Ideas to Nissan JP HQ and Video

[Dr. JD]

Hi Fellow Z lovers,

I don't know if this will work but after I read that the 2012 will have zero changes, it has me believing that the R&D is at work (hopefully) for the next Z.


So with that said, I wrote to Nissan in JP and I uploaded a video on Y**Tub* (don't want to infringe on any policy). I also have a few friends who are executives in Japan at Sony so I am going to see if they know any executives at Nissan to see if they can either; a) get me info to share or b) give my ideas with what I have read here and so forth.

So why am I writing this? I think if we at least push hard to both corporates (US and Japan) for some of the changes we want, we should have a better chance of getting what we want in the future. Some of you might not agree with this so you don't have to post whether you do or don't, but just putting this out there.

So this is what I wrote and said in the video (funny thing is I just saw the poll post for T-Tops, targa or stay convertable).




So I wrote:

"Konnichi wa. O-genki desu ka.

I was a 300zx TT owner (as well as my wife). I have also owned Maximas and Altimas and a Pathfinder. I was planning on getting a 2012 370z this year. However, I have changed my mind. I am going to wait until the next revision. I love the 370z but with the power of the domestics and no TT or T-Tops, I would like to give a few ideas (as an MBA, BS and Executive of a company), I believe my ideas might gain more sales or a stronger following and take away from the domestic sport cars. A good revision is to leave body almost as is (small "upgrades" to keep all happy), have same base, touring, NISMO options. However, have another called the Fairlady Z which has t-tops and a TT for 432 hp and about 360-380 lb of Torque. Also, any color plus a special color options and any color interior including black seats with red trim with z etched in back of head rest. I love the glass etched Z in the roadster cabin between the two seats so have that as well. To have another competitive advantage, have a small dial or something to change the dashboard background to different colors as many change them to their liking (i.e. blue shades, green shades, red shades, etc.). On the transmission, reduce some "clunkiness" which is complained about. Lower the car by 1/4" and spread tires out by 1/5". Lighten the car by 50-100 lbs. You will have a car that will beat the competition. I understand that the engine seems to be at a max point and already needs an intercoolor. A dumbed down GT-R engine or another high-quality to replace the existing. You have a great car and this will win the world over. You might even have a 4 seat option choice as well like the 300zx to market those who need 4 seats but want the car (larger market base). I am a fan of Nissan and recommend to all to get one but this car is amazing but also needs to be updated to compete with the competition. Please keep this in-mind for the 2013 market. I know the price would increase on the Fairlady Z but if kept at a good price-point to combat domestic sport cars, it would be a winner with the enthusiasts and the general buying population. One last thing, the marketing could reference the 300zx especially with the Fairlady Z edition which goes straight after its design of TT and T-Tops. Before I forget, the SyncroRev match is great.

Domo Arigato. Sayonara."

Some east Japanese but again, I speak some so that way they know I am respectful which goes a long way.

I put in some positive points so that they know some good choices have been made. We will see what happens if more put their input in to Nissan, not just on boards.

You can move, lock, do whatever, but I felt I had to do us all good justice to at least put this out there.

[TypeOne]

So, uh... How much do you suppose all of those changes will end up adding to the cost?

Sounds like a pretty expensive Z to me and more like a rwd GTR.

[MeetJoeAsian]

Originally Posted by Dr. JD

...R&D is at work (hopefully) for the next Z.

Actually, they're more worried about getting the company back to 100% first...thus, many newer models and redesigns have been pushed back...have you wondered why they haven't released any news on the 2012 redesigned Toyota Camry yet? it's June already and it's supposed to have been released by now, but instead they are re-tuning their US plants to REstart producing more of the 2011 model...I wouldn't be surprised if the 2012 model will be pushed back to be a 2013 model....and that's going to be the same for all Japanese manufacturer...Mazda got hurt bad because 100% of their vehicles are produced in Japan....

[Liquid_G]

wow I couldn't disagree more with everything you wrote. I hope your letter gets flagged by their spam filter, because besides the maybe the additional power, all of those things you mentioned are horrible ideas.. Pretty sure you are not speaking for "all of us" when technically you don't even own a Z

[FromG2Z]

Exactly my thoughts. This is just one lone letter from someone out there with his own thoughts on how the Z should be. I'd correct a lot of your grammar as well, before sending that in. Although, even if you sent it in, am pretty sure Nissan Corp won't take the time to read any of the letters sent in to them....

But yes, to Liquid's post, your points of view reflect your own opinions, not the whole Z community. At least own a Z so you have some justification as to recommending what and what not to change. What's your basis? Simply reading articles? Leave the designing to the Nissan engineers and their R&D team. I'm pretty sure they have their own pool of study groups to pull from if they need input designing their cars. In addition, for your information, vehicle designs are usually done YEARS in advance. Your letter (if at all taken into consideration) would affect the 2018 Z if not beyond.

IMO, your letter is a waste of your and Nissan's time. Sorry to be brutally honest.

[Brazilbro]

The Z was never designed to go head to head with big v8 domestic cars. It's V6 already puts out more HP per liter(n/a) then any other companies V6 besides Porsche. The easiest thing they could do to compete with the domestics is lower MSRP. That would be a lot cheaper then R&Ding a new V8 or trying to put TT's on the car. If someone needs more HP then let the aftermarket fill the void.

[m4a1mustang]

Eeeaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggllllllllllllllleeeee!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shadoquad]

I definitely feel like this letter expresses too much personal preference for what you want in a Z, OP.

I wanted my Z to have an operational fog lamp and a more colorful interior. So I bought a base Z and made those changes myself, and much like every other aftermarket mod, that will depreciate my vehicle rather than increase its worth, but that's the price of individual taste, not everyone will like it. Much is the same with black interior, red stitched, Z etched into headrest, T-Tops, a 2+2...

It seems like you want a bespoke Z built for you and imposed on the general market.

[Armonster]

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I definitely feel like this letter expresses too much personal preference for what you want in a Z, OP.

...

It seems like you want a bespoke Z built for you and imposed on the general market.

[phelan]

Wait, so you opened and closed only in east Japanese (...? I guess you mean you're not speaking in Kansai-ben), or did you actually explain all of that in Japanese?

"dumbed down GT-R engine" = バカになったGT-Rのエンジン???

You can move, lock, do whatever, but I felt I had to do us all good justice to at least put this out there.

^ Thanks for trying. Although next time if you wanted to do the community good justice in trying to put a letter together, maybe see if we all buy into all of the ideas you put in there

[Kcuba370z]

Deff not the response he was expecting,lol

[FromG2Z]

No kidding.... seriously, what a pointless thread. For someone with an "MBA, BS, and an executive", he sure doesn't sound like one.

[VCuomo]

Originally Posted by Liquid_G

wow I couldn't disagree more with everything you wrote. I hope your letter gets flagged by their spam filter, because besides the maybe the additional power, all of those things you mentioned are horrible ideas.. Pretty sure you are not speaking for "all of us" when technically you don't even own a Z

OP:

[happytheman]

Well here's the deal: I GUARANTEE Nissan watches this board (the370z.com) closely for input.

There... 'nuff said.

[FromG2Z]

Originally Posted by happytheman

Well here's the deal: I GUARANTEE Nissan watches this board (the370z.com) closely for valuable input.

There... 'nuff said.

^ There fixed!!!