1. Everyone who wanted a Z got one.
2. It's a 2 seater car.
3. It's not practical.
4. It cost roughly 30k to get a Z.
5. They are yesterdays news on car mags.
6. It causes marital problems with your spouse. The opposite sex should not be looking at you. Yes, you who is doing the driving.
7. Sometimes people confuse the Z with other cars and perceive it differently.
8. It's a constant struggle to choose between other sports cars and sedans close to its price range.
9. Some people had bad experiences with Nissan.
10. Perhaps last years drop in intial quality might have spooked some buyers.

 

what bugs me about the Z and most Z drivers is they're not car enthusiasts. They're your friend's mom who bought it cause it's a "cute" car.

As much as I like the Z, it's honestly a pretty conservative shape. It doesn't look like a lotus elise or zonda or come in any really flashy colors other than maybe yellow, blue, and lemanz sunset - but come on, there's tons of yellow, blue and orange cars out there.

all the other colors - as great as they may or may not look, or somewhat typical aren't they? Don't most cars offer black, red, silver, and white?

the Z is kinda yesterday's car - the hype is gone now, and we're all left with a decent sports car, but nothing extremely great in comparison to the current competition. When the Z first came out, the only thing it was really competing with was the S2000, M3, mustang, and boxter. I guess the EVO too. Now we have the RX-8 out, the C6 corvette which is as good as the older Z06 for the most part - for just a little more than the Z. There's turbo miata's out, the lotus elise is out, the new supra will probably come out soon, you also got the GTO and charger out now, the new mustang and shelby mustang out there now, and of course there's the STI.

people used to think it was like a 80k car when they first saw them and didn't know anything about them.

The Z isn't the bargain of the century anymore. Actually, it's a pretty average sports car with it's share of minor problems, and costs a lot of money to make faster.

But I still like it, and still looks great.

 

Forgot those two. Well, Mustang anyway. No one wants a GTO 'cause they're ugly.

 

Hear Hear

 

The GTO is a major flop, the C6 is in a whole other price range, the RX8 is ugly AND slow.
But the newness has worn off for the Z; most of the ones I see and get a chance to talk with the owner, it is the 1st Z they have owned so they are not enthusiasts, they just wanted something new and sporty. I think sales will pick up again now that spring has sprung; at least in Ohio the winter was long and horrible and even when I could drive the Z, it was nothing special. Last week was sunny and 70 and it was like a whole new driving experience, once again.

 

Largest selling sports car in the world.Not selling?

 

The car has been out for almost 2.5 years now..it's not a practical car©Â 26k MustangGT can sway buyers away..and not winter friendly.

 

The problems with the '03's deterred a lot of potential buyers. They were happy to buy a comparable vehicle that had no problems(G35).

 

Gas prices, old style, some people still want one, tire feathernig, prices, competitors, and what else?

 

Failing transmissions?

Oh, and the warranty isnt very good at all. Most cars come with a 4 or 5 year warranty these days, Z's only 3... makes you wonder. I know theres the powertrain, but it still makes people think twice. I dont know about you, but I like to know my car has a warranty while im making payments on it.

 

near where i live i see Z's everywhere most of the ones i see are stock though but i seriously see 2-3 a day not kidding but i've seem to be the only modded one where i live except this sb one with deep dish and some sort of fi hes got a fmic.

 

I haven't had a break in the weather to actually advertise the Z to the general public...today is the first nice day in months so I will shine it up real nice and drive it around town...there will be an increase in demand tomorrow because everyone will want to be like me

 

Define not selling.

Declining sales? All products' lifecycles have four stages: Introduction, Growth, Maturity, Decline. The Z, I would say, is in the Maturity Stage evidenced by the release of the Roadster followed by the Anniversary model this year.

And compared to what?
350Z North American sales: Mar 2005 - 2,728
RX-8 North American sales: Mar 2005 - 2,489
EVO North American sales: Mar 2005 - 312

R&T March 2005 - "It's arguably the most popular sports car of the past several years, topping 200,000 units in worldwide sales."

 

Sales are bound to tail off after the initial rush but it looks like Z is still selling at a decent clip.

 

The initial sales splurge is over for this car. It was spawned by the "return of the Z", which is now over. My guess is that sales will be steady, but limited from here on. Still, as evidenced by Nissan sales when there was no Z, Nissan needs this car as an image maker for the brand, even if it isn't a big seller. I just ordered a Maxima for my wife. If I didn't own a Z, I don't think I would have done so. The Z heritage makes Nissan, and the lesser brands benefit from the "trickle down" effect with regards to image.

 

i hope sales continue to decline... its nice to be unique

 

Good comparison. Sales are down for it and its still beating the competition.

 

you have to mod your car in order to stay out from the crown.


VERY TRUE. Took my wife nearly 6 months to get over it.

 

One way to eliminate this problem.
1. Get on the wait list for a Lotus Elise - wait seven months to be told you have to wait another 9 months. In the meantime, research show not practical and quality may be suspect.
2. start test driving other two seaters like the Mini Cooper S and the MRS.
3. Check out the SLK350 and convince wife AMG is the only way to go with the SLK. $$$$$
4. then test drive a DBR with wife and soft close wife - roadster or coupe?
5. sacrifice MT for AT - so that wife can drive too.
Problem forever eliminate....

 

What difference does the Z's sales make?? It's no secret that the Z isn't the fastest car in it's price range. But for the looks it kills the contenders. Sti, evo, and GTO all look like ***. RX-8 and S2000 are better looking but have no torque. For the money the Z still is the best all around package for someone looking for a sports car in the 30k range. If you want a backseat the luxury the G35 and is the way to go. If you've got the money there will always be something faster and more exotic.

Sports cars always have come in waves and I think that the recent horsepower battle of the early 2000's will be ending soon due to recent and ever raising gas prices. Z production runs have always come in spurts. I'm glad to own one and personally hope Nissan doesn't make this model for too many more years. I see too many as it is.