2014 Nissan 370Z

[tennisfreak]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

How so?

I have kids.

1 time my wife and I were out on a date and my kids (which had been and their grandparents for the week) had an emergency where we had to get them immediately. No time to go home and get our SUV.

Twice I have gotten stuck with my boys (while my wife is at work) and had to get them to/from an event/camp.

[Ricochet48]

Originally Posted by brillo

The 370z is just overpriced for its market and the price cut shows it. This is why Toyota and Subi were working so hard to keep the price of the twins down.

Exactly, I agree that the price of the 2013's were not competitive with the new twins as more closely the Genesis Coupe and Mustang.

The question is, is the price NOW very competitive--enough to change minds?

For $28,750 (base) say you can get a Z with 66% more HP and 93% more Torque, and bigger rims, etc.. For those with Premier BRZ's that may less that 1k more, or even the same price for some! Even with 7mpg less and higher maintenance costs (tires, oil changes, etc.), the Z still seems on page to be the better deal for most that don't autocross all day long and/or NEED a back seat.

[Ricochet48]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

I have kids.

1 time my wife and I were out on a date and my kids (which had been and their grandparents for the week) had an emergency where we had to get them immediately. No time to go home and get our SUV.

Twice I have gotten stuck with my boys (while my wife is at work) and had to get them to/from an event/camp.

I assumed that the explanation would involve kids. I doubt I would buy this as more than a weekend only warrior / track car if I had kids or throught I was going to shortly. I could see picking up kids from practice and their friend wanting a ride, etc, basically 'shit happens' with a family.

For me, a 26yo single professional, I have almost zero use for a back seat. My RSX-S's has been used a few times, but it was never absolutely needed. The only reason for me that the BRZ/FRS's backseat would be of any use would be for storing another set of rims while going to the track.

[brillo]

A sub $30k is certainly more competitive in the space against the Gen Coupe, Mustang, FRS/BRZ. Its lack of back seat will be an issue for some but I could see it stealing some sales from Hyundai and Toyota/Subi.

Its a good car, yes its a different animal in terms of driving dynamics but its still a good sports coupe for the money that can handle quite well. To bad it doesn't come with a stock oil cooler as of yet as it has serious overheating issues that require a $800 aftermarket fix.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Ricochet48

Exactly, I agree that the price of the 2013's were not competitive with the new twins as more closely the Genesis Coupe and Mustang.

The question is, is the price NOW very competitive--enough to change minds?

For $28,750 (base) say you can get a Z with 66% more HP and 93% more Torque, and bigger rims, etc.. For those with Premier BRZ's that may less that 1k more, or even the same price for some! Even with 7mpg less and higher maintenance costs (tires, oil changes, etc.), the Z still seems on page to be the better deal for most that don't autocross all day long and/or NEED a back seat.

This is why I always tell people they need to drive the cars and see which they like better. The numbers you cited are correct, and if people solely bought cars based on numbers (horsepower/torque, wheel size, brake diameter, etc.) then yes the Twins would lose.

But there's a reason cars are test-driven instead of simply bought based on specs.

[Ricochet48]

Originally Posted by brillo

A sub $30k is certainly more competitive in the space against the Gen Coupe, Mustang, FRS/BRZ. Its lack of back seat will be an issue for some but I could see it stealing some sales from Hyundai and Toyota/Subi.

Its a good car, yes its a different animal in terms of driving dynamics but its still a good sports coupe for the money that can handle quite well. To bad it doesn't come with a stock oil cooler as of yet as it has serious overheating issues that require a $800 aftermarket fix.

To be fair, since 2012 the 370z has come stock with an oil cooler. It's it cools the coolant and not the oil directly like most aftermarket ones. It would be fine any all but fairly serious tracking.

To me the 2013/14 is ugly and I'd want a 2009-2011 and just put in a Z1 aftermarket one for $800 like you mentioned. With the 3k price drop in the new ones I hope this gets trickled down to the older used models as well, but time will tell.

Hopefully I can find some time to drive both of them and see for myself. It all depends how well I score on my GMAT, ie where I'm going to MBA school, to decide if I even need a new car haha.

[schlomo]

Originally Posted by Ricochet48

To me the 2013/14 is ugly and I'd want a 2009-2011 and just put in a Z1 aftermarket one for $800 like you mentioned. With the 3k price drop in the new ones I hope this gets trickled down to the older used models as well, but time will tell.

I just saw this thread and figured I'd add that I just bought the Z1 34-row oil cooler with thermostatic plate for $600. Perhaps they dropped the price recently.

Z1 Setrab kit

Also, I agree that the new DRLs and bumper were a mistake

[R3d]

Originally Posted by 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).

I used to sell Nissans till about 2-3 mounts ago and they are expecting a new 240sx. That would compete with the twins !!

[brillo]

If the current model's come with a cooler its not sufficient in Houston summers as a colleague has one and the temps gets to 225+ with spirited driving and the engine cuts power. That car has to much engine shoehorned into its engine bay IMO and needs serious cooling attention.

[MightyMeeple]

Originally Posted by R3d

I used to sell Nissans till about 2-3 mounts ago and they are expecting a new 240sx. That would compete with the twins !!

I've wondered about this as well...but then they released the Altima coupe? It looks okay, but FWD = WTF?!

[WolfpackS2k]

^The cooling issues are certainly nothing to take lightly. Its been a big disappointment since the beginning with that car. For track duty the car definitely needs a dedicated oil cooler, possibly some brake modifications (beyond pad swapping) and an aftermarket LSD. I can't believe that car is only offered with a viscous limited slip differential. What the hell?

Originally Posted by R3d

I used to sell Nissans till about 2-3 mounts ago and they are expecting a new 240sx. That would compete with the twins !!

That all sounds great. However can you cite any source for that info? There's been rumors of a 240SX revival for years (especially now given the Twins' success). But nothing official has been said by Nissan, nor have any reputable publications reported anything.

[FR-S.13]

Just sold my '09 Z in March. Monterey blue with sport package. For those of you who feel you're missing out, allow me to offer my two cents:
The only thing I miss about the Z is its looks. That's it. Even though it has a slightly shorter wheelbase than the FR-S, it felt like a big, heavy car. The FR-S shrinks as you drive it harder. I've only had mine for less than two months, but I can honestly say I'm having more FUN. Isn't that the point?

[MightyMeeple]

Originally Posted by FR-S.13

Just sold my '09 Z in March. Monterey blue with sport package. For those of you who feel you're missing out, allow me to offer my two cents:
The only thing I miss about the Z is its looks. That's it. Even though it has a slightly shorter wheelbase than the FR-S, it felt like a big, heavy car. The FR-S shrinks as you drive it harder. I've only had mine for less than two months, but I can honestly say I'm having more FUN. Isn't that the point?

Thanks for sharing your perspective and experience with a Z vs the FR-S. Did you purchase the FR-S as a replacement for your Z? Just curious what made you consider the change?

[FR-S.13]

Originally Posted by MightyMeeple

Thanks for sharing your perspective and experience with a Z vs the FR-S. Did you purchase the FR-S as a replacement for your Z? Just curious what made you consider the change?

To be perfectly honest, I did not plan on selling the Z, but $750/mo between two car payments was getting hard to keep up with and keeping my '11 Accord coupe was the sensible thing to do. My Z was in absolutely pristine condition after 3 1/2 years; it turned 23k miles the day I sold it, and the thought of subjecting it to year round use just killed me. But after driving just the Accord for a few months, I realized how much I missed a car with a pulse. And one day in June I decided that I'd had enough vanillamobile and went to the Scion dealership. I like to say that the FR-S is a 5/8ths scale Z; what the Z should have been in the first place. It's not a very practical car, but I don't need it to be. I miss the Z but I have absolutely no regrets about getting into the FR-S. I think it is the very essence of a fun, affordable sports car. I hope Nissan is taking notes.