A couple of questions prompted by a couple of AndrewG's posts https://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?190273-A-great-way-to-spend-a-Sunday-morning&p=1988126&viewfull=1#post1988126 and his link to http://gtr-registry.com/en-nissan-300zx-z32.php

 

1. FAST gives the production date of my Z as 9904. Is there a way to get it even more precise - to week or day? It seems it's got a birthday coming up so want to give it the card at the right time :D

 

2. It's a shame the GTR Registry link doesn't cover JDM production. Is there any reference to when Series 6 production started (and how many were made, when)? I guess I could manually step back through VINs but that would be a tad tiresome. The factory announcement was made 7 Oct 1998 but refers to "release" so I don't know if that means they'd already made some or were starting to make them. https://newsroom.nissan-global.com/releases/release-622e2183c9ca29da3ef1a7b00701c437-fairlady-z-undergoes-minor-model-change?query=300zx

 

Assuming the Oct 98 date is production start and production was even throughout the year, that means they made a grand total of 828 Series 6.

Mark at the GTR-Registry.com is working on extracting all the records for JDM cars from FAST and will put them up

on his site when done. I'm not aware of any information giving precise days/weeks, but you will be able to tell

when the car was built relative to the others built that month.

Mark at the GTR-Registry.com is working on extracting all the records for JDM cars from FAST and will put them up

on his site when done. I'm not aware of any information giving precise days/weeks, but you will be able to tell

when the car was built relative to the others built that month.

 

Thanks. I'll be very interested to see that when it's done. Is there a timescale / anything that we can do to help?

 

If you look at the changes they made to Series 6 (e.g. "thicker structural members", "increasing the size of the brake master cylinder and changing the booster characteristics", front bumper, window switches, new glass - those are common to all models - plus so many options: xenon headlights, leather, spoilers, TT, VR and VS and more) why did they bother for less than 1,000 cars?

It's a bit like asking why did they bother making NA cars when there is a turbocharged variant, or why they offered an automatic gearbox if there was a manual. You could be there forever analysing inferior options.

Thanks. I'll be very interested to see that when it's done. Is there a timescale / anything that we can do to help?

 

If you look at the changes they made to Series 6 (e.g. "thicker structural members", "increasing the size of the brake master cylinder and changing the booster characteristics", front bumper, window switches, new glass - those are common to all models - plus so many options: xenon headlights, leather, spoilers, TT, VR and VS and more) why did they bother for less than 1,000 cars?

 

It's a bit like asking why did they bother making NA cars when there is a turbocharged variant, or why they offered an automatic gearbox if there was a manual. You could be there forever analysing inferior options.

 

I think Gio has a valid point. The N/As and autos sold in huge numbers so it makes perfect sense to produce those, but by Nissan’s own admission on the press release expecting to sell only 100 units a month, it is quite surprising that they invested so much in what they classed as minor model changes.

 

I guess they were hopeful to revive the dwindling sales numbers and maybe bridge the gap to the launch of the next Z car, which would’ve already been in development at that stage?

 

For info regarding the series 6 BMC, it was only the reservoir that was larger, I’m fairly sure that the actual bore was smaller to sharpen up the flow.

In the UK it appears the manual is more desirable that an auto?

The turbo more than the N/A?

Was the auto sold in more quantities in the US or Aus then?

Throwing a few things from the parts bins at an end-of-life production to wring the last few sales out of it is one thing. But there were some very costly changes to create the S6 at a time when they knew they were selling less than 800 a year of what was a 10 year old car. A new mould for the bumper and new tooling for "thicker structural members" are far from trivial. I discount the window switches as I know they really are just a raid on the parts bin :)

 

It was not a sensible financial investment. Maybe Joely P's idea to bridge the gap was part of it. I suspect the new front bumper was a reaction to the new-at-the-time Supra but haven't checked the dates.

You have to remember that by the late '90s Nissan was pretty dysfunctional organisation with huge debts

and poorly performing sales across the board. I doubt any money was made from the revised Z32 models

with Nissan projecting monthly sales volume of 100 units a month.

You have to remember that by the late '90s Nissan was pretty dysfunctional organisation with huge debts

and poorly performing sales across the board. I doubt any money was made from the revised Z32 models

with Nissan projecting monthly sales volume of 100 units a month.

 

And yet once Nissan was taken over by Renault, they started producing absolutely shite cars. The 350Z is up there as one of the worst evolution's of any car in history.

 

And just when you thought they couldn't insult Nissan any further, turns out the guy who was hailed as the saviour of the company is a fucking criminal.

 

I would rather have seen Nissan disappear completely rather than see what it has become today.

When I imported my car back in 2009 I contacted Nissan in Japan asking for confirmation of build date and they could only give me Month and Year.

 

Having said that, they were so happy to hear from a 300zx owner (since 1998) which made the interaction nice and certainly cemented my affection for both Nissan and Japan.

And yet once Nissan was taken over by Renault, they started producing absolutely shite cars. The 350Z is up there as one of the worst evolution's of any car in history.

 

And just when you thought they couldn't insult Nissan any further, turns out the guy who was hailed as the saviour of the company is a fucking criminal.

 

I would rather have seen Nissan disappear completely rather than see what it has become today.

 

Actually whilst the 350z was a bit of a disappointment it does have a good chassis and did what Nissan always wanted to do with the Z lineage and that was to make it affordable again (at launch, it was about 1/3rd less than that of the 300zx at the end of its production run). The performance issue was dealt with with the introduction of the HR version of the engine which brought it up to par. It's a fun car to drive and whilst it doesn't offer the excitement of the Z32, it's pretty good and some would argue a more fun car to drive than an NA Z32. As far as evolutions go, it's not that bad, there are much much worse. Toyota's new Supra for example which also has less power than the original. Mazda's RX-8 which was a bit of a joke after the RX-7.

 

NMUK are a dull outfit however Nissan Japan make some very exciting cars. The R35 for example is an awesome machine and the 370z is also good fun. Both do need replacement models but they're still decent cars and their replacements (soon to be announced) will bring in a wave of future technological advancements.

 

Nissan have always made boring humdrum like the Micra and the Qashaqi. Back when the Z32 came out, we had the Bluebird and the Micra, so things haven't really moved on much in their regular segment either.

 

Carlos Ghosn, whilst in serious trouble was praised for saving Nissan. Without Ghosn, we may not even have had Nissan (think of those spare parts) today. Ghosn also joined the company when they were still making the Z32 albeit in its dying years. Whilst I am not a fan of his, things might be a very different for us maintaining a Z32 if Nissan had gone pop (they were very close to bankruptcy).

Actually whilst the 350z was a bit of a disappointment it does have a good chassis and did what Nissan always wanted to do with the Z lineage and that was to make it affordable again (at launch, it was about 1/3rd less than that of the 300zx at the end of its production run). The performance issue was dealt with with the introduction of the HR version of the engine which brought it up to par. It's a fun car to drive and whilst it doesn't offer the excitement of the Z32, it's pretty good and some would argue a more fun car to drive than an NA Z32. As far as evolutions go, it's not that bad, there are much much worse. Toyota's new Supra for example which also has less power than the original. Mazda's RX-8 which was a bit of a joke after the RX-7.

 

NMUK are a dull outfit however Nissan Japan make some very exciting cars. The R35 for example is an awesome machine and the 370z is also good fun. Both do need replacement models but they're still decent cars and their replacements (soon to be announced) will bring in a wave of future technological advancements.

 

Nissan have always made boring humdrum like the Micra and the Qashaqi. Back when the Z32 came out, we had the Bluebird and the Micra, so things haven't really moved on much in their regular segment either.

 

Carlos Ghosn, whilst in serious trouble was praised for saving Nissan. Without Ghosn, we may not even have had Nissan (think of those spare parts) today. Ghosn also joined the company when they were still making the Z32 albeit in its dying years. Whilst I am not a fan of his, things might be a very different for us maintaining a Z32 if Nissan had gone pop (they were very close to bankruptcy).

I believe the new A90 Supra is slightly more powerful than the A80 in its three litre option, however some of the performance claims (particularly the 0-60 times) seem to defy the laws of physics.

 

I hear what you are saying about them generally building lame cars, as most manufacturers do. But the point is, when the 350Z debuted it was 2003, and I still honestly can't believe they couldn't improve (at least performance wise) on the Z32 that was designed in 1987. You can't fail like that by accident, it must have been deliberate.

 

I think you are right however, the 350Z is a horrible car but I think the RX-8 takes the top spot as worst generation-update car.

the 370z is a cracking car, and probably a better 'Z' car than the 300zx. It's precisely what a modern 240z should be.

The 350z is nowhere near as asthetically pleasing unfortunately, and there doesn't seem to be anything you can do to improve the situation...

 

However, the supra is just an abomonation, and what makes it worse is that the concept was SO right in every sense; so why the hell turn it into a car with the headlights sitting too close, and looking cheap the way they sit flush with their surroundings - and the centre "vent" in the bumper looks bloody awful. The proportions are all wrong - from the side it looks just like an older Z4...

 

 

I believe the new A90 Supra is slightly more powerful than the A80 in its three litre option, however some of the performance claims (particularly the 0-60 times) seem to defy the laws of physics.................

 

You're right - it's 340-ish bhp vs 326bhp for the old (UK spec) A80. But the performance is feasible; depending on the weight; and it will have a modern 8-speed (BMW) auto as standard...…..

 

However, the supra is just an abomonation, and what makes it worse is that the concept was SO right in every sense; so why the hell turn it into a car with the headlights sitting too close, and looking cheap the way they sit flush with their surroundings - and the centre "vent" in the bumper looks bloody awful. The proportions are all wrong - from the side it looks just like an older Z4...

 

…..Which is because it is actually the new BMW Z4 - quite literally! BMW did not wish to waste money developing a replacement to the current, low selling, Z4 (which has been on sale for 11 years); and Toyota could not afford to develop a new Supra. They pooled their resources and build the car together. Apart from the BMW being a roadster and the Supra a coupe, they are essentially the same car. Exactly the same 3.0 TT straight-6 engine and 'box; virtually identical interiors (save for the dials) - all from BMW, so decent quality should be assured. Might be a decent car; especially if you want a BMW, but would not be seen dead driving a BMW....:wink::lol:

You're right - it's 340-ish bhp vs 326bhp for the old (UK spec) A80. But the performance is feasible; depending on the weight; and it will have a modern 8-speed (BMW) auto as standard...…..

The 2JZ-GTE is 326bhp in the J-spec version, not sure why you added the bit in parentheses about the UK spec there.

 

The A90 is around 1500kg, pretty much the same as the A80. So 0-60 in 4 seconds is complete horse shit. The maths don't lie.

The 2JZ-GTE is 326bhp in the J-spec version, not sure why you added the bit in parentheses about the UK spec there.

 

The A90 is around 1500kg, pretty much the same as the A80. So 0-60 in 4 seconds is complete horse shit. The maths don't lie.

 

Sorry - you're the expert all of a sudden are you? UK spec Supra WAS 326bhp; the J-spec was quoted at just 280... although that may be due to the "gentlemen' agreement...." Hence my "parentheses!"

 

And the acceleration of the A90? Horseshit, maybe, as there are more powerful [new] cars posting slower 0-60 times. But as it's not been officially tested by the press yet, let's wait and see. Thing is, a new BMW 430, with just a 2.0 230-ish BHP twin turbo-4 is posting 5.6 zero-62 times; same as a stock Z32 TT.... Maths?? whatever mate, new cars, new engines, new transmissions, they're improving all the time.

 

Do me a favour smart-arse and get over yourself before calling "horseshit!"

Edited March 1, 20196 yr by RichardS

Sorry - you're the expert all of a sudden are you? UK spec Supra WAS 326bhp; the J-spec was quoted at just 280... although that may be due to the "gentlemen' agreement...." Hence my "parentheses!"

So in what way was the UK spec engine different?

So in what way was the UK spec engine different?

 

Different turbos - I believe; albeit not 100% certain as I don't profess to be an expert either....

 

But I lifted this from the Supra forums back when I was a member

 

http://mkiv.supras.org.nz/specs.htm#COMPARISIONS

 

Whole grey area, granted; a bit like all alleged differences between JDM and EU spec cars of the 1990s.....

 

And apologies for the "smart-arse" comment mate; no offence intended!

Fight club?

Fight club?

 

PMSL..... I'll get my coat. And hand-bag....:lol:

…..And neither of us is helping Mike (Gio) with his original request...….!!!

 

Sorry Mike; hope you and Ros are well mate...:clover::oops:

Hi Richard, no problem - the thread nearly got into double figures before hurtling off into the middle distance which is about standard for here :) . Should never have used the S-word! We're fine thanks, hope you and yours also :flowers:

The 2JZ-GTE is 326bhp in the J-spec version, not sure why you added the bit in parentheses about the UK spec there.

 

The A90 is around 1500kg, pretty much the same as the A80. So 0-60 in 4 seconds is complete horse shit. The maths don't lie.

 

..............................the acceleration of the A90? Horseshit, maybe, as there are more powerful [new] cars posting slower 0-60 times. But as it's not been officially tested by the press yet, let's wait and see. Thing is, a new BMW 430, with just a 2.0 230-ish BHP twin turbo-4 is posting 5.6 zero-62 times; same as a stock Z32 TT.... Maths?? ……………………………...new cars, new engines, new transmissions, they're improving all the time.……………………...

 

 

Just thought I'd revisit these posts, as the new A90 Supra was road-tested in this month's TG magazine; against the Cayman GTS, M2 Comp and Alpine A110. Whilst they still quoted the manufacturers 0-62 time of 4.3s, the Supra posted an actual 0-100mph time of 9.6s (pretty much the same as the Cayman did, if you're interested).... Pretty rapid, considering the old one did it in around 12:cool:

 

Like I said, new engines, new transmissions, all these things make quite a difference 25 year on!!

 

Ultimately, the Supra still came last when it came to the final verdict though - TG chose the M2. Me? not sure what I'd pick:wink:

So why did you flip your shit and insult me during the original discussion? Totally uncalled for, but I'm guessing your position within the club makes you immune to the rules.

So why did you flip your shit and insult me during the original discussion? Totally uncalled for, but I'm guessing your position within the club makes you immune to the rules.

 

What rules is Richard immune from?

Every member here no matter what their position abides by the rules Alex. I went through the whole thread and you wern't insulted at any time but a difference of opinion was raised and maybe got slightly heated but I can assure you no rules were broken. Not a good idea to condem a much respected member with years of service who has done so much for this club.

So why did you flip your shit and insult me during the original discussion? Totally uncalled for, but I'm guessing your position within the club makes you immune to the rules.

 

And Richard apologised anyway !! Get over it fella