A letter I wrote to Nissan north america (with reply)
 

Hello everyone, I wanted to share a recent exchange of letters I had with Nissan North America.
I also wanted to state that I am a huge Z fan just like everyone on this forum so please don't think I wrote the letter without any regard for the current and past Z cars.
I hope I don't get too much flak from you guys :)

and the best part is Nissan does listen to our feedback! so go ahead and send in your concerns and or suggestions

Thanks and drive safe!:driving:



Hello,
I would like to begin this message with the statement that I have always been a huge nissan fan and have owned over 7 nissan vehicles over the past 10 years, however this question/concern is about the current generation nissan 370Z.
I am in the market for a sports coupe and the Z just doesn't make sense like it used too, if you look at the competitors you are getting more performance per dollar then nissan can offer, there is something inherently wrong with this as I remember the Z car as an affordable and exciting sports car - I feel like the 370z has become more of a luxury coupe with outdated performance - for example consider the 2011-2013 mustang gt, it is only 200lbs heavier but has over 100 horsepower and over 150 torque more then the nissan Z, as much as I love nissan and it's products the Z just doesn't make sense like it used to, please make me change my mind for the next generation Z.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (removed name for privacy)


-Official nissan reply-


Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXX,

Thank you for taking the time to personally contact Nissan with your comments regarding the 370Z! We are very excited to hear of your enthusiasm for Nissan and the 370Z! We would like to apologize for the inconveniences you have experienced and we appreciate your patience as we work towards the introduction of future 370Z models.

You have brought up some excellent comments. At Nissan, we are committed to providing an unparalleled level of service and we love utilizing customer comments like these for future consideration. Since we want to insure your satisfaction with Nissan, I have taken the liberty of sending your comments to the Model Line Manager for future consideration.

At this time, we can confirm there will be significant design changes from the 2013 370Z to the 2014 370Z, however because of the sensitive nature of our new product information, we cannot provide you with more exact information than what is currently shown on our Nissan News website at Nissan Online Newsroom.

The best point of contact to for up to date news on the 370Z or the potential future design changes is to go to our website to join our mailing list. By selecting the 370Z, this will ensure you receive all the latest and greatest news as soon as it is available: Nissan USA - Join Our Mailing List.

We hope this information satisfies your inquiry, but if you need any additional information, please let us know by calling 1-800-647-7261 and speak with a live representative. Our business hours are Monday through Friday 09:00AM till 08:00PM EST and Saturday 10:00AM till 04:00PM EST.

At Nissan, we strive to provide the highest customer service. In order to best improve our service in the future, we do offer you the opportunity to give us feedback on your Nissan experience.

Sincerely,

Luke

Hmm, a new grey pallet? Is that significant enough? :bowrofl:

Seriously, it's neat to see something more in a company's reply than the usual PR stuff.

Interesting....

Yea I was expecting a generic reply, but I am happy nissan actually listens.

I also want to reiterate that I hope not to offend anyone and only wish the best for the brand and the company.

Maybe a new Z as early as 2014? That's news!

It would be nice if they just added a little HP to the 14 models. Even another 15 or 20 would be nice. I doubt there will be much in the way or styling changes. Nothing that constitutes a "new Z" next year.

That's what I thought too -- but:

Now whether or not that is true remains to be seen, but this is the first time I've heard anyone from Nissan claim any "significant design changes" happening before 2015.

That would certainly be a first for Nissan. I don't know of any time they updated a model one year and then redesigned it the next.

^^^ Yeah, sadly I expect that the rep meant to say "2015"... oh well.

Possible turbo?

Don't buy a Z and go get something else - maybe a Mustang. Writing a letter to the Manufacturer whining about the z and comparing it to a Mustang won't get you anything. Just a generic response. I do not think, Nissan aimed to compete with a Mustang to begin with. Nissan was polite and nice in their response. Just how every big CS oriented company would respond to a such a letter. Granted, Nissan should have probably done some updating by the fourth year, it is what it is. Not sure why you even posted this.

Yeah if you're trying to be the fastest and furiousest, you bought the wrong car. Just saying.

:shakes head:

You two are missing the point... It's this:

He isn't posting to complain, he is relaying that there are supposedly big changes coming on the 2014 model.

I wrote Nissan a letter, told them I missed them, scented the paper, and sealed it with a kiss. I also sent them more boudoir shots of myself. They never write me back, but I've come to know their legal team pretty well. :excited:

Who will be the first to open a 2014 370Z speculation thread.

Here's what the Z offer over the mustang: SEX APPEAL

It's got more than enough power and a much better overall feel. While you can't put numbers on that, you can feel it.

That's the secret sauce that made me buy it over the 5.0

please dont compare a 370Z to a mustang again. If someone asked me to trade a 400-500hp mustang for my 300whp Z, I would slap them in the face.

Z's have been getting faster every year but still horsepower isnt everything. I take my Z to events and the power it makes is perfect, considering a turbo kit less and less everyday. Feels like a strive to just be the fastest, but there is always someone faster. At some point you just need to enjoy what you have just for the fact that it does the job and makes you happy :)

I'd love to see a turbo-ed Z from factory. A turbo-ed 3.0 V6 engine pushing around 320hp/300lbft and I am sold.

To the OP: nice letter and nice response!

The stang has sex appeal...in a hot cousin kind of way.

I think the Z is starting to grow up. I remember when the 350Z first came out ... it was an unrefined affordable club racer with limited creature comforts.

The 370Z and updated 2013 370Z seem more focused on creating a livable Daily Driver. Color combinations are becoming more unique and refinements seem to be more in line with competitor German engineering.

IMHO, I think keeping the same HP / TQ would be ok. If the Z is growing up ... I think MPG's need to be addressed, as well as engine efficiency. ~18/31 MPGs is not good.

Well I for one will be holding out for the 2014.5 model. I'm told it's going to be F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S.

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...gTrollface.jpg

There are options for super chargers and turbos for our cars if power is truely an issue. Heck, Stillen SC comes with a warranty for the car even.

Power is a non-issue imho. Unless you want a crazy 1000+ beast...

I hate to burst your bubble OP but that looks like a canned response that they send to everyone

Your comment regarding the Z becoming a luxury car might have been better suited if you were in the focus group prior to the 370z launching but at this point you're just sending a note to a low-level employee in consumer affairs that has no say in product or planning

I find it funny that you complained about the $$$ for power... the Z has a very good amount of power and performance for the money, infact I remember reading several articles about how it keeps up with cars priced 20-30k higher at times.

Your also comparing a 2009 generation car with a 2012-2013 (Mustang)... of course there will be improvements.

Since the first car was made, it has enjoyed continued improvement in power & handling over the years. While we would all like this trend to continue, there is no guarantee of this. Our government is putting more emphasis on safety and fuel efficiency. So it's possible, significant increases in horsepower from the manufacturer with lower costs, may not occur.

With the above thought in mind. I say, buy, drive & enjoy what's available today.

:icon18: this guy

meh, can't worry about 2014's but thats cool that they are saying there will be a change worth noticing.

At the end of the day though, Z's have never been the fastest on the road so I wouldn't use that for comparison, would be cool though

Indeed it is!

well... with the 350z, they revised the front and rear fascias in 06 (along with a slight power bump), then introduced the HR engine the following year for two years before switching to the 370z. so they revised the front end and wheels this year. next year they may introduce an engine improvement of some kind and let it run for a 1-1.5 years then introduce the next generation Z35. here's hoping :tup:

i highly doubt they are going forced induction in the Z34. i still don't think they will ever make a turbocharged Z again but i guess it could be possible in the next generation depending on their performance and economy targets. i did read in that article mike posted recently that nissan's goal is to reduce the size slightly (overall) and lower the weight as much as possible. i'd bet they'd be in the 3000lb range if not a little below for the next one. that can make a huge difference in the performance and feel of it.

except for the fact that that hasnt happened....

edub, That sentence was in reference to the evolution of cars in general, since the Model T. Not specifcally to the 370Z since 09.

:bowrofl::bowrofl:
Im sorry that made me LAUGH OUT LOUD

no disrespect to mustang owners as there are some owners and fan nuts on this site,:stirthepot: but I agree there will always be faster, hence you have to balance out the pros and cons, and take some sacrifices to drive What you like,as long as you are happy driving it. :tup:

:iagree:

:icon18:Shado-always the frontrunner eh?!
:tup:I think it's happening right now Tam!

hey sorta did it with the 07 G35 coupe. Its the only year with the vq35hr, before 08 showed a full redesign. It wasn't a full redesign but interior was upgraded with a whole new engine that ran only 1 yr in the G But he could be playing word games. 2014 would be the year of the 2015 model year.

I did find this... a supposed sketch of the next Z with alleged info.

Nissan Z 2015: Towards a Descent Range (Mechanical)?

well said. :iagree:

repped

Really, the only difference between the DE and the HR motor was the intake manifold but it's a good point. However, while they were doing that to the G, the Z keep the HR for an additional year and didn't get a full redesign until the 370z came out in 2009.

you sure about that? i'm pretty darn positive the block was almost a complete redesign. it had improved coolant and oil flow, reinforced bottom end and several other changes. from what i've heard it was almost a completely different engine just based on the original VQ design

I have not got my 370 yet(long story of difficulty selling my 350), but highly considered getting the 5.0, my auto group has ford and I could get a killer deal...Our HR office is attached to the ford showroom and I was down there for an appt and they have a 13 gt on the showroom floor (and 2 gt500s outside?) and I had a spare moment...what am I looking for in my next sports car; performance, handling, style? Well the mustang certainly has both the first 2, performance and handling(it does, lets stop denying it), but 20 seconds on the inside I wanted out...back seats, retro styling, ugh, it’s just not me, sure the track apps are cool, but how many crashed stangs are going to be the result of those... Given its flaws, the Z car is well, me...I am a Honda guy though and through, I work for Honda, but they just have not delivered anything like the Z car...sure the s2k, if you like a convertible and you are 5 foot 7 and 130 lbs, you’ll like it just fine...anyway, I will stop there, we are a different breed, when you need a blended car with my criteria, the Z is right there, and will always be there. I knew the short comings and issues of the 350 when I bought it, but it just clicked with me. I will be able to buy a used Z for as little as 25k with the options and mileage I want, do 10k of mods if I so choose, and be right at or above the level of performance of a full bolt on 5.0(my research shows low 400 whp), but guess what, I just might leave this one NA, it’s fun having a "slower" car that requires the driver to push the car’s limits to compete with the others, that my friends is the real challenge. I have dragged my Z at the local strip a few times and have turned in abysmal 13.6-14.2s on 245 nankangs, but guess what, I beat 3 stangs(04 and 2 2010s) and a c5 vette in one day…figure that one out, and lost to a new camaro ss by .2 seconds, even in a stock 370z I would have taken him or at least matched it…Power is Not everything, VDC, well said.

ps, the letter does sound a bit canned, sorry, it just does.

That sounds like a pretty generic response honestly, not an open invitation to send them all of your ideas as to what the cars should be.

In all reality, they have already designed the car and have made the changes. You can't redesign and build a new car in a year... so I would be willing to bet the people over at Nissan have a handle on it.

:iagree: