Another write-up
 

Wow, the 370Z is EVERYWHERE! Still going through my last bulk purchase of car mags. I haven't read it yet but "CAR The Definitive View" has a writeup in their January '09 issue. This is another english magazine. They list the key cars of '09 and the first article (page 50) is the 370Z.

MAN that blue looks good in this issue. Much less smurf-like.

Shane D

If you guys remember, back when the 350 debuted, they were laying the same amount of accolades on it as the 370 is getting at this point. Yet slowly over time, you started seeing more and more negative press, and the 350 started to lose it's luster ( :( sadly). It could be just a marketing ploy, along with it simply being "the new kid on the block".

I think all the press is for two reasons:
1) The new look is a knockout!
This novelty is going to wear off when there are tons of 370z's out there. It will be a big star for '09, and then fade back to just the true believers. They were VERY smart to hold back the convertible. Now once the 370Z gets too common, out comes the convertible. If it is well done (nice to look at), it will generate another six months of buzz, and another round of comparos. It will again be called the best bang for the buck among MB SLK 55AMG's, Boxsters, etc.

2) Bang for the buck is huge!
Once they start depreciating this will be even bigger. Add in tuning options and this will be a hot rodders wet dream.

Shane D

Yup remember that (and probably every new car debut for that matter)...Can't help that, everyone at some point, gets tired and looks toward the next new thing. ;)

In 2003 the 350Z was Tha SHIZ! :D Gradually others caught up.

No doubt, the new 370 is great, and I am happy to read the great press it is getting, especially after the last couple of years of ho-hum appreciation for my 350. I tell ya, the marketing along with editorial reviews are making it more difficult for me to resist buying a 370!

You mention the 370 'vert being the next step to keep the Z name buoyed and sales strong; I think the key to promoting the 370Z throughout it's life cycle is hitting a home run on the mid-cycle refresh. Instead of adding 5-10 hp and some interior touches, they need something more to re-stoke the fires of desire.

Do you guys think that the Rev-Up, LED Tails, and aluminum accents were enough to keep the 350 in contention? What about the HR? To me, these really didn't do enough to keep the 350 from standing out of the crowd.

Logical progression
 

If my job was to maintain interest in the Z line I would probably:
2009 Design a cool new coupe!
2010 Bring out the convertible version (although I would MUCH prefer a targa)
2011 Mild refresh. Fix the noisy shifter and tire noise. Make some gauge changes and several other little niggling things that show up in a new model. Hopefully you consult dealers AND customers.
2012 TWIN TURBO option.
2013 Convertible/targa option for the TT.
2014 Major cosmetic facelift.
2015 Launch new fuel source. Hybrid/plug-in batteries??

Shane D

If they did a stock Twin Turbo with a targo option I would sell whatever car I had and by that in a heart beat. :drool:

I'm betting on a DCT and a bump in HP (seems like it's gonna be vey easy to get well over 350 HP in NA form) around 2012.

That is probably a lot more realistic, but geez!! They know how to make turbos, so why not throw it out as a $10,000.00 option and see who bites? Love to have 395hp and the ease/reliability of a factory warranty and service at just about any Nissan dealership!:tup:

If you really want to make noise against Porsches, as Nissan seems to love doing, the new Carrera S model 911's are now 285hp (with direct injection and revised motors). What if Nissan went 395hp for $40,000.00 on a base model?

Most people can't afford/get allocation for a GTR and look how many people here already talking about modding the 370Z? Nissan HAS to know that the aftermarket is going to come out with turbo/supercharger options this year. Why wouldn't they want a piece of that market?

Shane D

so i'm having this dream.

I'm in a Turbo Z.

and these guys are after me.

but they can't catch me.

so they get a car.

but they can't catch me.

so they get a plane.

and just as they're about to catch me.

the.....twin...turbos.....kick.....in.

Best...commercial...ever. :)

I agree but Nissan seems overly sensitive about pricing the Z out of range like they did with the 300ZX. I'd love a TT but I think they wik=ll go with the DCT because so many others are starting to in gradually lower price ranges.

That's a HUGE turbo lag! :eek:

Must be one gigantic single turbo