Yesterday Motor Authority published a story which was titled "it sounds like the Nissan Z might be dead." In the story it concluded that the Nissan 370Z might be the final Z car, which spurred an active discussion in Nissan 370Z groups in social media raising questions like what Nissan should do to sell more Z cars and make it popular again.
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The general attitude in one of the groups on Facebook, called Datsun - Nissan Z Cars, is that NIssan did not learn its lesson. It should keep the car practical and affordable. There is no reason the 2017 370Z 350hp car should cost someone $45,000.
But this opinion, in response to Motor Authority's article from Tu Khoa Nguyen, is particularly interesting, this is why I am sharing below.
Opinion: Nissan Should Go Retro
If Nissan wants to sell more Z cars in the future, it should do what the American cars have done, go look into the past and go Retro.
Imagine a new Nissan Z that looks like 240z, affordable, light and has good power to weight ratio and good handling. Maybe two engine options a 2.0 Turbo charged producing 275 hp. A 3.0 litter Turbo charged, making about 432hp. And the Tuned NISMO AT 502hp with full diffusers and GT wing, wide ZG flares.
The company should also sell Nissan Accessories like window Louvers, Ansa vertical style mufflers upgrade, etc. Price them right and boom. Nissan can sell the Z line without messing with Godzilla.
But the sad truth is that the new millennials here in the US and even Japan, do not like cars anymore. They cant afford them or they like to take Uber. The car scene is dying down and I believe that's why Japan is hesitant about trying to satisfy us, the enthusiasts.
Come on Nissan, even Honda brought a cheaper entry level Civic Type R here. The least Nissan can do is bring the 432 Fairlady back, Tu Khoa Nguyen concludes.
What do you think about the Retro, the price and the dying car scene? Please share your opinion in the comments for discussion. May be Nissan needs to look at Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger: all good lessons in design and marketing.
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Nissan should quit trying to
Nissan should quit trying to make a car for everybody. We want a Sports Car. We want a car that we actually want to drive. Nissan is run by businessmen now and not car owners.
Yes the Nissan Motor Company
Yes the Nissan Motor Company is running by businessmen (and women). What's your point? If you think Nissan believed financially viable to go Retro then they would've, however that trend has passed. The moment is towards more efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. Remember; demand is driven by consumers desire. If you like it that is the retro look. Get your bloody checkbook out..money talks.
It sounds like Nissan is
It sounds like Nissan is dumping the Z again. Nothing at the Tokyo auto show.
Wether or not millenials like
Whether or not millenials like cars should not be the motivating factor. There's plenty of people in the age of 30-50 that will buy cars for the next 25-50 years that would spend the money on a truly retro inspired Z car with modern mechanicals. Get it done Nissan.
I love my 370z and my girl
I love my 370z and my girl friend brother love his fairlady 350 . They need to make more room for us tall people I have the converable and I am 6 foot I fit but it would be nice to put my seat back a little . My family and hers love these car and Nissan don't get rid of the z I am from ct and moved to Florida and many people ether have them here are want one so work with the people low the price and people will buy and u will make your money back thanks please
Retro is cool but the main
Retro is cool but the main focus needs to be a lightweight car with lightweight. Small powerful engine that could be used over multiple platforms. A 2 0T with reliable 250 to 300 hp that’s able to be tuned to run in Altima a myriad of suvs etc. since using one engine give people the option their car as they seem fit but not high priced packages. Exhaust. Lighting, seats wheels etc, but most of all the cost must come down.
Hmmm, let's see the best
Hmmm, let's see the best selling sports car in the world is a 2+2 coupe.....Look this isn't hard let's use data to drive the decision. The Zeta Camaro easily outsold the Mustang from the first day of it's introduction, it handled better than the Mustang and was more powerful, however the Zeta Camaro was actually a roomy car. S550 Mustang vs. Alpha platform Camaro, the Mustang is easily outselling the Camaro. The Camaro is both more powerful and handles better, the GT350 sales don't make up enough to account for the win. Ruling out subjective attributes such as appearance, which may have an impact, inarguably the Mustang is a roomier vehicle that can seat two average sized adults in the back.There is one conclusion - more people prefer multi-use vehicles. The current Camaro may handle better than the Mustang however it's a marginal difference, the Mustang still handles very well. And sure the Camaro is more powerful, however the Mustang is still among the fastest cars on the road at any give time, if someone really wants to make a Mustang faster adding a supercharger to a car these days is really not expensive relative to the price of the car.
So ignore the "light weight and small" because those people aren't really golng to buy the car, instead focus on people that have cash in their pockets, own a 8 passenger SUV and would like a fun car to drive around down. Chances are someone that has an 8 passenger vehicle cannot make due with a 2 seater, however a useful 2+2 coupe will do nicely....Oh and put a V8 in it.
I've bought a lot of cars in
I've bought a lot of cars in my life. In fact, I'm close to pulling the trigger on my 5th z car. My all time favorite car, by a mile, was my 1990 red 2×2 300zx.
Awesome post, Steve.