End of an era

analogman

Benibiker, that is exactly why I'm shopping for a 370Z. You said it perfectly.

We live in an age of increasingly bland, flavorless cars with too many electronic gizmos. Some people love all the gee-gaws, paddle shifted automatic transmissions, turbocharged instead of naturally aspirated, electric parking brakes and electric doors (like on the Corvette), electronic stability control, semi-autonomous cruise control, adaptive suspensions, remote electric steering, etc. etc. etc. Its just getting worse. Even the next generation Corvette, and the coming Toyota Supra, will be automatic only! I'm old-school, and to me all that crap just results in a disconnected, anesthetized excuse for a driving experience.

I don't care if a paddle shifter can change gears 0.003 seconds faster than I can, and can give a 0.047 seconds faster 0-60 time. Maybe I would if I was racing on a track, but I'm just looking for a visceral, fun, connected driving experience on the street. I like the feeling of a car being directly hard-wired into my central nervous system. The Mazda Miata does a good job with that, but I want something a little more, a little more power, a little more serious of a car. I don't need (and couldn't afford anyway) an Aston Martin/Ferrari/McLaren etc. supercar, I just want to have fun on the roads. I think the 370Z fits the bill perfectly, and is the last remaining 'analog' new car to do that - a simple, rear-wheel drive, manual transmission, naturally aspirated V6 (the BRZ/FRS come close, but, not quite enough power).

The 370Z might be slow selling now, and that's the reason Nissan is very unlikely to spend the money to come up with a next-generation one. The old Nissan is long gone. The Carlos Ghosn culture is all about the numbers, and the recent sales of the 370Z just don't justify the development expense of making a new one. I think it's pretty certain that the 2019 model will be the end of the road for the 370Z (unless they do something unspeakable and bring back the name on some kind of abominable CUV or SUV).

That's OK. I think 5 or 10 years down the road, after the 370Z is long gone and so have the few remaining other cars like it, people will start to appreciate it for what it was - the last analog sports car. Like you said, the last opportunity to buy a 'new old car'.

old guy

when I bought my 370 I trolled this site for months getting all of the info. possible, ended up with a new touring with an auto, which I love !
Didn't get a stick because of the dreaded csc,clutch chatter, and synchro issues
that said, this is my fourth summer with the car and I'm missing the fun of stretching and going thru the gears!
Solution: been searching for a 240,260, or 300zx 4 or 5 speed just to have a little fun with... I'll always keep the 370

Geoff-AU

well said x 2

SUV's are rife now, next looks like a hot hatch era so it'll be another 10 years by the time people want RWD sports again and by then they may all be electric. Which could be great, but in the meantime if you're going to turn dinosaurs into smoke you might as well do it the proper way, in a RWD sports car

old guy

Well said mate!

The BlueMax

I can really appreciate the Top Gear article they accurately nailed it just right. Looking back on my history with the 370Z, I just hit 42K on a blue 09 that has been mostly DD since January of 2010. The market says its only worth 15K, well its worth 25K to me and thats why I am keeping this car. Having just purchased a new 2017 Grand Sport Corvette makes things going forward look interesting, this car has all the lastest technology, it has been astonishing learning all components that make up the dynamics of this 7th generation Vette, a tremendous learn curve that is going to be met with tremendous enthusiasm

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The Blue Max

carterml

I'm a little older than you and I look back fondly at my old cars--Mustangs, RX7, and even the Fiero. Every one had something I liked. Whether it was how easy the Mustangs were to work on with plenty of cheap parts in the salvage yards or the almost eerie smoothness of the RX7 or the rawness of the Fiero, every one had its it's good (and bad) points. But, this 370Z is kind of the best of them all in one car. I've never owned a car that was perfect right off the lot, including this one. But, it is tuneable, if that's what you want, customizable inside and out, has a large network of parts suppliers, and it's a great looking car. I can't park it and walk away without turning to look at it; I stare at it every time I walk back to it. It elicits compliments like no other car I've ever owned but, that's not important; what matters is that I like it.

My touring model is fun around town and makes a great long distance traveller. The obit for the Z34 has been written many times and if Nissan chases current trends and sends the Z down the same path as some major car lines--Pontiac, Plymouth, Mercury, et al--at least I will have had a chance to experience it. My first car was a 1967 Mustang with a 170 cubic inch online six cylinder engine; I loved it but I'm a little jealous of the kid whose first car will be a Z34! So, even if they all (except mine) end up on the drift circuit stuffed full of LS motors, it will have been a great, long ride. I just hope the Z name doesn't end up on some generic-looking crossover.

Spooler

The era will never be over as long as you keep your current 370z. If they stop making them, they will be harder and more desirable to get but not at first. Some folks will have to ruin a few. So be it. I let go of my 1990 300zxtt, never will I do that again. It still hurts. The 370z does make it a little less painful.