Cmoroney

+1 If only people like you could be in charge of designing and producing the next Z.

Jah70

I wish I could get the opportunity to work with them too. They could also do something revolutionary and create a hybrid Z like the McLaren P1 or the Porsche 918. Lower the engine size to 3 liters or just use an even more updated version of the VQHR instead of making a whole new engine which will cost more money. Get it to rev higher to be light, have the electric motor provide the torque where ever the gas motor lacks it. This could also be another option besides the twin turbo.

3 different versions of the same car, a NA base model that is cheap and affordable that sticks very closely to the traditional sports car, the hybrid version will be a "test the waters model" with a bump in power, less emissions because of the small electric motor and a twin turbo ZX model at the higher end comparable to the likes of the recent Shelby GT500.

The two experimental models will be Trying to stay below the 60k mark so it can cut into the sales of other cars people are buying for few thousands more like the Porsche cayman, the new boxster, corvette, M3 coupe, and the GT500, corvette all as targets and rivals for the hybrid Z and ZX models while the base has it's normal rivals and the IDX having a dogfight with the 86 triplets and genesis coupe. The problem with the ZX is that it will start to threaten the GTR so the GTR will have to also get a bump in power or lose some weight to increase performance even more but price stay below it's rivals like the R8, Gallardo etc.

Jah70

Nissan has to do something with the Z quickly though. With Toyota gearing up to release the new Supra and with them suggesting they might put it in the price range of the Z but with more performance that might be the final nail in the coffin for the fairlady as we know it. The NSX and new supra will also probably kick the GTR off it's perch if they are priced less and offer the same performance. It's like the clash of the Japanese titans of the 90s again.

At least with the heavy competition maybe they'll stop jerking off making silly cars like the juke or rogue (same thing as the murano) in their free time or expanding the infinti line (which isn't doing too well either). We'll see the Z get reworked and with the benchmark rivals they had in 2002 with the Z33 which were the M3, boxster and Mustang GT. All of which currently left the 370 in the dust in performance and sales numbers. It's a shame I see more Porsche boxsters and cayman than 370z's on the road.

NismoDude

Great ideas from Jah.

Unfortunately I think alot of the limitations come from the way big manufacturers use the same platforms for multiple vehicles, to help with engineering, tooling, and manufacturing costs.

I think I read somewhere the next gen Z is gonna be on the same platform the new Infiniti Q50 is on?

Jah70

Yeah. That is a big part of the Z's problem. It's sharing the same platform as a sedan. They are doing this with other cars and are basically making the same car with different badges. Besides introducing a twin turbo or a hybrid they could also make the Z it's own car so it doesn't inherit the weight problems. The weight is it's biggest problem I feel.

NismoDude

Agree.

Every lightweight car I have ever driven has been a blast to drive, although most were short on power - Miata/MX5, MR2 Turbo, S2000 - all handle like go karts.

I love the power of my Z - enough to have fun, but not over the top (my buddy just bought a 2009 Corvette ZR1 I'm itching to test drive, but I'm thinking that much power would be easy to put the car in a ditch), but I wish it weighed about 400 lbs less.

Firebase99

Someone said the 370Z was a flop? Well it did debut during the recession like other said which hurt it but it has done ok. The M3, Porsche, and Mustang GT were mentioned "leaving it in the dust". Hardly. M3 $78K, Cayman $65-$100, GT is $35k. The M3 is the largest performance gap. I couldnt afford it. Nor a Cayman. I bought my '13Z for $37K. Do you not think i test drove a GT and would have bought it? Obviously I could have. Other than a gap in straight-line speed, and its not ALL that much faster, it is but youd be surprised how hard a 370Z pulls. I chose the 370 for the intimacy of a 2 seat coup, a mixture of power and handling and style. FWIW, Z35 is going to be hybrid. And its going to be AWESOME.

BigBlue

iTrader: (4)

^Well put and great points! I was in similar boat and chose my hr and glad that I did. I owned a 911S for a few years; awesome car and loved it no doubt, but for the $/performance, you make a good case for your choice of the 370!

Firebase99

Jah70

When I said leaving the 370 in the dust I met either in performance, or price per performance ratio. The Mustang is crushing the 370 in sales badly right now in the US market which was the opposite when the 350 came out. Why? Z33 offered more or about the same power and Nissan themselves set the Mustang as a power target for the Z33 in North America. Z33 had 287 or 300, 305, etc hp. Mustang gt at the time had 300. Now a mustang has over 400. Look at the Z33 vs the E46 M3 also. Z33 wasn't too far off back then performance wise from the older M3 and wasn't far behind on the track. Today the Z34 gets crushed by the new M3 and is no competition. Z33 destroyed the boxster in 2003 and Cayman outperforms the Z34.

If they up the power or lose the weight and keep the car affordable to stay ahead or at least in the same ballpark as it's original rivals then the next Z will destroy them like the 350 did. But the 350 didn't have the new camaro, charger, challenger or 86 so close or in it's price range.

kanati

There's something to be said for the number of the cars on the road. I've seen ONE 370 around here since I got my 350. Z's in my area are scarce. Mustangs? Dime a dozen. I'd rather have less horsepower and more head turning power.

NismoDude

This.



My 08 Nismo turns heads every day, and often garners compliments when at the gas station, etc.


Sure a used C6 base corvette is faster, but THEY too, are a dime a dozen.

Firebase99

Its 6 in the morning, and Im at work. If I get some time and motivation, ill try to get some real world #'s about this crushing performance gap. Yes, the other cars are faster, but not as much as you think. Certainly not the Cayman and definitely not the Mustang. I see literally 30 Mustangs for every Z, boring. Ever drive a 5.0? Yes, it IS a GREAT package, its just missing a soul. Cheesy, I know but its true. Id love the 370 to have 400BHP, it doesnt, but it does have style!

ryanmackk

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the review I've always wondered about the 370z and the BRZ. It's sad to find out just how underpowered the BRZ is. I had an RSX type S which is also rated at 200 hp and although it gets fun to drive at 5500 rpm, it's not often you find yourself revving that high and up until that point it's just a normal car. It's a shame, because the BRZ looks fast, but it sure isn't.

I personally like the look of the 350 much better than the 370 and BRZ. Just cleaner. I think the lights on the 370 are a little much, a little too Juke, but I can appreciate the bump in interior quality.

Comfort is important too. My RSX had decent suspension but the seats were awful. My 350 is a million times better and I find the seats in the g35 to be spectacular as well. If you say the BRZ is better, I would love to try it sometime.

Dan Garcia

iTrader: (71)

As we all know by now, the BRZ is over priced and under powered but it is still a fun car to drive. the seats are a lot better than the 350, I don't really care for the paddle shifters cause it really takes away form the "fun" of shifting gears. had winter tires on it for the winter and the difference is like night and day, you can actually maneuver verry well with winter tires, with out them you are no more than a mobile road block. not every car has to out perform every one elses, to make a long story short we were in the market for a new daily, she said I like that one and I said o.k. so the car was purchased
regardless of the lack of power ratings and price. it's as simple as that.

Firebase99

I think that makes sense. However, I just despise the Twins. Its just such a "wanna be" car. The price for such poor performance is offensive. Toyruba pulled off the greatest marketing scheme ever selling these cars. lol.