the straight stretches. Get too near to the side and the change in surface level has you fighting with the car to stay safe. I even had a bit of a moment on the M25, not actually even going at insane speeds, where a crack in the concrete surface of an otherwise fairly smooth road made the back end twitch. It's just so light, and if you're travelling fast, the lack of weight means there's nothing to stop gravity doing it's stuff. Obviously throw winter driving conditions into the mix and you're in trouble.

THAT's why I'm looking at a Z car too.

 

I get where you're coming from with your comments on winter handling...

nothing is worse than facing the wrong way on a motorway junction roundabout in the wet weather, after a rut on the road surface & a bit too much throttle causes the back of your superlight car to do a 180 - it will live with me forever

I did this in my Panther Lima - no thanks, do'nt think I want to do it again

 

Veilside and I PM'd a couple of times after he had received his own personal plates, I started looking into the regulations properly. UK law does indeed specify that the plates need to be a single line. I found a doc on the DVLA website that will help: Resgistration Numbers and You (PDF)

I was hoping to get a dual line plate (I think they look a lot better on the front of the car), but this isn't going to happen with the redesign. I was thinking that if stopped I'd just say that the car was made in Japan, so in a very vague and roundabout way... it is an import... not going to happen though.,

richZ

 

Does anyone know what the regs are regarding having the front plate "painted" onto the body work?

I've seen a few Jag XKRs and VX220s with this and thought that it might be a good idea for the Z.

Steve

 

Are you sure they weren't just stick-on plates? These are technically not legal, although I had them on my MGB and my MX-5 and the police never said anything. As long as they are the right size and spacing and are clearly visible (ie: don't take the p*ss!) you should be ok.

 

I've never got close enough to have a good look at the plates - so you could be right about them being stick ons. Thanks.

 

I must admit, I toyed with the idea of stick-ons...

How about along the top edge of the front lip?
I'm sure I've seen that on a Tuscan before (!?!) but it means the plate is virtually laid down flat.

Going to go with a regular mount after all