Ok, this has been playing on my mind for a while now, everytime I take my Z out I cant help myself but smile when it turns peoples heads and I always check it out in shop windows etc, sad I know!

 

The Z32 imo has aged very well when compared to some other sports cars, however, I saw a guy on the way home from work polishing his "Mint" Ford Capri and I thought to myself that car looks really old fashioned. Now, is it just me being biased because i have a Z or do they too look really old fashioned now too?

 

If not, do you they may soon date very quickly, I still think they look better than z33`s but again, am I biased?

 

I just have this horrible feeling that soon they are going to show their age very quickly :-(

You will always be biased, (and you arent the only one who looks in shop windows for the reflections! ;) ) but they were ahead of their time when they came out and still look great nowadays. If you showed a clean example to someone who knew nothing about cars they'd probably guess at a few years old. not twenty :lol:

Yes, we're all biased.

No, I don't think Z32s look old-fashioned. It's pretty much a design classic. If the looks have lasted since 1990 already...

Just take a look at the 240Z. Old fashioned or timeless design?

And, IIRC, they're just celebrating 50 years of the E-Type. Yes, it's a car "of its period" but still as gorgeous as ever.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13644044

 

And, even as an ex-Capri owner, much as I liked my 2.0 Ghia, I don't think it holds a candle to either the 240Z or the 300ZX.

I loved my 2.8i V6 capri, was awesome, I even took my GTR off the road for a while to drive it, completely different car to the Z though. The Capri, for me at least, was more about it being a true classic, simple engineering, with cool looks (At the time at least, even though I still like them) and a grunty(ish) engine.

 

Love the Z32 though, not keen AT ALL on the 350 or 370 Z's, think they look crap tbh, no offence to anyone who has one, I just don't like em. The Z still looks gorgeous, every time I open my garage door, the hairs still stand up on my arms. And yeah, you're not the only one who looks in shop windows, although I must admit, I am usually looking to see if my reversing light has come on or not, it's a bit dodgy, lol.

I don't think the Z32 will ever look it's age, just looking at one makes me think it could have just rolled off the production line......And yep, still like to catch a glance in shop windows and the likes, it's just a car that puts a big cheesy grin on my face every time I drive it, or even just looking at it on my path.....lol

z32 looks very old, nice front, but from the doors all the way back quite ugly and old looking.

 

yes i have one, but i know they look old. arent aging too well and prices are dropping..

That must be down to your personal taste Coolq. Most people that talk to me about my car, those who don't have one, seriously don't believe it's 20 years old, they're amazed. My neighbours 6 year old nearly fell over when he realised it was nearly 4 times his age, so if a 6 year old thinks it looks new ........

 

As for prices dropping, that's only because of the recession, the falling car market period and things like webuyanycar.com ruining it for everyone. When they go bankrupt (Which they will) and we're into 2012, prices will go back up, the recession will have passed, people have more money in their pockets etc. The Ford capri is a classic example, it depreciated in value for years, I bought one for £800 when it was a 19 year old car, now they're worth thousands in good condition. 20 year mark, I'm tellin ya.

 

Besides from what I hear, future MOT rules that are yet to be brought in, will mean that new cars cannot be modified, that's going to mean that people like Blitz, Apexi, Tein, AZEV, etc. are all going to be ONLY making things for older cars, it will mean people of our nature will not want newer cars anyway, etc. Plus mine's just hit the classical age definition of 20 years, so it's about to start going up in value once it's in good condition again. Not to mention, that most new cars are **** UGLY!

z32 looks very old, nice front, but from the doors all the way back quite ugly and old looking.

 

yes i have one, but i know they look old. arent aging too well and prices are dropping..

 

i would not say they look old,or ugly there a timeless classic.

I think the Z does look a little more dated than some of its competitors - Supra, Rx7, GTO ...etc when its completely standard.

 

Things like Clear repeaters, 99spec lights and a change of wheels really make a difference.

 

I also find the stock Front bumper and Rear spoiler really date the car, and changing to 99spec items easily takes more than 10 years of the car. Suddenly that big old jap car looks modern and fresh.

 

But its basic things like the differnece between the cars condition and paint finish that can change anyones perception of any car.

Unfortunatly there are a lot of Rough examples of Z32's out there, and this doesnt help the general opinion.

Edited June 9, 201114 yr by Yowser

I've always thought that the original design was best and, fair play to others, but new fronts, skirts etc don't do it for me. Subtle changes I don't mind like lights, definitely wheels.

 

Only body change I'd ever consider is removing back spoiler and going for the smooth look, that does work in my opinion and brings car into Ferrari territory lookswise.

 

However, it's all about opinions and personal taste so I suppose there's no rights or wrongs.

 

Finally, the Z32 does not, in any way, look its age.

not to mention a tuned 300zx can easily show up modern day ferraris and porsches, thats a key point for me lol :thumbup1:

a tuned anything 'tuned correctly' can beat any other variety of car. just not big on the sway lines, then all of the lines around the rear. the rear bumper, and the shape and look of the lights. not to mention its boxey rear end shape. definately definately isnt a timeless classic, easy to look at one against a modern car and see its an 80's 90's car, just look at an e36 bmw 3 series, compared to the new 3 series.

 

that gap is very similar to looking at a 300zx to a 370z. yes tarted up they look okish.. but never smooth and flowing like a modern work of art.

 

Even sh*tty cars like the new corsa, fiat bravo and vauxhall astra look very nice and modern. now look back at the pre 1995 corsas bravo and astras..... see what im getting at.

 

styling wise modern cars are in a total different dimension to older cars.

styling wise modern cars are in a total different dimension to older cars.

 

Yeah, the fifth dimension!

 

If you were saying that modern cars (Including the damn stupid looking :hurl:350/370Z) look crap and the 300ZX still looks awesome after all this time, I'd agree with you, but you're not, so I don't. lol :D

 

Where I used to work there were a lot of nice cars, DB9, R35 GTR, Audi R8, BMW M5, and that's just the directors cars, and yet almost everyone that walked through the car park was looking at my Z.

 

I had meetings with people who'd ask who's the car was, that's an ego boost I can tell you, when a bunch of people come for a meeting, walk past all those cars and ask who owns the Z!

had it many of times myself, people looking.... asking, taking pictures even, asking me about it, the power, what type of car it is, goin on about how nice it is etc etc.. probabily due to the fact mine is very well looked after with tasteful changes.

 

BUT ITS STILL OLD!!

 

now i see rx7s and stare, bmw e30s m3s and stare old corvettes and stare. i suppose after all this beauty/age is in the eye of the beholder.

i suppose after all this beauty/age is in the eye of the beholder.

 

Never a truer word said matey!

An excellent topic and one I'd been meaning to start for a long time!

 

Yes, I think we're definitely biased. In my case, I was 16 when the Z32 was first announced to the world (yes, I'm 37!) and I fell in love instantly. At the time, I thought it was the best looking car in the world. When I finally bought one 2 years ago, it was a dream come true (although having one in the 90s would have been a different matter all together).

 

To me, it is still a stunner however I'm sure that my emotions from 20 years ago influence my view heavily.

 

My wife on the other hand, thinks it's ugly and can't understand what I see in it. Similarly, a friend of mine made the comment "what's that old American crap?" when he first saw it. We are still friends...just...but I almost decked him and I am not a violent person! A few other people have also referred to it as "old", which has raised my blood pressure somewhat and made me genuinely angry.

 

The 240Z and E-Type are beautiful but there is no question that they definitely look old...very old. In my opinion however, the Z32 does not look "old" at all.

 

As Yowser states, a few subtle changes would certainly bring it in to the 2000s, if not 2011.

 

When modded or trashed however (sadly there are too many of those around), it does look OLD.

 

Colour also makes a huge difference. I had mine re-sprayed last year from a dull and utterly boring pearl white (cream to my eyes) to Audi Ibis White (ice white). The transformation was amazing and the car now looks far more modern and fresh.

 

I understand what Coolq is saying although regarding the Z I disgree with him. However, acknowledging that there is a difference between "new" and "beautiful", there is no doubt that "new" cars are generally very curvy and have a certain look. On that basis, the Z32 can be singled out as not the most modern looking car. However, I think it is similar to the Lotus Esprit in many terms. The Esprit looked amazing when it was released and despite being very old now (older than the Z32), still looks stunning and modern from certain angles whilst other areas give away its age.

 

A difficult topic and I suspect there is no correct answer as it's very subjective.

now i see rx7s and stare, bmw e30s m3s and stare old corvettes and stare. i suppose after all this beauty/age is in the eye of the beholder.

 

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. I would NEVER look at any 3 series and an RX-7 would get a second glance only because it's rare. The Corvette might get a 3rd glance...because it's rarer.

google e30 m3 my friend. then tell me that again ;-)

On the matter of subjectivity and strange people, my Jag S-Type gets lots of admiring glances and people often make very complimentary remarks...yet they look at the Z in silence.

 

Jealousy or madness? My Z is at least 100 times better looking than the S-Type...

I do think it depends on the person. My mother in law thinks the Z is an old piece of shit (Might be why the missus suddenly wants a second one lol) yet she wants to go buy an MG Midget FFS! Lovely car but how can you call the Z an old piece of shit and want to buy a Midget for crying out loud? It's taste, some people have it, some don't. Z owners clearly do, however I think CoolQ is losing his (JOKE!) lol

google e30 m3 my friend. then tell me that again ;-)

 

Just have and it's even older than the one I was thinking of...there we have the "old" phrase again!

 

More personality that the newer models but not something I would particularly notice (unless it sped past me in racing livery).

 

Like you said, everyone has their own taste and opinions.

Tell me this doesn't look fresh and modern...not to mention cool.

 

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And don't be so rude about Midgets! SMT 77F, where are you now? I've only got a crap pic of mine, so here's a much nicer one with a Lenham nose/body (body kits didn't start with Z32s, you know :D )

Mine had a Lenham front end as well. Happy days.

Curvy front, droop nose, classic coupe profile - remind you of anything?

Edited June 9, 201114 yr by Gio

And don't be so rude about Midgets! SMT 77F, where are you now? I've only got a crap pic of mine, so here's a much nicer one with a Lenham nose/body (body kits doidn't start with Z32s, you know :D )

Mine had a Lenham front end as well. Happy days.

Curvy front, droop nose, classic coupe profile - remind you of anything?

 

a) I love midgets, but I also love Z's was just saying wouldn't call one shit and love the other.

b) I know bodykits started before Z32's I always wanted a widebody on a Ford Capri. In fact the idea still tempts me now.

 

Noooooooooooiiiiiiiiiiice looking car there matey.

 

I should also add my mechanic races Midgets and drives a B Convertible daily :D

:oops: Should have said "oi, mother-in-law, don't be so rude about Midgets" :surrender: Now, where can I find a nice :offtopic: pic of a widebody Capri...

 

or even the Zakspeed one

Zakspeeds rock!