Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
This was actually a very good comparison. Both from Japanese companies, both RWD, both light weight, both with a small engine (2.4 inline 6 and 2.0 boxer 4), both known for great handling, both come at low price, and both share the classic sports car styling (long hood, short rear). Though the Toyobaru beats it in a straight line, it easily kept up with the Toyobaru on the twisting roads. Kind of makes you wonder why Nissan didn't follow their own winning formula and develop a modern 240Z or even a 240SX.
This was actually a very good comparison. Both from Japanese companies, both RWD, both light weight, both with a small engine (2.4 inline 6 and 2.0 boxer 4), both known for great handling, both come at low price, and both share the classic sports car styling (long hood, short rear). Though the Toyobaru beats it in a straight line, it easily kept up with the Toyobaru on the twisting roads. Kind of makes you wonder why Nissan didn't follow their own winning formula and develop a modern 240Z or even a 240SX.
I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, at some point down the line they'll make another Silvia/240SX-type car.
I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, at some point down the line they'll make another Silvia/240SX-type car.
Altima's four banger has plenty of pep for a base engine for such a car if they get the weight down low. Using such an engine would make sense to keep cost down. I wonder if Nismo offers performance bolt on parts for this engine? Wonder if they could drop in a turbo in as well? Perhaps they could use the 1.8L or 2.0L with a turbo to keep weight down, power up, and front to rear weight ration near 50/50?
The Scion sounds intriguing, but to me the 240Z looks about a thousand times better. I wouldn't choose the Z if I had to pick a daily driver, though. I well remember what it's like to drive an early 70s car with no AC and a black vinyl interior in TN during the summer. When you step out of your car and the humid 95 degree air is actually an improvement, that just sucks.
Don't care how much pep a base 4 banger has. Give me an LS1/2/3/7 240Z and I'll die happy.
And that would raise the price of the vehicle out of range of many new car buyers. The goal is to have a sporty, RWD, fun to drive coupe that has great handling and affordable price. That's what the Datsun 240Z was. It eventually grew to be a big, overweight, high performance, high price tag vehicle out of range of most young people who would enjoy such a vehicle. The Toyobaru is roughly in the price range of the average midsize sedan or up package compact sedan making it within the affordable level. Besides, what you describe is already being produced by Nissan, it's called the 370Z.
I just noticed the Scion's curb weight. Heavier than the Z, but not by as much as I expected. 2700 pounds certainly isn't feathery, but for a modern car with modern safety features it's not too bad. I've been seeing one of these cars lately around town, and I think they look pretty good. I'd definitely consider one if I had the money.
The thing I love about cars like the 240Z (and cars like the first gen Miata, for that matter) is that they're small, light, nimble, flickable, etc. They don't need a ton of horsepower to be incredibly fun. My old El Camino was fun when you'd stomp on the gas and all that torque would liquefy the rear tires, but the 89 Miata I owned was just as much fun (if not more so) when you'd carve up some twisty back road with such ease and poise. I also like simplicity, and it seems a lot of new cars are anything but, although the Scion sounds relatively simple based on this article.
I've seen a few FR-S's around town... I love how they look. I was seriously considering getting one, but decided to go a cheaper, more powerful, more practical route (2010 3.8 Genesis Coupe). I am happy with that decision, but, I am sure it is a fun car!
I've seen a few FR-S's around town... I love how they look. I was seriously considering getting one, but decided to go a cheaper, more powerful, more practical route (2010 3.8 Genesis Coupe). I am happy with that decision, but, I am sure it is a fun car!
Hey fellow Gen Couper! I've got a 2011 2.0T RSPEC in Stage 3 tune myself.
Don't care how much pep a base 4 banger has. Give me an LS1/2/3/7 240Z and I'll die happy.
Oh yeah! I'll take one in a 240SX
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
