2014 Nissan 370Z

[WolfpackS2k]

Nissan has announced pricing for the unchanged 2014 370Z (reference Autoblog for more info) and the big news is that the base price has been lowered $3130, new base price being $29,900.

332hp
270 lb-ft torque
3278 lb curb weight (still 500+ lbs heavier than our cars - ridiculous!)

What you guys think? Seems like this makes the 370Z a legitimate competitor for the Twins (or at least more than before).

[MightyMeeple]

Wow...gotta say I would have seriously considered the Z back in January if the base was at that price. I may have still gone with the BRZ (driving/handling dynamics plus a backseat), but I would have at least test drove a Z to compare.

This is a smart move by Nissan. Now if they can just fix the awful floating gauge cluster.

[Spartan65]

I do have a thing for that color Monterey Blue

[DarkSunrise]

The 370z is a nice car, especially at the new lowered price. I would definitely take it over, say, a Genesis Coupe.

If they could refine the drivetrain more, cut some weight, and improve outward visibility, I would consider one.

[thill]

I wonder if they have cut some corners to lower the price that much of if this is just a byproduct of the Yen dropping in value.

Yeah, would suck if you just bought one of these, but maybe this will put even more pressure on other companies (Toyota, Subaru, Hyundai, Ford, etc) to be competitive in this price range with RWD sports coupes.

[fang_gt86]

Originally Posted by MightyMeeple

Wow...gotta say I would have seriously considered the Z back in January if the base was at that price. I may have still gone with the BRZ (driving/handling dynamics plus a backseat), but I would have at least test drove a Z to compare.

This is a smart move by Nissan. Now if they can just fix the awful floating gauge cluster.

We'll be seeing more of these "under $30k sportscars", if the twins should be successful in a few years. Nissan could've re-design a new gen of 240sx instead of lowered the cost of the fat Z. But then again, it's rare for any auto maker to have more then 3 sportscar in this day and age.

[davidp]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

The 370z is a nice car, especially at the new lowered price. I would definitely take it over, say, a Genesis Coupe.

If they could refine the drivetrain more, cut some weight, and improve outward visibility, I would consider one.

having driven / owned these cars i'd still pick the genesis because the Z apart from being quick in a straight line isn't really fun to drive .. in terms of driving experience if i had to put a note on the twins, a Z and a gc it would be a 9 a 5 and a 7

there's just something wrong with the Z .. it may put down nice numbers but who cares if you dont have any fun doing so ..

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by davidp

having driven / owned these cars i'd still pick the genesis because the Z apart from being quick in a straight line isn't really fun to drive .. in terms of driving experience if i had to put a note on the twins, a Z and a gc it would be a 9 a 5 and a 7

there's just something wrong with the Z .. it may put down nice numbers but who cares if you dont have any fun doing so ..

Interesting, I didn't realize the Genesis was that much better than the Z. I've taken a 370z out on a test-drive, but haven't spent any time behind the wheel of the GC. Never would have guessed the GC would be the more engaging car to drive.

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Wow, that's a really big price drop.
So, were they ripping off the customers by that much all this time?

[topazsparrow]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

I also wonder how much different actual transaction prices will be.

I doubt anyone was paying MSRP for a 370Z anyway.

The dealers in Canada post them at 40K+

Needless to say they are pretty uncommon.

[topazsparrow]

Originally Posted by Sigh-on-Rice

Wow, that's a really big price drop.
So, were they ripping off the customers by that much all this time?

They can set the price at whatever the market will pay. It would only be a rip-off if you couldn't buy the car at the listed price (markups and hidden costs)

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Originally Posted by topazsparrow

They can set the price at whatever the market will pay. It would only be a rip-off if you couldn't buy the car at the listed price (markups and hidden costs)

So, say, 2014 FR-S comes out in 2 month with MSRP of $22k, you wouldn't feel you got ripped off?

2014 FR-S at $22k MSRP + $100 mark up will be more rip off than 2013 FR-S at $25k MSRP with no markup? I really think $22.1k is less rip off than $25k...

I just don't understand what you mean.

[topazsparrow]

Originally Posted by Sigh-on-Rice

So, say, 2014 FR-S comes out in 2 month with MSRP of $22k, you wouldn't feel you got ripped off?

2014 FR-S at $22k MSRP + $100 mark up will be more rip off than 2013 FR-S at $25k MSRP with no markup? I really think $22.1k is less rip off than $25k...

I just don't understand what you mean.

Hmm, you're correct. I hadn't taken resale value into consideration. I would imagine lowering the MSRP on the new model directly affects the price of (at least very recent) older models. "Why buy used when for 2k more I can get a brand new one?"

Good point.

To be fair though, while the MSRP may not fluctuate every MY has big improvements over the previous ones for the most part. People who bought the 350z right before the 370z came out would likely feel like they are in the same boat and the MSRP didn't have to change for that. Same goes for us. If the 10 Series FRS becomes the standard for the 2014 (or 2015) it devalues our cars more than if the cars remained the same.

[bitterspeak]

Originally Posted by Sigh-on-Rice

Wow, that's a really big price drop.
So, were they ripping off the customers by that much all this time?

Why would they be ripping off the customers? You pay extra for the privilege of owning something that everyone wants. No one is forcing you to buy it at that price, but you justify the price of ownership on your own terms.

They drop the price to encourage people to buy more Z's. Anyone could've just as easily waited until now to buy one.