Living with the Nissan Z (RZ34) & NISMO Z: It’s Complicated.

After a two year hiatus, MotoMan gets back behind the wheel of the @Nissan RZ34, a/k/a @nissanusa Z - this time the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO, but not for a review - rather to learn two things: 1.) What is it like to live with one of the few remaining affordable sports cars on offer today and 2.) How does it stack up against the obvious competition, the @toyotausa Supra and @Chevrolet Corvette?

#NISMO #NissanZ #RZ34

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MotoMan. Storyteller of Transport, Travel & Inspired People

[Bum_Hip]

I live in Vegas, and people love their flashy cars here. In the 2 ish years the “new” Z has been on sale, I have seen a grand total of one of these bad boys on the road.

[nigeriaroberts]

When they launched the Z with a manual, people were mocking the automatic only supra only offered at the time. Why nissan didnt carry over the manual to the nismo variant is still beyond dumb.

[coachsteve]

I appreciate not kicking the dead horse about the lack of manual transmission. We all know it's an L, so it's nice that you chose not to focus on it like others do.

[chuckcribbs]

The Nismo beat a new M2 around VIR in the Car and Driver Lightning Lap testing. They loved it.

[alvinfarris]

Always great videos, keep fighting the good fight.

[Nism-oh]

I drive mine about as much as I can and love it. Living in Western NC makes it easier though!

[trance]

I loved my 77 280Z...used it as a daily driver but always had to stop at the gas station with such a small tank.

[briancorreia]

The look of this car from behind just really woks for me.

[briancorreia]

Motoman’s critique and suggestions are just about perfect. My only additional serious want could only happen on an all new chassis…I really want the long hood proportions of the original car back. I do share the love though. I think the Z might have been the second car I really drooled over as a kid right after the Pontiac Trans Am.

[WestsideCollectorCarStowage]

Those rough roads probably reminded you of Palos Verdes Drive South at Portuguese Bend.

[HalfBreedMix]

I just wanted the G37 IPL to stay around until I could have afforded it.

[rvboyett]

I’m shopping around for a 3rd car and the Z is on my list. I totally agree that this car’s pricing makes no sense when the Corvette exists but C8’s are harder to find. I can spit and find a Nismo. I’m also finding them with $5-6K in discounts. That said, I think you’ve made a compelling argument that this car should be the performance trim and not the Nismo. The Nismo should have something crazy like the GTR’s engine.

That said, the Z performance may still be on my shopping list. I’ve heard it described as more of a GT and that may be what I’m after. Also, my wife loves the look of the new Z and she want’s to drive it too. So there’s that.

[benbustama]

100% spot on, MM, full stop! Cheers/B

[SpideySensei]

There's a tremendous aftermarket for Z cars. You don't like your seats? Change them. You hate your suspension? Go to Z1 and order the parts. You hate the brake/wheel package? Rip them off and replace them. The main issue with the "new" Z are the insane dealer markups. No one in their right minds are paying that much for a Nissan.

[danielwilliams]

Still the best car guy on the internet.

[magdalo]

Don't forget the dealer markups are not helping a struggling brand.
Now, if this NISMO was about 10k less and same goes for the lower trims, it may have some fighting chance sales wise.

[kevinerosa]

Im in the Orlando area, and I have seen a Maserati MC-20 before finally seeing a Z on the road.

[basslinefreshdetailing]

I love the rear end on this thing, someone needs to find a way to swap the OEM rear on the GR86 with this!! hahahah

[henrygraterol]

For me a GT needs to blend sport and comfort, in the line of being almost a daily driver and a car that can handle twisty roads on the weekends. The current Supra is immediately out of the question for the reason of comfort. The Corvette as much as I like the overall exterior shape, there are bits on the rear headlights and the overall interior design that I makes me change my mind. Then there is the Z, I feel like it is almost there but. The interior headroom could benefit from a little more space, and open option might help, as you said. The seats need to be improved. And the most important part, the interior needs to feel more current and not something designed in the 80s. Give me the base with those improvements and a manual transmission and tell me where to sign.

[backnu]

You are wrong on so many levels. You keep referring to the Supra and having a manual option. They do, but it's in such low numbers it's impossible to find at a good deal.

You are correct about the Nismo. It should not be more than 50k US dollars new. A Performance model 42k, and Base 38k. These cars are extremely overpriced!!