New Z

[RM7]

The Z only needed more HP to be competitive today. It's still a great platform overall. It just needed that HP bump to be more competitive with the modern pony cars, which will presumably share the same price range.

Even more than the HP bump, it needed the torque bump from turbos that can reach a decent amount of torque down low and flat through the range. That was the #1 problem with the high revving V6 engines across the board IMO. This is why when you compared a 350Z to a BMW 335 the 335 would just kill it, since the area below the torque curve was massively bigger.

 

[GT Elite]

The Nissan Z (whether the upcoming new car or the previous generation 370Z) is a very different type of car than the Stinger. The Z is a strictly 2-passenger sports car, the Stinger a 4 passenger near-luxury, performance-oriented GT sports sedan. I think they would make a very complimentary pair in the garage.

The 370Z is an ironic story. So many car enthusiasts whined about wanting a simple, old-school, affordable, pure sports car, with a naturally aspirated engine, manual transmission, and devoid of most of the cosmetic fripperies so many new cars are loaded down with. Nissan did the world of car enthusiasts a favor by continuing to sell the 370Z, and instead people whined about how it was 'old', and had an 'out of date infotainment system'.

If you're driving a real sports car, your 'infotainment' should be the feel of the car, the sound of the engine, and the pure fun of the driving experience. A colorful infotainment graphical interface shouldn't be that high on the list. If it is, you probably should look for a different kind of car.

Nissan has done the car geek world another favor by introducing a refreshed Z. I for one am glad it's based on the previous 370Z platform. So it's 'old'. So what? The real question is, is it still relevant? To that I think the answer is a resounding yes. The Z platform still has attractive and competitive weight, torsional rigidity, and basic suspension design. It might not be 'state of the art' for a pure track/race car, but realistically, how many people live on the track? For most drivers, what's relevant is how it feels on the street, not shaving tenths of a second off Nurburgring lap times. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Nissan has addressed most of the things whiners carped about. The interior is refreshed with higher quality materials. Seemingly most importantly to the complainers, the infotainment system now has a nice, big, colorful, modern screen and interface. The engine is now the turbo 3.0, I personally would prefer the previous generation N/A 3.7 for its more linear power output, but the whole world is going turbo these days for the perceived fuel mileage benefits (at least the way turbos game the EPA rating system), and it does have more power than the previous engine.

Styling is purely personal and subjective, but I think the Z's lines are smooth, svelte, and timeless. They captured the spirit of the original 240Z with a design that will probably still look good in 30 years. You can't say that about the over-wrought, contrived, somewhat distended semi-bloated BMW-in-drag Supra.

The result is a 400 hp, manual transmission, rear-drive sports car that will probably sell for around $40k (maybe low-mid $40's out the door). That, my friends, is a bargain these days.

What's the competition? The Supra 4 cylinder is even more expensive, has less power, and most importantly, doesn't have a manual transmission. The Mustang GT on paper can be had for a similar price, but only in a stripped-down version and with significantly lower build quality and reliability. The Corvette is more than double the price, and even that can't be had with a manual anymore. The BRZ/86 is a great car (I own one), but with about half the power, is in a different class.

The sports car segment has been shrinking for years as people increasingly flock in lemming-like droves to SUV/CUV boxes. Outside of Mazda and the Miata, it's hard for any manufacturer to make money with a sports car these days. We should thank Nissan, and Subaru/Toyota as well, for letting just a little passion come into the decision-making process instead of bean counters run the show, and making the Z and the BRZ/86 at all.

We are driving (no pun intended) inexorably to a soulless, bland, anodyne, boring future of battery electric boxes and autonomous transportation pods. The Z and BRZ/86 are probably the last of their kind. It's unlikely there will be new generations after these. Once the internal combustion engine, and especially small, affordable, manual transmission sports cars are gone, they won't be back. It's last call for sports cars. Appreciate and enjoy them now while we can.

I‘m in complete agreement with this assessment of the sports car market/situation. I have long lamented the slow demise of real sports cars. I have always driven 2-door sports cars until quite recently. My first 4-door sedan was a Subaru WRX STi and now the Stinger. The “other” car in my garage is a C7 Z51 Stingray Corvette!

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I love the looks of the new 2023 Z inside and out. I love everything about the car. I don't care if it is still on a very old 20-year-old platform or if it looks like a "chick's car" (whatever that means) lol. I honestly would get it over my current 2020 Stinger GT if I didn't need the extra space. It's one of the last "true" driver-focused vehicles out there and a true sports car. To each their own though.

 

[RogueIV]

I love blind spot detection!

I love when it occasionally detects the air, and make me question my sanity.

As much as I like old Nissans and the Z I don't need another toy in my fleet right now. The Z is too small to take over the DD role for me and as much as I like manuals I spend a lot of time stuck and crappy traffic.

That said I do think it's a great car. People like to make a big deal out of it being an older chassis design or and older engine, but really, why does that actually matter? The Z chassis handles well, the engine puts out acceptable power (around 400hp they say) and is supposed to be priced less than even the Entry level 4cyl Supra.

Still, I really want to see how it stacks up IRL and on the track against the competition.

 

[monusa]

The idea of adjusting side mirrors correctly is dead evidently….

I learned how to properly adjust mine from a track instructor and it has worked for every car I have been in since......really not difficult to get it right if you know how........

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I love when it occasionally detects the air, and make me question my sanity.

As much as I like old Nissans and the Z I don't need another toy in my fleet right now. The Z is too small to take over the DD role for me and as much as I like manuals I spend a lot of time stuck and crappy traffic.

That said I do think it's a great car. People like to make a big deal out of it being an older chassis design or and older engine, but really, why does that actually matter? The Z chassis handles well, the engine puts out acceptable power (around 400hp they say) and is supposed to be priced less than even the Entry level 4cyl Supra.

Still, I really want to see how it stacks up IRL and on the track against the competition.

My front collision warning system also detects air at random times... making me spooked!

Yeah I mean for around $40k it's an incredible bargain...

I wonder how sales for enthusiasts would have gone if the new generation Supra came in manual...

 

[GenesisG70]

The new Hyundai Elantra N is even a better bargain at around 34000 usd. Check it out, and does not look dull like the Zzzzzzzz... Come one maaan!

 

[GenesisG70]

I love the looks of the new 2023 Z inside and out. I love everything about the car. I don't care if it is still on a very old 20-year-old platform or if it looks like a "chick's car" (whatever that means) lol. I honestly would get it over my current 2020 Stinger GT if I didn't need the extra space. It's one of the last "true" driver-focused vehicles out there and a true sports car. To each their own though.

Don't care if it looks like a chick's car? I bet you have a Lexus.

 

[General_Vodka]

The thing is, the Z will 100% have more aftermarket support than the supra. Unless it's absolutely pathetic performance wise (it probably won't the engine is solid), people will make parts for it. Widebody, retro body kits, modern body kits, you name it. People will make the craziest builds for this car just due to the fact that it is a real car from Japan and not just a badge (cough zupra). I don't really dig the current looks but I bet that someone somewhere will sink a ton of money into developing a kit that I would like. Give it some time and this will fill every import car meet lots. it was made to be modded and people know it.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Don't care if it looks like a chick's car? I bet you have a Lexus.

I don't care one bit if a vehicle I drive looks like a chick's car or if other people think I'm "fruity" for driving something that makes me happy lmfao. I think most Lexus cars (the sedans and coupes) look fantastic and all Z cars (240, 350, 370, etc.) made by Nissan look great too! I was pretty close to picking up a IS350 or RC350 instead of my 2020 Stinger but Kia's warranty and better performance sold me. To be honest I've been looking at used RCF's right now... but heck might even pick up this new 2023 Z car.

But you might be right my friend! My sister has a 2014 RX350 and my mom has a 2020 RX350. I guess you're onto something though so I give you credit there!

Btw not to get all "I'm a shrink" on you but I've noticed you post a lot about how certain cars are for women or weak men or other stuff like that. It seems you have a very serious dislike for Lexus since it is associated with feminine energy. You don't find the LFA or ISF or RCF or LC500 at all "masculine" or impressive? Not one bit? You drive an R8 right? It's been compared with the Ferrari California which is considered a "girl's Ferrari" by some people out there. But I'm sure you don't care because you love the looks and feel of an exotic Audi supercar.

P.S.

My background on my phone is a cat. Not joking.

 

[stoopid]

My background on my phone is a cat. Not joking.

WRX just dropped the mic, all.

 

[stoopid]

The thing is, the Z will 100% have more aftermarket support than the supra. Unless it's absolutely pathetic performance wise (it probably won't the engine is solid), people will make parts for it. Widebody, retro body kits, modern body kits, you name it. People will make the craziest builds for this car just due to the fact that it is a real car from Japan and not just a badge (cough zupra). I don't really dig the current looks but I bet that someone somewhere will sink a ton of money into developing a kit that I would like. Give it some time and this will fill every import car meet lots. it was made to be modded and people know it.

The Supra is already over styled IMO. The Z is more 'basic' in styling (boring even), so yeah definitely a lot of room to customize.

 

[monusa]

The Supra is already over styled IMO.

WHAT!!!!!!

Not a big fan of the new Z but I think it will do well for Nissan....hell, they need it. LOL

 

[GenesisG70]

The new zzz...

 

[VetteNZMan]

Your words are poetic AnalogMan. Yes Z and Stinger are TOTALY different.
I was posting on another thread I have to make the hard choice in the next few days to most likely sell my 2018 Stinger GT1. Ultimately this may set us up for the Z in the spring. For me in some regards at 55 YOA, the Z harkens back to my youth driving my best friends father's 1974 260 2+2 to high school, WHAT WAS THE MAN THINKING (God rest his soul!) ..... I was hooked...... and almost killed a few times. Then finally in my 30s being able to get a 350 and later a 370. I always got the very base models and really regretted selling them both. My wife has always liked the Zs and now if I can just convince her a 6-speed is a MUST we'll be good with a base Z again ideally it will sticker <$40K. I wish there was a somewhat functional back seat for our twins but I'm not sure what you really can get with an 86, TT or even a 911 (be still my heart, this is just not going to happen for me in this life, always my dream car). The Stinger sale and a new Z will force our garage (FRC C5, Z ...... '87 Ranger, Sante Fe, '22 Maverick) to two extremes with no middle ground the Stinger offered, this remains a concern.

 

[GenesisG70]

That lame duck goofy design in the front is a big let down.

 

[Kamauxx]

This is what being bad at trolling looks like. ^

 

[AtomicGTL]

This is what being bad at trolling looks like. ^

Well he isnt wrong either lool

 

[Kamauxx]

Well he isnt wrong either lool

Perhaps...

But the "drop a provocative line and disappear for a week" shtick is quite transparent.

 

[JSolo]

Proof will be in the pudding in terms of sales numbers once the car is on the market for a while.

To me it looks eh...