The funny thing was, when I tried to shop for sport cars back in the early-mid 90s, a 300ZX turbo sold for $38k.

It's been 10 years. This car should've been made to cost at least $60k.

That would leave those people smoking cigarettes with their arm sticking out the windows with Altimas.

Jon

 

I don't know. The 300ZX was a quality vehicle inside and out with turbos. The new uses the same V-6 in seemingly every Nissan product (saving money), a sad interior (saving money) cheap paint (saving money)
Expenses, larger wheels and tires. HIDs, NAV, Vehicle stable systems, Brembos on the Track items not found on the 300ZX.

The last 300ZX could not be bought under 35k in base form, I want to say low 40s for the TT.
The 350ZX starts at 26k (an absolute BARGAIN) and goes to right under 40k.

Nissan has done a GREAT job holding the price down.

 

Agreed.

Instead of beefing up the Z's luxury amenties, gadgets, and image, Nissan has chosen to simplify (or glorify) the Z to the standard it set in the old days.

I think Mazda has taken a similar approach with the RX-8 as well.

For some reason, neither Toyota nor Mitsubishi has responded to the new 350 and RX-8 with a cost effective version of the Supra or 3000GT.

It would be interesting to see these expensive Japanese sports cars from the 90s, this time wearing a much more affordable price tag, come back for another showdown.

Heck, maybe the inexpensiveness of these Japanese sports cars would start another competition that justifies the reason for Chevy and Pontiac to bring back the Camero and Firebird.

Jon

 

Well for 1 thing, Nissan has really got themselves out of the hole. I remember reading that they were in so much financial loss b/c of very poor sales from bad designs... blah blah blah. Ever since they reintroduced the new Altimas with bettter horsies, they're back in the games, then the beefy Maximas, then the Z's really took off! It's about time Nissan is doing well. Correct me anyone if I'm mistaken. Speaking of constant sightings, "I See Lots of 3 series".

 

Remember...Nissan alone isn't calling the shots anymore. They have to answer to their French Renault taskmasters....a company known for all the El Cheapo things you mention....interiors, paint, etc....
I mentioned a post some weeks ago what Nissan's errors were with the former 300ZX and its marketing...so I won't re-hash them here. The new 350Z was indeed reasonably priced....until the dealers saw that there was more demand than supply....so, presto....the usual showroom price gouging. Often you could get an Infiniti G35 coupe for the same or less money....one of my colleagues did just that.

 

Thats impossible to get a G sedan with everything on it except for navi for 30k. I would know because my friends recently bought their g35 sedans. A fully loaded g sedan goes well over 40k out the door as well as G coupes. If a person wants to be cheap and not get any packages whatsoever, then maybe you can get a Gsedan for cheaper but nowhere along the lines of 26k. The cheapest you can get a coupe would be 33k sticker price (not including fees) with nothing on it at all(meaning no sunroof, cloth interior which is almost impossible to get) Most dealers won't even budge on sticker price. And what is so "crackish" about paying alot for a G35 or a 350Z. It seems that most people don't agree with you because there seem to be alot on the road. They are really hot/popular cars with superior performance. I paid 42K out the door for my fully loaded coupe. Am i "crackish" for buying it? I could have gotten any other car, but i chose it because the car is beautiful and it has alot to offer.

I don't know about you, but 38-42k isn't cheap in my book. Its more expensive than for example, an es330 or an is300. Hell..i could probably even get a new gs300 for cheaper

 

well i wouldnt say "crackish" but unwise comes to mind. unless there was a pretty significant price jump from '03 to '04, $42Grrr is a lot for what you got. i too have a coupe with alll of the options and i paid $37.8 for it. and that was sticker. i havent looked at the sticker lately and do know that they added tire pressure sensors and all, but to take it 5 grand upmarket is ludicrous...........


Doc

 

Xenthar and Dr.Rick, i think u guys are talking about different prices here.
i think xenthar is saying he bought his car out the door for 42k, which is with Tax and all with financing...
Dr.Rick, i'm thinkin u paid 37.8k without the tax or probably paid it all in cash.
my friend paid $43k out the door for an '03 last september. i paid 38.8k w/o navi or spoiler.

Xenthar, u're not crackish. if u ask over at G35driver.com, alot of people paid 40k+...

 

I had some collegues buy the coupe and the sedan and all paid in the low 30's fully loaded but no nav. I worked (contract) at Nissan North America for about 16 months during the launch of the G35/Z and could of bought one at VPP pricing, but felt it wasn't worth the money (even at $30K) versus the Lexus I bought brand new at blue book value...that is just my opinion. Since I saw what extensive driving and usage would do to the cars over time (I test drove the G35's & Z owned by NNA [motor pool] numerous times) and didn't feel that it met my expectations of what a luxury brand should offer. Of course this doesn't mean that I wouldn't want to get into the coupe if they redesigned the interior and got rid of all the cheapo stuff...I do understand the initiaives that Nissan was under to move to profitability under Ghosn and offering these new models at the $30K price point was big...hence cutting costs to ensure meeting this objective.

No way do I feel that the car is worth $38K+ in it's current state...you can almost (+ couple thousand) get into a GS430 at that price point, but with a lot more luxury and performance...

 

I was talking about out the door price including downpayment and various fees. Not sticker price itself being 42k. It was something like 38k sticker price more or less

 

I know Docs car was 37k, considering he was one of the first with one and his is loaded, to me that is a solid buy. When I almost bought one in December loaded, the price with NAV was the same, and I balked since the car lost it's "1st to have" look. Auto's with Premium Package were 32k. I did find this a great buy.

IMO, 40k and over for any G35 is crackish. U must really like this car for that price. At 32-35k, I could live with the interior shortcomings, at 40k, it is obvious this car is overpriced. Your in 330 identical territory. I am not saying the 330 is better, but I EXPECT the BMW to be more expensive. Paying the same price for the G35c as a 330, clearly, it's the looks, the value is lost in the equation.

38-42k is NOT cheap. But when I think of this price, I am NOT thinking G35 as I think for that price, no way Jose. A loaded ES 330 is 38-40k, which IMO, is overpriced too. The IS 300 L-tuned was 42k, which, IMO was overpriced.

If ya'll saw how the Infiniti dealers have the ads in the paper for their cars, you would laugh. Their sales tactics are more entry car Kia than luxury car Mercedes. In Cali they are expensive, but here in GA, 30k gets u a damn good G35. Which I think is a STEAL.

 

well, they're just about everywhere in kansas too. kansas!

and jimmy, you better start liking the new mustangs too, cause well, it'll spread like wildfire.