New Z an improvement? What do you think?
 

Do you think that the rumored new Z will be an improvement (performance wise) or do you think they will make it more like the brz/frs?

wouldn't make sense to take a step back in performance

The only way I would say they would tone down the performance is to make the car cheaper.

Nissan got rid of the altima coupe which was their midrange performer, so I think Nissan might be bring back the Silvia to compete with the FRS and BRZ while improving on the next gen Z performance without bypassing the GTR.

It honestly doesn't make any sense to downgrade the Z to compete with the twins since the twins are suppose to be what the 240sx/Silvia/180sx was back in the 90's

Who knows? They have considerable room to improve performance without encroaching on the halo car and big competition at a lower price point...

I could see them going either way, make it faster or make it cheaper, but they won't do both.

They're going to have to completely overhaul the Z if it's going to survive. Sales have been slipping for years in the US and I'm sure Nissan knows it. They sold more 350zs in the first year (36,000+) than they've sold 370zs since 2009. The 2013 models haven't been moving at all. They may not even break 7000 units in the US when it's said and done.

I remember back when the 350Z came out seeing rows upon rows of them at the dealerships here in Atlanta. Now most dealerships have about four 2013's and won't order a 2014 until a 2013 sells. Times have certainly changed. I recently drove a 370Z with sport package. I can honestly say that I was extremely impressed. It's faster, handles better and is better balanced than the Hyundai Genesis that I was considering. Yes, the body style is looking dated, but the performance is certainly there. I think the biggest thing that the 370Z has going against it is the fact that it's a two seater. That culls out a majority of its potential market. Having a token back seat would go a long way towards opening up a larger market.

I'm gonna digress a little, but you'll see what I'm talking about.

Toyota no longer offers a "mid range" sports car like the Supra tt MKIV. That was initially a $35,000+ car when it debuted in '93, and ended up being close to $50,000 MSRP at the end of its run, back in '98/'99 if I'm correct. Toyota saw sales dramatically slip because the yen was too strong relative to the U.S. dollar. Fast forward to now, and you saw how Toyota will only offer ultra-expensive sports cars like the Lexus LFA; well that ended recently and those cars were only available for lease...to people who got chedda. Toyota did this imo because they wanted to get out of the boy-racer/import scene image and instead wanted to be on par in image/prestige with the likes of Ferrari, Lambo, etc...Supra MKIVs get riced out, and so do FD3S's, Z32s, and so forth. Japanese car companies want to shed the import scene/boy-racer image imho. They want to be perceived like high end Euro cars.

I think Nissan will either eliminate the Z a la the Supra, or offer a cheap entry level sports car (and name it other than "Z") a la the BR-Z or Scion to appease the teenage/early 20s mileu, and leave only its marquee sports car i.e. the GT-R because Nissan too wants to leave the boy-racer/import scene image. Besides, the import scene is passé and gaudy now.

Whatever Nissan does, more power to them. The import scene had its 15 minutes and its time to leave it where it belongs--in the past.

Interesting point of view. I suppose it's possible that the Z line could end, but I hope it doesn't. There has been a little bit of media coverage foreshadowing a new revamped Z model (eg. Jay Leno at Nissan headquarters etc) that keeps my hope alive. Could be an opportunity for Nissan to have a small niche market in the current price range (or slight deviation from the current price range).

At the end of 08 Nissan gave a 5k rebate for the 08's. The 09's were out & that rebate + $2k profit made the dealers offer $7k-$8k discounts. Some people got great cars (08's) at a fantastic price.

If the new Z gets smaller with a 4cyl., I'd love to see that discount on the 2014's. My new car??? :)

I wouldn't count on that happening. Right now Nissan has lowered the price on the 2014 base model over $3000 and they're offering no incentive (other than 0% APR) to move the 2013's. Dealers are literally going to lose money on their 2013's.

Lowered $3,000 on the 2014???? Still a long way to the start of 2014. No?

Imagine the discount/lowered price in Aug. of 2014 :)

No, the 2014 370Z's are in production right now and available at some dealerships.

I agree with everyone above on pretty much every point. But I would like to point out something I've been noticing recently and if it is a trend then I wouldn't expect to see anything in 2016 that'll impress in terms of a new Z or even the likes of one.

For example, the 200HP engine has been the benchmark number for how many years now? 14? 15? Even so, it seems manufacturers are only trying to acheive those same numbers with smaller and smaller engines that are more fuel efficient. The new Honda Accord "Sport" model only has, what, 185? Sport? Give me a break.

What I'm saying is they keep re-generating the same numbers and the only battle now is for fuel economy. They don't really care about hp anymore as long as they get close. BMW drops the 8cyl in the M3 for a turbo-6. And what are the figures? only 6 more ponies than last year. Whoopie-do!

The FRS? I drove one again the other day here in Las Cruces because I was bored. Handling was fine. But it was sooooo damn slooowww! It made it almost unbearable. I think my 138hp rental car has more torque.

What it comes down to really is this... performance figures are all but out the window. The battle is fuel economy in ever larger vehicles and soon every damn engine will have a turbo on it and will be direct injected. Not necessarily a bad thing but it will begin to limit the ability to do much to the motor for performance gains since they are getter ever smaller in displacement and most will be 1.6L or smaller and will soon likely come coupled with batteries as a standard feature.

So if they decide to compete with the FRS in 2016, expect low performance figures and specs. I would expect a performance drop with the Z as well if they so choose to bring it back in 2016 as an overhauled vehicle. It'll be underpowered but that's ok as long as it is 100 pounds lighter. :ugh2:

2009 the USA was knee deep in the recession and we're not out of it yet.

^^^^^ everyone knows that:confused:

What does that have to do with a possible huge discount by mid/end of 2014?

Today Aug. 2013 is $3,000 lowered + dealer profit. You think a year from now, especially if a new model comes out, the discount will not be bigger???

My last post on this subject.

I agree with what you're saying, but I'll also add another point. Most performance car oriented drivers do not have the skills to match the higher performance cars that are out there anyway. Therefore, other than bragging rights, there's nothing in it for most drivers when they gain additional HP.

I think you're misunderstanding what I'm saying. Nissan is not discounting (as in offering dealer incentives or rebates) in order to move the 2013's. This is very odd considering that they lowered the price of the 2014's. The effect is that their dealers are hit with a pretty immediate loss on their inventory. Given that they'd hang dealers out like this, I'm doubting that they are going to care when the same thing happens a year from now. It's just my take. We'll see.

The Z wasn't the only model impacted, either. The Corvette and Miata, for example, both took hits.

In times of recession, the luxury of performance in a car isn't as attractive as one that is cheap to operate and dependable, drivable in snow and capable of seating four adults.

Considering the Q50 was released, the G37 had to have a price drop seeing as they going are to be continued for a couple more years until the new coupe is released.

This price drop of the G37 put it at an even level price-wise with the 370z. Maybe the 370z dropped in price because the G37 dropped its price initially. Not sure (no one is) if this is the reason why there's such a significant drop in price, but its another possibility.

This thread explains exactly why I purchased my Z. I thought about most of this when I purchased it, being that I love the look of the 2012 and under. Without that ugly running day light on the front. I decided to get the 2012 instead of the 2013 which the dealer was trying to get me on. A lot people asked me 'so if you know it's gonna be out of production' or 'if there's chances to be out of production soon or smaller engine and slower why would you get it?'
I'm sure this car will be a classic like the 240s are now. I also believe all cars in the near future will be electric. And cars like what we have now will be scarce or non existing. Gentlemen we all have a piece of history in hand. And that's why I purchased my Z.
I pray it never get out of production honestly, but the way I see things going it looks like it will be... Soon !

(Sorry for being out of the subject a bit)

When I was doing my search for a weekend car I kept comparing everything to the 370 until it became mind shockingly apparent that the 370 was the car. The Genesis had decent numbers but when I looked at one next to the the 370 it was beyond bland. To hear anyone say the styling looks dated compared to anything else in the market is just odd.


I offered 40K for 13 T+S two months ago and was told to gtfo by the dealer. That same car now has a sticker of 35K. They have had the car since January...

I totally agree with one of those two statements, the other is pure craziness.

[QUOTE=Mark1010;2442276] To hear anyone say the styling looks dated compared to anything else in the market is just odd.

- I strongly believe the Z has THE best sport car look under $50,000

I bought my new '93 240SX (with 4-wheel steering) in January of 1994. It was on the lot with three others that were identical except for the color. There was absolutely no interest in the car. I got it for $15,000. The sales manager was actually mad about selling it at that price, but I guess he decided to because of the lack of interest. The other two 240SX's sat for a few more months before they sold. I guess I was ahead of my time.:tiphat:

It looks dated in the sense that the car has had the same basic appearance since its introduction in 2003. Although I think it looks decent, Nissan is going to have to change it significantly if they want to get the production numbers back up.

Btw, you're wrong on the not discounting 2013's

Nissan IS giving the dealers $3000~ for every '13 sitting on the lot

Outdated styling? What'eva.

The Z has always been an 'affordable' sportscar and Nissan's announcement to lower the price to compete was another reminder. The rebirth of American muscle and new entrants like the BRZ are simply part of a cycle that we've seen decade after decade.

It is times like these many cars look back to their roots for inspiration and I think Nissan would be wise to do so here. They can start with size and weight. The new buzzwords in reviews are 'fun to drive' (sadly) and both would help that.

If they could reduce size and weight -and- put in a turbo -AND- keep the price down...well my friends, that's the secret sauce.

Idk about that.... Word is toyotA is working on supra successor with bmw and maybe another rear wheel drive sports compact below the frs.

I can remember when the 350Z first debuted seeing them come off the truck being delivered here in Houston. Also, i'm sure you'll remember from around 2003-2007 there were 2 cars you seen on every corner the 350Z and the Porsche Boxster, but times have changed and there's no money to borrow from HELOC's (Home Equity Line of Credit) , inflation, dismal job market, etc. If the funds were available, we would see more 370Z's and Porsche Cayman R & S models on the road, Boxsters too. :tiphat:

Can you cite your source? Carsdirect.com and Edmunds both are only indicating a financing incentive for the 2013 370Z's.
Nissan 370Z Incentives and Rebates

BTW, both Carsdirect.com and Edmunds indicate that there are dealer incentives on the Infinity G37.

Plus more options out there......decent camaros, challengers, mustang, genesis, frs/brz.

If you ask soneone who you know who works at the dealership, they'll tell you.
Otherwise NO ONE would buy a 2013

If you ask soneone who you know who works at the dealership, they'll tell you.
Otherwise NO ONE would buy a 2013



I did, it was a lower price than a few of the 2012's that even had more mileage.
(base+sport)
I got very lucky and only beat at least one other buyer by a day or two, he was even there when I was buying it.

As far where the Z is going down the road there was a rumor of resurrecting the 240 (4 cyl) with a turbo. I hope that's not true because I would not go to a 4 cyl for the sake of Nissan marketing needs. I Love the 370 would hate to see the line moving backwards.

If I was a betting man, here's where I'd place my chips:

Nissan will make their performance cars more economical with minimal impact to performance and cost using common practices (direct injection, turbos, higher revs, lighterweight). Some sort of electric or KERS technology will be used to augment the engine in order to get category leading performance. Look at the Juke, it has a boost button...

All of the performance cars are heading in the direction of selective/adjustable performance to meet the mpg regulations while still achieving fractional increases in performance. The Z is Japan's Corvette and will continue to be through its life. For those that don't know, the new Corvette Stingray turns into a 4 cylinder when in eco mode to get 25-30 mpg. Prices will probably start at $36K for a base model Z. Nissan will not jeopardize the brand.

OK, I went by a dealership today and spoke with a salesman. He confirmed to me that there is an incentive on the 2013 370Z's. He even showed me a printout indicating that it's $3150. That makes the cost for a 2013 base model pretty much spot on what a 2014 costs. It's very odd that Edmunds and carsdirect.com don't have this information, but it's good to know regardless.

I am glad you found this. As I read the thread I was thinking I'd need to get some info to you but thankfully you made it on your own.

I also have a feeling that there won't be a new Z in the near future. Sales are bad and for the price there are quite a few options.

I believe consumers (including myself) want something that can do it all; sporty, 4-5 seats, comfort, luxury, and fuel economy. More car manufacturers are producing these 4 door luxury coupes/sedans, just like how luxury SUV's (X5, ML, Cayenne, RX, etc.) were never heard of but got popular starting the late 90's early 2000's.

Interesting article:

2016 Nissan Z: 25 Cars Worth Waiting For 2014–2017 – Future Cars – Car and Driver

car and driver? Lol.... Lets call Carnac, the great to make a Z35 prediction too. :shakes head:

Inline 6, turbo. 375 HP. 150 lbs lighter.

I'm not going to hold my breath for an inline 6 turbo, but 375 hp close to 3K lbs would be nice.