I'm excited where they said "it will be powered by a downsized four-cylinder turbocharged engine".

Could it be the Z is moving down class to better compete with the 86/FR-S?

 

no whole industry is moving to downsize because of CAFE regs. If you want a Z but dont want a smaller turbo 4 banger, better pick up a current gen one.

 

Look at the Z sales numbers. Sales of the Z has fallen pretty bad. If they keep it at where it currently is at they sales will continue to suck. The next Z will have to be cheaper like the 350Z to gain back some sales.

Below are sales for key years.

2002: 13,253
2003: 36,728 (1st full year of sales for the 350Z)
2004: 30,690
2005: 27,278
2006: 24,635
2007: 18,957
2008: 10,337 (Last year sales for the 350Z coupe)
2009: 13,117
2010: 10,215
2011: 7328
2012: 7338
2013: 6561 (Last years sales where pretty bad)

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

 

Back in 2003 the 350z was $26k. In 2012, starting price on the 370z was $32k. Maybe Nissan wants to bring the pricing on the next Z closer to the 350z?

 

it was reported a year ago that Nissan wanted to make the new Z more of a FRS & BRZ competitor. im not surprised, sales of the Zs are dropping lower and lower each year.

 

And that's what diehard and enthusiasts want

 

Agreed, the Nissan enthusiasts that I have talked to have been wanted a smaller, cheaper, and 4 cylinder Z for quite sometime now. Something more along the lines of the 240z.

The current Z is just getting to expensive. Even after the $3k price cut it still is a $30k+ car.

 

The Z for 30k now is a good buy hehehe

 

I would not like to see the Z move down market with a smaller engine. If they did that, what sort of purpose would that retro 510-looking thing serve?

IMO use that thing to create a small boosted 4 cylinder, don't bring the Z down market. I think that would be cannibalizing that other car AND cheapening the Z. I would love to see it shed some pounds but not via a small engine.

 

The IDx FreeFlow is reported to come with a 1.2 to 1.5 liter. I think they are going to use that car to go after the sub Toyota 86 car with. The Nissan (161.4in) is actually shorter than the FR-S (166.9 in).



http://www.carscoops.com/2013/11/new...idx-nismo.html

Nissan has to do something with the Z. Its sales is declining, and without a cheaper model to replace it I think it would be safe to say its sales will continue to fall. The Z did its best when it was a $26k-$28k car.

 

Z is great value right now starting at 30k for 332hp V6. It is old car and people dont care about it anymore though.

 

Either way, I'm happy about more small RWD cars!

 

Biggest mistake by Nissan was going after the Audi TT and Porsche Boxter with the 370Z. Moving upmarket excluded all the people who were able to afford the car it replaced. They realize this and have decided to go back to their original formula of affordable performance. Thank God. But please, restyle that concept.

 

Why would they source a woeful Merc motor? The 1.8L turbo is trash, unrefined, gas guzzler and weak.

The VQ is excellent. And Nissan Japan can do a good turbo setup if they want.

But Nissan now unfortunately is at the hands of Ghosn who is killing the brand.

 

people didn't care for it when it debut back in 2009. just look at the sales chat. not to also menition back in 2009 its starting price was already $30k.