Saw the 370Z, then came here

[drmike]

Hello, my name is Mike. I am the current owner of a 2003 Mini Cooper S, which I have thrashed regularly at various racetracks in California and Texas. Not as regularly as I'd like, mind you. I co-own, and am chief engineer at, a small performance company called Texas Speedwerks. I am also a senior engineer at XCOR Aerospace.

I've never owned a Nissan product. Even the 350Z failed to strike my fancy, but the 370Z looks like a winner to me (I saw it at the LA Auto Show this week).

For business reasons, I will be keeping the Mini (I design parts for Minis) but the new Z has me thinking about selling other vehicles (old Miata, blah blah blah) to make room for something better.

[Nissan370z]

Welcome!

[AK370Z]

Originally Posted by drmike

Hello, my name is Mike. I am the current owner of a 2003 Mini Cooper S, which I have thrashed regularly at various racetracks in California and Texas. Not as regularly as I'd like, mind you. I co-own, and am chief engineer at, a small performance company called Texas Speedwerks. I am also a senior engineer at XCOR Aerospace.

I've never owned a Nissan product. Even the 350Z failed to strike my fancy, but the 370Z looks like a winner to me (I saw it at the LA Auto Show this week).

For business reasons, I will be keeping the Mini (I design parts for Minis) but the new Z has me thinking about selling other vehicles (old Miata, blah blah blah) to make room for something better.

Welcome to the Forums, Mike! I have always liked the Mini. Then after the Italian Job movie, I really wanted to get one as a DD.

Great performance site for BMW and mini Texas Speedwerks Home Page. Any plans for making 370Z parts?

The new Z is a great all around car. It's light, makes great power, handles better with it's newly updated suspension and chassis. MotorTrend was able to do a 4.7s 0 - 60, which is very respectable for a car with a MSRP of about 30K. Hope to see you in a 370Z soon. Oh umm yeah, get rid of that manly miata

[dad]

Originally Posted by drmike

Hello, my name is Mike. I am the current owner of a 2003 Mini Cooper S, which I have thrashed regularly at various racetracks in California and Texas. Not as regularly as I'd like, mind you. I co-own, and am chief engineer at, a small performance company called Texas Speedwerks. I am also a senior engineer at XCOR Aerospace.

I've never owned a Nissan product. Even the 350Z failed to strike my fancy, but the 370Z looks like a winner to me (I saw it at the LA Auto Show this week).

For business reasons, I will be keeping the Mini (I design parts for Minis) but the new Z has me thinking about selling other vehicles (old Miata, blah blah blah) to make room for something better.

You've come to the right place. Welcome aboard!

[drmike]

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Any plans for making 370Z parts? ... Oh umm yeah, get rid of that manly miata

No plans yet - my business partners are diehard BMW and Jeep guys. Still, if I get a 370Z in a year or so, I can engineer parts for that if I see a need.

No excuses for the Miata - it gets me to work without fail and gives me a few laughs on the mountain roads, AND parts are dirt-cheap. I keep the hard top on year-round, even out here in Mojave. I never was a ragtop guy. But geeze, it's got no power, and of course the girl-car stigma gets old.

[Slidefox]

Welcome to the site!!

[RCZ]

Miatas kick *** on the track man. Nothing wrong with Miata's, they are super well balanced and way more fun than just about anything in the price range.

[drmike]

Originally Posted by RCZ

Miatas kick *** on the track man. Nothing wrong with Miata's, they are super well balanced and way more fun than just about anything in the price range.

No joke - for $2K you get a car that handles better than almost anything on the planet (especially after putting a few bucks into fresh suspension bits). The balance and feedback are peerless, money or not. That's why I have one for a daily driver.

BUT, pedaling the little guy up the hills on the way home from work gets tiresome. I've toyed with the idea of force-feeding the engine, but nah, I'll save my pennies for a Z instead.

Gotta say though, I'm already liking this forum. It's got enthusiasm without the fanboy taint, and so far people have been friendly and fun to hear from. Nice!

[AK370Z]

Originally Posted by drmike

No joke - for $2K you get a car that handles better than almost anything on the planet (especially after putting a few bucks into fresh suspension bits). The balance and feedback are peerless, money or not. That's why I have one for a daily driver.

BUT, pedaling the little guy up the hills on the way home from work gets tiresome. I've toyed with the idea of force-feeding the engine, but nah, I'll save my pennies for a Z instead.

Gotta say though, I'm already liking this forum. It's got enthusiasm without the fanboy taint, and so far people have been friendly and fun to hear from. Nice!

Miatas are really awesome cars. Many people go from Z to Miata and say it handles BETTER than the Z . Heck I've heard it even out handles S2000 in the twisties! I just can't get past the look .

Thank you for your input on the forum . I would like to keep it this way.