The problem with Nissan is that even if they build a car that can match or exceed the performance of the Porsche, they don't even come remotely close to Porsche's build quality and materials. Yes, the Nissan costs $20k+ less than the performance comparable Porsche, but the extra $20k buys you the Porsche name, materials and build quality. Nissan's interior lay outs and materials don't even begin to come close to Honda, let alone Porsche.

Go sit in a GT-R and then in a 911 Turbo, then sit in a 350Z and then in a Boxster or Cayman. When you're done tell me which car is better on visual and feel alone. Once you get them out on the road, the tactile feel of the Porsche can't be beat. Given, I've never driven a GT-R, but having sat in one I can definitely say the car feels like an operating room...cold and sterile. It's not all about performance when it comes to a car, the total package is what matters, at least to me.

Also, I don't think Porsche is being butt hurt over the GT-R's time. I really don't think it's stealing their sales or their thunder. I think they've already built a GT2/3 car that beats the GT-R, so no sweat there. They are just voicing the concerns a lot of the automotive world had that the numbers quoted on the GT-R just don't add up. Nissan wanted a new "Godzilla" and they made sure that they had one, at least on paper.

this trans is good but far from bullet proof....i went from the top of 3rd into 2nd...which was weird because it didnt even hesitate to go into 2nd like it usually would...thought it was 4th and the tach banged about 9 k lol....beginning to the end of that trans...

Truth about Nissan interior. Europe has interior on smash. Doubt anyone will ever come close.
Another thing is when you slam the door of a Euro you hear the quality, dont get that with many other cars.

I remember when Honda had brown interiors with black dashes. Lol, the designer took his life for bringing disgrace to his family and country.

i dunno, bishes love my interior and i get more comments on it then anything else i think.


i know what you mean tho...german cars def own when it comes to interior quality.

I shouldn't say they can't, cuz I don't know that. Its just that it's not thier priority. Japanese automakers don't target people looking for $200k cars.

I wonder what a $200k Infinity/Acura/Lexus would be like.

True, I've always had a hate for the new Z, especially considering what the legacy left behind by the Z32 was. A good friend has an 03 Z, he asked me to trade cars with him for a day, I hate the Z even more now. The interior is well , for a 30k-ish car , shiat. Stupid high door belt line, its a quick car stock, but so are the new civic si's. Oh wow its the 350z? Whats it have in it? Oh really, thats cool my moms minivan has the same engine.
I have nothing against the VQ, its a great engine, but how do you go from making this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XLyCDsKhGo

To putting a regular VQ in your top USDM sport car. Its a sports car, it needs to have something special in it, especially a z-car with a 30 year legacy.

Nissan watered it down, and appealed it to the mass market, thats why for every young person , theres 10 old dudes and ladies that drive them, its a poser sports car. The real nissan enthuasiasts would agree, the rest are Nissan fanboys that will drive anything with a VQ in it. IMO I'm not holding my breath on the 370z, because it will still be watered down, add .2 liters and another 200+ pounds of wieght and call it a day....

I disagree with that and I'm a fairly big Nissan enthusiast...while I'd prefer a straight 6 like my old Datsun, the VQ is a wonderful motor, and while you can't do jack with it modwise until FI, it has a great note and it pulls really nicely. For a 6 it's a beaut.

And it's a different tune than the "regular" VQ.

no nissan motor really shines until you boost it....

Anyone see the episode of Top Gear when they lined up all the z Generations??
The Z32 smoked the Z33, and if Im not mistaken so did the Z31. The 280 wasn't far behind the Z33. Sad. Sad indeed.

Don't hate on the 280.

Don't know where this hatred for the 350Z is coming from. I'm nowhere near a "fanboy" but I drove A LOT of cars when deciding what to get after my Z32 TT, had a deposit on a few cars in the 5 month span I was searching. My options were a red 2001 Boxster S, a silver 2001 BMW M Roadster, silver 2001 M3, black 2003 Benz CLK55, and a white 2002 Honda S2000. All the cars had similar price tags and nothing was really as fun to drive as the 350Z. Maybe the fact that I knew it wouldn't break was mentally reassuring to me, or maybe it was the low-end power, or the simple interior, but its just something about the car that I like. I think that people overlook the car because it doesn't have "gadgets" that some others have, but gees, drive this thing hard a couple times and you can tell how balanced it is. A huge upgrade coming from my 300ZX's. The only car that felt as complete was the M3, but I always felt like I was gonna break something. I'm also a big guy, and this was one of the more comfy for me to sit in. Idk, I'm just picky I guess. Its just a great combination of power, handling, braking, comfort, mileage, and dependability. Some of the other cars I was looking at scared me to much when I looked at maintenance costs, and I'm a little rough on my cars. It really takes owning one of these for a while to appreciate the day to day livability of it as opposed to some others. But keep in mind that I'm a big guy, so the boxster, M roadster, and s2000 were just to small for me to "have fun" in. Maybe someone smaller would see them differently. Just my .02!

is there a link for this video? id like to see that.

This isnt the episode I was talking about but the end has the 350z getting smashed by the Z32. Ill keep looking for the other one.

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

The Tran's in the 350z is hit or miss there is guys pushing power threw them with no problems at all but there was also a problem suppose with 03-04 Z transmissions. The motor pretty solid it can handle 450hp with a very good tune an if need be its only rod's an pistons away from 600+hp. The car interior is abit rough my car deffintly has it flaws after owning it for a year but there's alot of people that have quick fix's on there site. The body panel clips to break though which sucks my roof needs a clip right now. The Paint sucks streight forward all of them should be re-painted sooner or later. The car's pretty solid with minor suspension work i have no problem hangin with my buddys 911 TT around corners with just Coil Overs. An average 1/4 mile time of 14 flat does suck but there is people going high 13's in 03-06s while 07-08's are in the high 12's with slicks. I've been tempted a few times now to toss my drag car in favor of rod's an pistons an a twin turbo kit.

If you're hanging with a 911 Turbo full out through corners either you have a lot more power than you say you do or your buddy has been running on 3 cylinders.

Physics = doesn't match up.

And the fact of the matter that remains; you can't make a 26-39K msrp sports car and have **** fall apart and crack. You just can't do it. Quick fixes are great- for a Kia.

^^You should buy a porsche.

lol with the rate this stock market is moving, I'll be lucky to buy a Kia. :eek:

Ugh, don't remind me. Stupid fed only cut .5% off rates!!

Heres a bandaid for you head trauma, and severed arm. Gee... thanks man... thanks alot.

I wonder when its going to slow sports car development.

Threw corners the power of a 911 isnt going to make that much difference its not like i was riding his bumper but i had no problem staying 2 cars behind him. Even on streights the car doesnt really leave me in the dust till around 80-90mp.