The Generation Game: Nissan Fairlady Z

[Liquid]

The Generation Game: Nissan Fairlady Z

1969-1978 Nissan Fairlady Z (S30)

Bodystyle: 2-door coupe, 2-door 2+2
Engines: 1.9 - 2.8L I6
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,250kg / 2,750lbs

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1979-1983 Nissan Fairlady Z (S130)

Bodystyle: 2-door coupe, 2-door 2+2
Engines: 2.0 - 2.8L I6; 2.0 - 2.8L turbocharged I6
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,300kg / 2,860lbs

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1983-1989 Nissan Fairlady Z (Z31)

Bodystyle: 2-door coupe, 2-door 2+2, 2-door targa
Engines: 2.0L I6; 2.0L turbocharged V6; 3.0L turbocharged V6
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,400kg / 3,200lbs

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1989-2000 Nissan Fairlady Z (Z32)

Bodystyle: 2-door coupe, 2-door 2+2, 2-door targa
Engines: 3.0L V6; 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,550kg / 3,410lbs

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2002-2008 Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33)

Bodystyle: 2-door coupe, 2-door roadster
Engines: 3.5L V6
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,550kg / 3,410lbs

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2009-2020 Nissan Fairlady Z (Z34)

Bodystyle: 2-door coupe, 2-door roadster
Engines: 3.7L V6
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,600kg / 3,520lbs

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2022-present Nissan Fairlady Z (RZ34)

Bodystyle: 3-door liftback
Engines: 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6
Drivetrain: FR
Weight: ~1,600kg / 3,520lbs

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The car has always been known as the Fairlady Z in Japan and typically as the Z and ZX elsewhere. As usual, there might be some quibbles with particular gens.

Results & Nominations Thread

 

[-Fred-]

It's got to be the original. Nissan has been trying for nigh on 26 years to bring the Z back to something that looks like it for a reason.

 

[Liquid]

I'm such a sucker for "I saw it in GT1 first" so it's the Z32 300ZX but the original is very good looking and I can see why it's popular.

I also have very happy memories of using the Z31 in Beam.NG.

 

[Joey D]

S30 is my favourite, followed by the Z31. The Z33 and later models are just awful, but that's pretty common for Nissans made from 2000 onward. Z33s and Z34s attract some of the worst drivers imaginable too, they're nothing more than a Japanese Mustang.

 

[ScottPuss20]

One of the earliest racing games I ever played was Need For Speed Underground 2, and as we all know, the first car you drive is a 350Z. To my young brain, it felt like a privilege to be given the keys to a custom car. From this day on, the 350Z quite literally became a part of my life. In Gran Turismo 4, the MOTUL Z was one of very few race cars that you could pick from the arcade mode, and as I wanted to go fast, I drove it a lot. This then inspired me to buy and build a 350Z in Midnight Club 3 - a car I stuck with for a LONG time because the garage was bugged. Yep, that's right - I couldn't upgrade or buy a new car, so I had to complete the game with prize cars... and the 350Z. That car has become one of my absolute favourites, and I'd consider it my first "Puss Mobile" because it was red and white with the MOTUL Z decals. I may not love the car as much as I used to but I still hold it in high regard because of the experience I had with it in Midnight Club 3. The 350Z/Z33 is therefore my favourite Z car.

 

[wfooshee]

I nearly went first-gen, but the 4th-gen Z32 got my vote because it is simply gorgeous and brought Nissan back into production-based motorsports. That said, it was interesting to watch the race cars blow blue smoke when they turned one direction, can't remember no if it was left or right turns that did that to them.

 

[TexRex]

S30 but the 2+2 is my preference. The styling isn't quite right for the door to be so close to the rear arches on the coupe and I generally just like the 2+2's roofline--it makes me think of something like a C30 Laurel.