Ekona Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Do you have any idea of the history in motorsport that Vauxhall have? I suspect it's the other way around, Nissan would love the heritage that came out of Luton! I must admit I was a bit in the dark too until I went to the Heritage Museum for a PHSS last year, fascinating look back over the years. Definitely worth a visit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcboyle Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 All in all, it does seem like the turbo cars are the way forward compared to big engines for the average mans sports car. I mean, even some diesels would give the zed a run for its money now adays. Anyway, we can safely say their both good cars and its good that a 30k brand new vauxhall can keep up with my 8k 9year old zed means I can have more fun. Instead of those saxos and ferraris being my only option. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Do you have any idea of the history in motorsport that Vauxhall have? I suspect it's the other way around, Nissan would love the heritage that came out of Luton! I must admit I was a bit in the dark too until I went to the Heritage Museum for a PHSS last year, fascinating look back over the years. Definitely worth a visit Probably not, i could name a few without looking and that would extend to the majority of the populous where as Nissans heritage and cult car status is well known and well regarded but its a fruitless discussion, you seem to reveal in contrary opinions about 350's which seems bizarre on a forum dedicated to them and when owners show support (as i did with my Astra comment) your all too quick to jump on it and try and belittle any enthusiasm shown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 What are you on about? I love the Zed, that's why I bought one. Just because I don't think it's The Greatest Car Ever Made In The History Of The World and can see the faults in it, doesn't mean I don't love them still. For £10K for a practical 2 seat sports car without any potential massive costs, there is no better option for the keen driver. Any better for you? Sheesh. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Im with Ekona here - when the Zed came out then yeah, it was a proper nice car that people would aspire to own. Now, 12 years on, when its starting to show its age, has been superceded, can be picked up for under £5K and is outperformed by your average hot hatch its really not all that ............ its great that the owners hold it in such high esteem but I bet the majority would take the VXR without even having to think about it. And trying to argue that Nissan has a greater motorsport heritage than Vauxhall/GM is ridiculous, outside of Japan Nissan have been minor players. Its not about belittling the 350Z, its a great car (that might be why we own them), its about taking a step back and realising that there are better cars out there. I get the same response from some people on SXOC when pointing out that the Zed is a better car, some people see the logic but others just cant accept it. As I always say, get out and drive some newer stuff and recognise that automotive development doesnt stand still - a 2014 VXR is a very different prospect to a 2002 SRI, believe me, Ive tried both in the last 6 months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcboyle Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Were speaking about the 350z here, but a brand new vxr and brand new 370z, are they both the same price and same bhp/speeds? If they are roughly the same, it seems your getting 5 seats for the vxr, and higher top speed for the 370z, and thats the only difference? (apart from the obvious rwd fwd) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Modern hot hatches are packing in the region of 250 horses, coupled with lower weigh, boost and easy tunes it's no wonder that they can keep up with the Zed. The Zed is old tech now and I doubt many people are achieving sub 6 seconds to 60. Forget the willy waving as Large capacity, NA V6 with rwd and manual transmission are a thing of the past, we're in a world of 4 pot turbos and rep mobiles. Enjoy the Zed for its limitations and strengths. Was thinking this to myself this morning whilst stuck in traffic drinking a ltr of fuel/second. For around a year before I got it, the Zed was my "dream car" that I could actually possibly afford, so I bought one. OK, it comes with a tape deck and was designed in the 90's by an American, but I don't care, it STILL gets looks when I drive down the street, and not a single Vauxhall ever sold (baring the VX220) will do the same thing. It "only" has ~280bhp weighs as much as the moon and used tech that 15 years old but I don't care. It makes me smile every morning when I see it and I love every mile I drive in it. Would I trade it for a VXR? Yeah, but ONLY if the swap came about due to me needing to have a more practical car, and tbh id get an Audi at that stage anyway. Nowadays a big lazy NA V6 is always going to get obliterated by some tiny 4pot turbo, its just the way the industry has gone sadly. However, no 4 pot turbo ive ever heard makes such a lovely sound as my big lazy, heavy, underpowered, thirsty and impractical Zed and that's why il be keeping her until the Mrs prises the keys from my cold dead hands, or I can afford something just as impractical but faster (or a superchargher...) Edited January 10, 2014 by cs2000 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) cs2000 - couldnt agree more, took the words right out of my mouth. Yup some of the new hatches and diesels can keep up or out pace me but do i mind, nope, good luck to them, they have a car they love and i've got a car that puts a huge smile on my face. Other reason i kept with another zed when i traded my 350 in was this forum and the friends i've made if i'm honest. Edited January 10, 2014 by Will370z 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Modern hot hatches are packing in the region of 250 horses, coupled with lower weigh, boost and easy tunes it's no wonder that they can keep up with the Zed. The Zed is old tech now and I doubt many people are achieving sub 6 seconds to 60. Forget the willy waving as Large capacity, NA V6 with rwd and manual transmission are a thing of the past, we're in a world of 4 pot turbos and rep mobiles. Enjoy the Zed for its limitations and strengths. Was thinking this to myself this morning whilst stuck in traffic drinking a ltr of fuel/second. For around a year before I got it, the Zed was my "dream car" that I could actually possibly afford, so I bought one. OK, it comes with a tape deck and was designed in the 90's by an American, but I don't care, it STILL gets looks when I drive down the street, and not a single Vauxhall ever sold (baring the VX220) will do the same thing. It "only" has ~280bhp weighs as much as the moon and used tech that 15 years old but I don't care. It makes me smile every morning when I see it and I love every mile I drive in it. Would I trade it for a VXR? Yeah, but ONLY if the swap came about due to me needing to have a more practical car, and tbh id get an Audi at that stage anyway. Nowadays a big lazy NA V6 is always going to get obliterated by some tiny 4pot turbo, its just the way the industry has gone sadly. However, no 4 pot turbo ive ever heard makes such a lovely sound as my big lazy, heavy, underpowered, thirsty and impractical Zed and that's why il be keeping her until the Mrs prises the keys from my cold dead hands, or I can afford something just as impractical but faster (or a superchargher...) Exactly what i was trying to say but more eloquently put. Is the Astra a better car, probably overall yes, i have never denied that, do i want one (except to sell and fi my zed), no, i have less interest in owning a hot hatch fwd and in my opinion indiscript looking car as varying other cars much better than a Zed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suits Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Great thread. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 and not a single Vauxhall ever sold (baring the VX220) will do the same thing. Heh, people do this with Fords as well, it amuses me A Lotus Carlton or even a 24v GSi, Manta 400, Monaro/VXR8, Magnum, Chevette HS, Firenza and of course the Bedford Rascal in the UK are all pretty desirable IMO, but if you include GM the list is endless ......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) and not a single Vauxhall ever sold (baring the VX220) will do the same thing. Heh, people do this with Fords as well, it amuses me A Lotus Carlton or even a 24v GSi, Manta 400, Monaro/VXR8, Magnum, Chevette HS, Firenza and of course the Bedford Rascal in the UK are all pretty desirable IMO, but if you include GM the list is endless ......... I had a Manta in my yoof and a Chevette, i had posters of the Manta400 and HSR Chevette in my garage at the time and the Lotus Carlton was just beyond belief when in was launched (wasnt it fastest saloon car in the world?) for me, the Firenza was a little before my driving days and whilst they are now classics and have a following, they are not cult cars like some Nissan, GTR series mainly, just look at the values of Hakosukas for example. Funny you mention Ford, Mk1 & Mk2 Escorts were considered boy racer cars in my early days of driving (modern day chav in name i guess) and now look at the price of them Edited January 10, 2014 by Jetpilot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delz0r Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Surely for pure driving experience the 350Z is far more desirable than the VXR? I'm sure the VXR is a much more practical choice though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 and not a single Vauxhall ever sold (baring the VX220) will do the same thing. Heh, people do this with Fords as well, it amuses me A Lotus Carlton or even a 24v GSi, Manta 400, Monaro/VXR8, Magnum, Chevette HS, Firenza and of course the Bedford Rascal in the UK are all pretty desirable IMO, but if you include GM the list is endless ......... Totally agree with what you are saying, but most of those are clasics so kind of a different story, was referring to modern cars. Oh, and I forgot about the Monaro. Not that its much of a head turner tbh, id still have one though GTR's are 5 doors aren't they?.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Remove the GTR and the 370Z and you are left with some unerringly dull bastard cars in the Nissan range. Remove the VXR8 and the VX220 from Vauxhall's recent model range and you still have the Corsa, Astra and Insignia VXR's and dont forget you can still buy a UK Maloo Im not just arguing for the sake of it, every car club suffers from the same issue of sticking their own car/marque on a pedestal, sometimes a gentle reminder is needed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmr1980 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Doesn't surprise me it was so close the zed isn't that fast or a 0-60 machine really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-350z Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Hate you up set people but my Corsa Sri turbo was equal to a 350z. :-/. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Hate you up set people but my Corsa Sri turbo was equal to a 350z. :-/. Lol I don't think so... Transmission: Manual Engine: 1.6 Engine Size: 1598cc Power (hp): 150 ps Power (kW): N.A Torque (ft/lb): 155 Torque (NM): N.A Vauxhall Corsa SRi 1.6i 16v Turbo 3dr Performance Maximum Speed: 130 mph 0-60 acceleration 7.6 sec thanks for giving me a laugh though. Also, as wmr1980 quite rightly says, the zed isn't a 0-60 machine, try to keep up in a corsa turbo from 20-60, or 40-100 (not that 0-60 would be any different anyway) Edited January 10, 2014 by cs2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetpilot Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Remove the GTR and the 370Z and you are left with some unerringly dull bastard cars in the Nissan range. Remove the VXR8 and the VX220 from Vauxhall's recent model range and you still have the Corsa, Astra and Insignia VXR's and dont forget you can still buy a UK Maloo Im not just arguing for the sake of it, every car club suffers from the same issue of sticking their own car/marque on a pedestal, sometimes a gentle reminder is needed Isnt that case for pretty much all mainstream manufacturers these days due to cost & increasing emissions targets they have to meet across the range. Toyota is a fine example, used to make some great cars, Supra, Celica GT4, MR2, AE86 etc and then only until the recently the gt86, nothing else worthy of note in that interim period. Vauxhall have got a very good target audience with their Vxr range and Nurburgring editions, but i have zero emotion towards them and they leave me cold, isnt that the key ingredient that money just cant buy when it comes to choosing a car be it an Astra or a 350? Of course owners forums have rose tinted glasses, thats why we are here, mostly it would seem! Edited January 10, 2014 by Jetpilot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-350z Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Hate you up set people but my Corsa Sri turbo was equal to a 350z. :-/. Lol I don't think so... thanks for giving me a laugh though. Don't be ignorant. . Before it blew up it was 240bhp, fully stripped pocket rocket. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cs2000 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 (edited) Remove the GTR and the 370Z and you are left with some unerringly dull bastard cars in the Nissan range. Remove the VXR8 and the VX220 from Vauxhall's recent model range and you still have the Corsa, Astra and Insignia VXR's and dont forget you can still buy a UK Maloo Im not just arguing for the sake of it, every car club suffers from the same issue of sticking their own car/marque on a pedestal, sometimes a gentle reminder is needed Hah, I guess its a perspective and personal choice thing too. As you say, remove the GTR and the 370, id have a Juke any day, great fun looking cars. Remove the VXR8 and VX220 and, no thanks il take the bus. But I do see what you're getting at As I explained in my previous post, I know its not the best car ever made in the word ever and ever hapilly ever after...but its the one I wanted to buy Everyone is going to defend the car they have now. I know how much I adored my 206 GTI, and then my Celica. Of course you do, you put loads of money into it and if you didn't like it you wouldn't buy it and therefore wouldn't be defending it! Before it blew up lol, yeah, exactly... Wasn't exactly a standard corsa turbo was it, bearing in mind SC zeds can push little under 500BHP... Anyways, I like my rose tinted glasses, if the zed was just a way to get from a-b I certainly wouldn't spend my time on an owners club. Doing this thing seems to require the aforementioned glasses. Edited January 10, 2014 by cs2000 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay-350z Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 No not standard. Haha. Standard it's only 150bhp. Haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmr1980 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Doesn't surprise me it was so close the zed isn't that fast or a 0-60 machine really. That said... I'd have a zed over an Astra. They're just lovely machines, lots of useable torque, the correct wheels drive the car forward and they look great and are rare enough that you don't see another one on the road very often. Ultimately it's what you want from a car. There will always be something faster, better, cooler etc... I'm happy with the knowledge that my zed is reasonably quick, quick enough to get into trouble quickly, quick enough to overtake safely, and comfortable enough to drive for hours in joy. And they sound awesome. Now if only they made a v8 version...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easty Posted January 10, 2014 Author Share Posted January 10, 2014 Haha god I think iv really started something here :-) I'd pick a Z over a VXR all day long. . . . O ye I forgot I DID!!!!!! Lol And I agree with a V8 in one that would be fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I have just as much fun in the Jaaaaag as I did in the Zed, different kind of fun though of course. She is a big girl, 1.8t kerb weight, but bundles of torque and with 2 sequential turbos when you want instant power and use the paddles she is as quick off the mark as a standard Zed and I would say at speed in gear ie overtaking she is quicker Yeah I used to love the noise and the low down seating position of the Zed but now I get to almost silently (inside & out) breeze past people at rediculous knots (legal of course) in absolute comfort with 500 watts pumping out through 17 speakers Does it compare to the Zed? In no posible way can you compare it other than it has 4 wheels and the power comes from the right 2 of them Sent from the golf club... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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