300zx vs 350z vs 370z

[565]

Kinda an interesting set of videos of them driven back to back.

300zx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTpjEWTkrM0

350z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqR5KU_Z7aM&feature=channel

370z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlkQgx4fQ3E&feature=channel

[SVT666]

"It's like somebody drop kicked you in the ass."

[Onslaught]

I say spot on with most of what they had to say. I've been in all three and I take the 300 first. Then the 370 followed by the 350 way behind the others.

[MX793]

"It sounds like a domestic argument" (re: the 370's engine note)

[Payman]

I love the 300ZX.

[hotrodalex]

I say spot on with most of what they had to say. I've been in all three and I take the 300 first. Then the 370 followed by the 350 way behind the others.

Same here, especially if the 300zx is in good condition and I can modernize the performance a bit (more power, new brakes, maybe some new suspension bits)

[sportyaccordy]

I wasn't fond of this report... the two guys conflicted each other at times, almost intentionally it seemed. I didn't get a real feel for the cars

That said, I'm a sucker for needlessly complicated mid 90s sports cars... a SWB 300ZXTT would be my first pick, with its classic looks, strong aftermarket and easy power upgrades. It's second only to the FD in looks as far as the mid 90s Japanese sports cars go. After that I would begrudgingly take a 370Z, though I'm not fond of its relatively high price and thrashy engine... that would be followed distantly by the 350Z which was definitely a great answer that for whatever reason no other manufacturers at the time asked, but is still somewhat of a strange + unsorted car that to me works better as the G35 Coupe.

I've never really been crazy about Zs though... for the prices I'd rather try my hands at same vintage M3s. Prices have just about equalized, and the slight premium the M3s command give you more space, better build quality and more precise handling....

[Raza]

Early E46s are in the 20K range; a lot less than buying a new 370Z, but that's neither here nor there.

Both the 350 and 370 coupes were disappointing to drive, the big advantage the 350Z has is, of course, that it actually looks good.  I'm torn, though.  300 or 350?

[omicron]

Early E46s are in the 20K range; a lot less than buying a new 370Z, but that's neither here nor there.

Both the 350 and 370 coupes were disappointing to drive, the big advantage the 350Z has is, of course, that it actually looks good.  I'm torn, though.  300 or 350?

The problem, of course, is that far too many 300ZX owners ruin their cars by fitting dreadful jaggedy-arse body-kits with tendrils and leering spoilers on the mirrors.

Something original would be nice. Like this:

[thewizard16]

The 300ZX is absolutely beautiful (when unmolested, as omi said). I see those around occasionally and have always liked them.

[Raza]

The problem, of course, is that far too many 300ZX owners ruin their cars by fitting dreadful jaggedy-arse body-kits with tendrils and leering spoilers on the mirrors.

Something original would be nice. Like this:

What blows my mind is how unloved they are in England.  Richard Hammond bought one for 1500GBP that ran perfectly!  If I could get one for that here, I'd buy it in an instant!

[Onslaught]

The problem, of course, is that far too many 300ZX owners ruin their cars by fitting dreadful jaggedy-arse body-kits with tendrils and leering spoilers on the mirrors.

Same problem with many cars from that time. Supra, RX-7 and Z have all been fucked up by people. And when you do find one that's nice it's going to cost you now. About the only Japanese car from the 90's I can find that hasn't been fucked up is the NSX.

[SVT32V]

Same problem with many cars from that time. Supra, RX-7 and Z have all been fucked up by people. And when you do find one that's nice it's going to cost you now. About the only Japanese car from the 90's I can find that hasn't been fucked up is the NSX.

Is there a supra left with the stock turbos, sort of like an '03 cobra with an original SC pulley. RX-7s (my personal favorite) seem to be more than a bit fragile, even if not modded they would be tough shape. Seems like most TTZ's sport fart cannons, for the life of me I can't figure out why people pay so much for 240SXs when for cheaper they can pick up a 300.

[Raza]

You know when I really fell in love with the 300ZX?  Kill Bill.  Lucy Liu's right hand bitch drove a pristine blue 300ZX.  It looked factory new, and I was just smitten.  I'll choose that one.  I'll check Autotrader when I'm off work....

[MX793]

Is there a supra left with the stock turbos, sort of like an '03 cobra with an original SC pulley. RX-7s (my personal favorite) seem to be more than a bit fragile, even if not modded they would be tough shape. Seems like most TTZ's sport fart cannons, for the life of me I can't figure out why people pay so much for 240SXs when for cheaper they can pick up a 300.

People lust after 240s because they're better drift cars.  A lot lighter than a 300ZXTT and most don't have HICAS (IIRC, all ZXTTs had HICAS).  There's also more room under the hood so they're easier to work on.

[SVT666]

What's HICAS?

[MX793]

What's HICAS?

Nissan's 4-wheel steering system.

[the Teuton]

I'd love to have a 300ZX, and I'm still infatuated with it years after seeing the Barbie Dollhouse Nissan commercial for it.

But, much like my GC8 Impreza dreams, I'm afraid that by the time I could afford one, they'll all be rubbish anyway.

For reference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI2L82eUoJU

[SVT32V]

People lust after 240s because they're better drift cars.  A lot lighter than a 300ZXTT and most don't have HICAS (IIRC, all ZXTTs had HICAS).  There's also more room under the hood so they're easier to work on.

Is the sylvia is the drift darling and why people like it, but is it really a better drift car or were they more affordable for the young in Japan compared to the 300ZX?  I would think the more powerful 300 would do better, although the sylvia turbo is OK.

Hell power seems important, a damn Mustang can do it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-67GXNxzyJU

[MX793]

Is the sylvia is the drift darling and why people like it, but is it really a better drift car or were they more affordable for the young in Japan compared to the 300ZX?  I would think the more powerful 300 would do better, although the sylvia turbo is OK.

Hell power seems important, a damn Mustang can do it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-67GXNxzyJU

For starters, I'm sure they were more plentiful in Japan than the ZX. 

Drifting isn't about power, it's about control.  Another popular drift car is the AE86 Corolla, which is pretty gutless (even after being hopped up, I'd be surprised if many are putting down more than 200 hp).  They are, however, very light and controllable.  An S13 240SX weighed 2700 lbs.  A 300ZXTT came in at just under 3500 lbs. 

The Silvia/240SX has a wide open engine bay.  Ever look under the hood of a Z32?  They're so cram packed they had to rely on the bulges of the body to fit the turbo plumbing.  They are not very easy to work on.

[hotrodalex]

That Mustang drifts pretty well, but it's not quite on the same level. It wasn't as sideways as the others were.

I watched RIDES on TLC a couple of years ago when they set up a Pontiac GTO for drifting and took it out to some events and I think even won one.

[Raza]

That Mustang drifts pretty well, but it's not quite on the same level. It wasn't as sideways as the others were.

I watched RIDES on TLC a couple of years ago when they set up a Pontiac GTO for drifting and took it out to some events and I think even won one.

I'd have one.

[SVT_Power]

The Silvia/240SX has a wide open engine bay. 

I don't know about the S13/S15, but the S14's engine bay is ridiculous

[SVT666]

That Mustang drifts pretty well, but it's not quite on the same level. It wasn't as sideways as the others were.

Not on the same level?  He keeps winning...in Japan.

[sportyaccordy]

Drifting is so.... passe

Next step: Touge

[omicron]

One advantage of being all the way down here is that those Japanese folk also drive on the proper side of the car, and hence there's an infinite supply of used JDM models - and, thankfully, plenty of unmolested examples (or companies willing to import them for you).

[SVT666]

Drifting is so.... passe

Next step: Touge

Drifting is stupid.  Touge looks cool.  Rallying is still where it's at though.

[hotrodalex]

Not on the same level?  He keeps winning...in Japan.

That may be so, but in the video he wasn't as sideways and didn't transition as smoothly as the others.

[SVT32V]

For starters, I'm sure they were more plentiful in Japan than the ZX.  

Drifting isn't about power, it's about control.  Another popular drift car is the AE86 Corolla, which is pretty gutless (even after being hopped up, I'd be surprised if many are putting down more than 200 hp).  They are, however, very light and controllable.  An S13 240SX weighed 2700 lbs.  A 300ZXTT came in at just under 3500 lbs.  

The Silvia/240SX has a wide open engine bay.  Ever look under the hood of a Z32?  They're so cram packed they had to rely on the bulges of the body to fit the turbo plumbing.  They are not very easy to work on.

Does the 300TT really needs mods to freewheel, certainly most Sylvia models are not that powerful, the ones in the video are putting out some power.  

If balance is so important, is drifting full of miata's? They are another well-balanced not very powerful car.

From my time in Japan I saw very few rwd cars to choose from, certainly the sylvias were more abundant and no doubt cheaper than most.  I would imagine 20 yr old miata's can be had relatively cheap at this point.

[Nethead]

For starters, I'm sure they were more plentiful in Japan than the ZX. 

Drifting isn't about power, it's about control.  Another popular drift car is the AE86 Corolla, which is pretty gutless (even after being hopped up, I'd be surprised if many are putting down more than 200 hp).  They are, however, very light and controllable.  An S13 240SX weighed 2700 lbs.  A 300ZXTT came in at just under 3500 lbs. 

The Silvia/240SX has a wide open engine bay.  Ever look under the hood of a Z32?  They're so cram packed they had to rely on the bulges of the body to fit the turbo plumbing.  They are not very easy to work on.

MX793:  Your excellent pics make the point, but so do your concise statements.  Good stuff!