How are there not more of these on the road?!??

[Gerwulf918]

I have done 6 laps of Hallet in Oklahoma in. gT-R Nismo, I have driven my Z Nismo for almost 4,000 miles, I have not yet tracked it at Hallet.....I have driven and raced my old STI (2006). Mmmmmm, I really LOVE my Z, now I will be better able to talk about it next fall after I track it at Hallet a few times. Yes, I plan for better pads, better brake fluid, and after market front and rear sway bars. I will let everyone know how I, an amateur racer think it performs vs others I have driven. I will admit, my co-driver would not let me really find out what the GT-R was capable of doing. Experts say to hit the throttle, just before the apex and let the computers take over. I got to do that just a little before driving miss Daisy sitting next to me started yelling "brake, brake, BRAKE"

 

[alienpoker]

… I will admit, my co-driver would not let me really find out what the GT-R was capable of doing. Experts say to hit the throttle, just before the apex and let the computers take over. I got to do that just a little before driving miss Daisy sitting next to me started yelling "brake, brake, BRAKE"

Ahhh- it’s called steering by diff. Fun

 

[Gerwulf918]

Ahhh- it’s called steering by diff. Fun

Hit that corner right, car squared and I swear it growled....then shot out of the corner, felt awesome

 

[Crownleyian]

Plain and simple answer to this... it's over priced in the USA, the Supra A90 is faster on track, the BMW M2 G87 is faster on track as well and has rear seats and people now days want practicality long gone are the days of a place in the garage for a sports car.

Nissan's uncertain future doesn't help either.

 

[Bumflik]

Just the other day while driving to my self service car wash I notice a black RZ34 in my rear view mirror, immediately put on my 4 way flashers to acknowledge him , I slowed down and we both gave the up. Rare beyond rare sighting.

 

[Xylander]

I have owned a wide range of sports cars and driven many more. Now that I have had the Z (performance manual) for a week or so, It is the best sports car I have driven on the street, hands down. It doesn't have 47 suspension and traction modes like the vette did, and it isn't quite as "go-karty" as the miata, but it has everything I could want in a street focused sports car with a driving experience that is incredibly low effort and intuitive, yet still rewarding. Having been in a Supra and a BMW 240i, neither compelled me to consider them. Mustangs are cool but they are a dime a dozen.

All that is to say, how is this thing not more popular? It has so much more character than the competition. All the negative feedback I see about the rehashed chassis and lack of tech is all a bonus in my book. It makes the car more pure, and provides more feedback to the driver. I guess we will have to enjoy these cars in relative secrecy. I have only ever seen 2 other ones on the road here in central Florida. I haven't even gotten to unwind it into the real power yet and I already love the car. Was it just priced wrong? Marketed wrong? I really don't get it, especially considering the mod/upgrade potential.

2 short answers: 1) The Z is really only appreciated by enthusiasts. Enthusiasts make up a small, almost microscopic fraction of the car buying public. 2) A nearly as capable Mustang GT is on average, $8,000 cheaper.

I recently bought this car. It sat on the dealership lot almost 430 days. I too think they're way overpriced... and only bought it after poking the dealership 5-6 times over the last year and they finally dropped the selling price to under $60,000. Safe to say, I'm one of the only Nismo Zs in all of NW FL I think.

 

[alutwon]

I'm in central Florida and Ive see a blue while driving, a dark silver parked, another dark silver on my way to dinner, a black at Publix, an orange heritage and a rosewood on my way home that inspired me to get my red. no yellows and no nismos though.

 

[wsuZ]

There's a common sentiment on this forum that the Z is "overpriced for what it is" and separately there are feature/perf comparisons between the Z and its' competitors. Is there another two-seater sports car available today in the $50k range with 400hp, 4.3 0-60, etc?

Some may say the Nismo is $65k+ and that gets close to Supra pricing, for that trim I agree a Supra (as visually unpleasant as it is) may be a better option.

Not trying to start a war, genuinely curious if there are other options out there with similar stats that is price-competitive with a Performance Z. Before purchasing I spent a while searching and it seemed like starting price on most competitors was $15k+ higher.

To the question in the OP: the public's lack of awareness has to be suppressing demand. Scarcity drives market pricing and feeling of exclusivity, but if the public doesn't know about the car there won't be as many people lined up to buy it. I just finished up a 2500 mile road trip and never saw another Z.

 

[Bumflik]

There's a common sentiment on this forum that the Z is "overpriced for what it is" and separately there are feature/perf comparisons between the Z and its' competitors. Is there another two-seater sports car available today in the $50k range with 400hp, 4.3 0-60, etc?

Some may say the Nismo is $65k+ and that gets close to Supra pricing, for that trim I agree a Supra (as visually unpleasant as it is) may be a better option.

Not trying to start a war, genuinely curious if there are other options out there with similar stats that is price-competitive with a Performance Z. Before purchasing I spent a while searching and it seemed like starting price on most competitors was $15k+ higher.

To the question in the OP: the public's lack of awareness has to be suppressing demand. Scarcity drives market pricing and feeling of exclusivity, but if the public doesn't know about the car there won't be as many people lined up to buy it. I just finished up a 2500 mile road trip and never saw another Z.

People are worried about their security and economy with the price of food, heating, rent and interest rates higher and of course taxes increasing so the last thing they are prioritizing disposable income for a two seater GT auto. Enthusiasts like us are a rare breed. This auto is my therapy and I'm 48 years old so it will be my last "new" auto purchase.

 

[Xylander]

People are worried about their security and economy with the price of food, heating, rent and interest rates higher and of course taxes increasing so the last thing they are prioritizing disposable income for a two seater GT auto. Enthusiasts like us are a rare breed. This auto is my therapy and I'm 48 years old so it will be my last "new" auto purchase.

I'm 48 as well, and my Z story might seem odd to someone who doesn't get enthusiasts like ourselves. I've got a great job, but don't consider myself rich. I can't afford a 911 or a McLaren or anything like that... but I've had a nice assortment of cars. Mustangs, Corvettes, Hellcats, German stuff, Italian stuff, British stuff, etc. I traded a 2023 Challenger Redeye Widebody in on this Nismo Z.

That's where most people go, "whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"

I'm a track rat at heart and for the majority of my teens to early 30s, that's what I focused on. I've been active on the drag and big power scene for a number of years, and frankly I'm bored to tears of it.

I'm dailying this Nismo Z just as I dailied the Redeye before it. I don't allow garage queens in this house and every car we own gets driven, right down to the 2 classics we have. I don't keep cars for posterity or sentiment... and I'm not a brand loyalist. There's far too many great cars to experience to only drive one make.

The main reason I'm dailying this Z is to get to know it. I don't have any experience whatsoever with the Z platform. Although I'm a passable mechanic and a good engineer, I'm a much better driver. So, I'm going to get to know the car well before I start monkeying with it.

 

[trackratZ]

I'm 48 as well, and my Z story might seem odd to someone who doesn't get enthusiasts like ourselves. I've got a great job, but don't consider myself rich. I can't afford a 911 or a McLaren or anything like that... but I've had a nice assortment of cars. Mustangs, Corvettes, Hellcats, German stuff, Italian stuff, British stuff, etc. I traded a 2023 Challenger Redeye Widebody in on this Nismo Z.

That's where most people go, "whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"

I'm a track rat at heart and for the majority of my teens to early 30s, that's what I focused on. I've been active on the drag and big power scene for a number of years, and frankly I'm bored to tears of it.

I'm dailying this Nismo Z just as I dailied the Redeye before it. I don't allow garage queens in this house and every car we own gets driven, right down to the 2 classics we have. I don't keep cars for posterity or sentiment... and I'm not a brand loyalist. There's far too many great cars to experience to only drive one make.

The main reason I'm dailying this Z is to get to know it. I don't have any experience whatsoever with the Z platform. Although I'm a passable mechanic and a good engineer, I'm a much better driver. So, I'm going to get to know the car well before I start monkeying with it.

Good feedback, sounds like my experiences. The only brand loyalty I have is with Datsun/Nissan, hence came back owning a new Z, it has SO much heritage DNA and a simple car, really, nowadays. I've owned and time attacked locally Subaru STi, M3, Mustang GT PP2, even a Mazdaspeed Miata, now a Cayman S. Why don't you try your local track days instead of just straight line drags? Track days are usually 4x20 min lapping sessions for the day and have different classing groups based on experience, generally pretty safe pushing your cars. Check the reviews on your local orgs. Plus your Nismo Z is already setup well for this, it's a great OEM package, can upgrade later if need to, BBK, coilovers, tune, etc.. I do suggest a good alignment or even better a corner balance. Have fun with it and report back.

 

[Meg_Z]

Got mine for 12500 off MSRP cash deal it was a steal.

A little bit of all of those reasons, its just too niche and got bad press from all the youtubers. For my purpose I bought it specifically as a commuter car for "return to office or quit"mandate. Ive hit 37 mpg twice after 100 miles into DC but generally low 30s on the day since Im hitting triple digits on the ride home. The car is flat out kick ass as a grand tourer because of its suspension. I'm the only Z driving 200 miles a day into & out of DC hitting Beltway whipty do speedbumps at 90 dodging dump trucks and tractors driving like they just robbed a bank. The suspension & strength of the Rays wheels are incredibly perfect to have survived the cratered & buckled Beltway so far. I drive across farm country early morning and the Akebonos have saved me from deer strikes several times already. The ground clearance of 5 inches is the only issue as I have to always have an exit strategy to avoid roadkill you can never see until the last second (despite the awesomely bright lights). I've run over 2 big retread tire shreds that were dead nuts in my lane and I was boxed in. Have not seen another Z, I have 8500 miles in 2 months of ownership. I have everyone trying to ask me about the car at stop lights as well as everyone in a mustang or other trying to get a piece, it gets a bit tiring having to shake all of them trying to ride in my shadow.

Good detailed explanation, I know just a little about Beltway traffic. I was stationed at FT. Belvoir for a short period. Where I’m at now OK, I have seen exactly three Z’s in the wild, besides the dealers lot. The first one I saw a black one in early 24. The second was at the dealership when I was ordering parts and an older women was setting up a service appointment for her Z. The last one was at a collision center when I was getting a service done on my wife car a few days ago it was also black a Performance automatic. There is also a black 370Z a see on post a few times that’s it.

 

[kevinbonds]

I'm 48 as well, and my Z story might seem odd to someone who doesn't get enthusiasts like ourselves. I've got a great job, but don't consider myself rich. I can't afford a 911 or a McLaren or anything like that... but I've had a nice assortment of cars. Mustangs, Corvettes, Hellcats, German stuff, Italian stuff, British stuff, etc. I traded a 2023 Challenger Redeye Widebody in on this Nismo Z.

That's where most people go, "whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"

I'm a track rat at heart and for the majority of my teens to early 30s, that's what I focused on. I've been active on the drag and big power scene for a number of years, and frankly I'm bored to tears of it.

I'm dailying this Nismo Z just as I dailied the Redeye before it. I don't allow garage queens in this house and every car we own gets driven, right down to the 2 classics we have. I don't keep cars for posterity or sentiment... and I'm not a brand loyalist. There's far too many great cars to experience to only drive one make.

The main reason I'm dailying this Z is to get to know it. I don't have any experience whatsoever with the Z platform. Although I'm a passable mechanic and a good engineer, I'm a much better driver. So, I'm going to get to know the car well before I start monkeying with it.

I sold my 2011 GT500 to fund my 2024 Nissan Z purchase, I have owned a lot of cars, I am 49 going on 50, and done the German car things, owned a Nissan Z32 TT for 20 years, and came back to Nissan. I liked my GT500, but it was like a couch on wheels, it didn't do it for me. I had the car for about 6 years and but 3k miles on it, I have had my new Z for about 6 months, and it's got 2700 miles on it. It's my second car, but I use it as often as I can, and it's been a blast. I love everything about the car, I feel like people don't understand this car, and once a real car person drives one for a while, they understand what the Nissan team was going for. My 2024 Z performance 6MT is very well balanced and does everything I need it to for a fun weekend car. I don't need a 800hp car at my age, I want a fun, refined car that can put smile smiles on my face everywhere I drive the car, and that is that the Z does for me.

 

[Meg_Z]

It's not a tall person issue, I'm 6'4" and there are others on this board my height and taller that are perfectly comfortable in the car. I just drove 344 miles today in it no problem and less stiff getting out than my Explorer limited that has much more driver "space".

Nissan did not spend much on marketing this car at all. I did not even know they existed until I went into a dealership to service another car.

It's a two seater very expensive toy. Not many people are in the market for that and when you add in almost no advertising, they are not going to sell. I'm happy I don't see any around. The amount of thumbs up and people wanting to look at it in parking lots is incredible. People love the car once they see it, most outside the Z community don't even know it exists though.

For those that fall in love with theirs and keep them, in 15 years I bet they are worth a fortune. In 25 years a double fortune.

I normally don’t keep vehicles very long after payoff. There are exactly two I wish I could have back. My 1991 BMW 318i and 2008 BMW 135. I won’t make that mistake with my Z it’s a keeper unless I really starts having major issues. Like many have stated it’s more of a GT and is a very comfortable car. I have driven it over 8 hours to visit my son. It is low, but what else would you expect from a car like this.

 

[Meg_Z]

I hear it from people too...Mustangs on Every corner, but maybe 5 or 6 Zas in the whole state of Oklahoma

I’ve owned 6 Zs in my life since the early 80s (a 240Z). Plus more recently the BMW Z4 convertible and then the 370Z Nismo. Am I biased? Hell yeah. Around me (CA) people are conditioned to like SUVs, Trucks & Teslas. That covers most of what I see on the road.

Here’s what is wrong & why the Z will remain rare: #1 is price. Way overpriced for a car built on a 10yr old chassis. #2 Nissan may be in financial trouble so what about parts & maintenance if they go under? #3 As noted, Most people prefer SUVs, or (in CA) ugly Trucks or Teslas.
#4 The journalists. In my opinion, because of initial price, the Z was compared with other sportscars unfairly. They drove them for initial reviews with (for example) a 9at or with the shipping spacers still on the springs. Mine even was delivered to me with front spacers. Some of them couldn’t appreciate the heritage and what Nissan was trying to achieve.The car got bad press early on during launch & it stuck.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!

tl;dr Price, perception and bad press.

Now that I’m a little older and wiser I learned to put things into perspective. Reviews are just one part of the puzzle or research I use when purchasing something. I also have a rule of thumb to always take at least 24 hours before making any big purchases. When it comes to cars the most important question(s) to me is does it meet the requirements I have for it.

Of course depending on the vehicle metrics would be different but room, performance, comfort, features and price are the common ones. Some of the initial YouTube and other reviews were lukewarm at best. It still made my short list, because it was one of the few sports cars with a manual transmission. I also was looking for preowned and when I located a low mileage Z I had to check it out in person. Once I test drove it the deal was done and it helped that the dealer was great too.