The Datsun didn't get panned in articles in American mags any more than
other cars. They thought fairly highly of the Roadster in comparision with
like cars. They hated the solid axle and the jumpy handling around turns but
they are pretty on the mark. They said the same abouts Bs, Alpines and other
solid axle cars and some IRSs.
Sure they criticised the Roadster but they do that to almost all cars except
if they are a Ferrari or Porsche or cost more than most people's houses.
Let's face it, for the most part auto writers are snobs - pure and simple.
I love Roadsters but I also like Zs too (had 3). I like sports cars and not
every one has to be a convertible although they are more fun. I think anyone
who enjoys sports cars can appreciate a car whether it has a top or not.
There are a few people in my MG club who believe that the only sports cars
ever built have an octagon on them or a British name. They know nothing
about other kinds of cars and are rather ignorant.
I do believe that the new Z, although not the sexiest car to be made, will
attract many Roadster owners who like the cars for what they are - a sports
car.
Mike
BTW, saw a Z8 tonight on 5th Avenue and that is a true retro car.
----- Original Message -----
From: "sidney raper" <spl310@hotmail.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2001 10:07 AM
Subject: Sid's opinion (diatribe) on the BMW Coupe, Z3 and 350Z
> OK. Time for my not too humble opinions.
>
> BMW Z3 - Love the Roadster - especially the rearching of the rear fenders
to
> give it a more rounded look - hate the coupe - looks like a CRX with a BMW
> front clip - yick!
>
> 350Z - could care less - I have never been much of a fan of the Z car. It
> represents a market that I have never been enamored with - the GT coupe.
To
> me, a sports car will ALWAYS be a roadster of some kind. The ultimate
> roadster imho is the Cobra - in any form except the Daytona coupe of
course.
> I love the Datsun Roadster, but it is far from perfect - but then again,
I
> don't want perfection in a car. To me, it is far more important to be
able
> to work with a car's shortcomings and enjoy the ride (sorry about stealing
> that quote Nissan) Getting something out of the car on a personal level
> from the driving is more important than who I am impressing with it's
> design. I think that Thomas in Sweden hit the nail on the head. The 350Z
> is not designed for the types that like the Roadster, nor for the types
that
> like the early Z cars. If it had been, it would be a failure. To be
> successful, it needs to appeal to the current sporty car market. That
> explains the similarity to the cars that everyone has pointed out.
> Personally, it looks like someone sectioned the roof/windows from a 300Z
and
> grafted them onto an Audi TT. Once again, I don't get excited about
either
> car, but there should be enough of the most recent Z to keep the folks
that
> want to have the latest Nissan sporty car happy, as well as more of the
> modern styling queues which the same crowd will likely want. The drawback
> imho is the price. Nissans are still not seen as expensive cars to the
> general population. That may hinder sales, but I doubt that the styling
> will kill it.
>
> As a closing thought, remember that most of the established US automotive
> press dogged the Roadster when it came out, and still gripes about it in
> retrospect. The foreign magazines were more kind. I think this is a
> subconscious disdain for Japanese autos. If the Roadster had an Alfa
Romeo
> badge or some British Leyland badge on the rear, it would have been
revered.
>
> For those that want to flame my opinions, fire at will.
>
> Sidney Raper
> 1964 1500
> 1967 SRL311 00060
> 1967 SRL311 00076
> Jacksonville Florida
> http://www.geocities.com/roadsternut/index.html
>
>
>
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