I flipped through an Option magazine that I bought at the airport for my trip back home.

I saw the ad for the upcoming release of the Amuse kit. That was when I knew that this was the car that I wanted. It was probably the best looking car I have ever seen (non-supercar).

Then the reasons to get the car just kept on flowing.

My first Z memory was about 1972. I test drove a used 1971 240Z. The salesman had the attitude I couldn't afford it, it was $2000, and the car had a bad slipping clutch. I wouldn't buy it.

My dad had this picture of him holding me when I was baby sitting on the hood of his 280Z in 1988. Ever since I saw that pic for the first time around 10 or 11 years old, I've wanted one, and I finally got handed to the keys to my own around 12 years later.

My brother bought a used 260Z 2+2 back in the late 80's. I drove it a few times, and I was hooked. I didn't really like the look of the 2+2 version, but the car was fast, handled like nobodys business and was relatively inexpensive.

My first 370Z memory was the commercial where the car was driving all over the city; drifting, synchro-revving and just looking bada$$. It took a few years before I saw one in person, and the rest is history.

When did I know I had to own one?

Back in '09 or '10, I don't remember, Nissan had a Monterrey Blue Sport Pkg on display outside of Jobing.com Arena at Westgate. I fell in love w/the color and look right there.

Waited, researched, saved, etc. for three years before I could finally get one... ended up with one that looked even better! (:stirthepot:)

I was 15, she was 16. The night she made me a man in her 280Z was when I knew I'd someday own my own.

Test drove a brand new one in February 2011 for my wife after the dealer sold a used one I went by to check out. The used car sales guy made me pull the Z out of their ridiculously crowded garage, which was my first experience with how terrible the vision is out of the Z, but it didn't deter me one bit. I gave them my budget, told them how much I wanted for my trade, they found me a new one in OK with everything I wanted, and I drove home in loaner Z for the week. A little over a year later, my wife got a new job and a new commute with lots more traffic, and the Z became my DD :driving:

I had a friend back in high school who had a 350z. He let me drive it around town one time and from then on I knew I had to have one some day.

I love al these stories!!

bringin' the Z love :tup: all y'all! :happydance:

+1 for the OP!

my first memory? driving the z off the lot at buena park nissan's murderous driveway, and immediately hearing the telltale signs of scraping the sport spoiler. :facepalm:

You need to forget that memory :icon17:

front chin spoiler is to front bumper as curb feelers are to rims :tup:

Going through the gears the first time my uncle let me drive his then brand new 1977 280Z. Loved that car. I used to detail it for him every month or so, and he'd let me take it on dates.

I would love to have that car right now!

:pics:

First Z memory
 

Sometime in early 1971, I was driving east on the old Dallas-Ft. Worth turnpike with my college roommate and we saw something amazing headed west. Had it been possible for us to around and chase it down, no question we would have. We initially thought is was a Ferrari, but by the end of the day learned it as something called a Datsun 240Z. Fast forward 3 years and I had graduated from college and bought my 72 model with 40K miles for $4100 which was more than the original owner had paid new. It kept my pulse racing for the next 9 years and was extra special knowing I had the very best model year. BTW, That roommate also bought one in 1971 so that first sight was a defining moment for both of us.

By 1983, the 260, 280, and 300s (Z31) had become very commonplace in DFW, put on a lot of weight, and lost a lot of their appeal to me. When I finally had to move on to something else it was a turbocharged Mitsushibi Starion. It filled the gap until I was driving down Beltline road in Addison in Nov 1990 and I saw my first Z32 and had that same WOW moment I did 20 years earlier. It was nine long months of obsession until I was able to buy my first Z32 2+2 in 1991, a 1995 2+2 in 1996, and ultimately a Z32-TT in Jan 2002 which I still have today to go along with my 40th AE 370Z.

Never underestimate the power of love at first sight or the amount of joy Mr. K has brought into our lives because he had the same passion!

I bought my 70 'Cuda at the BX in Saigon, and picked it up stateside. Drove it for 11 months, and when I went past the Datsun dealer, I saw a Japanese Racing Green '71 240Z. Well I turned around, and went back to the dealer and traded the Mopar Machine for my Z. My Dad said "you paid $4000 for a Datsun?" We'll when I made it back home for a visit he loved it. 4 yrs later I had to sell it, and my 1960 Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite. Had to have room for the wife and kids. Fast forward a few decades, and I was shopping for a Spec Z to fix up and race. Found one, but the dealer wouldn't sell it, as he wanted to race it. I looked around for a few more weeks, and then one day checking my bank balance I had an ad for a car loan. Eh, what the heck. I looked at the 370Z, and found one I liked. Stopped by the same dealer, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Love my 2012 Gunmetal Touring Sport. Have 12000 miles on it and three track events