Quote:
Originally Posted by 280z/300zx
I agree with this so much. However I don't think it's just Nissan, I've been saying it for a few years now, Japanese car companies are no longer interested in fun cars anymore. The few that are still around like the Z, STI, FRS/BRZ, miata -- they are just good enough to pass but not compete. None of these companies are wanting to push the envelope or go out of the box. Where are domestic companies are coming out with new things all the time and doing things out of the norm. I mean fiest ST??? Not really needed but how awesome is that little car. The mustang and Camaro are always getting upgraded and changes every few years, never forgotten. As someone who was a product of the 80's and grew up in the 90's era of cars, it's sad to see what Japan gave us back then vs. now.
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You're right.... Japan has had a cycle of underachieving for years on coupe cars. The 350 was not a well evolved car either. Aside from the engine going high rev in 2007. The other biggest achievement was boring out the engine to 3.7 litres.
Sure they fixed everything wrong that was wrong with the 350z. But if they were really trying to innovate. The Z would have come out in mid 2007 as a 2008 model. That said the 2013 progress could have happened in 2011 and this Nismo in 2013. By mid 2015, we should've been in a Z35.
But the Z stall isn't the worst thing that happened from Japan in my book... The worst thing that happened was the killing of the Evo.
The Evo was the pricepoint forced induction performance king and it's Gone!!! It disrupted the whole Japanese sports car game. It leaves people not needing to compete. The Z is there because there's no real competitor.
Let Chevy come back with Pontiac's solstice, with an improved suspension, more cargo room and a more ergonomic coupe option with camaro/ corvette inspired suspension. And that will be the nail in the coffin on the current Z if it is not redesigned. The way Chevy has been operating. That's not a far fetched thought.
Nissan doesn't even truly have to be revolutionary. They can be evolutionary off of the Nismo version of our cars and put in a 400hp engine and they'd be golden. The only thing they'd really have to do is lob off 200lbs on the Nismo like design for a weight of around 3,100lbs.... re-engineer the trunk to be 10 cuft. and spruce up the interior.
Nissan is figuring out how to make a bread & butter Z. The Z shouldn't be built for volume.
It should be built for some fvckin respect in the car game....
I know they think the GTR does that. But when it's a non attainable price. You're pricing it in an area where ANYONE can make a sick car.
You make your bones in the Sub $50K market.
So Nissan....
Have some SELF RESPECT!!!
B1TCHEZ!!!