Gary:
Part of the joy of driving a Datsun Roadster is in its simplicity. It does
nothing as well as a new sports car, therefor requiring more input from the
driver to perform to its potential. That is why more owners find themselves
enjoying their Datsuns, and feeling more "connected" to them. You cannot just
drive a Roadster, you must be constantly giving it feedback, correcting its
errors in handling, and "talking" to it. Both new and old convertibles give
you the open air feeling, but only the Datsun connects you to the road at low
speeds, to make you feel like YOU are doing the driving, not the car. In the
late 70's, I drove my dentists 911, ( my daily driver- 68 1600). It was heavy
steering at legal speeds, and had effortless power. It was boring until you
were above 75-80, then kept you awake above 100-110. It required so little
skill to drive slowly (legally) that you felt detached, as I would imagine
the BMW to feel.
In summary, I feel that the Datsun Roadsters are not great cars, but that
they can make us feel like great drivers. Enjoy the ride.
Dan & Susan
9 2000's
<< Subj: Re: SRL311 -vs- M Z3
Date: 99-09-06 19:14:34 EDT
From: Geegc@aol.com
Sender: owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Reply-to: Geegc@aol.com
To: CalSpeed@aol.com, datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
CC: JC1725@thegrid.net, Stenzman@aol.com, Noodnick9@aol.com
Nice note, I agree.
A few years ago I needed a new car and took a new 300Z for a drive. Even
with a turbo and 5 speed, it lacked soul and was just a car. Perhaps that's
what attracts us to old cars like the roadster, the experience is not
filtered through technology.
Gary C 1966 1600
You wrote:
Hello,
I am five minutes fresh out of driving my buddies 2000 Z3 "M" version. Wow!
What a car. It was the super rich Imron red with black and red interior.
The car was absolutely beautiful Power top, heated seats, "four pipe/dual
exhaust" sound system, and also a decent stereo. The power...? Forget
about
it! It was incredible! Although I had to limit myself to 4500 rpm I felt
my
back sink into the seat strongly at around 3500.
Okay... where does my roadster fit in this story? Well, as we pulled up
into
my driveway Mary was looking out the window. As I opened the front door she
asked me, "Are you jealous?" I thought about it for a moment and I realized
that I wasn't. Funny thing. When my buddy surprised me this morning with
the car I was slightly jealous. Especially when I saw the chrome grilles on
the side of the fenders. But now that I am sitting at home I realize that
it
was just another modern sporty convertible. With tons of horsepower, yes!
But something was missing. I don't know what it was but it was something.
The car has passion but certainly different form the Roadster.
When I walked into my garage I looked at my car and I think that I smiled.
I
feel a certain closeness that I don't think that I can feel with a modern
sports car. Maybe it is just because I have spent many hours behind the
wheel or many hours under the hood or many hours underneath the car. But
maybe not. When I drive my Roadster I feel like it is a team effort between
me and the machine. It is not a car that can almost drive on its own. My
Roadster communicates to me without chimes and warning lights. My Roadster
makes me feel well when I am feeling down and I can do the same for her.
Maybe that is it. We both need each other. Simplicity, function,
dependability, and extreme beauty.
I am sure that if I spent some good time behind the wheel of the M Z3 I
would
also feel a connection such as I feel with my Roadster. Hmmm... Nah! I
don't think so. Long live our Roadsters!
Enjoy....!
Michael "Calspeed" Carion
67.5 SRL311-000248 Solex
San Francisco, Ca>
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