Originally Posted by JungleZ (Post 2340533)

They can barely sell 2013 $37,000 sport package z. I highly doubt a price increase to compete with porshe is the best idea, you guys stop with that.

Originally Posted by The Dimer (Post 2340547)

The biggest upgrade Nissan needs take to help sell the Z is in the marketing department. When's the last time you saw a commercial with a Z front and center that wasn't being stretched into a Maxima by an expecting father?

Originally Posted by JungleZ (Post 2340533)

They can barely sell 2013 $37,000 sport package z. I highly doubt a price increase to compete with porshe is the best idea, you guys stop with that.

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0 (Post 2340549)

Lol, they need to make it 400HP or close to it too.
Just make it direct injection at least!

Originally Posted by /Angelo350Z/ (Post 2340461)

Did you not read the "wishful thinking" part of my comment? I know this is not going to happen. Besides, I could care less about going back to the roots. What, you'd rather have a BRZ fighter as the next Z? I'd prefer a more powerful Z from the factory. A RWD, 2-seater slotted beneath the GTR is the Z I want. Something to compete with base Vettes and Carreras.

Originally Posted by JungleZ (Post 2340592)

"we have to go lighter and more fuel efficient" sounds like a BRZ fighter to me!
Jay Leno at Nissan DNA Heritage Garage - YouTube

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 (Post 2340639)

Not necessarily. A weight reduction and over 300hp would still keep it a Cayman fighter. The FR-S/BRZ is in everyones mouth cuz it's the new kid on the block. But that doesn't mean we need to compete with such a low powered vehicle.

Cars the z needs to worry about in terms of power

Porsche Cayman S chrono.
BMW 135is
Audi TT-S
Possibly the next generation Hyundai gencoupe 3.8? (still questionable if it will be comp?)

Originally Posted by Spikuh (Post 2341322)

:iagree:

I would prefer the Z continue to targeting "higher-end" vehicles.

If they really want a FRS fighter, Silvia all the way.

Originally Posted by Jordo! (Post 2341563)

Notwithstanding price and whatever qualia the 86 twins claim, the Z beats it in every way -- lux, power, actual (over imagined) handling and braking.

It's still a bargin basement Porsche or perhaps fighting with the US Muscle/Pony cars for customers. The other major competitor is the Genesis.

About the same (or a little less) weight plus another 25-50 ponies, further chassis refinement, other nettling issues resolved (e.g., fuel starve) and we're there.

Ooooh I wants me the next gen Z -- bring on the concept already! :excited:

On the weight: Anyone know what the Q50 is supposed to be coming in at? I'm guessing we can expect similar weight difference between current Z:current G and next gen Z:Q50.

Originally Posted by Redglare (Post 2341649)

the z being a japanese mustang It should at least be able to go toe to toe vs the new gen mustang, (lighter weight/ 475hp)

Only way to do this is to go F/i /v8 or drastic weight reduction, I am talking sub 3000lbs with 350+ hp

Originally Posted by Redglare (Post 2341649)

the z being a japanese mustang It should at least be able to go toe to toe vs the new gen mustang, (lighter weight/ 475hp)

Only way to do this is to go F/i /v8 or drastic weight reduction, I am talking sub 3000lbs with 350+ hp

Originally Posted by Redglare (Post 2341649)

the z being a japanese mustang It should at least be able to go toe to toe vs the new gen mustang, (lighter weight/ 475hp)

Only way to do this is to go F/i /v8 or drastic weight reduction, I am talking sub 3000lbs with 350+ hp

Originally Posted by Chuck33079 (Post 2341656)

What are you willing to give up to cut that weight? Are you ok with a price increase, since lightweight materials cost more than heavier ones?

Originally Posted by Spikuh (Post 2341813)

I would be willing to bet that the Z will only hit sub 3k weight by getting its own platform and while that would be nice, I doubt Nissan has the cash flow to do such a thing.

While I really want the Z to stay relevant against new muscle, Nissan is not Ford and it is entirely plausible that the Z simply won't be able to match the new Mustang at all. Provided Ford gets it right and hits the right marks.



Personally, with the GTR moving past the $100k mark, I do feel it opens up the top end of the range on the Z to have some growing room. Depending on what they did with the Z, I would have no problem with a top end Z being $60k and competing head to head with the Cayman S again.

Things I would look for would be a transaxle setup, DCT and/or better MT, 3000-3100 weight with upwards of 400hp (don't really care how be it NA, FI, etc.). The interior of the Z is already pretty solid and comparable enough imo.

Would still like to see the Z start in the $30 range and then scale up to the $60k mark if it needs too.

What would be really cool (and I think would work well for Nissan long-term) would be to design a new platform that gets dedicated to the Z and a new Silvia. Have the Silvia be pretty bare bones and live in the $17k-$28k range to get some volume and then have the Z be ~$33k-$60k as a more focused sports car with the GTR staying where it is (although I would like to see it sub-$100k again but whatevs). Silvia could use the current Juke motor up'ed to 2.0L and have it cap around 260-280hp, with the Z using probably whatever they have already come up with.

Anyway, that is what I would pay!!! :D