Originally Posted by phelan (Post 666815)

Good lord, think about it from a COST standpoint already. I tried to point that out to you before, and you don't listen. You must be an engineer or something because you get your head wrapped up in all the technological details, and forget there is still a FINANCIAL aspect of designing and manufacturing any type of hardware.

Do you honestly think that a race-ready LSD will make its way to the masses? It is a VERY SMALL percentage of people in the world who will push the car to its limit, no matter a Z or a Ferrari. To those people, yes, the LSD will make them very happy, and they will pony up for the additional parts. I'm sure you're one of those people who would love to see this, considering you live your life a quarter-mile at a time.

To the rest of the masses who use a car to go from point A to point B, why do they care that they get a race-ready LSD? How does it affect their drive down a crowded freeway to get to work? The simple answer is IT DOES NOT. Would you buy a part that you will never get full value for? I doubt it, and I think the average and sensible driver would do away with it if it can save them some money. Especially with the economy gone (and continuing to go) to Hell.

Fact of the matter is, Nissan has already performed a cost-benefit trade study on the Z, and has determined the car is good enough as-is to support the biggest market it possibly can, from the low-end 'looking for a nice new car with enough fast out of the box' all the way to the top 'i'm going to make 1000hp with this thing'. Also, one of the last great things the Z has going for it is its overall value for the money, and even now the original designer thinks it's too expensive already. You start putting all this excess technology the typical driver does not need, you unnecessarily drive the cost point of the car up, and alienate buyers who might have bought for a couple thousand cheaper, all the while cheapening the legacy of the Nissan Z.

Again, car manufacturers are looking to please the majority of buyers. You want specialized? Go get yourself a damn Ferrari already.

And before you even start spewing that I'm afraid of the Z getting upgraded - I'm sure the next-generation Z will have some new tech or whatnot. I understand that. I look forward to new technology in future cars. But the 370Z was JUST released in 2009. It is far too early to be shelving the design already, so I don't expect to see anything happening for another few years at the minimum. And even then I will not love my Z any less - it already brings a smile to my face everyday, I can't fathom why a few nuts and bolts would change that in the future.

Originally Posted by mrcardio (Post 669074)

A true sports car can run more than a couple hard laps without oil temps sky rocketing, its LSD not working the way it should and brakes that perform up to par longer than a few minutes of track work.

Like I said, hopefully Nissan fixes these issues and comes up with a new engine while they're at it. The rest of the car is pretty decent IMO, just needs decent LSD w/ remoter cooler, oil cooler, appropriate pads, and less trashy, more torque, better sounding motor.

I would definitely expect it to cost a good 2-4k more to start but if that means a proper sports car with proper equipment I’m game. Perhaps Nissan could still offer then Z with the sub par LSD, trashy VQ, etc for a lower price and make everyone happy.

Originally Posted by chewonyou (Post 669324)

1)Whether a car requires a redesign is not really dependent on how old the design is, it is dependent on how competitive the market is.

2)As for the rest of your post, if you're talking about the 370z being good enough and practical enough, how does it realistically compare to the '11 Mustang GT.

A '11 Mustang GT 6MT (HID, Security, Brembo, gears) is still cheaper than a '10 370z 6MT Sport + Touring by a long shot. It is also far more practical for everyday driving as well.

3Seems like Nissan has itself boxed into a corner from it's competitors. It's going to be tough to keep the price down while at the same time introducing improvements that will make it competitive with the segment.

Originally Posted by Sibze (Post 669812)

Holy f this thread is STILL open! My god. We are not making AK work hard enough

Originally Posted by Sibze (Post 669812)

Holy f this thread is STILL open! My god. We are not making AK work hard enough

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang (Post 672262)

NISSAN, puhleaaze cram the 5.6L into the next model Z!!!

Originally Posted by Lemers (Post 672805)

Why stop at the 5.6? Let's beat out the camaro in displacement w/ a 6.3

Originally Posted by theDreamer (Post 672809)

Well first thing is getting Nissan to look at putting a V8 into the Z, then we can worry about displacement.

Originally Posted by 230Z Leaf NISMO Owner

I am only getting 35 mpg? I thought the NISMO was supposed to get 5 more mpg than the Green package 230Z?

Originally Posted by 230Z Leaf 45th Anniversary Owner

Can we get some build number plaques for our 45th Anniversaries? Maybe made out of recycled soda cans?

Originally Posted by 230Z Leaf Owner

Hey guys, I just beat a Prius by 2 lengths!

Originally Posted by Lemers (Post 672822)

They can copy ford and chevy's model by offering 2 engine choices. 1 small underpowered and cheap. The second huge and faster.

Originally Posted by Lemers (Post 672849)

So a 22k to 25k base model that has a 4cyl turbo or small v6 with a 30k to 35k more powerful v6 or v8 would not increase sales accross the entire line? That would give people a reason not to buy a genesis turbo and more on the streets means more aftermarket parts being made. Sounds like a win all around.

Originally Posted by Lemers (Post 672951)

I feel more choices spread across a platform reduce production costs and provides appeal to more customers. The 22k to 25k Z strikes right at the heart of the sky, soltice, S2000, and yes our favorite miata. I know they are all verts but they are also 2 seaters that people drive everyday. There is a market for it.