Another L for the Z, NISMO edition

[jmikes]

I actually think the Z with the new front bumper actually looks quite good and the Nismo is the best looking of the bunch. It's just a disappointing package overall and if I'm being honest, up close, even the styling is a little undercooked. And yes, it is easier to get into and it is softer but if we're taking all that into account, I think the FL5 Type R has it covered.. although I think that car is an incredibly bland car to look at.

The new Z vs the MK5 is basically just "saving money by reusing old parts and tech" versus "saving money by teaming up with another industry juggernaut", while also clearly not thinking enthusiasts want anything but a manual trans. It's obvious why the package ended up disappointing.

Not being able to do burnouts properly because the "fully disabled" traction control still kicks in, giving buyers an open deck block that isn't safe with upgraded turbos, still using the outdated "VLSD" that has been known to suck on the 370z since its inception, the exhaust sounding like a whisper quiet hoover vacuum without modifications, the half-assed front end styling, still having fuel-cut issues on hard turns like the last two Z's, still having cheap plastic turn-knobs for seat adjustments instead of electric adjustment, dedicating one of the dash gauges to battery voltage instead of something actually useful like AFR, it all screams that executives rushed the Z together from a parts bin in the back of the factory because they realized nobody wanted a 2020 370z.

As a former 370z owner I still have a soft spot for them, and I'm glad Nissan made a new Z at all, but man they really did not think about the enthusiasts at all, unlike Toyota who tried to make the Supra as capable and high-potential of a sports car as possible (regardless of opinions on the lack of a manual at the start) without compromising on interior quality or exterior styling.

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[Funkjaw]

Not being able to do burnouts properly because the "fully disabled" traction control still kicks in, giving buyers an open deck block that isn't safe with upgraded turbos, still using the outdated "VLSD".....

I did not know this... lmao! What a joke of a car. As someone who loves donuts and clutch kicks on my daily commute I absolutely hated the VLSD in my old 370z.

but to be fair the MKV isn't that much better. The LSD doesn't even kick in until roughly 25mph, and being fully ECM controlled it's both unpredictable and unforgiving much like a VLSD so low speed donuts are just as trash in the MKV

 

[Lorre]

Both Nissan and Toyota knew that Sports cars are often a difficult business case from a profit and market share perspective and both bet on it differently.

Nissan went with the route of reusing an aged platform with revised parts and keeping it 100% Japanese whereas Toyota took a gamble and went with the route of collaborating with a non Japanese partner (at the risk of it being a complete sales failure).

Both were risky decisions but I think Toyota’s bet was the right one and it has paid off as it is now proven to one of the best platforms at this price point and and have a massive tuning culture backing it with a huge fanbase globally.

Toyota was perhaps in a more advantages position as it had the Fuel Cell technology that BMW wanted, so i guess this was a barter trade of of sorts and would remain one of the most controversial joint developments between two heavyweights in the auto industry.

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