Gotcha.

I LOL'd at the one article that had it at 3900lbs.

Hopefully the weight will drop below the 3000lb mark. Couple that with the 37HR and you'll have a sub-$30k world beater. I think the fenders should be a bit wider to accomodate wider wheels/tires (from the factory).

From the looks of the pictures, it seems like Nissan did in fact axe the space between the speakers and strut bar. I don't think a targa is in the works... that would defeat the purpose of weight reduction.

 

I dont know if anyone already posted this but here it is!! I dont have sound on my work computer so someone tell me what the hell is going on.

http://www.fastlanedaily.com/episode/fld_20070614

 

+1 You got that right. World beater at this price point. I see a "slight" price increase for this model though.

I gave up on my targa hopes The next roadster should definitely have a better look with the shortened proportions.

 

Everything you can learn about the situation as it is so far is pretty much in this one thread. Enjoy the read.

In short it's a new Z.

 

As long as the Base and Enthusiast models stay below $30k, Nissan=teh win.

Looks like I'll be cancelling plans to trade in Evo for an '07 and just wait it out 'till '08/'09.

 

Hold out man, I put my F/I plans on hold till I see the design direction.

 

I'm impatient so I will be going with the 07

 

I'm pretty sure that the rx-8 has a spare. I was at the dealership one day while I was getting my 626 some recall work done and I remember seeing the spare in the trunk of an 03 or 04 rx-8.

 

I assure you the rx-8 does not have a spare tire. My dad owns one. They give you some fix-a-flat stuff and a 24 hour roadside service hotline.

 

Does anyone think we'll see this for the '08 model year? Or is that cutting it too close?

 

I would venture to say it's at least 2009 and It may even be as far away as an early 2010 model.

Look at the G35/G37 coupe for proof. They didn't bother putting the HR engine in the 07 G35 coupe, and we have been hearing about the G37 for several months now.

If the new Z were only 6 months away (less if you figure oct/nov as the availability of 08 models), like the G37, we would have seen more than a frankensteined test mule, and second why would nissan have bothered squeezing the new HR engine into the z just to replace it a model year later? Doesn't make sense to do the work unless you need it to carry the car over for a few more years and remain competitive.

 

why would they put a new engine in a car after a short time you say . They did the same thing with the revup in the 350z. The life cycle can be just the same if not shorter.

 

uhh i work at a dealership and we've had many used rx-8s be traded in...and yea they do have a spare along with the fix-a-flat and compressor. the spare is just placed at the top of the trunk(like hangs from the rear decklid), not the bottom like in most cars, thus most owners take them out

 

I don't know if this was mentioned as I did not read through the whole thing but maybe this could be the next gen 240SX? Maybe using the the new VQ25HR motor? Who knows, but that video posted said one website said that it could be that Nissan X-Box concept car being tested.

 

The production date for the g35 is 2003-2007 and the g37 in 2008. And the prodution date for the 350z is from 2003-2007(should be last) so I think its a good guess to say the 370z will be out as a 2008 model.

 

As did I.

 

Think about how much information is out there about the 2008 G37 coupe. There are already car reviews, dynos, etc for the G37. You would think if the 370Z was going to be a 2008 model (remember 2008 models will be in dealerships in about 4-5 months) we would see more than a test mule.


Besides why did they put the HR engine in the 2007 z, but not the 2007 G35 coupe? Because the had the G37 coming out and it wasn't worth the money and effort. I think the short cycle of the rev-up was not nissan's choice, they had to put a more powerful engine in the car to keep in relevant in the face of increased competition. When the Z first came out there wasn't much to compete with it for the price. Now we have the new Mustang GT, Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, etc, all just as fast or faster than the 2003-2006 Z for less money. Nissan had to step up it's game to keep the sales on a car reaching the end of it's cycle.

 

Don't know how much truth there is in this http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...ssan_350z.html

They are saying 350 bhp , plus the roadster being replaced with a folding hard top.

Debuts at LA motor show in November, but not on sale in Japan until July 2008.

Fingers crossed !

Gus

 

Autoexpress is usually the last source i go to for the truth. They rarely get the scoop, but who knows... maybe. None of that info seems way off base.

 

And why not? 350hp doesn't seem far-fetched at all. The G37 is what, 330hp? I'd imagine the Z having more power than the G by that time.

Not too sure about the hard-top convertable, but it would sure look nice.