Is Datsun derogatory?

Mt Tam I am · 06-10-2012, 11:17 AM

I love my Nissan 370Z. When someone asks "what is it?" I often reply Datsun.

I started out with a Datsun 280Z and have had a z car for 30+ years. I mean no disrespect.

When I hear Jeremy Clarkson say it, it sounds derogatory. Is it?

Trips · 06-10-2012, 11:22 AM

I don't find it an issue and I'm proud that it has a long history.

370ZilverZ · 06-10-2012, 11:31 AM

I would even prefer they went back to the name Datsun.

onzedge · 06-10-2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple's

I don't find it an issue and I'm proud that it has a long history.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370ZilverZ

I would even prefer they went back to the name Datsun.

Bucketlist2012 · 06-10-2012, 11:36 AM

Seeing as how I grew up with Datsun 510's, and 240Z's, I see no problem with it..

It seems that they changed it when the 300ZX came out, yes I had one of those too..

So call it datsun if you would like.

onzedge · 06-10-2012, 11:38 AM

Beginning with the 1982 model year, Nissan badged the US-sold cars as "Datsun by Nissan". In the 1984 model year -- all were Nissans.

280z/300zx · 06-10-2012, 12:19 PM

No, but consider that Datsun was a made up name. Datsun was used here in the states so that if if failed the parent company name, Nissan, wouldn't be affected. Nissan was always the original name but since they weren't sure if they could do a good job here they called their cars Datsun. Not really derogatory but considering Datsun hasn't been around for 30 years and is not the true name of the company there are going to be a lot of people who don't know what you are talking about or may think your an idiot for calling your car a datsun. We enthusiasts know better but your average person on the street may wonder why your calling your Nissan a Datsun.

onzedge · 06-10-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

No, but consider that Datsun was a made up name. Datsun was used here in the states so that if if failed the parent company name, Nissan, wouldn't be affected. Nissan was always the original name but since they weren't sure if they could do a good job here they called their cars Datsun. Not really derogatory but considering Datsun hasn't been around for 30 years and is not the true name of the company there are going to be a lot of people who don't know what you are talking about or may think your an idiot for calling your car a datsun. We enthusiasts know better but your average person on the street may wonder why your calling your Nissan a Datsun.

takjak2 · 06-10-2012, 12:22 PM

I don't take Datsun as an insult, many people know the old Z cars and Nissan in the US by the name.

I think the issues comes from the fact that the name Datsun was started and used by the existing Nissan company to protect their brand name from a potential flop when they entered the American market. As the brand became a success they phased it out, because we can all be proud of what they had gotten to.

The Datsun nameplate is now coming back into use for newly developing markets for the same reason.

Mt Tam I am · 06-10-2012, 12:56 PM

Thanks to all who've answered. It is like a girls maiden name. When she marries I still think, and refer to her by the first name I knew her by. Never insultingly. Just the way my brain works.

Nismo89 · 06-10-2012, 04:34 PM

not at all.

the Name "Datsun" to me refers to and MEANS History. privelage. Honor. Respect.

often people outside the Nissan Community, dont respect where things have come and how far they have come thus far.

so when i look at my Z? i see all those words i stated above.

VCuomo · 06-10-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370ZilverZ

I would even prefer they went back to the name Datsun.

That's exactly what Nissan is doing.

Nissan to bring back Datsun car brand

valpozguy · 06-10-2012, 05:00 PM

I don't have a problem with it at all!!!

sent from my SAMSUNG SINGLE TURBO SGH1717

Magic Bus · 06-10-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valpozguy

I don't have a problem with it at all!!!

sent from my SAMSUNG SINGLE TURBO SGH1717

No issues with Datsun at all.

When I got my G35 Coupe in early 2004, there were only a few on the road and everyone would ask me what kind of car is that? I replied, It's a Nissan.

NissanGuy23 · 06-10-2012, 05:20 PM

Whenever someone is jokingly insulting a GTR or a 370z, they tend to call it a Datsun

View Poll Results: Is Datsun applied to a 370Z derogatory?
Yes	6	6.52%
No	73	79.35%
Not sure.	13	14.13%
Voters: 92. You may not vote on this poll

06-10-2012, 11:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	Is Datsun derogatory? I love my Nissan 370Z. When someone asks "what is it?" I often reply Datsun. I started out with a Datsun 280Z and have had a z car for 30+ years. I mean no disrespect. When I hear Jeremy Clarkson say it, it sounds derogatory. Is it? __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

06-10-2012, 11:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	I don't find it an issue and I'm proud that it has a long history. __________________

06-10-2012, 11:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
370ZilverZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: DFW, TX Age: 67 Posts: 2,321 Drives: '11 BMW Z4 Rep Power: 19	I would even prefer they went back to the name Datsun. __________________ 370ZilverZ Journal BMW Z4

06-10-2012, 11:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bucketlist2012 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,424 Drives: 370Z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 16	Seeing as how I grew up with Datsun 510's, and 240Z's, I see no problem with it.. It seems that they changed it when the 300ZX came out, yes I had one of those too.. So call it datsun if you would like. __________________ 2009 Sport/Touring 370Z 1971 Z/28 with coil overs, rushforth's, willwoods, Hotchkis. 4 speed GMC Sierra1500

06-10-2012, 11:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 64 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684736	Beginning with the 1982 model year, Nissan badged the US-sold cars as "Datsun by Nissan". In the 1984 model year -- all were Nissans. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

06-10-2012, 12:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
280z/300zx Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 689 Drives: 280z, 300zx, Vette Rep Power: 272	No, but consider that Datsun was a made up name. Datsun was used here in the states so that if if failed the parent company name, Nissan, wouldn't be affected. Nissan was always the original name but since they weren't sure if they could do a good job here they called their cars Datsun. Not really derogatory but considering Datsun hasn't been around for 30 years and is not the true name of the company there are going to be a lot of people who don't know what you are talking about or may think your an idiot for calling your car a datsun. We enthusiasts know better but your average person on the street may wonder why your calling your Nissan a Datsun.

06-10-2012, 12:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	I don't take Datsun as an insult, many people know the old Z cars and Nissan in the US by the name. I think the issues comes from the fact that the name Datsun was started and used by the existing Nissan company to protect their brand name from a potential flop when they entered the American market. As the brand became a success they phased it out, because we can all be proud of what they had gotten to. The Datsun nameplate is now coming back into use for newly developing markets for the same reason. __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

06-10-2012, 12:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3843	Thanks to all who've answered. It is like a girls maiden name. When she marries I still think, and refer to her by the first name I knew her by. Never insultingly. Just the way my brain works. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

06-10-2012, 04:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Nismo89 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Colora, MD Age: 35 Posts: 15,831 Drives: daily Zen and woosah Rep Power: 37386	not at all. the Name "Datsun" to me refers to and MEANS History. privelage. Honor. Respect. often people outside the Nissan Community, dont respect where things have come and how far they have come thus far. so when i look at my Z? i see all those words i stated above. __________________ Why yes.. Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, The Ford Commericals,Deadliest Catch.. is my cousin. Facebook i outta back hand you with my right hand! and call you b*tch!..... and im Left handed!

06-10-2012, 05:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
valpozguy Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: valparaiso Posts: 501 Drives: 09 z Rep Power: 16	I don't have a problem with it at all!!! sent from my SAMSUNG SINGLE TURBO SGH1717

06-10-2012, 05:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
NissanGuy23 Track Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: West Chester, PA Age: 36 Posts: 752 Drives: 09 370Z NISMO PG 6MT Rep Power: 15	Whenever someone is jokingly insulting a GTR or a 370z, they tend to call it a Datsun

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