Comments on: Nissan slices 370Z sales projections

By: Z06ified

Z06ified — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:14:33 +0000

Jon – Do your homework. The Corvette does typically sell 30,000 units per year. Has for decades. I know Corvettes very well, and I’ve been to the production plant. I know.

Borat – GM justifies the Corvette because it’s profitable and it’s a halo car to get people into Chevrolet showrooms. Unlike many halo cars, the Corvette is required to be profitable by GM, and it is. Since 1953, the Corvette has been rumored to be on the chopping block probably over a dozen times. Yet it’s still here, and better than ever. I can assure you, it’s not going to leave GM.

By: parts guy

parts guy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:51:06 +0000

While this car has been favorably reviewed by the scribes at the major US car magazines, my opinion is that it wouldn’t be on my shopping list. The value factor (relative to others available) isn’t there, and I like the styling of the 350Z a lot more. Too bad that model had an interior that looked like it came out of my brother’s ‘85 Pulsar.

Enthusiasts should just be glad there are still choices like the 370Z available given today’s screwed up economy. Whether you’re talking a 370Z, a Challenger, Camaro, or any of the other relatively low volume sporty car on the market, my advice is, “Buy them while you can!”

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:37:00 +0000

‘mayer’ and ‘71′, yup and yup.

As for ‘hangonmysausage’, I SHOULD limo tint so that after dusk I have a hard time seeing out at ugly design failures like this thing and peasants like you walking the streets. I’ll bet you are one ugly mofo.

Back on point, I thank the Lord this will sell horribly.

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:33:46 +0000

I really liked the 350… and I’m sure the 370 is wonderful too, but at the prices they want for the Z cars I’d never buy one.

By: 71fiveanddime

71fiveanddime — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:49:13 +0000

it looks like a swollen miata to me. but id still drive the piss out of it if i were handed the keys.

By: leftwingagenda

leftwingagenda — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:25:06 +0000

i think ‘the magazines’ are influenced a lot by the manufacturer’s marketing folks, so i doubt they came up with the comparison solely of their own accord…i like the 370, i think a lot of the awkwardness of the 350 was smoothed out and the car is pretty sharp…i’ve seen them in person and they are tight looking cars…they did seem to go upscale a bit, though, so you’re going to pay more like 40k with options…i would definitely choose this over a ’stang, though, but that’s more of a style thing…

By: IGT

IGT — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:13:40 +0000

What’s wrong with the 370z aesthetically can be easily tweaked, the interior is nicely appointed, performance out ranks those in its class (namely mustang and perhaps the new genesis) it’s just simply priced about 10K over what people are willing to spend at this time.

By: Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3

Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:46:01 +0000

I believe that the comparison with the other cars, Corvette, Porsche, etc. have been from the magazines—not Nissan. I remember when MG, Triumph and a handful of others were sports cars…until the 240Z came along. Now the 240Z was a serious game-changer and completely refreshed the sports car world! All enthusiasts benefited with the 240Z’s arrival. The 370Z’s headlight and taillights are brilliant in their reducing manufacturing, and assembly costs. IN real life the 370Z looks much better than the photographs, and after taking it for a test drive, I came away very impressed with what Nissan is doing. The 350Z was unimpressed with when it was released, but this 370Z is very, very good.
.
I too am eagerly awaiting Corvette’s departure into other hands…far from GM. Corvette will then be headed in a better directions and have better credence with the enthusiast world—all major positives.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:45:51 +0000

Saw my first two of these on a car hauler last night and I have to say they looked pretty sharp. I’d never buy one but my daughter’s boyfriend seemed positively alarmed when I said I’d rather have a Mustang. That’s an interesting response since he’s a) 16 and b) works on a school drag racing project. It might also be interpreted as a part of the reason for these low projections. If a piece of your demographic that finds this car appealing can barely afford a Schwinn never mind the car it’s highly unlikely they’re going to bolster those short term sales.

By: Borat

Borat — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:24:56 +0000

I think it is wishful thinking on part of Nissan to aim at Boxster/Cayman. Porsche has extremely fuel efficient engine (for 6 cylinder) and equally efficient transmissions (plain manual and DSG). In Europe it is very important consideration for any car in a garage. I think for the next of it’s life Z will be North American car.

However,Z is very profitable car for Nissan. It has basically the same engine as G, M and Maxima/Altima cars (better gearheads can correct my technical regressions) and parts bin is shared with the same slew of vehicles. Corvette is in its own league. It is much superior car in terms of performance, price and of course parts bin is almost unique to this model. Even if GM sells more ‘Vettes then NIssan Z’s I think Z’s would be more profitable for Nissan.

I have a feeling that when GM will emerged as a smaller company after bankruptcy, Corvette trademark and production line will be spawn off to separate company. I can’t see how GM will justify this car.

By: Jon Luc

Jon Luc — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:18:05 +0000

When i move from Northern Canada back to my hometown in Ontario, I’ll be buying the 2010 Mustang Cobra GT Convertible. I’ve been waiting to get back to normal roads so I spend my saved money on a new car.

By: hangonbig3

hangonbig3 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:17:51 +0000

Hey Impulsive…You are on the right track. Just Limo tint your own windows and you could stamp out ugliness for everyone. Oh, and on a positive note….shut your computer off and finish the job.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:17:06 +0000

The downturn is only part of this. I think the rest is the styling on this car.

I understand what they were trying to do stylistically with the headlamps on the Z and it probably looked fine in the drawings, but when translated to steel and plastic the result is a face on the Z that looks worried and sad. In addition to performance most people do not want a worried looking sportscar – they want it agressive looking – the Z performs but there is a large contingent of purchasers who do not use that performance and just want to look good. This doesn’t give them what they want. Nissan’s exageration of headlights and tailights has gone too far.

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:09:54 +0000

Wow.

Maybe ‘DrFool’, can try to argue this was somehow GM’s fault and not a lack of REGULATION in the financial industry.

A lot of people will suffer because of foolish greed.

Oh, on a positive note …. at least they’ll sell very few of these to litter the roads on which I drive. Something so ugly should not share my pavement.

By: Jon Luc

Jon Luc — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:57:53 +0000

Corvette doesn’t sell that many. I like the Corvette, & I like this Z, although in different classes. I’d still rather buy a pick-up truck, cause it’s more proacticle for me at this time.

By: Z06ified

Z06ified — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:50:15 +0000

Wow, that’s not many. The Corvette typically sells 30,000 per year, although it’s probably at a 20,000 per year run rate now.