To expand on this, the 2003 Z really did usher in an interesting period for Nissan. The early Infiniti G series based on the same platform and sharing the VQ en

To expand on this, the 2003 Z really did usher in an interesting period for Nissan. The early Infiniti G series based on the same platform and sharing the VQ engine was lauded. Even the Sentra got a cool SE-R Spec V (albeit awkwardly named!) But... then design got weird (Cube, Juke, later Rogues, all the angles on Nissan/Infiniti sedans). They threw away the G and M names and moved to the generic Q naming. They replaced their steering with an electronic system, dispensing of all driver's feel. What happened to "Nissan. Driven."?? Of course, this is all from a car person/driver perspective. But they never reached Toyota/Honda levels of reputation for a great appliance vehicle, and they let their "fun to drive" reputation dissolve almost overnight.