Why is Ford doing more than Nissan?

JungleZ

Ya that's all I'm saying is what I've seen so far scares me! I mean I don't mind getting smoked by v8 mustangs that cost less but at least give us some more cars with beefier options if you're gonna be sporty.

UNKNOWN_370

I feel you.

I see the v6 and v8 mustang
Then comes the Focus ST and soon to come RS
The fiesta is even getting sporty.
The next gen mustang will probably make this current one look pu$$y.

Meanwhile, our versa is bytchier
Our altima is larger/ yet lighter??? CVT and GRAVITY??? anyone?
The altima coupe is up in the air.
The sentra is duller with NOT even a real fact about a possible SE-R
The maxima? No news either.
Hybrid infiniti Q50 as the higher end G doesn't inspire sport confidence.
The Z's refresh is the laughing stock of the sports car world.

All i can say is keep hope alive.

dastaco

Yeah but seriously... we're getting an electric car in Le Mans!!

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UNKNOWN_370

Lol... Please Don't Remind Me.

Beerlustz

If you are getting smoking by a mustang then it has been tuned or upgraded.

OnCallZ

I agree, nissan needs to step up with the Z, currently the only competitive sports car they have is the GTR, the z turned into a GT cruiser, overpriced and under-powered. I remember reading an article in 2002-2003 when the 350z was deemed a Japanese mustang, now it seems that the new Japanese mustang got caught in a time loop and can't come out of early 21st century.

Personally I would love to see a detuned gtr engine in the next gen Z, yes yes I know the r35 engine is an expensive thing, but the VR38DETT evolved from the VQ35/37, so I don't see why we can't have some convergent evolution and fabricate a VR38 derivative with maybe less boost/ revised internals to fit the 35k segment.
I don't know if it would be cheaper then going to a full or half aluminum chassis, but I do know it would have the same effect, nothing wrong with 3200lbs and 450hp/420tq and limitless tuning potential, this surely would put the Z back in the lead

ImportConvert

Problem: GT-R engine is horribly inefficient weight/power wise. They would do better shoving an LS7 under the hood, unless you want a 4,000# car, maybe they could call it the 4000Z, LMAO!

UNKNOWN_370

I don't think it's underpowered, but transmission and suspension tuning should have been done to improve acceleration. also they should have moved to a more aggressive tire. they just totally missed the bus with simple improvements that could have made dramatic changes.

ImportConvert

Honestly, I don't have any issue with the suspension for acceleration. The high 12/low 13 second 1/4 mile times point to others doing well with it when using it at the drag strip, too.

My issue is with the suspension where the road turns and/or a bump is encountered. Nissan left a LOT on the table, here...

/Angelo350Z/

I really hope Nissan builds the next Z to compete with the 911 Carrera, and the Nismo variant to go up against the Carrera S. I'm such a fanboy that I'll pay $70K fora 420+ hp, 3100 lb, NA V8 or TT V6 Z. That would then open up the segment for the new Silvia; slotted exactly where the Z has been all this time.

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2013 MB NISSAN 370Z SPORT

ImportConvert

Nissan is a relatively poor company competing with a relatively well-off company, and a government backed company. They cannot afford to do such grandiose things as move a car up an entire segment and create another one to fill its place. That is industry-shattering, and Nissan doesn't have near the oomph in their pockets to even contemplate it.

UNKNOWN_370

I agree, but in forward accel, the Z can push mid 12's with a better forward suspension and better tires. I've pulled 12.9 on the drag. When i do some better susp mods i expect 12.6

ImportConvert

At the cost of handling a corner. I'll pass. NA V6's make shitty drag racing cars.

shadoquad

I have read through a lot of this thread. Basically, I think they're just different companies. Nissan isn't doing poorly, in my opinion. As much bashing as there is on the Z, it's still a lot of fun to drive. It'll still get your heart pumping and give you RWD thrills with gorgeous styling. It has its flaws. Maybe it's overpriced for what it is? I don't know. I still think it's a hoot at that price.

Ford is making quality motors right now, but each of its performance cars have some flaws, too. I don't like the way the v6 and v8 Mustang are listed separately. Just talk about the entire Mustang range. They're all bang for buck performance-wise. But I'm not 100% sold on them. They're big and ugly. If that's your thing, then cool. And yes, they're very fast and handle fairly well for their size.

The Focus and Fiesta ST are too small for me inside. I drove the Focus ST, and the Fiesta is bound to be even more cramped. They're pretty quick, but I'd rather buy a WRX in that segment. In fact, I did. And while the Fords are somewhat well-appointed in fancy designed interiors, they're still built with cheap materials underneath. You're paying for the performance.

All that said, I don't believe any of this bears a conclusion on the directions of the brands. Nissan is still selling Joe Public his Altima Sedan with CVT and making a huge buck off that. Ford is still selling base Focuses and pick-ups to Tom, ****, and Harry, and they're both doing well.

UNKNOWN_370

I agree with the quality comparo. But your taste in Fiesta's and Focus is seperate from the fact that at least Ford is taking affordable fun seriously throughout the range while this past 2 years. Nissan has been making snoozers. (Except Z and juke)
I have no complaints with the Z as a whole. but I have a problem with the low progressive, useless updates we are getting and the lack of enthusiam Nissan has shown for a GREAt car. ITS far from Bashing cuz the Z is an awesome car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of the best out there...

But for the price increases and some of it's inherent weaknesses its had since fall 2008. nissan could have done more where it counted. Great car but it needed some things that nissan could have afforded to do but chose not to for what reason? I don't know.

PS. History proves Im NOT a Ford fan at all, but a spade is a spade.