370z design
 

why does the z look like such a tuner/ricer? like don't get me wrong.. it's a vicious car, but don't you ever wish it was a bit more elegant and refined? like for example, even the old 3 series coupe looks a bit more polished and classy.. the z just seems to overdo it.. kinda like a person eager to talk and they keep interrupting you even tho you starting talking first.

Lol how does it look ricer? Be more descriptive with your observation. How would you go about making it more elegent? It looks pretty much like the 350z but with different lights to me.

OP, that's your personal opinion. I personally think the new Z looks very aggressive and the side profile is very attractive. I do somewhat agree with AZN that it's got previous gen styling.

Have you seen the new 370Z in person? I ask this as it is much better in real life than in photographs; I don't believe it is very photogenic. This model does more—in every aspect—to regain its roots. I know this as I owned both a new 240z and a new 280z. And in many ways it follows the philosophy practiced in a traditional Japanese rock garden: everything looks perfect, but there is always something intentionally left out of place to remind man that perfection is unattainable. This can be seen in the instrumentation and other areas of its styling and design. Comparing the BMW to the Z is comparing two completely different philosophies. Personally, the Z is more driver-centric that the BMW 3 series, but to each their own. The more I become familiar with the 370z—the more I love it.

elegant and refined? polished and classy? interesting. its just personal taste. I have had the car almost 4 weeks now and have gotten tons of comments, but none similar to yours, but of course few people would criticize a car to the owner. The reactions I get go from positive to downright gushing over the car. Go check one out in person, you might change your mind, if not, then I would suggest not buying one, it really doesn't seem to be the kind of car you are looking for. my personal opinion is that its refined coming from the 350 and, to be honest, about as "elegant" as I would want a Z to be. I am very happy with mine, never considered it to be a ricer car.

just curious, what do you consider to be ricer about it?

When I think of the term "tuner/ricer", I think of an econobox small sedan tricked out with aftermarket exhaust, suspention add-ons, and/or turbo that takes the original car far beyond it's original capabilities. The 370Z looks nothing like any "tuner" car I've seen.

You do realize this is a Japanese car, right?

Just to parrot everybody else what looks ricer to you? I was never a fan of 350-Z's. To me they look like fat bubbles (like the Audi TT). I think the new design with the wide butt and hips give it a Porsche look and that is why it is now on my radar. There is also much talk on here about the interior being upgraded and I am hoping that it is close to Inifiniti standards.
I have not seen one in person yet as my local dealership has not received their first model yet. So far (in print and online) I see:
1) Smaller than previous car
2) Sweeter curves
3) Great power
4) Nicer interior
5) Pretty good price

The only serious negative sees to be depreciation. If all five of the above points check out in person, that would be a SWEET car to own.

And this is from a guy who did not/does not like 350Z's, Supras, S2000's, Subarus, Mitsu's, etc.

Shane D

Bossman, you should look into buying a luxury-based car if you think the Z is a little on the adolescent side.

man...wrong thing to post at a Z community. When i was first car shopping, the very reason i picked a Z over an Sti or Evo, etc was that it was more classy and sexy...something I would let my dad drive and not be embarresed. I do think that the 335i i sleek too (i would have got one if the 370 didnt come out), but this new Z is much more aggressive looking. after all, its a sports car. It looks and definitely drives the part. I've had mine for a month now, and I constantly get comments, waves, thumbs up...its pretty rewarding. i feel like im in a lambo or something. to each his own, but I love my Z

^^^ Agreed. I come from an anti-ricer car club and years of taking down kids in their lawn mower cars. Under-glow, wings on front wheel drive cars, fart cans and fake intakes are the ricer dead give-aways. There's nothing ricer about this car. After driving American Muscle all my life, I don't see anything RICER about this car.

It sounds to me like you need a BMW 1 series or something. Don't worry about buying a Z if you feel it's for kids. That will leave one more Z for someone else to buy. Someone else who won't feel guilty for buying a car their mommy wouldn't buy.

The curves and styling of the Z are classic. Highly modeled off the car that started it all. And more importantly, sticking to the basics: lots of power, light weight, and aerodynamic. There's nothing more too it. You want something bloated and polished, buy a 3 series. You want a performance car, buy a Z.

You're absolutely right - When I first put these two images together I couldn't remember which was the Z - Then the one on the right kept interrupting me when I was trying to talk to my computer, so the mystery was solved....

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g7...r88/Ricers.jpg

:icon18: That's awesome! (But the dude on the left forgot the stick-on fender vents. I mean c'mon, you gotta have those!)

Seriously though, Bossman, if the styling of the 370Z is not to your taste and you want something less aggressive, or more elegant, or however you want to phrase it, that's what the Z's sibling -- the G37 -- is for. In fact, I believe Infiniti specifically intends for the G37 to be a competitor to the BMW 3-series. :tiphat:

:tup:

Thanks Chubbs.... that was a good laugh out loud! Dude those aren't chrome plated drain pipes - they're chrome plated 45 gallon drums ;)

:icon18: Darn ricers - all look the same!

Agreed! It's not photogenic! That's why many 350Z owner do not like the 370. They are judging the photos, and not taking the time to go to the dealer. You need a close encounter to really see the beauty and style!

Where's bossman at? :ugh:

I have no idea, but thanks to him I've just stumbled on the most excellent concept design on a 3D design website - I'm gona start a thread on it, but just to whet your appetite, here's a pic from the thread. Maybe it's what the 370Z should have been, or will become?...



http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g7...88/concept.jpg


Here's a link to the website - http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...oto=nextnewest

My 2-cents ... I was never a big fan of "rice-burners" as you call it (although the Japanese build pretty reliable cars). I have a modified Audi A4 1.8T (chipped, lowered, nice wheels, tinted ... you get the idea). A great German sedan and in my opinion, better looking and just as fun as a BMW which everyone has.

I was looking for a new "toy" over the past couple of years and haven't been able to pull the trigger. I was close to a new Jaguar XF Supercharged (or used XKR). The new Cadillac CTS-V is awesome, but over $60K too. Lately I was set on a Porsche Cayman S (also $65K+). After I saw the new 370Z and took it out, I was sold. Bad-*** looking car. The new design looks more like a Porsche, especially the side and rear views; just as quick and fun to drive. I ordered one loaded last week and can't wait to get it in April. I think Car & Driver summed it up best, "At this price, possibly the best sports car on the planet!". :driving:

Give me your definition of tuner/ricer...

Never bad mouth a guys woman, nor his car!

haha chubbs.. funny, thanks for the comments guys and by no means do i not like the z.. after all i am buying on later this year. and as for the g37 comment.. idk i just feel it's a way sh|ttier version of the z, like less aggressive, performance is a lot worse too. but i still don't know maybe im just having second thoughts before dropping 40 grand? another thing i like about the z is that there isn't very man of them.. this takes away from the "ricer" image.

as for all these ppl wanting my definition for ricer.. here it is. a ricer is a car from japan that tries to hard to resemble something much better than it's predecessor.. for example.. the 370z comes from the cayman s.. the gtr comes from the 911 turbo.. like their just cars that aren't up to standard in terms of refinement and class so they make up for it by charging less and putting out 95% of the performace of their better counterpart. this was a term usually used to describe a civic or celica but since those companys do not put out cars like that anymore.. the z, rx, and s2000 have become the new "ricers".. the cars that get modified the most.. i mean obv the z is a big step up from a civic but i mean it still doesn't carry the prestige of say a 335i.. and with that you get the performance too

Any car be riced. I've seen every make riced out in one way or the other.

Ricecop!

I'm not against you, nor am I agreeing with your definition since it is a personal opinion. But I noticed that you defined rice/tuner as a "car that is resembling something that is much better than it's predecessor" I can say this much, other vehicles that are made in other companies that are not Korean, Japanese, and or whatever Asian country they originate from use the predecessor's standard to not only better their appearance but their performance. Not only is this beneficial to themselves but as you noted that Nissan used the Porsche Cayman S as a benchmark. Not sure if you keep up with Porsche but they recently bumped up the power rating to 320hp on the 2009 Cayman S to compete with the 370Z.

I think it is a good thing that different companies use benchmarks from other companies. It makes the industry standard better and keeps them on the look out for better technology, material, and driving experience. Plus it keeps the cost low knowing that they have competition that can produce a car that can perform just as well if not better, at a more affordable price.:tup:

P. S. - As stated before, any car can be a ricer car, it doesn't have to be a car that is produced only in an Asian country. I've seen riced out Benz, BMW's, Mustangs, Focus, Lamborghinis, and other cars for that matter...

Chubbs, the above picture is the closest to the old 2xx series than the new 370 is. Its an excellent model of what, as you said, the Z could become...going back to its root. I dunno about others, but this concept could make for an awesome bodykit/mod.

The Z is not a "ricer" car. I think this phenomenon you are trying to piece words into sentences to describe is called "competition." The Z doesn't come from the Cayman S, it is simply trying to compete for a certain target market. I met a guy on the track a while back who was sitting in his e92 M3 and I came up to him and said "nice M3" and he just smiled and said that the M is his daily driver and that it is a toy compared to his GT-R.

I don't know how much experience you have with BMW; they are great cars, but honestly I've been in and driven 325i's, 330ci's, 335i's, 135i's, 550i's, M5's and just about every generation M3 and my 370Z doesn't ask any of them for favors in any regard. My friend who is a hardcore BMW guy and has a 335i came to check out my car today after work and he was amazed at the quality of the 370Z. So his car has wood trim and a BMW badge, my car has synchrorev match and an LSD. They are great cars, but in my opinion you are wrong to think a 3-Series has more prestige, what you are referring to is that white and blue badge. Take out the badges and the 335i has a serious problem with the Z.

Being common or a good platform for modification doesn't make cars rice. Being from Japan doesn't make cars rice. Do you know what the word predecessor means? The Z is not a predecessor of the Cayman S.


EDIT: OK, I am not a douche, but I'm not about to sit quietly when you so openly state your opinion. Nothing personal, I like Hawaii.

^ +1 :d

^^speaking the truth.

So, if we're talking in this thread about car manufacturers being influenced by each other, then as I've said more than once, if Audi keep refining the TT for long enough, eventually they'll end up with a 350z :rolleyes:

...then they'll have the 370z to aim for :p

haha wow rcz.. you make it seem like i hate asian cars. if you had read my post you'd have noticed im GETING A 370Z.. i have nothing against "ricers" i was just exclaiming is that the z is kind of like one.