Unfortunately, Nissan has never published stats based on model, color, etc. The only "model" stat available is the Nismo production based on the badge #. There are 1606 of the Nismo 350Zs.

 

I wonder how many Roadsters were made. I almost never see them. I see one for every 20 regular 350s in the Chicago area. Im not surprised as they're only good as second cars around here.

 

Back in 2004 when the roadster was first announced, Nissan estimated that 1/3rd of production would be roadsters. There was no indication if that was for 2004 only or anticipated for future years. Maybe in CA, 1/3 of the Zs are roadsters, but I've never seen that percentage of them anywhere else on the road.

 

This might explain why people don't know what my car is the first time they see it. Partially debadged BTW.

 

Looks like Nissan is on its way to discontinuing production as the price of this platform is now headed north of 40k (Nismo version) --the same death toll of the z32.

 

You're comparing apples to oranges. Sure, back in 1996 when the Z32 was discontinued, it cost $44,000. If you convert that to today's dollars, you're looking at $60,900 - the 370Z doesn't cost anything near that (yet). In 1996, only 6,000 Z32s were sold. As I mentioned in my post, the saving grace for the Z is that it shares parts with the G37 so the cost of production is a lot lower. The Z32 never had that luxury.

If I get the opportunity again, one of the questions I plan on asking NNA's marketing people is where they think the cut-off point for the Z might be (i.e. no longer profitable).

 

Yes, the 300zx was a far more expensive beast than any of the 350s and 370s today. But it had the top-end in technology and luxury, which you can't find in the Zs today either. For example, the turbos had four wheel steering. Overbuilt iron-block engine. The suspension was adjustable inside the cabin from the console. The T-tops were well done, despite later leakage in some cars.

You don't find these things on a Z today. The Z today is very refined in the handling and chassis design, but not bleeding edge technology. The GTR has filled the bleeding edge slot, but at a supercar price.

 

Exactly. Sports cars and pony cars are entirely different markets. It is fascinating to see so many people lump them together because they look "sporty". Just compare the stats on a Camaro and a 370z. The Camaro is a lead weight.

 

One last note on the 370z sales numbers. I test drove one hoping to move up to a 370z after my 350z is done for. However, I quickly found out that the 370z was not only a fair bit smaller inside (cramped is an understatement), there is less usable space in the rear hatch area despite the beam removal. Thus, the size of the market who might buy one is far smaller as well - both in statute and in the ability to sacrifice even more space for a 2 seater hatchback. Throw in the fact that the 370z is even more rough-riding and powerful, you are moving out of the general fun-sports car enthusiast market and into the dedicated specialty tracking and performance car market.

If Nissan had taken a 350z, (call this the 350zx or something) added some mild turbos (390 hp), removed the rear hatch beam and the hump behind the seats, added slightly more comfortable interior amenities, kept the size and weight the same, and overbuilt the mechanicals a bit more (tougher transmission, room for boosting on the engine), IMO sales numbers would go through the roof. It would be the ideal sports car - with room to grow for the modders, and power to match the handling.

There is nothing magical about this formula, people have been asking for things like some small turbos for a dog's age. But imagine the appeal of such a car.

 

[QUOTE=DavesZ#3;8833149]You're comparing apples to oranges. Sure, back in 1996 when the Z32 was discontinued, it cost $44,000. If you convert that to today's dollars, you're looking at $60,900 - the 370Z doesn't cost anything near that (yet). In 1996, only 6,000 Z32s were sold. As I mentioned in my post, the saving grace for the Z is that it shares parts with the G37 so the cost of production is a lot lower. The Z32 never had that luxury.

Good point, well taken. To what, then, do attribute the steady decline of sales for such a popular platform?

 

+1 i see a lot more Gs than Zs in my area too.

 

With the economy going down hill for the last 4 years or so, that has certainly soured the market for luxuries such as sports cars.

People are holding onto the 350 a lot longer instead of upgrading to a 370.

The "newness" of the "Z" car has worn off so that attraction is gone.


For me personally, I see the step from the 350 to the 370 to be similar to that of the 240 to 260Z back in the 70s. There's just not enough of a difference to be compelling enough to make the jump, especially in this economy. If Nissan steps up and produces a 400Z with totally new styling, a significant jump in performance then I think they will draw a lot of people who originally bought the 350 a few years back.

 

^ #1
I agree 100%

 

I haven't read the entire thread, so pardon me if I'm just re-hashing an old thought.

I can't help but feel the 07-08 HRs are the biggest losers here. The combination of dropping sales figures and only a 2-year production run means there is no real incentive for the aftermarket companies to develop for the HR. It's been known that the FI market is much smaller, and dramatically more expensive than on the older DE's, and while the long-tube header market was almost non-existent on the DE's, there's not a single one out there for the HR.

The worst part is, we can't even hope for them in the future since the HR is already a dead platform

 

^^ That's more of a subject for debate in this forum... https://my350z.com/forum/vq35hr-479/ In general you are correct, less HR cars means a smaller market for HR specific parts.

 

Interesting!

 

I would offer, as above, that the 370z is not a 350z upgrade. It is a move toward an entirely different specialty market segment beyond the broad appeal of the 350z. Folks who own 350zs often shy away from the 370z because it takes away the comforts they want, and adds power and a bit more handling. It should have added on all fronts.

I have several friends who own 350zs who do not even consider the 370z in their search for a replacement car. They are looking at BMWs (1 series and 3 series), Audis (A4/A5) and the like. I have to agree, I won't ever be buying a 370z, but I would consider a 400z if it had the right features.

 

^what he said. I have an 08 and did not mind at all when the 370 came out 6 months later. Its just not different enough to entice me. Back when I joined this site I saw a pic of a concept for the new z. It looked like a mix of todays Zs and 70's Zs. That looked awesome and would love to buy that. I think that's what the 2016ish Z will look like.

I'm gonna try and find that pic.

 

I looked at the 370Z and liked it but when I found my 03 with 22,302 miles on it and a test drive I was hooked.the data plate on mine says it was made in oct 02

 

+1 i'm waiting for a TT Z to make a triumphant return one day