My first memory of a vehicle was my dad’s Datsun 240Z, childish wonder on eleven as my father adjusted the choke lever and the carbureted straight six roared to life. There are also flashes of the bright orange color and how joyous it felt to be in that moment with the person I admire most. As a kid, speed was a nebulous concept, but it sure felt like light speed as my dad rowed the gears, and the Z bounded along Mulholland Drive near our home. It was a real-life Hotwheel, and even in the newest variant of the Nissan Z— and it still is a Grand Touring icon.
One of the few images remaining of my dad’s 240Z
Grand Touring is a new category for us, and joyous is one of the best ways to describe the activity, a few days spent carving through canyons and over mountains at speed to see something (anything really) along the route. For this first installment, it seemed fitting that the vehicle should elicit all of the same wonders as the 240Z belonging to my dad, just newer and with three times more horsepower.
I walked up to the new Z and was immediately impressed by how handsome it was. It was a visual dance between heritage and modernity, the angled hood harkening to the 240 of my childhood, with the rest of the proportions following suit. The red color was also brilliant and had already caused more than me to stare, a small group of pedestrians in the parking lot also joining in on the spectacle. The questions ranged from wondering what it was to a few who knew exactly what it was and shared similar memories to mine. Interestingly, there was not a single negative comment, which seems impossible in the days when someone needs always to be outraged by something. I suspect it is because the Z is about as approachable and honest as a sports car can be, striking a balance between affordability (all things considered) and performance. The model I was testing showed $54,000 on the sticker, which is affordable by more sportscar standards but more expensive than the inflation-adjusted 240z.
Once in the Z, I paused for a moment to reflect on just how unique this experience was; four decades have passed since my dad turned the key on his Z. Certainly, a few things were different, most notably being the START button I would push, but the feeling was the same— excitement and anticipation. My first thought was, “OK, the exhaust sounds nice,” followed by a few throttle blips and familiarizing myself with the infotainment. The new Z is a far cry from the AM/FM radio of the 1970s, and some may argue that everything (including the music) has improved since. But this was going to be a road trip, so music, podcasts, and audiobooks were all on the menu.
Merging onto the 101 in Phoenix, it was clear that the 400 hp twin-turbo V6 was eager, but it also allowed for relaxed cruising, the nine-speed automatic propelling the coupe with poise and the steering a comfortable balance between being direct but not fatiguing. The intelligent cruise control helped the miles tick by through traffic and construction zones, the suspension tuning a thankful compromise between daily driving and track days. The Z isn’t busy over mixed surfaces, and there is sufficient travel to spare the spine on Arizona potholes. The combination of touring suspension and speed-sensitive steering allowed for enjoyment on the commute, on the interstate, and through the twisties.
For the long weekend, the plan was to drive from Phoenix to Sedona, using the famed 89 and 89a to link Prescott, Jerome, Sedona, and Flagstaff. An unexpected snowstorm took Flagstaff off the table, but the rest of the route is no less exceptional. With the Z packed with luggage for two, we headed towards Mingus Mountain, a road I have driven or ridden more times than I can count, but usually at speed on a motorcycle. Driving the road in the Z was an entirely new experience, which proved capable and confidence-inspiring. 89a is an ideal road for the Z, which handles road imperfections well and is not overpowered during heavy-footed exits. The rear steps out just enough, and the stability control is well-tuned in sport mode to allow for some oversteer. My only noted con on handling was the tires, which failed to match the chassis, horsepower, and brakes of the updated Z.
Arriving in Sedona, we shifted into tourist mode and parked the Z at our accommodations near Tlaquepaque, a Mexico-inspired shopping and dining zone. The vibe is nice in the off-season, and the architecture is just thoughtful enough to feel like an escape from the concrete jungle of Phoenix. We stayed at the Los Abrigados Resort & Spa, outdated by a few decades and priced twice its worth- but the views are stunning. The location also allowed me to wake before the sun and get coffee, staging the Z on the cobblestone paths for a few photos, the brilliant red a fitting color for the red rocks of Sedona.
The drive continued north towards Flagstaff, but I turned around just short of the switchbacks, warnings of ice and snow present on the roadway not pairing well with those summer tires. This gave me another opportunity to turn around, grab another coffee, and repeat the drive over Mingus Mountain back to Prescott. This time, I slowed down, turned up the music (Beth Hart was the playlist of choice), and enjoyed the moment. The Z is all the sports car I had hoped it would be, with an authoritative engine, well-tuned suspension, and dazzling good looks. The fact that it is still affordable makes it all the better, and seeing my nephew smile ear to ear from the passenger seat brought it all full circle, even without the choke lever. nissanusa.com
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