THE SPIRIT OF THE NISSAN Z HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT'S UNDER THE HOOD
There are some cars that manage to capture your heart. Itâs not always about having something that costs six figures or has ridiculous amounts of horsepower. Sure, those kinds of cars are amazing, but most of us can't afford them.
Iâm talking about the fun, sporty cars that are attainable. The ones that become beloved daily drivers and end up with clubs for owners around not just the country, but the world. Iâm talking about cars like the Nissan Z.
The Z has been around for over 50 years, launching way back in 1969 as the Fairlady Z. It came to the US as the Datsun 240Z, giving us our first taste of the iconic Z-car. It wasnât until 1983 that it became a Nissan with a 300ZX badge to kick off its third generation. Today, itâs now simply the Nissan Z, marking the seventh generation of this beloved little car.
2024 Nissan Z Nismo NISMO Automatic
The Pure Joy Of The Z Nismo
I had the chance to briefly drive the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo at an event in Oregon. This is the most performance-focused version of the Z with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that puts out 420 horsepower with 384 lb-ft of torque.
Thereâs a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, launch control, vented front and rear disc brakes, and special Nismo tuning that make this Z the one you want to take to the track. It has all the mechanical bits, but what made everyone want to drive it had little to do with its impressive performance abilities.
This drive was a multi-automaker event that featured a wide range of cars. The list included an Aston Martin DBX707 with a price of $352,200 and a McLaren Artura Spider for a more modest $273,800. These are the kinds of cars most of us rarely if ever get to drive and everyone wanted some time behind the wheel. The Nissan Z Nismo was priced at $68,290, making it a steal. Itâs not as exclusive and yet it was in high demand throughout the day. It wasnât the power or the price, but the spirit of the Z that made it so special.
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The Sports Car That Makes You Smile
I watched as people hopped into the Z for their allotted drive time. Every person walked up with a smile and looked downright giddy as they drove out of the parking lot. We werenât even on a track, so the full potential of this Z went unrealized, yet still it made everyone happy.
The Z is a manageable sports car. It has the power and the handling, but itâs far less intimidating than something like the Nissan GT-R. Itâs far less expensive, too, which means there are enough of them out there that everyone has a story.
A Car That Created A Community
Linda Williams is on the list of people with a Z story. Sheâs so passionate about the car that sheâs been the president of Z Owners of Northern California (ZONC) for the last six years. It boasts over 120 members and holds events throughout the year that give Z enthusiasts an opportunity to mingle and show off their cars.
âMy very first was a 1978 280Z that I drove 312.0000 miles,â Williams told CarBuzz. âIt had the original engine and the original tranny.â Pesky emissions rules in California made it a challenge to keep it on the road, but there was no way she was going without a Z in her garage.
Is The Nissan Z Heritage An Instant Classic?
There are lots of special editions out there, but only some become highly collectible. Does this one have what it takes to become a classic one day?
Some searching brought her to her replacement car. âItâs a 280 I bought around 2011 with about 16,500 miles on it. Today, itâs got about 33,000,â she said. Though she doesnât drive it every day, she does take it out for a ride as much as she can, both for the drive and the experiences she has with random people along the way.
The one thing that will happen every time you drive older generations is that people come up to tell you a story, Linda Williams, President, Z Owners Club of Northern California
Everyone seems to know someone who owned a Z once upon a time. It could be a former girlfriend, a brother, or an old friend, but what matters is the memory. The drives with no particular destination in mind and the people on those adventures create treasured moments all associated with the little Z. Williams said you can see it the minute someone recognizes the car.
The smile is always there because the Z brings back fond memories.
Clubs For Everyone, Everywhere
It doesnât matter where you are either. There are Z clubs everywhere, all of them ready to welcome new members to the fold. âWe have everything in our club,â she said. âIt doesnât matter if itâs a daily driver or a show car. Itâs about enjoying the ride, the cars, and the camaraderie.â
You can go to any Z event and they make you feel at home.
Thatâs what makes the Z something special. Yes, itâs a sports car thatâs fun to drive. Yes, it has an incredible history. But it also has a spirit and a heart that makes it something more than just a car for the people who drive one.