I would be interested to know how many Zs are sold in Japan. We know from Dad that sales figures in the US average about 10,000 cars per year for the Z. Curious whether the figures are similar in Japan (accounting for population difference).

I will see if I can find out how many Zs are sold in Japan but very seldom see one there. It's size is about average so I don't think that is qa big factor. Price and insurance probably makes it out of reach for most people.
There is a very decided middle class and then the upper class in Japan it appears. Not much in between.
VP and director level people seem to live the same lifestyle as their managers. True wealth is usually born in there.

First post from a possible future Z owner:driving:
For information, I live in Japan, and I see Zs every day. Everything from the old 240s (rare these days) to 370s. 350s and 370s are quite common.
It's my wife that really wants a Z, I drive an STI, although I won't complain if she wants to get one;)

I am sure that she will like it and you will too. I wish I could have had both but I did give up my STi for a Nismo 370Z. I do not regret my decision. How often do you see Skylines (not Infinity branded ones)? I am sure they are cheaper over there with the exception of the R35. Also, what about American cars?

Yes I know I'll like it:) I used to drive V6 and V8 cars years ago.
Skyline GTRs are also common, R32s and R33s very much so. Strangely, I see more R35s than I do R34s. Good used (mint) R34s can be almost as expensive as used R35s.
I do see American cars sometimes, Jeeps, the occasional Hummer, late model Mustangs, GM300s. Not really common where I live, but they are here.

To upset the purists, we are interested in the prospect of a hybrid 370Z:stirthepot: haha

Did not mean to say there were no Zs in Japan. There are many but it's not that mainstream. Probably about the same as the U.S.

The Z really isn't that fat when you consider everything. The best way to make it thinner is to trash the material. I think Nissan should have made the car out of fiberglass and the Nismo with carbon-fiber bits (Fenders, etc.)

This would have allowed them to keep most everything the same, yet shaved a good bit of weight, eliminated door-ding potential mostly, etc. The only thing is crash-ratings, and I am not an automotive engineer so I don't know how changing from aluminum sheet to CF/glass would effect the need to add support beams that werent necessary before, if at all.

^^$$$$$$$$

The thin body panel sheetmetal plays practically no part in crash absorption. The frame crumple zones and side door guard beams do it all. Not sure if fiberglass would be lighter than the very thin aluminum that is only 0.8 to about 1.1 mm thick anyway.
Carbon fiber would do it but too expensive.

When a new project is undertaken the cost people extablish a cost to weight ratio for designers of all parts. Such as you can increase your part cost by 100 Yen for every 0.05 KG you can remove. Only way to keep a handle on a bunch of guys that that want this weight out too.

Would 100 pounds off make that much difference in handling?

I don't know about handling, but for every hundred pounds you lose you drop one tenth off the quarter mile.

100 pounds less would definitely make a difference in handling dependent upon where the weight loss comes from. Heck 50 pounds makes a nice difference...

Keep it even 50 front 50 rear. :stirthepot:

Curious where does the Nismo group work? Do they take 370Z Chassis from manufacturing lines and build the cars in a different location? Is there a good resource to learn more about 370Z Nismo and who is involved with building of these great cars?

I go to Japan on quarterly basis. Mostly Yokohama where I often will take a walk from YCAT terminal through the Nissan World headquarters building where they have many of their cars on display.

I'd love to see where the Nismo cars are conceived and built if I have time there next time.

The 370 are all built together on the same production line at Tochigi, left hand drive, right hand drive, touring, Nismo. To them it is the same car just a few different parts get bolted on. You can take the public tour they do of the factory in Tochigi (all in Japanese with no interpreter unfortunately), I'd love to go some day. I believe you can register on the Nissan Japan web site.

Cool good info...:tiphat: