Quote:
Originally Posted by shadoquad
Difference of opinion. I'd rather them increase the power so it can run with Mustang GT's.
|
A 330hp 2800 lb. Z would have superior power/weight over a Mustang GT, and would be quicker.
Quote:
|
The GTR was a technological marvel when it was released in 2009. It is their halo car. It gets people into dealerships, similar to a ZR1 or a 911 Turbo. More people come to look at them and buy some boring Altima than people who actually buy them. And that's the point of a halo car.
|
I don't believe in "halo cars". I seriously doubt GM is selling more Cruzes, Volts, etc. due to the ZR-1, or that Nissan is selling more Altimas due to the GT-R.
Quote:
|
I think the GTR was a definite right move for Nissan. A four-seat, two ton AWD behemoth that could lap the Nurburgring in the same time as a 911. How sick is that?
|
Pointless as far as I'm concerned. Ego-booster for the rich, primarily.
Quote:
|
I didn't say I wouldn't like it. I just don't see it as a smart move. Part of the reality of the hatch market is that people are buying them for versatility, including a drivetrain perceived as being more safe in inclement weather, which necessitates FWD or AWD.
|
That market is already met. This would be for a different market, those who want utility/versatility and a very fun rwd driving experience.
Subaru for years didn't understand that there were PLENTY of customers for the WRX in the U.S. A similar sedan/hatch but rwd instead of awd would be cheaper and have greater appeal to a lot of enthusiasts (like me).
Quote:
|
Sometimes vacant markets were vacated for a reason.
|
And sometimes the reasons are dumb. The small, lightweight, rwd coupe/hatch was abandoned because Nissan wasn't selling many 240SX's, because they insisted on not giving us the SR20DET version to keep from cannibalizing 300ZX sales. So BOTH the Z and the SX left the market. Doh...
Quote:
|
I don't know what the demand is for a RWD hatch. You might be right, there might be a silent majority clamoring for them. But it would be quite a risky move.
|
It certainly wouldn't be a *majority*.
Quote:
|
Toyobaru's move was less risky. The Miata was already there and thriving in that market.
|
The FRS is not a Miata, it's a modern 240SX. People are going to be cross-shipping against Gen Coupes and (groan) V6 Mustangs more so than MIatas.
Speaking of the Miata, that's another instance of a market segment (small, lightweight, economical rwd 2-seat roadster) that had been abandoned, though demand was there. There hasn't been a small, lightweight, economical rwd sedan or sedan-based hatch on the US market for decades. You wouldn't sell as many as Mazda sells Mazda3s, but I bet you'd sell as many as Subaru sells Imprezas. RWD should be cheaper to build than awd.
Risk? Yes, but by sharing the platform with a new smaller/lighter Z *and* a new Silvia, risk is heavily mitigated.