I read this whole thread and considering its pouring, glad it came back up. Started a little rough but seems a little more mellow now.
I've owned just about every sports car, said it before and say it again. Everyone of those cars was WAY more $ then the car under it. My M6 was over 100K from a 50K base 6 series. My M3 was 58K vs a 3 series in the high 20's to 30's. The 996TT was 50K higher (new) then a regular 911, SL55 was 35K over a regular SL500, Ferrari was...I don't want to talk about that one.
Now think about bikes, a 1098 base is 7K cheaper then a 1098S and motor is the same, little higher Rev but ohlins forks, ohlins shock, a pinch of carbon and still a reg exhaust and only a few more 100 RPM. MV Agusta, same deal.
This is just a sample, point being we're talking about 15-20% more $ as opposed to 40-50% on AMG's, M's, etc etc.
Point is the wheels, the many braces, the body (if you like it) etc etc definitely justified a sub 40K car to me. Granted I sold it all off anyway but still, I love the look, the feel and yes, even the interior which is why I stayed away from most Japanese cars in the past.
To each his own, I think they did a great job with the 370 whether it be a base to a Nismo.. Its not a ton of $ and if you kept it stock I'd bet you're resale would hold more then a regular Z would in time.
Just my 2 cents, but I'm tainted as I love the thing. Could of bought anything but this one's a blast and it didnt break the bank
Last side note, any time a Japanese car pulls someone away from a Porsche or Beemer, they must of done something right.
Sorry for the book...