How Was This Car Named Best Vehicle for a NE Coastal Road Trip?

From the time I first earned my driver's license to now, I have always wanted a sports car. It's not just because they are fast and look cool, but the fun of driving a real sporty vehicle is beyond thrilling.

In New England, we have many coastal roads to cruise on, including gentle slopes and curvy roads. Driving a sports car along the coast is a special feeling of excitement, so when this car won the annual New England Motor Press Association Award (NEMPA) for "Best Vehicle for a New England Coastal Road Trip", it was truly a milestone.

Remember the Datsun 240Z in the 1960s and '70s? That was the ultimate sports car for Generation X, and it drove as good as it looked. When Nissan renamed the Datsun brand in the 1980s, it was part of a global marketing strategy, according to gearshifters.org. The Z cars then went through various phases over the next few decades.

New England Motor Press Association via Facebook/Clifford Atiyeh.

These sports cars were rebranded just as the letter "Z" in 2021, but not many people bought them. In fact, as of current numbers, less than 1000 have been sold in the U.S., so to have this car named "Best Vehicle for a New England Coastal Road Trip" makes me wonder if this will spike the sales of this hot-looking and performing vehicle.

According to NissanNews.com, the most current sales numbers have the first three months of 2023, with 466 sold nationally. In 2022, there were 263 sold, and only 36 sold in the last quarter of 2021 when the new Z was released.

The Nissan Z is available in a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission.

Have you seen a Nissan Z on the roads? It's very likely the answer is no, but it sure does look good. Maybe this award will breathe some new life into this exhilarating vehicle, but I can't imagine driving it during our New England winters, even on the coast.

Nevertheless, congrats Nissan.

Best Looking State Patrol Cars In (Almost) Every State

For the past 10 years, the American Association of State Troopers has held a contest to determine which state has the best looking patrol cruiser. Nearly every state police agency submits their best photo of their sharpest patrol vehicle a chance to win the coveted cover photo on the association's annual calendar. From cop cars rushing through blizzards to vehicles on the Grand Ole Opry stage, here are this year's nominees.