Quote:
Originally Posted by RicerX
I agree it is a great drivers' car. Pricing is not so great for the level of drivers car you get. The Miata (for most people) is arguably a better drivers' car for $10k less. People would also argue the BRZ is a better drivers' car than the Z... for $10k less. On the other side of that, many find it difficult to argue the level of driver's car you get in a Vette for less than $10k more than a NISMO.
Sure a Z is customizable to your liking. You can also modify a Camry to your liking. However, as far as performance goes? The Z is NOT cost effective to modify... for anything. Performance, cosmetics, nothing. It may be the most expensive Z for customization, ever.
I completely understand what the Z is about, however. Most, if not all, people here do. However, I have had 3 Z34s myself, and have been around Z cars for nearly 20 years... the Z34 is in a weird place compared to every Z before it as far as what it's trying to do and where it fits.
The S30 hung with a Vette for less than half the money. The Z32 twin turbo hung with a Vette for less money. The Z33 was a massive success despite what you may think about its styling - it sold in droves and helped reawaken the affordable sports car arena (they could be had in the $20k range new), because during that time period we saw a new S2000, RX-8, and the sales of those vehicles motivated GM and Ford to rethink the Camaro and Mustang, and those cars motivated Dodge to recreate the Challenger. It was a VERY relevant car.
Things have changed, and car buyers have changed. Z owners have changed. The benchmark for what a sports car should do for the money has changed, just as it has for the last 47 years of the Z's existence. You say some of us don't understand what a Z is all about. I say you don't understand what the Z is meant to be about and what it should become. I'm glad you're happy with your purchase, but I think rather than interpreting this discussion as misunderstanding of what a Z is about, I think you're demonstrating a misunderstanding of the point.
The Z is a great car. All of them (save the awkward late 70s/early 80s years... this was also a time when shag carpet and doorway beads were fashionable). I worry Nissan doesn't have the balls to evolve this car the way it needs to be evolved to stay relevant in the market after this iteration.
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I'd have to agree, although I love my 16 Nismo. But as far as bang for the buck, the Z right now is really not as competitive.
I was willing to pay the "premium" because I always wanted a Z and finally decided to go all out on one, loved the style of the new Nismo, and I didn't want to go Bodykit and too many aftermarket parts (mainly cuz I don't know what I'm doing).
As far as what I paid, I've been quite happy. Non-stop compliments, really fun to drive, and just feels great. But, again... premium.
For the price, you could get a lot more tech and relatively more performance with other competitors. If I were into muscle cars I would've considered the Camaro 2SS for the price range. Or for more luxury, comfort and tech I'd consider the Lexus RC 350 F Sport.
The Z really is a relatively niche market nowadays. Regardless, I also like the unique factor, at least in my area. Very rarely do I see another 370z, and even more rare is a 15/16 Nismo. If I happen to drive next to a Camaro, Lexus RC (or even RC F), Mustang GT, BRZ, etc., the spectators will usually be glued to my car instead, lol.
We have our reasons for loving the Z, and it's all valid. But lets also be realistic... it's really far from being competitive given all the other performance and tech that's available nowadays. Especially the Tech... you know what I mean when comparing interior and tech options compared to others. Yes, the Z is much more raw and feels great, but Screen controls and Backup cam really should be closer to standard options, and more modernized meters wouldn't hurt.
But with that said, performance shouldn't just be looked at with HP, as many tend to do. There are turns in the roads, and on tracks, and the Z's handling is absolutely phenomenal when it comes to that, and should be considered in the comparison.