C6 sales were down at the end of their production run... As car sales always are down at the end of their life cycle. They still sold plenty C6s overall, giving them plenty of reason to build a follow up. They certainly didn't have to make it as good as it is- that's where I can see eye to eye with your assertion of the GM higher ups being true car guys. Personally, I've seen plenty of late model C6s.
That being said, Ghosn isn't the worst thing... You make it sound like the GTR is a green mobile, but in reality, it was anything but. Expensive? Yes. But it was built to compete, and compete it does.
Yes, besides that, they have little to offer as far as sporty vehicles go. Personally, I like the Juke Nismo RS. Decent power for a little commuter car, and one you can play around with for sure. The Z... Well, there's no denying the Z is being dragged out, but again, at least there are now rumours of the Z35 concept showing up soon.
You guys complain about Nissan losing its sportiness, but it's not Nissans fault. They are in the business of making money, not stirring people's souls. Nissan builds what the market demands, and just because there are 200 guys on here that want something ultra sporty, does not equate to the millions who don't care about such a car. Face it, it's not the early 90s anymore, when sporty offerings like the 180sx sold like hot cakes. Coupes are a tough sell these days and more and more people want CUVs, for the dumbest reasons.
Toyota has gone bland for the last 20 years... And they're making a killing doing so. Honda and Acura are the same... Acura is releasing an "A-Spec" version of the TLX which will have little more than nicer wheels and bumpers. No engine changes at all. Nissan is following suit. Hell, Mazda is no different. I can't speak for all miatas, but the NC Miata had a parts bin engine in it. Nothing special whatsoever.
It's a big risk for Nissan to put up the cash to develop a highly potent car, after 370z sales were garbage. There's very little incentive for them to do so. Yes, they build cookie cutter, bland as hell cars these days... But that's what people seemingly want. So by the end of it all, we should be blasting our friends and family for not buying more Zs. We are the ones to blame. Or rather, the people not buying are the ones to blame.
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