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Nissan 350Z

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

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#41 of 2056 OK. by flyingfish176 Nov 10, 2001 (6:28 pm)
Alaskan: I like that image argument. In Japan, nothing stops Nissan from selling hugely expensive cars... e.g. Skyline GT-R for ~$50,000 and President for $75,000 - $85,000 (VERY flashy image car). And the base Skyline is a $26,000 family-hauler... that certainly hasn't reduced your image of the Skyline, has it? Toyota sells everything from the sub-&10,000 Vitz to the $60,000 Soarer. It hasn't really affected Toyota's image.   But that's in Japan. Here, it's a defferent story. Only here would a consumer reject a car because the name "doesn't sound as prestigious". There's a word for that: prejudice.   But is that the reason the Japanese sportscars of the early 90's failed? Well, the Corvette has done well under the Chevrolet banner since its inception, and even now, Chevrolet sells the absolute cheapest of GM models. It hasn't hurt the Corvette's image, so no, I don't think that's behind the failure of Japanese sports models.   If you asked me why the Fairlady, Supra, RX-7 failed the first time around, I'd say it was because they were priced too low. The measely $30,000 it took to buy an RX-7 wasn't enough to give it image and aura like a Corvette or a CL500.   And just so as to avoid further "debate" about domestics vs. imports, comparing a Corvette to an RX-7 is like comparing a hamburger to a hot dog. Not liking the RX-7 over the Corvette is not liking the hamburger because it is too fat.
#42 of 2056 by revdrluv Nov 10, 2001 (8:15 pm)
SUVs were what killed the japanese sports coupe. If you could only afford one car it had to be one that could do everything right? Looks a lot cooler and gets a lot more respect than a minivan so the women consumers loved them. Sports cars just couldn't make the home depot run and with those stores popping up all over america people just had to have a car that they could also haul garden mulch in.   Not me, I crammed a six foot ladder in to my mustang coupe the other day.
#43 of 2056 by alaskans13 Nov 10, 2001 (8:24 pm)
The image thing like you slightly pointed on is mainly an American thing. That's why we have Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura.   Saying the RX7's, and etc failed because they were to cheap is ignorant. They didn't have the Corvette, BMW, Porsche, etc image simply because they were Japanese. Japanese cars for a long time have been viewed as economy cars, not as performance cars. When the RX7's, Supra's, etc were getting extremely spendy in the early 90's, they appealed to the younger generation. The problem is that most of the younger generation wasn't in a position to afford the RX7's, Supra's, etc. Many older buyers that could actually afford them wanted something American or European with the history and image built up. That's why they failed, they were to expensive for the buyers they were targeting.   Today, the generation that grew up wanting the RX7's and Supra's but not being able to afford them are getting to a point where they can. Now you see the come back of the Japanese sports cars. In a way, the RX7, Supra, 300zx, etc paved the way for the cars being sold today. They established a sporting image of Japanese cars in a younger generation that has grown to a point where they are now out buying sports cars of their own.   Here's an example that may help. It's like if KIA or Hyundai were to come out with a supercar today. It could rival the Mclaren F1 in performance, and only cost $150,000. A performance bargain by all standards, but it wouldn't sell simply because the Korean car companies have no image in the sports car world. Sure some of the younger guys may be able to look past the fact that it's a Kia, but the older generation that can actually afford it would not.
#44 of 2056 by revdrluv Nov 11, 2001 (12:07 pm)
I agree. The european market still views japanese cars as thinly built and rust prone although I don't think that is true any more. People seem to keep cars a lot longer in european countries so it could be there are just a lot of 80's models out there still tainting peoples images. Also europeans think european cars are the best and since they make them right there why by elsewhere?   In america I think it was a combination of the big-I-Can-Do-Everything car frenzy and what you talked about that ended the japanese sport coupe and a lot of other makers too.   Your comback idea is right on. I grew up wanting RX-7s and Supras and soon with new editions coming out I might be able to afford one in a few years. Of course the germans have caught on to this and there is talk of Alfa Romeo and maybe some other auto makers making a go of it across the pond again. I think the market is about to get really interesting and ultra competitive again.
#45 of 2056 A car even a German car lover can appreciate by shoes Nov 12, 2001 (9:18 am)
All I own is German cars including a Mercedes E-55 and CL-500.   I think the new 350Z looks hot and based on my previous experience with a 1990, which along with the original Lexus Coupe (1992) and the last Toyota Supra, were the three best vehicles to come out of Japan.   I have already placed my order for one with my local dealer. Make mine RED.
#46 of 2056 alaskan: by flyingfish176 Nov 12, 2001 (3:55 pm)
Saying the RX7's, and etc failed because they were to cheap is ignorant. I don't believe this is the case. You argument for automotive history works with the Corvette and Camaro, but what about the Viper? It has a very short history and carries the burden of bad brand image (from cars like the Aries, Dynasty and Colt to name a few). Same with the NSX. Why did they succeed? Their outrageous price made them a status symbol all on their own.   The RX-7, 300ZX and Supra actually had more history than the Viper or NSX (both of which survive today), yet they failed. It's all about image, and these three cars didn't have it. I think that has more to do with their being inexpensive than their coming from brands that sell cheap cars (Dodge sells cheap cars and Viper...).   But you're right about SUV's. I think as the SUV craze dies away, more sports coupes will come back into the market to compete with the Z (and others). I'm looking forward to it.
#47 of 2056 Z 4 ME! by jimxo Nov 12, 2001 (6:27 pm)
I want his car, espically is a turbo be offered? Where can I get the latest information?
#48 of 2056 All I am saying is.... by obiwankenobi1 Nov 13, 2001 (10:50 am)
man will it be fun when they do a comparison test between the new Z and the RX-8! COOL STUFF!   Frankly, I like both of the vehicles. It would be tough to choose. If the Z is going to be around $30K, then what will the RX-8 cost? Also, I think I read somewhere that they are going to release a new RX-7 after the RX-8 comes out. That will REALLY stir things up!   Obi
#49 of 2056 flyingfish by alaskans13 Nov 13, 2001 (1:54 pm)
You are way off course.   For 1, the Viper is American, and a large part of my point is that Japanese cars in general don't have the same image as American and European cars.   For 2, I wouldn't say the NSX has succeeded per say. Honda makes very little money off of the NSX. I've even read that they loose money. The only reason they built it was to display their technology, and improve the Honda/Acura name. It's a marketing campaign, not a lets build this car to make money thing.   For 3, if the Z cars, RX7's, Supra's, etc, failed because they were to cheap, how come they were such a success when they were cheap. The Z was selling like crazy in the 70's and 80's. Why, well because it was a bargain. In the 90's the Z, and all it's Japanese competitors went way up market. They got really technologically advanced, and really expensive. All of a sudden they didn't sell. Gee, maybe it's because they were to expensive for their target market.   For 4, how would they even justify selling them for more money. Sure they have quite a bit of technology in them, but nothing compared to the NSX's aluminum space frame, VTEC V6 with all sorts of F1 technology, Viper with it's V10, gobs of power and torque. These cars are expensive for a reason, they actually cost a lot to build. Don't know about the Viper, but the NSX is largely hand built. They are way out of the league of the RX7's, 300z's, and Supra's.
#50 of 2056 Styling - Got it 2/3 right by kernick Nov 13, 2001 (5:45 pm)
IMHO - the rear and side views are very nice. Some Porsche 911 genes in there. But the front... who did the grill area? Maybe some style, instead of a Civic melted look?   Now when do you folks think the turbo version comes out?

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