Nissan: 370Z News
07-16-2003, 06:05 PM
#1
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Nissan: 370Z News
Well, not much:
350Z Coupe
The Nissan 350Z sports car, which was introduced in August 2002, has quickly become the best-selling sports car* in the United States, selling over 32,000 units (through June 2003) since launch and resenting over 25% of the sports car segment. The stylish Z® continues to offer the powerful VQ35 V6 engine producing 287-horsepower and 274 lb-ft torque.
Enhancements to the 2004 350Z Coupe:
·New powered face door for navigation system
·Pre-wiring for satellite radio
·Addition of a driver and passenger side knee pad
·New exterior color – Liquid Aluminum (late availability)
*Ward’s sport performance segment (through June 2003)
350Z Coupe
The Nissan 350Z sports car, which was introduced in August 2002, has quickly become the best-selling sports car* in the United States, selling over 32,000 units (through June 2003) since launch and resenting over 25% of the sports car segment. The stylish Z® continues to offer the powerful VQ35 V6 engine producing 287-horsepower and 274 lb-ft torque.
Enhancements to the 2004 350Z Coupe:
·New powered face door for navigation system
·Pre-wiring for satellite radio
·Addition of a driver and passenger side knee pad
·New exterior color – Liquid Aluminum (late availability)
*Ward’s sport performance segment (through June 2003)
07-16-2003, 06:07 PM
#2
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
By the way, the G35 will be getting AWD for sure now. It will be electronically controlled and it will be a $1500 option. Deliveries will start in December.
07-17-2003, 01:08 AM
#7
I Feel Too Old Here
Join Date: Jan 2002
Age: 44
Posts: 5,100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
no big deal for the sedan, just keeping up with the joneses, or in this case, Audis.
this could be a stepping stone toward AWD on the coupe though, which would be bad ass.
this could be a stepping stone toward AWD on the coupe though, which would be bad ass.
Trending Topics
07-17-2003, 02:26 PM
#8
Cost Drivers!!!!
Originally posted by 1SICKLEX
WHoa, AWD available. It's a baby GT-R. Dang, if it comes on the coupe, then it is 40k loaded. Hmmmmm....
WHoa, AWD available. It's a baby GT-R. Dang, if it comes on the coupe, then it is 40k loaded. Hmmmmm....
hmmmm dunno if i'd go so far as ti say baby GTR. That's like calling the 540 an M5 lite.
07-17-2003, 10:33 PM
#9
Community Architect
robb m.
robb m.
wait, didn't that loser from bmwforums do that with his 540? ROFL
07-18-2003, 03:18 PM
#11
Senior Moderator
Hohum.. ok, nothing new. GOOD. I've got no reason to buy a Z350 anytime soon. Now if they were going to make a roadster version... ok, they're doing that... ok, if they were going to come out a Nismo twin turbo model... NOW we're talking 
11-19-2003, 06:07 AM
#12
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
2004 Nissan 350Z gets even better...
(08:53 Nov. 19, 2003)
Far East Peek: Nissan makes running changes to 2004-model 350Z
By DINO DALLE CARBONARE
(Photos by Dino Dale Carbonare)
NISSAN WILL FOLLOW UP its successful launch of the 350Z coupe and roadster with a series of running changes that will appear on 2004-model Zs now arriving in U.S. showrooms. Nissan already incorporated most of the changes into Japan-market Zs, including significant interior upgrades, suspension tuning and brake system improvements.
Inside, Nissan focuses first on the front and center console, specifically the flimsy, manually operated upper instrument panel compartment cover. The new lid is more robust, with power operation on cars with satellite navigation. The center console, gauge hoods and instrument pods get a special “soft-feel” treatment intended to inject a touch of higher quality into the interior.
And how about this for those road warriors who’ve grown weary of bruised extremities: ’04 Zs come with cushy kneepads for both driver and passenger, and the driver’s right elbow even gets its own special padding on the center console. Further interior updates include the addition of seatbelt “service arms” that eliminate the need to reach far behind the seatback to grab the belts, and a redesigned shifter for automatic models.
2004 models also benefit from Nissan’s decision to adopt a Euro-tuned suspension setup for all 350Zs, a handling setup that Nissan says provides a much better ride and better overall suspension compliance. The Brembo brake system gets tandem brake master cylinders replacing the earlier model’s single cylinder.
Source Autoweek
11-19-2003, 06:42 AM
#14
Race Director
Re: 2004 Nissan 350Z gets even better...
Originally posted by gavriil
Further interior updates include the addition of seatbelt “service arms” that eliminate the need to reach far behind the seatback to grab the belts
Further interior updates include the addition of seatbelt “service arms” that eliminate the need to reach far behind the seatback to grab the belts
All sounds good but not enough i would think for a 2003 owner to trade up.
11-19-2003, 08:55 AM
#16
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it normal for Companies to make changes so quickly in response to bad reviews or complaints. I say Kudos to Nissan for actually listening. I'm also glad I didn't buy none of their cars yet, as I feared that something like this would happen (ie G35/G35C changes).
11-19-2003, 09:44 AM
#17
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally posted by gavriil
Nice to see them not rest on their laurels. Keep improving Nissan and the market will notice. Good job.
Nice to see them not rest on their laurels. Keep improving Nissan and the market will notice. Good job.
Nice move by Nissan!!!
11-19-2003, 11:05 AM
#20
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Age: 45
Posts: 49,122
Received 4,824 Likes
on
2,571 Posts
Makes me want one even more.
11-19-2003, 01:47 PM
#24
Homeless
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern DEL-A-Where?
Age: 50
Posts: 9,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think the automakers need to get it through their thick skulls that all the materials need to be properly manufactured.
For instance, leather seats are a must, but I'm cool with other vinyl materials on the dash/doors/console as long as they are not shiney & cheap looking.
Something as simple as the texture of a plastic nob shouldn't cause a huge manufacturing dilema.
Hopefully, they are coming around.
For instance, leather seats are a must, but I'm cool with other vinyl materials on the dash/doors/console as long as they are not shiney & cheap looking.
Something as simple as the texture of a plastic nob shouldn't cause a huge manufacturing dilema.
Hopefully, they are coming around.
11-19-2003, 02:29 PM
#27
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 45
Posts: 7,083
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The interior changes are so minimal it's not even really worth mentioning. The quality of the materials inside hasn't changed at all. They just added a power button for the Nav cover, but it's only powered for the cars with Nav. Without Nav, it's still manual like 03.
Kneepads are worthless. The center console is shaped so your knee would never hit that area. I do AutoX and never had my knee hit that area.
I've driven an 04 and the suspension changes are difficult to notice. It's slightly more compliant but still bouncy on bad pavement.
This article makes it out like these are major changes, but they are so minor you wouldn't even notice them.
Kneepads are worthless. The center console is shaped so your knee would never hit that area. I do AutoX and never had my knee hit that area.
I've driven an 04 and the suspension changes are difficult to notice. It's slightly more compliant but still bouncy on bad pavement.
This article makes it out like these are major changes, but they are so minor you wouldn't even notice them.
11-19-2003, 04:05 PM
#28
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally posted by chris3240929
Something as simple as the texture of a plastic nob shouldn't cause a huge manufacturing dilema.
Hopefully, they are coming around.
Something as simple as the texture of a plastic nob shouldn't cause a huge manufacturing dilema.
Hopefully, they are coming around.
ANY change within a car that's already in production costs dearly.
It takes a couple of years in school to just understand the basics of operations and related processes within manufacturing.
11-19-2003, 04:34 PM
#29
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by cusdaddy
The interior changes are so minimal it's not even really worth mentioning. The quality of the materials inside hasn't changed at all. They just added a power button for the Nav cover, but it's only powered for the cars with Nav. Without Nav, it's still manual like 03.
Kneepads are worthless. The center console is shaped so your knee would never hit that area. I do AutoX and never had my knee hit that area.
I've driven an 04 and the suspension changes are difficult to notice. It's slightly more compliant but still bouncy on bad pavement.
This article makes it out like these are major changes, but they are so minor you wouldn't even notice them.
The interior changes are so minimal it's not even really worth mentioning. The quality of the materials inside hasn't changed at all. They just added a power button for the Nav cover, but it's only powered for the cars with Nav. Without Nav, it's still manual like 03.
Kneepads are worthless. The center console is shaped so your knee would never hit that area. I do AutoX and never had my knee hit that area.
I've driven an 04 and the suspension changes are difficult to notice. It's slightly more compliant but still bouncy on bad pavement.
This article makes it out like these are major changes, but they are so minor you wouldn't even notice them.
The center console, gauge hoods and instrument pods get a special “soft-feel” treatment intended to inject a touch of higher quality into the interior.
The 04 350z's with the changes to my knowledge have not arrived yet...I checked over at My350z.com today and no one has seen one yet.
11-19-2003, 04:41 PM
#30
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 45
Posts: 7,083
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Habiib
I could have sworn thats what most people were bitching about. Hard Cheap plastics.
The 04 350z's with the changes to my knowledge have not arrived yet...I checked over at My350z.com today and no one has seen one yet.
I could have sworn thats what most people were bitching about. Hard Cheap plastics.
The 04 350z's with the changes to my knowledge have not arrived yet...I checked over at My350z.com today and no one has seen one yet.
11-19-2003, 05:12 PM
#31
Homeless
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern DEL-A-Where?
Age: 50
Posts: 9,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by gavriil
Dear Chris, you have no idea how hard it could be to get the texture of a plastic nob right. And I am not referring to this as manufacrturing problem. But a re-design and inventory issue.
ANY change within a car that's already in production costs dearly.
It takes a couple of years in school to just understand the basics of operations and related processes within manufacturing.
Dear Chris, you have no idea how hard it could be to get the texture of a plastic nob right. And I am not referring to this as manufacrturing problem. But a re-design and inventory issue.
ANY change within a car that's already in production costs dearly.
It takes a couple of years in school to just understand the basics of operations and related processes within manufacturing.
But, I look forward to owning another Nissan soon anyhow...I hope they figure it out in the next few years...
11-19-2003, 06:24 PM
#33
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Originally posted by chris3240929
Then they should've put a bit more effort in the first time...
Then they should've put a bit more effort in the first time...
So you see, it's catch 22.
11-19-2003, 06:29 PM
#35
Work safe avatar bish :D
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Avon Park/Gainesville FL
Age: 40
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by gavriil
I was expecting a little more power for the 2004 model. Maybe next year we'll 310HP from that engine.
I was expecting a little more power for the 2004 model. Maybe next year we'll 310HP from that engine.
11-19-2003, 07:00 PM
#36
Suzuka Master
Re: 2004 Nissan 350Z gets even better...
Originally posted by gavriil
[B....2004 models also benefit from Nissan’s decision to adopt a Euro-tuned suspension setup for all 350Zs, a handling setup that Nissan says provides a much better ride and better overall suspension compliance. [/B]
[B....2004 models also benefit from Nissan’s decision to adopt a Euro-tuned suspension setup for all 350Zs, a handling setup that Nissan says provides a much better ride and better overall suspension compliance. [/B]
11-19-2003, 08:21 PM
#37
Moderator Alumnus
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Washington DC (NOVA)
Age: 52
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
Re: Re: 2004 Nissan 350Z gets even better...
Originally posted by SpeedyV6
Does anyone know what mods go into the euro-tuned suspension. I'm guessing a stiffer roll bar and softer springs or higher profile tires but I'm not sure.
Does anyone know what mods go into the euro-tuned suspension. I'm guessing a stiffer roll bar and softer springs or higher profile tires but I'm not sure.
11-19-2003, 09:46 PM
#39
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Age: 43
Posts: 5,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: 2004 Nissan 350Z gets even better...
Originally posted by SpeedyV6
Does anyone know what mods go into the euro-tuned suspension. I'm guessing a stiffer roll bar and softer springs or higher profile tires but I'm not sure.
Does anyone know what mods go into the euro-tuned suspension. I'm guessing a stiffer roll bar and softer springs or higher profile tires but I'm not sure.
11-20-2003, 03:44 AM
#40
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 45
Posts: 7,083
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: 2004 Nissan 350Z gets even better...
Originally posted by SpeedyV6
Does anyone know what mods go into the euro-tuned suspension. I'm guessing a stiffer roll bar and softer springs or higher profile tires but I'm not sure.
Does anyone know what mods go into the euro-tuned suspension. I'm guessing a stiffer roll bar and softer springs or higher profile tires but I'm not sure.
"The new suspension isnt nesecasrily "softer". Its sprigs are firmer in fact. It has re-designed shocks that are softer in the impact and about the same as the 2003s in the rebound (so less "bounce"). It also has new bump stops. The roll bars are the same."
I've driven a "euro suspension" Z compared to mine with the changes. Little to no difference, only except over very rough pavement...
Here's more info from a Z owner and further proves my point that the changes are minor:
"My '04 October production track model was just delivered yesterday and I picked it up today. It has the infamous knee pads for the driver and the passenger. The center console also has a layer of padding, but it is very thin and almost useless."