I've been wondering...which demographic does the 350Z target?

The reason I ask is because many on this board and other Z enthusiast sites have lamented the horsepower/torque numbers. If the members on the enthusiast sites are representative of the 350Z's targeted demographic, you would think that AT LEAST a limited 400Z or 450Z would hit the showroom floors to satisfy the demand for a more powerful Zed.

Now if the target audience is middle-aged women or senior citizens I can understand the hesitancy in a power increase.

Somehow, I don't imagine that the case though.

And please don't throw out the lame "remember the Z32 sales disaster" excuse. Because adopting the Zo6 formula of offering a limited number of high performance and more expensive models addresses that concern.

Just interested in your thoughts...

 

I would think high 20's to almost 50. I see all kinds of people of diff age and races driving the Z. Def has a wide demographic. BTW of course you see people modding for big power or worried about it. Thats why most are on here to learn how to mod and one day do it. For every 1 my350Z member there must be 10 "normal" people who are perfecty fine driving around a slow stock Z

 

The HP & torque numbers are quite acceptable for most of us Z owners. For those wanting more, there seems to be a wide variety of aftermarket turbo/boost kits around. Nissan built a sports car to appeal to a certain price point. My guess is Nissan does not want to put resouces into a higher HP version for cost/return reasons.

Just my guess on target market but I'd say 25 to 30 year old males with incomes over, say, $40,000 annually.

 

I've got the Nissan 350Z Sales document at home.

I'll check it out tonight

 

The forum enthusiasm for more modified horsepower is a poor representation of the general 350Z owner. I estimate that 9 in 10 Zs on the road are stock. More horsepower in a stock 350Z? Sure. Easy. Piece of cake. But can Nissan give the buyer more performance for the same price? Nope.

 

look at the times that the 350z has made around the "ring", and the cars that it bested!

I've driven some crazy HP cars and they are fun but they don'e have the balance are predictibility you get with the Z and thats why I love it...

The Z doesn't make crazy power, but like a porsche, miata, s2k you don't need huge power to have a well balanced ride that utilizes everything its got!

 

As said above it's not all in the HP it's also in how you use it. I think adding another 50 HP to the number they currently have along with a nice amount of torque would make this car even better then it already is. I would like to see this come from the factory so that I still have a full warranty though. I like mod's but I also like not having to worry about if my engine goes bang that the dealer is going to give me crap.

 

20 - 40 year old males with $32,000 to burn.

 

Focused toward Engineering pro's, particularly IT. It is astonishing how many IT pros own this car.

 

The Z does have a wide appeal. The base coupe is accessible to someone single in their late teens/early twenties. A loaded up grand touring roadster can be a reasonably affluent person's weekend toy. What the Z represents is a well balanced, reasonably priced street sports car. Cost is key here. More performance = more $$$$, nothing more, nothing less.

 

I'd say 25-40 years old as well with the occasional few from opposite ends.

I guess I'm in the minority when I say, "I'd rather see a lighter Z."
300hp seems like the typical median and is a good amount for a compact Japanese sports car nowadays.

Making the car lighter would make it better....all around.

 

It will never happen.

Consumers demand more...more electronics, more fancy driver enhancements. More stuff means more weight. Look at the evolution from the bare bones 240Z to the heavy 300ZX. In fact Nissan did take a step back to the functional days of the 240Z: the 200SX.

 

I agree with those who say the target demographic is like a 25 to 40 year old male with high diposable income, so almost like an educated professional, or a well off student. Interesting though, is that whenever I hear from an older guy who talks about "his first new car out of school being a Z" - (like a 240 Z or 280 Z) , it seems like the guy is blue-collar. So I wonder, does the Z still appeal to the working class, or has our society just changed in general, so the new "working class" is now a computer programmer?

 

Yeah of course it will never happen.

Given their current success, it would be nice just for Nissan (to every once and awhile) say "fug you... average consumer!" and produce a low-production run, light-weight track Z.

They did go the right way from a Z32 averaging more than 3,400 lbs to a base Z33 weighing in at less than 3,200 lbs in 2002.

Like every girl you ever knew in highschool, the 350z packed on some pounds the older and more comfortable it got on the market.

 

I am a married 42 year old male.

Income is in the 6 figure range.

I have a NEW 2005 Lincoln Navigator (MSRP 62000+)

a NEW 2005 C6 Vette Convertible (MSRP 54000+)

and a NEW 2005 350Z Performance Edition (MSRP 33000+)

I think the 350Z appeals to a lare range of ages, incomes, and demographics.

Considering my last cars were a pre-owned 2001 Viper GTS, a pre-owned 2003 Mustang Cobra, and a pre-owned 1999 WS6 Trans Am...

You can see the 350Z fits the critreria of an ULTIMATE Bang for the Buck car.

I do feel the car could use an extra 100 horsepower to be perfect on the top end, low end is adequate and mid range performance is very nice as is.

My reviews are comprised from owning Vettes years:

1992, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2005

2001 Viper

2 2003 Cobras (445rwhp and 492rwhp)

1 1999 WS6 (327rwhp)

2 Porsche 944s

1 Dodge Stealth TT

Several 5.0 Mustangs (Blown and stock) (461rwhp was the fastest)

1 2000 Mustang GT Vert with a Intercooled Novi 2000 and 385rwhp SAE

My only real feeling with the 350Z is a need for a little extra oomph such as the shove in the back a Supercharger or Twin Turbo and a power level of at least 350-400rwhp.

I must admit my back problems have been flaring up making a manual a possible problem, if so I would buy another automatic Vette.

But, my ultimate car right now would be a NEW Z06, but I am not about to blow $70K on a car I might not be able to drive.

So, if I get clearance to drive an easy stick such as the 350Z, I would expect a TT or Procharger to find its way under the hood within the next 6 months.

If not, unfortunately I would have to trade my 350Z for another automatic Vette 6 speed paddle-shift automatic.

I will say the 350Z could use a Better stock stereo and a better middle console, but aside from that it is a great car and I am thoroughly impressed.

As far as looks, I think the 350Z especially with the stock 18" rims is as hot looking as my new Vette or my previous Viper, and much nicer looking than any of my Mustangs.

There you have my Humble opinions,

Howard

 

I am one of them

 

+1

 

I'd say 20-50ish based upon the wide variety of trim packages offered. They must try to satisfy those who want the less expensive alternative and those who want to buy one with all the fixins' installed.

 

Perhaps the same audience as FF3?

 

mine is slow...and almost stock....im gonna steal yours lol