I was contemplating the changes to the import rules, and I thought it was worthwhile to consider what effect this would have on the forum into the future. Over the last 6-12 months, there has been a significant increase in the number of active members on this forum. No doubt this is because of the number of people who have imported a 15 year old car. With the rule changes, this can't continue. So, I ask the question(s): With the current number of 300ZX owners who are active on the forum, is this sustainable if the importing of cars effectively ceases ... and if so, for how long? I accept that there will be additional cars imported through RAWS workshops when they become accredited, but numbers of cars will be far fewer than those that were imported through the 15 year rule. Also, I have heard that after "X" (is it 20 years) following the sale of these vehicles, new, in Australia (1996 I think), Nissan no longer have to stock parts, and would they? Surely this places a (potential) noose around the neck of the Zed. So, I suppose the question is, what's our life expectancy? I really enjoy the 300ZX "atmosphere" at the present and am imterested in how long this will last. cheers, Peter
Nothing to worry about mate... As long as those who sell their zeds pass on the forum, I think the forum is in fact it's own best friend. Here you have a wide variety of people, all with different backgrounds, of different ages, and different interests. The forum is big enough to be informative and helpful with a huge pool of resources at it's disposal, and at the same time small enough for us to feel like our own small country town - where everyone knows just about everyone. Anyways my point is - that as long as the forum members keep putting in what they currently do and keep helping us newbies - then people will be inspired and drawn to it. I don't think we will become an endangered species just yet, trust me whilst zeds are coming in as freely as they once were - they are still coming in - just in drips and drabs. Otherwise we could go and pouch other forums that zed owners are members of. :thumbsup:
The Zed will survive long after the letters WRX are just a memory. Why? Because is has just about the sexiest body any car has ever had, and nothing has changed in 15 years. I have friends who lovingly own and maintain a 1952 DB2 Aston Martin, a 1951 Lagonda, a 1966 Lotus Elan, a 1951 Morris Minor, etc. As for parts, sometimes its a struggle, but love will always find a way. Have a look at my friend and his Lagonda in this pic. This car is 54 years old, and they say there are less than 10 left in the world! The purist will always want to keep the car original, but the enthusiast will always be looking for the latest gear to stick in there. I am an enthusiast, but there is room for everyone. When I heard that Holden was thinking of reviving the Torana using their 3.8 litre V6 with twin turbos, six speed box and LSD. I immediately thought - will that drivetrain fit in a Zed? Cheers:zlove: Barry
Well said Scott ... Peter's post was well founded, your reply an intelligent response. I'll go further & say that as Zeds get older & less 'available', this forum will GROW & prosper ~ the knowledge-base more valuable. Long live the Zed :zlove:
Well actually OZ-300......... The time frame a company is obliged to stock parts for a particular model of car is 10 years after production ceases. I don't think it will be of concern for quite some time though as we will still be able to source parts from the U.S., there were lots of TT Z32's sold there. Besides, the VQ30DE used in the Maxima shares a lot of it's parts with the VG30 and as I found out last week when I did my 100K service, your local bearing shop can get just about and bearing, seal or belt you need. With the amount of tech write up's over the various forums on how to fix your Zed, I think the only thing that will eventually kill our legacy is the ever climbing price of fuel :thumbsdown:
Yer Zed cars will never die Nissan had the chance to pull the pin on the zed in the early 80's but then.. came the King Z 32! And even tho there will be less cars that are 15 y.o that can be legally REGOED and COMPLIED>.. these cars will still enter the country for parts for all our cars that care already here. The rule only stops ppl compliying the 15.yos.
One way to help the forum prosper..... is to spread the word. It seems that there are many new members as they have imported cars under the 15 year rule. Many of these guy's and gals are young and enthusiastic. We are starting to get good turnouts to cruises etc. Only a few years ago in WA only a few cars would rock up to a cruise, compare this to an expected 26 cars on the cruise coming up.. Good Stuff! I see heaps of zeds running around and I am sure many of them are not members, propbably cos they don't know about the forum. What we should do is get some cards or even bits of paper with forum details and leave them under the wipers of the zeds that we see around the place. Ask them to join or if they are an existing member to identify themselves on the forum. If forum members had their forum stickers on thier cars it would be easy to target non members. Buying stickers also helps the forum. This way we can boost numbers (everyone loves boosting:thumbsup and get even more people involved in teh forum and more cars on the cruises. If everyone did this then the forum would be HUGE!. Lets do it! Cheers!
Just imagine, Cliff, in 40 years time.... someone standing alongside a pristine Zed, saying "Yers, there's only 10 of 'em left in the world!" It won't be me, but I can dream!
Don't know about 40 years Doug... I have trouble getting in the thing now as it is:LOL: But I do believe they will become a collectors item one day much like my mate's E Type Jag. Let's hope the parts are still available.:thumbsup: Cliff
I certainly don't intend to follow the Zed through the 350Z range.... The 300ZX is a timeless classic with style, class and performance. The 350Z is a budget roadster with budget performance and attempt at `trendy' retro styling that can easily date. I don't see the 350Z becoming a classic.
Re the Future I reckon we should have a club annual fee. With this money we buy as many wrecked zeds we can get our hands on. We will then be able to have our own stockpile of parts. Havent thought where the hell we gonna keep them but first things first. When people die they can donate their car to our zed museum (of course we will have to keep it running by driving it!). Anyways thats my two bobs worth. (dont what two bobs worth, ask your grandfather). regards
Some would argue that the Z32 is not a timeless classic. The 350Z has become somewhat of an icon for the Xbox generation and I for one think it is a beautiful car. A classic? Only time will tell.
We will be here for years to come.... even tho the price of our z32's are droppppingggg every day :thumbsdown:
With technologies & trends moving so fast today's star is tomorrows unknown The 350Z only stands out in today's family of sports cars because of the lack luster competition of the current Japanese production car line up. Yes it is an icon to 15 year old Xbox owners everywhere, but then the shelf life of products like the Xbox is extremely short capitalising on the current fads to make quick sales before the next revolution takes over. I personally think the 350Z is hideous and I am not alone. Time will tell if the 350Z can make a name for itself or simply survive riding on the Zed name.
