The Nissan 300ZX is a classic. It was part of the three turbocharged Japanese monsters of the 90's, the Mitsubishi 3000GT, Mazda RX-7, and the Nissan 300ZX all battled it out to see which was the best car. Personally, I have a connection with the 300ZX, which is why it's my favorite out of all the Twin Turbo Super Coupe's. My parents owned a '95 (I think it was a '95) Twin Turbo 300ZX before I was born. When I was born however, they needed a car with more than two seats, so they sold it. In 2007 they purchased a '96 Nissan 300ZX (N/A). Shortly after that my two dogs passed away. We still own this car, and though it's showing it's age, the magic is still there.
That magic just seems to be gone from the newer generation Z's. Sure they're faster in a straight line, and in the corners, but you don't get that thrill you get from the earlier Z's, especially the 300ZX. I rode in a 350Z around 2005, before I ever experienced the 300ZX. My parents were extremely excited for the 350Z. "Another Z car!" They said. Something to relive the memories of their old 300ZX. When we test drove the 350Z, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed. Maybe it was all the hype, maybe not. My parents didn't like the car. They said it wasn't as fun as the 300ZX. They based it on the fact that they hadn't driven a 300 in a very long time, so they must've changed themselves, not the car. Fast forward to the present day. When I was at the movies with my friends, they test drove a 370Z. They got the same feeling, except they knew it was the new generation Z.
I never really understood how important the 300ZX was to my parents, especially my mom. We test drove a Subaru Impreza WRX STi not to long ago, and even though she enjoyed it a lot. She wouldn't give away the 300ZX, not even with the problems it has now.
So why is a car from the 90's way more fun than something from the present day? I really have no idea. The general opinion seems to be in favor for the older generation cars, as has been pointed out in this thread. Most people seem to like 300ZX over the newer brothers. More people I've talked to prefer the RX-7 over the RX-8. The Miata NA over the MX-5 NC. So why? Why do we all like these old cars, that should be outdated? Well I have no way of knowing, but here's my opinion.
Cars were pure mechanics back in the 90's. They brought sheer performance to the table without overly intrusive technology. You felt like you were driving the car back then, not the car driving you. Anymore, and for good reasons, cars are requiring so many safety features. It's a good thing we have these now, as less people are dying in car accidents than they were in the 90's. Back then they had Airbags and Seat Belts as standard, with Traction Control and Stability Control as options. Sometimes ABS wasn't even included as an option. There's a good reason for all these things, it's to save lives, but how long are we from having cars drive themselves for a standard safety feature? Mercedes is already including a feature where it wakes you up. All auto makers are building cars for are the people who want to get from Point A, to Point B, not building cars to enjoy.
Personally, I feel that these cars from the 90's were the last of the amazing cars. You wanted to drive these cars, because they were pure magic. You enjoyed getting from Point A to Point B, because it was fun! Something drivers have forgotten about, and what car manufacturers have stopped catering to. If you want to enjoy these fun cars, then your going to have to pay top dollar. So why would you do that, when you could have a perfectly good car that's more fun, for less?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60729015@N06/5731684261/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60729015@N06/5676564400/
It's sad to see these cars fade in to the past, it really is. But people have gone on to something else. We can always relive the memories of these cars, remember all the love we found with them, all the love we remember when we gave them away for someone else to find memories, and love with all their heart. Long live the 90's.
It's a beast to reckon with.
I like the 240 and 260 Z's though.
👍
