i am glad that most people don't like it because if they did, demand would exceed supply and the dealers would jack up the prices (e.g. GT-R).

Is kind of having a genuine Type R or a SI for the Integra/Honda owners.

You've verbalized what I've always thought.
I just don't get it. .... Nismo is just window dressing, not a distinct and unique model.

Porsche got it right introducing the Cayman, which holds it own, between the boxster and 911.

Would be great to see something substantial between the 370 and GTR.

But what are people looking for exactly to be in between?
~Cannot do forced induction from factory, that is GT-R only probably
~Can make it lighter with a slight HP bump, but a lot of people want the luxury (look at the GT-R)
~Track oriented or street performance?

I think Nissan has both gaps field nicely, and with a good amount of aftermarket options the Z has you can get up to the GT-R in power, handle better, or turn it into a great looking show car. I think in the end, the Z is our middle ground car, step into the speed but not the full taste.

overall at least 150 lbs lighter, 400 hp supercharged, modest aero, more aggressive suspension setup, robust cooling...

2 variants, a street version and a track-oriented but still street legal version... track variant would have proper diff, harness bar, aggressive pads and fluids, and pushes the limit on weight reduction and aero...

it is the 911GT3 strategy... these would be akin to 911GT3 and 911GT3RS

I could see that, but would people still be ok if the price jumped to 50k MSRP?
I know at <40k Nismo is not all people think it is, but you get some decent upgrades, just missing some of the "luxury" features people want.

I think the other issue came from the 350z crowd, they had that track version but many people bought it for street and never tracked it. So they got upgrade items and were not useful on street, or killed the "luxury" mode. Then again, at 50k, it will definitely define what the type of car it is.

I'm totally speculating here but... I think that anyone who would consider an aftermarket s/c would have to at least consider an OEM s/c version with the other changes I mention above at or slightly below $50K... it would be ideally close in performance to a GT-R but a different enough car that would not cannibalize sales significantly... would target better performance than Lotus and cayman, at slightly lower price... I think with the current car they targeted equal performance to cayman at much lower price

Very true, and that is why I ask. The current Z does very well for a street car, but Nissan has no true competitor in a track version. Yes we can all take our Z and throw on what we want, but Nissan building it from factory would put a lot of pressure on others (mainly Porsche).

i'm with you...

nissan, you listening? :)

All Nissan had to do was make a supercharged option for a sport pack Z. Call it the "Zr" or the "Zs". Badge it with a scripty 'supercharged' along the bottom edge of the hatch like a porsche turbo. People will drool and purchase impulsively.

Let's call it a 370Z SS :stirthepot:

I read this whole thread and considering its pouring, glad it came back up. Started a little rough but seems a little more mellow now.

I've owned just about every sports car, said it before and say it again. Everyone of those cars was WAY more $ then the car under it. My M6 was over 100K from a 50K base 6 series. My M3 was 58K vs a 3 series in the high 20's to 30's. The 996TT was 50K higher (new) then a regular 911, SL55 was 35K over a regular SL500, Ferrari was...I don't want to talk about that one.

Now think about bikes, a 1098 base is 7K cheaper then a 1098S and motor is the same, little higher Rev but ohlins forks, ohlins shock, a pinch of carbon and still a reg exhaust and only a few more 100 RPM. MV Agusta, same deal.

This is just a sample, point being we're talking about 15-20% more $ as opposed to 40-50% on AMG's, M's, etc etc.

Point is the wheels, the many braces, the body (if you like it) etc etc definitely justified a sub 40K car to me. Granted I sold it all off anyway but still, I love the look, the feel and yes, even the interior which is why I stayed away from most Japanese cars in the past.

To each his own, I think they did a great job with the 370 whether it be a base to a Nismo.. Its not a ton of $ and if you kept it stock I'd bet you're resale would hold more then a regular Z would in time.

Just my 2 cents, but I'm tainted as I love the thing. Could of bought anything but this one's a blast and it didnt break the bank:tup:

Last side note, any time a Japanese car pulls someone away from a Porsche or Beemer, they must of done something right.

Sorry for the book...

Moto, all I want to say is that you're a fu#kin baller. :bowrofl:

I really think they did okay with it.

I mean, if the Nismo (or any Z) started at 10k more, or somewhere in that ballpark then you would be in Vette territory which is pretty much the next up big performance bargain.

I think if they wanted to really appeal to enthusiasts looking for a track car they should've done what Hyundai did with the Genesis and release a hardcore track version of the car. Badge it a Nismo but strip -everything- off the car. Make it completely bare and try to sell that for cheap -- maybe even trim the warranty down on the car as a sort of "we understand how you will drive it, so just take it and don't bother us deal."

I understand that will never happen, but still.

edit: also, I too love moto. that is a Z right there :p

Sorry Red, didnt mean to come off that way. I just absolutely love bikes and cars and seem to get along with anyone into the same. I'm not 20 anymore so my back goes south on the crotch rockets so cars get all my attn now.

I've been fortune but my advice to all you younger guys out there. Its all over rated, build what you like and don't over extend yourself. Cars and bikes are way less fun when the payment kicks your butt or even worse when sh#$ keeps breaking!

As far as the next post. I'm game for that! Ferrari has the Challenge, full stripped down track car that's damn SICK but that takes a real baller to have a Ferrari that you can't even drive on the street. Screw that! A stripped down Z for the track at say high 20's...That I would of done:tup: