UMW350Z

iTrader: (18)

The Z is a profitable car, thats why Nissan makes it. Production is dropping off to reduce end items and fulfill the last of the contracts with suppliers and get ready for the 370Z shift in production. You will see an EXPONENTIAL shift in production when the 370Z comes out, from like 300 a month to 2500-3000 a month.

aznxkrnxboi

our values went down so bad!

davidv

iTrader: (2)

It certainly will. I also assume that the price will be $35,000 plus.

KManZ

iTrader: (8)

I wonder what the sales numbers would have been had the 350Z only been made in 6MT. 50% less? Guess it depends on the ratio of Auto to Manual...
I wish the upcoming 370Z was only available in manual. The S2K has done ok in that manner since 1999

dystopian

Another factor to consider is the effect of the used car market on new car sales. For the first couple of years, if anyone wanted a 350z, they'd most likely have to buy new, as there weren't as many used ones for sale. Now, there are plenty of available low mileage Z's that are only a couple of years old out there for sale, and when considering between a new or used, low miles Z that's several thousand dollars cheaper, it's easy to see why a buyer would be motivated to purchase the used. Just take a look at the New Members section now versus a couple of years back.

This is just opinion, but I think sales of the 350z would be more than 50% less if it had only been made in MT. If I remember correctly, sales figures of the s2k have been declining even worse than the Z.

jcleary47

This would be fine if they solved the history of problems I've been reading about with their manual transmissions. I've seen story after story of people having issues with the manual transmissions in the Z, and they aren't all caused by operator error either.

Wouldn't be wise to go that route, imo. You are shutting the door on a large market of car buyers, and also setting up to **** off a lot of people if the MT problems aren't fixed.

KManZ

iTrader: (8)

Yes they have, not doing too well as I have witnessed. Then again, the car has been around for nearly 9 years now, and it's time for a redesign. Some gossip going around that the next gen S2K would be a 2+2 seater


If Nissan were to improve the transmission, or use Getrag like did in the Z32, it would increase buyer cost but would probably save them in the long haul on warranty and repair costs.

As for shutting out a large market: yes, in a business case this would not make too much sense for Nissan, but to bolster Nissan's motorsport/enthusiast image and heritage, I think it would be a great decision. But hey, money talks, so I foresee it never happening.

WYZIWYG

This is a good thing isn't it? Aren't you tired of passing 20 Zs on the road every day? Too many people buying the car ruined the exclusivity of it. Especially when the used '03s hit the market and got snagged up by teenagers!

KManZ

iTrader: (8)

Hail to you, champion I for one welcome reduced sales. If you have one already, you should agree too, for the very reason stated above.

MT option only = less image buyers, more enthusiast = more exclusivity. Its only logical. AT drivers: suck it up and learn 6spd. It isn't that hard! Come on, join us!

GeauxLadyZ

iTrader: (9)

I have seen this!! When i now look up what my car is worth on KBB its rediculously low compared to when i bought my car ONLY 6 MONTHS AGO! Trade in value at that time for my 05' touring with 42,000 miles was like 19,000 and now its 16,000 - 17,000.

Im just hoping that the value decline slows a bit so i get some damn principal paid off in time to trade it in for a new 370Z.

BTW, is there any projected release date for the 370?

jcleary47

I honestly don't think having an automatic line will cause the enthusiast market to turn away from the 370z.

It shouldn't, and if it does, that is due to the arrogance of the enthusiast market. For someone to say they won't purchase a car because an automatic transmission is an option is just ridiculous.

The transmission does not make a car a sports car. An enthusiast does not only drive a manual transmission. I love cars, I love working on cars, I love reading, talking, and learning everything I can about cars, but I currently drive an automatic, and have only owned 2 manual vehicles since learning to drive. That makes me less of an enthusiast? Give me a break.

If someone says they don't want a 370z because they offer an automatic version, fine, they don't deserve one in the first place with that type of elitist attitude.

The car makes the car. The technology and research to develop the car make the car. Those who appreciate these things are the enthusiasts.

Those that only look at what kind of transmission it's rolling with and care about nothing more, are not.

The 370z will sell because it's something new. That's what people want.

Highway Riding

iTrader: (6)

The media will do whatever they have to say that we are not in a recession but IMO we are in fact in a recession which good turn into a depression..

Brrcats

iTrader: (10)

huh?

Polo08816

IMO, it's usually the sales of new cars that affects the sales of old cars. The values of old cars should always be adjusted to the selling price and quantity of newer cars. For example, if new 350zs were selling for MSRP in 2003 and now are selling for invoice, well, used 2003 Zs will have to base their pricing off what a buyer can buy a new 2008 Z for instead of what they bought their 2003 for back in 2003.

Control of the market is in the hands of the one who can adjust supply. Adjusting supply of new cars is based on a business decision, whereas supply of used casrs is based on many other factors such as wrecks/accidents, etc.

BYL

I like the factors listed above, poor economy; new vs. old Z's; but don't forget to mention competition. As a two seater car, you know have options! Pontiac and Saturn hit the market with their 2 seaters. Granted, these cars don't compare in performace to the Z, but their price is an attractive attribute. Plus, as of late BMW sales have been declining and they are offering GREAT insentives on the Z4. A friend of mine bought a Z4 over a Z, based on a good price he got, due to their lack of sales. However, i believe a downward slope on a sales graph is a normal path that many cars in an exclusive market have to deal with, a redesign will jump the sales once more!

dutchboy350Z

iTrader: (5)

Yes, I'm kinda glad my roadster is a little more rare. Especially with my exterior mods.

z-u-later

iTrader: (43)

One of the most ignorant posts I've seen here in awhile. I've probably been driving M/T cars longer than you're alive but choose an A/T due to OC issues with the '06 models. Driving an M/T is not a big deal but you're obviously using this excuse for your shortcomings somewhere else.

I guess the GT-R blows your stupid analogy out of the water about exclusivity in buying M/T cars . . .

Polo08816

Not enough people buying it to match demand to supply on new cars means used cars values are going to take a hit because of the invoice selling price of new Zs. For those who own Zs and plan to sell, this may be bad....just may be....

WYZIWYG

Hmmm. I was thinking more along the lines of the 300Z. You don't see that many well maintained or in pristine condition on the roads. And if you did want to purchase one (a decent one) the price would more than likely be higher due to the scarcity of them out there. The less there is of something, the more people are willing to pay for it. If you could throw a rock and randomly hit 20-30 used 300Zs you as a buyer could low-ball the hell out of a seller.
Maybe I'm wrong, just my .02 cents (-.02 after adjusting for gas prices )

dutchboy350Z

iTrader: (5)

I think you're reading WAY too much into his statement. Making any vehicle as standard transmission only will naturally drive the production sales down. And, believe it or not, there ARE Z owners out there that bought it strictly for looks and could care less about the performance aspects.