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Nissan 350Z

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What is this discussion about? Nissan 350Z, Coupe, Hatchback

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#1 of 2056 the new Nissan 350Z by ezshift5 Oct 01, 2001 (6:18 pm)
So what do we know: 3.5 liter VQ series V-6 enriched to 280-300 BHP, 6-speed stick available, base version sub-$30,000 and under 6 seconds enroute 60 mph. Anyone out there got any more on this potential breath of fresh air. Fast, 'Fordable and Fun.
#2 of 2056 A bit more info by bigsmooth Oct 02, 2001 (7:38 am)
I've read some other info on this car:   The three engine options, will be:   a 286bhp 3.5 liter V6 (350Z)(the only engine available at first)   a 335bhp twin-turbo V6 (350Z Turbo)(the same engine as the next Skyline GT-R, more hp than the 320bhp Porsche 911)   a 197bhp 3.0-liter V6 (300Z)(the volume seller)   Convertibles will be available with all engine options. I can't wait to see pictures of the convertible!
#3 of 2056 bigsmooth by habitat1 Oct 02, 2001 (1:31 pm)
Where did you see the three engine option info? Inasmuch as even the "lowly" Altima has 240 h.p. and the new Maxima has 255 h.p., I find it hard to believe that Nissan would put out a sub-200 h.p. "Z" car, at least in the states. That would be a real marketing blunder, IMHO.
#4 of 2056 Actually... by bigsmooth Oct 03, 2001 (5:28 am)
Now that I think about it, I did see that on a U.K. website. So maybe it won't be offered in the States... my bad!
#5 of 2056 habitat1 by charliemike Oct 05, 2001 (7:12 am)
I dunno, a $24k Z with the 197hp engine (not that it's true) would be an attractive alternative to the rest of the crap out there right now.
#6 of 2056 Charliemike, can't disagree, but... by habitat1 Oct 05, 2001 (9:30 am)
...if they choose to put out a $25k, 200hp "Z", they can pretty much punt the idea of being attractive to the mid-upper end market dominated by Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and the like. In order to compete in this segment, they will need to maintain some element of exclusivity. For example, I don't think Mazda could ever introduce an upscale version of the Miata, no matter how technically competent, that would get a prospective Boxter or M3 buyer to give it a second look. Nobody wants to buy an upscale performance car that can be had in a detuned version by the average Joe (or Jane) at a bargain price.   I'm anxious to see the car, but it will also interesting to me to see how successful Nissan is in its marketing / business strategy with the new Z.
#7 of 2056 I'm not so sure that is completely true! by killer99 Oct 05, 2001 (9:43 am)
The relative Bargain of a BMW 318i never seemed to take much steam away from the M3 shopper/buyer.
#8 of 2056 habitat1 by charliemike Oct 05, 2001 (12:27 pm)
While I think Nissan is going after the Boxster in terms of performance, do you really think that a prospective Porsche owner would really look at a Nissan?   If I could afford a Boxster I'd get one. It's a Porsche after all =)   However, if I could get a car that looks great and performs like a Boxster but would be inexpensive enough to allow me to get it and still eat on a daily basis, then I'm getting that one =)
#9 of 2056 killer, charlie by habitat1 Oct 06, 2001 (4:58 am)
killer,   You've got a point with the 318i, but it wasn't very long-lived and never achieved much in the way of sales. I also believe that a major factor in BMW's decision to discontinue it was indeed image concerns: they had to cut too many corners to hit the 318 price target and feared the reputation of the higher end models would be adversely affected as a result (in the US, at least). A German business associate of mine also pointed out that BMW didn't introduce a full $50k version of the M3 to the states until 2001 because it was thought that US buyers were too image conscious to pay that much for a "3". Prior to 2001, we got a "cheapie" M3 compared to the less image conscious German market.   Charlie,   Actually, I guess I could afford a Porsche without giving up too many meals. But will I buy one?? Probably not. The M3, C32 and even S2000 are more likely candidates, given my mood on any given day. By the way, image consciousness is not confined just to the Porsche wannabes -- the 2002 redesign of the 911 front end was supposedly done to distinguish it from the Boxter so as to give prospective 911 buyers a bit more exclusivity. Heaven forbid that your $120k 911 turbo is mistaken for my $45k Boxter from the front!!      My point was that Nissan can probably shoose to do whatever they want with the new Z: go after the high volume, relatively lower price market segment with a good, but not exceptional product. Or, go after the lower volume, higher end market segment with a more exclusive product. I just don't think they can do both, at least not immediately upon introduction.
#10 of 2056 by greddygtr Oct 06, 2001 (9:23 am)
I also saw rumors for a 3.5L turbo Z making 335 hp. Is it just me or does that seem too low a hp estimate? If the n/a 3.5L is pumping out 280-300 hp i would expect a twin turbo to make at least an additional 100 hp compared to the n/a version. If a turbo Z does come out I would expect closer to 400 hp.

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