Nissan 350Z Punches Above Its Weight

SportsCars Destined For Greatness ISSUE ONE PureNissan 350Z punchesMuscle above its weight Ferrari F355 Porsche 968 Club Sport BMW M3 Track Edition Nürburgring Track Guide Ferrari F355 Symphony Orchestra with an Italian Soul Purchase Price ~£40k NISSAN 350Z PORSCHE 968CS Track Toy Purchase Purchase Price~£8k Pure Muscle Price ~£16k FEATURES ROAD&TRACK GADGET CORNER The Nürburgring: our guide covers everything Hit the race track from the from getting there to renting a racecar safety of your living room JUST FOR FUN EXPERT DETAILING EXPERT Richard Tipper seeks detailed perfection Enhancing a BMW M3 for the track with the BMW M3 CSL REGULARS Note from the Editor In these times of financial turmoil, sports cars have become a safe haven, an opportunity to secure MOTOR money away from low interest savings accounts and poorly performing investments. Why can’t you have a car you can enjoy whilst avoiding depreciation and high running costs? At Motorstars we want to show you how this can be possible. Each month we will focus on three ST RS cars; each in a different price bracket to appeal to a wide range of budgets; detailing the case for SPORTSCARS DESTINED ownership, whilst still ensuring maximum enjoyment and security of your investment over the long term. FOR GREATNESS These feature articles are set in a standard format, so that from month to month you can objectively compare one car to another. We aim to cover everything you need to know when you are considering an Editor investment: how it drives, will it fit in your garage, even down to the daily ongoing maintenance costs Raj Hunjan you might incur. @motorstars We are taking motoring journalism back to the grass roots level: written by enthusiasts for Managing Director enthusiasts. With this in mind we have put together a team of real car enthusiasts who truly understand the cars we feature, with their help we are able to bring you the most detailed accounts of long term car Fiona MacKay ownership. We utilise a mix of passionate car owners, like yourselves, who will offer their knowledge and advice to you for a single feature, on a car they have known, owned and loved for many years; Contributors alongside various specialists in the industry who offer their guidance on finding and caring for your new Richard Metcalfe investment. Thomas Kramer I have personally worked in the financial investment industry for the last decade. This unique Richard Morris @ParaboliqueUK knowledge coupled with my lifelong all consuming passion for cars has led me to launch this new Richard Tipper publication, with the hope of helping all our readers to realise their dreams of owning some of the best @perfectionvalet sports cars out there without it breaking the bank. We are independent and privately owned, so we can to tailor the magazine to your, wants and desires. Please get in touch with us and let us know what you think of our first edition and if there’s anything you’d like us to cover in future issues. We would like to thank Philip Raby Porsche Specialist & Raj Hunjan The Ferrari Centre | Kent High [email protected] Performance Centre Pure Muscle Nissan 350Z Words by Raj Hunjan Iconic Z emblem on the rear strut brace, viewable through rear window 18 inch Rays forged alloy wheels suit the 350Z The Nissan 350Z debuted at the 2002 Denver motor show, a modern day Other drivers are drawn to stare at the 350Z, the well proportioned muscle car with stunning looks, the maximum power possible at the time body is a magnet for attention. It effortlessly stands out from the crowd. (agreed between Japanese manufactures as 276bhp) and a low price tag. There are subtle style cues from the Aston Martin V8 Vantage that do the Z The modern day Z car is brutish and uncomplicated, a formula that hasn’t badged Nissan no harm. Pull the wide door open and step into the driver lost it’s appeal. focussed cabin, which you’ll find is well thought out and where everything Vibration in the gear stick that arose during the cars development is within easy reach of the driver. The low seat position coupled with a was initially engineered out. However feedback from test drivers led it to chunky steering wheel and orange emblazoned dials shout performance be put back in because it added feel and a reminder that the car is a before you even turn the key. powerful machine that demands respect. Despite the typical japanese black plastics adorning the dash and The controls are weighty yet full of feel, the steering, clutch and doors, the actual touch points, such as the steering wheel, gearstick and brakes require muscle compared to rivals such as the Mercedes SLK and pedals, are all high quality items. The three dials that sit centre stage on Audi TT. These traits make the car stand out from other high performance the top of the dash (voltage, oil pressure and LCD readout) add style and two seater sports cars. The physical forces give the driver the feeling that character. they are really responsible for driving. I have owned a Nissan 350Z GT Pack for over five years, during this Everyday practicality was built into the car, the cabin is spacious and time the Z has been a thrill to drive on both the road and track. To be has plenty of storage options. Although shallow, the boot does have room honest the Z is a bit of a thug, it is both heavier handling and noisier than for several large soft bags that fit around the wide rear strut brace. most cars on the road. It makes you want to have fun, let loose and be a bit naughty. It controls and level of feedback reward your every input to create a sense of burbles on idle, encouraging ever so slight throttle blipping when stationary satisfaction when hustling the Z. The inevitable occasional over at the lights, the sounds it makes as it gathers and drops revs makes you exuberance with the throttle on a damp slip road doesn’t end in disaster as smile. The Z brings out the six year old in you, the one that fell in love with the stability and traction control are well judged and will save the day in fast cars because of the way they looked and sounded. most situations. Driving a 350Z for the first time, you’ll notice the stiff clutch and The Z is a true grand tourer, it is equipped with all the necessary heavy steering. By modern standards it is demanding, however an luxuries, coupled with effortless performance and reliability. I have travelled enthusiast will soon appreciate the manual feel of the car. When you press to the Nürburgring three times with the Z, on all of those occasions I hit the the clutch, you know you are actually disengaging the drivetrain from the Nordschleife on the afternoon that I had left the UK in the early hours. engine. The gentle vibration through the gearstick is also a subtle reminder When you hit the track, the power and balance of the chassis really that there is a 276bhp engine attached to the wheels. The short throw of come into their own. Yes it is a bit of a brute, with more weight over the the gear lever makes changes super quick and provides a satisfying gear front wheels, but when you make allowances for this it starts to flow. The change. predictability on the limit and beyond allow you to enjoy track driving. The weight of the steering lightens at speed but remains full of feel Brakes are the limiting factor, so cool down laps every 4-5 fast laps are and constantly translates the road surface. The solid, sure footed nature of necessary to bring them back to optimum performance. the Z lets you relax whilst driving it, however should the mood take you, I believe that out of the box, the 350Z is one of the best all round you can have fun pushing the boundaries. The mechanical feel of the sports cars for the money. Brembo Brakes are Sharp lines ensure that the 350Z standard on GT Pack cars will remain desirable “a blend of curves and creases that flow beautifully” Why Buy One? ★Standard 350Z’s are getting rarer, which are most desirable to a collector ★Rivals from the era have dated (Audi TT, BMW 3 Series Coupe, Porsche Boxster, Mercedes SLK) ★Bottom of its value curve – prices have dropped to their lowest and are unlikely to drop further ★Timeless design – looks remain fresh ★Proven reliability, heavily developed and honed car by one of the largest global car manufacturers ★Z cars of past (240Z) are seeing a resurrection in value and status ★Connections with motorsport ensures fans and ongoing popularity – the drifting scene uses the 350Z as a base car Model Evolution 2002Original Z concept shown at the Detroit Motorshow Nissan 350Z What the motoring press said: 2003350Z coupe released in UK & Europe “In simple terms it looks fab, goes 2005350Z convertible released in UK in spring 2003 well, doesn’t cost the earth, drives brilliantly and has gained cult Limited edition 350Z GT4 released in June 2005 status.” (just 176 in UK), including a revised VQ35DE engine Autocar, 2006 upgraded to produce 296bhp (+20bhp) with Rev-up technology “it’s not just the cool looks and 2006Adoption of the GT4 engine into all new 350Z’s, rewarding dynamics that have proved such a hit - rock-solid reliability chassis tweaked for extra rigidity, new rear LED comes as part of the package too” light clusters and improved interior controls “On appearance alone it’s easy to see how the 350Z could become a classic 2007New engine VQ35HR with 309bhp, 80% new like those Datsun Z-cars of old” Nissan 350Z components, including dual throttle and air intake, EVO, 2008 taller engine required bonnet bulge 2009Production ceases Nissan 350Z Pure Muscle The VQ35DE engine is bullet proof and sounds fantastic through supportive of prospective and fellow owners and there are lots of the large bore exhaust system.

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