Excuse me while I don my asbestos suit
but the more I hear of the next Z speculation (That is all it is at this point in time) the more I have to think how viable is the idea of the next Z? I love my 370z, but let's be honest. Nissan is a company that does not even own itself. Renault owns almost 1/2. Every time I think of this it reminds me of the disastrous LeCar
& Daimler AG owns a piece. Hitachi is also mixed in there somewhere (just read your throttle bodies) Makes me fear a future Car-B-Que down the road
. Numerous factors fall into why the 370z sales slumped. The biggest is the global economy. Most people do not have the disposable income they had almost a decade ago when the 350z came on the scene. How practical is a 2 seat sports car anyway when tight budgets need a family car or better gas mileage? The improved competition & an increase in price point for the Z are factors as well. Every single competitor has a back seat making it more practical. NO I DO NOT WANT A 4 SEAT Z! The Z is also rather long in the tooth for a model designation 40+ years on & off. It would not surprise me if corporate pulls the plug on the Z all together in the next year or 2 until the global economy improves. People say, but Nissan needs a sports car that buffers between the GTR. price point
What Nissan needs is a car that sells in large quantity & unfortunately the 370z is not meeting that goal
. For Nissan to dump untold millions $$$$$$ into developing a new engines, chassis & such that do not share an already common platform to help with return of investment for a car that has been so far behind the sales quota would not be a wise business move for an already struggling company.
Personally I am very happy with my car & intend to hold on to it many year as I do not car hop every couple of years so a new model for me, is one less they will sell.
YMMV