Versa>370Z

Chupacabra · 09-22-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autoblog
Yutaka Katayama, known to American Datsun/Nissan fans simply as Mr. K, will be remembered for two very important cars: the 240Z and the 510, both of which are now considered classics. Mr. K turned one hundred years old on September 15, but age hasn't tempered his mind. In fact it seems sharper than ever. Talking about the new 370Z, Mr. K calls it, "So-so." He continues, "Very different from the 240Z. First, it's very heavy, and it's also very expensive."

And not only does Mr. K feel the car new Z is too expensive, but that it's not actually living up to the Japanese sports car legacy laid down by the 240Z, "I'd like to have a sports car like the Miata. The Miata is taking the place of the 240Z." Harsh. But check this out, "Katayama has a 350Z in his garage but prefers to drive the family's Versa compact." And there you have it.

Mr. K would like to see the Datsun nameplate come back, and with sportier cars. "The fun of driving cars is the same as riding a horse. We need a car that is like riding on horseback. We are making robots. Robots don't like human control." Even at the ripe old age of one hundred, Mr. K just might be around to see his wish come true, "I just entered the 100s. I have a long way to go."

why can't people just understand that safety regulations, are stricter, cars will be heavier.

this was a nice discussion topic on another board. with only me defending the z.

BanningZ · 09-22-2009, 06:38 PM

Nice find. He shares a common sentiment regarding the current state of Japanese auto engineering and design.

shabarivas · 09-22-2009, 06:41 PM

I bet he HATES the GTR

zero · 09-22-2009, 06:48 PM

I got his 350Z.

chris410 · 09-22-2009, 07:23 PM

Two schools of thought, with preference often being the distinction of the two. First, the old school "mechanical" thought and Second being the "technology" school of thought.

Again, which is better? Use your preference to really make the judgement. Some base everything on numbers where others "feel".

SgtGoldy · 09-22-2009, 07:28 PM

I agree with Chris, it is a preference. Mr. K has been around for 100 years and he has mostly been involved in Mechanical rather than Technological so I can't blame him for feeling that way. And driving the versa over the Z... umm... I guess he just wants more room... lol

phelan · 09-22-2009, 07:30 PM

Safety regulations have played a huge part in ruining the overall 'feel' of the car. All that stuff comes with a price, obviously - weight. With that said, I like the 370Z because it gives me a stronger emotional response than any other car I've ever driven (granted, I come from Range Rovers and an Audi A4). Maybe my stance will change if I get into a Miata and throw it around a canyon road for a while. But I can't see anything really returning the 'soul' to a car because you have to wrap it up in so much bubble wrap

molamann · 09-22-2009, 10:37 PM

Maybe his Versa runs in the 11's.

nogoodname · 09-22-2009, 10:47 PM

times have changed....lol

he's one century old, he should know about change

ishthemienguy · 09-22-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

Safety regulations have played a huge part in ruining the overall 'feel' of the car. All that stuff comes with a price, obviously - weight. With that said, I like the 370Z because it gives me a stronger emotional response than any other car I've ever driven (granted, I come from Range Rovers and an Audi A4). Maybe my stance will change if I get into a Miata and throw it around a canyon road for a while. But I can't see anything really returning the 'soul' to a car because you have to wrap it up in so much bubble wrap

I have to agree, all the new regulations and even more new regulations that will be coming out in the near future are the cause for things that Mr.K doesn't like.

jacobwf · 09-22-2009, 11:28 PM

the dude is in a wheel chair. im sure a versa is more comfortable on the inside than a Z

BanningZ · 09-22-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacobwf

the dude is in a wheel chair.

Yeah but its got 600HP!

edeeZee · 09-23-2009, 02:17 AM

Then he should hate the Z32 twin turbo because those things weigh at least 3,500 lbs., the heaviest Z car to date.

Miata???? Miata was modeled after Trimph's sports car of the 60's...don't know the name.

NIZMOZ · 09-23-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chupacabra

why can't people just understand that safety regulations, are stricter, cars will be heavier.

this was a nice discussion topic on another board. with only me defending the z.

Not true. You can make a car light with the safety and regulations that are stricter. Just manufactures are lazy and rather not spend the funds to find ways on doing that.

Chupacabra · 09-23-2009, 09:57 AM

The minute you start using exotic materials to meet the same safety regs but be able to keep weight down... you just converted a 30k z into an 70k car.

lets face it light weight is expensive.

09-22-2009, 06:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
BanningZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: nowhere Posts: 5,478 Drives: 06' Nismo Frontier Rep Power: 28	Nice find. He shares a common sentiment regarding the current state of Japanese auto engineering and design. __________________ Become a Premium Member: Click HERE MB 06' Nismo VQ40DE

09-22-2009, 06:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
zero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,259 Drives: MK 7.5 Golf R Rep Power: 22	I got his 350Z. __________________

09-22-2009, 07:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
chris410 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 345 Drives: 10' GT500 Rep Power: 16	Two schools of thought, with preference often being the distinction of the two. First, the old school "mechanical" thought and Second being the "technology" school of thought. Again, which is better? Use your preference to really make the judgement. Some base everything on numbers where others "feel". __________________ Chris Current: 2014 WRX Stage I + SPT / 2013 Hayabusa 202HP Former:09 370Z 7-AT PW/Ark Type 2 exhaust/Evo R lip/TSW Nurburgring carbon

09-22-2009, 07:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
SgtGoldy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 3,503 Drives: C63 AMG - LSD Rep Power: 650	I agree with Chris, it is a preference. Mr. K has been around for 100 years and he has mostly been involved in Mechanical rather than Technological so I can't blame him for feeling that way. And driving the versa over the Z... umm... I guess he just wants more room... lol __________________ C63 AMG LSD - Straight Pipe - EuroCharge v5 - Vossen CV7 - IG: @SuperFastYo

09-22-2009, 07:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	Safety regulations have played a huge part in ruining the overall 'feel' of the car. All that stuff comes with a price, obviously - weight. With that said, I like the 370Z because it gives me a stronger emotional response than any other car I've ever driven (granted, I come from Range Rovers and an Audi A4). Maybe my stance will change if I get into a Miata and throw it around a canyon road for a while. But I can't see anything really returning the 'soul' to a car because you have to wrap it up in so much bubble wrap __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

09-22-2009, 06:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	I bet he HATES the GTR

09-22-2009, 10:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	Maybe his Versa runs in the 11's.

09-22-2009, 10:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	times have changed....lol he's one century old, he should know about change

09-22-2009, 11:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
jacobwf Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: tucson. az Posts: 39 Drives: sonata Rep Power: 16	the dude is in a wheel chair. im sure a versa is more comfortable on the inside than a Z __________________

09-23-2009, 02:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
edeeZee Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: s. cali, los angeles Posts: 627 Drives: 09 370z plat 6 speed Rep Power: 266	Then he should hate the Z32 twin turbo because those things weigh at least 3,500 lbs., the heaviest Z car to date. Miata???? Miata was modeled after Trimph's sports car of the 60's...don't know the name.

09-23-2009, 09:57 AM	#15 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	The minute you start using exotic materials to meet the same safety regs but be able to keep weight down... you just converted a 30k z into an 70k car. lets face it light weight is expensive. __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?