Interesting comments from Nissan designer..

[G]

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/nissan-considering-toyota-86-rival-20150615-ghnweh.html

 

[oldmates260z]

Sad statement....... "I think the Toyota 86 is a good car, almost like the original 240Z".....nothing revolutionary happening in a 86 other than sub $40k!

[gav240z]

I agree back to basics but not sure why it says 240z is a trendy car not really a sports car? Maybe it was a misprint and he meant 370z?

[d3c0y]

Expensive = not competitive in euro markets. I read a previous article saying the 370Z doesnt make sense to own because of insurance and registration over there.

 

 

So basically they want to combine models and capitalise on the Z brand by putting it on the next Silvia. Boo Nissan  .

[gav240z]

In Europe and in particular Ireland the tax on cars is based on emissions and engine size. The 350z was mega expensive to insure because of displacement. The rotary was counted as 1.7ltr (who knows how they came to that size) but was before 2008 so wasn't based on emissions. So it was cheap to tax.

 

Skylines, Supra's, 350z, 370z, all had engines over 2.5litres and would therefore be much more expensive to tax.

 

It meant that they became incredibly cheap the older they got. That along with high insurance costs meant that most people didn't want them...

[260DET]

That Nissan engineer sounds like he doesn't know the S30 very well at all, almost as if it never existed.

[CroS13]

(screams at computer screen) "Just make the next god dam Silvia you idiots!"

 

End rant.

[d3c0y]

Not if they are going to just slap a zed badge on it. NO GIRLY 4CYL ZED! It's just wrong...

[boost]

"The original 240Z is not really a pure sports car, it's more like... lifestyle, and trendy."  Ooch !!

 

 

[PB260Z]

Sad statement....... "I think the Toyota 86 is a good car, almost like the original 240Z".....nothing revolutionary happening in a 86 other than sub $40k!

 

The main similarity I can see has nothing do with the actual vehicle spec. They both delivered a cheap, reialable and fun sports car to the market, from my understanding that was the brief for Datsun with the 240Z just as it was for the Subota a few years back.

[gav240z]

Not if they are going to just slap a zed badge on it. NO GIRLY 4CYL ZED! It's just wrong...

 

Nothing girly about a 4 banger. Provided it's the appropriate weight, much rather a lighter chassis and smaller engine (with turbo charging option or similar) in a car with dead sexy good looks that is relatively accessible to the masses than the current 370z.

 

The whole point of the original car was that it was value for money, Nissan has lost that over the years in my opinion. Time to start over.

 

Although I think a straight 6 would be more 'appropriate', but at the same time with current technology probably not necessary.

[d3c0y]

I disagree, 4cyl engines aren't as nice to drive. Why do you think all the top models come with bigger engines. This has been reaffirmed to me by recent purchase of an LS1 powered  holden ute. In terms of driving its better in every way compared to the 6s ford and Holden bar fuel economy and rego!

 

 

There is no replacement for displacement (and cylinders) as they say.

[oldmates260z]

You need a straight 6 to fill that long bonnet of the Zed.....especially when they build this one (I wish one day  )....have been waiting years now!

[PZG302]

I disagree, 4cyl engines aren't as nice to drive. Why do you think all the top models come with bigger engines. This has been reaffirmed to me by recent purchase of an LS1 powered  holden ute. In terms of driving its better in every way compared to the 6s ford and Holden bar fuel economy and rego!

 

 

There is no replacement for displacement (and cylinders) as they say.

 

haven't driven a turboed barra then have you  ;D

 

 

[oldmates260z]

haven't driven a turboed barra then have you  ;D

I have owned a turbo Barra and it would be very nice under that long bonnet 

[d3c0y]

No i haven't and I was talking N/A but in that regard compare the Barra to a twin turbo LS1... Hey all im saying is that 4 cylinders are generally not as good as 6+ cylinders.

 

 

Also to add to it, I think that iron block motors are old hat now and high-revving, natural aspiration is desirable trait in a sports car engine.

[260DET]

No way will Nissan/Renault develop a new engine for any new Zed so start looking at what they already have on the shelf engine wise. The only NA that would work if they are serious about performance would be a all alloy LSx type V8 which the Japanese would never even consider so it will end up with some four cylinder thing with the mandatory number of cams and valves.

[CroS13]

Not if they are going to just slap a zed badge on it. NO GIRLY 4CYL ZED! It's just wrong...

 

No no i was not implying a zed with a 4 cylinder, i wouldn't want that either, i literally mean they need to make a new silvia, the S16. Light, rear wheel drive, turbo 4 cylinder. and to keep it at at least 2L, none of this new 1.4L turbo SSS pulsar Garbage..

 

Keep the electronics and aids to a minimum ( if you can with new regulations etc) for eg just have ABS, no cruise control, traction control, stability control. Make it a real drivers car, but give it some power to boot.  If the FT86 came supercharged from factory, or a STI model came with a turbo it would be perfect in my eyes.

 

There is NOTHING else in the FT86's market, that's the only reason it has been killing it, and Nissan are too stupid to realize this. they have a cheap platform in the S chassis to take it to Toyota but they wont.

 

BUT.....I guess they cant make something that would be half the price of the 370z yet decimate it on the books, because they would just be gouging market share out of their own brand and would kill their own higher spec car.

 

I disagree, 4cyl engines aren't as nice to drive. Why do you think all the top models come with bigger engines. This has been reaffirmed to me by recent purchase of an LS1 powered  holden ute.

There is no replacement for displacement (and cylinders) as they say.

 

There sure is a replacement for displacement.... 20 pounds of boost! It has to do with tasteful mods that work well and compliment the car.

I wish you were in Sydney, Id throw you the keys to my S15 and id have your mind changed about that.

I had my car re tuned for winter a few weeks ago and check out this power curve, drives as nice as it did when it came out the factory, pulls as smooth as my mates 360hp SS commodore.

 

 

Oh and remember that at the end of the day, the SR20 is still a 20 year old engine design, no direct injection to be seen.

 

Another mate has a Golf R..... and wow, even stock its dam impressive, turbo is electronically waste gated, German technology, 20psi of boost holding to redline and NO lag what so ever, very very impressive.

 

Before that he had a Mk5 Golf GTI, with a tune, exhaust, intake and a few other mods, 190kw at the front wheels and felt dam quicker than my car.

 

Actually the old workshop where he had the work done, they did development on their own Golf R, it had only bolt on mods, but it included turbo and injector upgrades, the motor wasn't opened at all, and it ran 11.9 down the quarter mile, i saw it myself on the night. If you haven't been in one, i suggest you take one for a test drive, It will change your opinion on 4 bangers.

 

And yes i have experienced the raw power of a V8 in my friends SS, a low 12 second car, he sold it and bought a FG XR6 turbo, equally as impressive. but you cant write off the 4 bangers!

 

Rudi

 

 

[positivetennis]

I just think that Nissan is taking too long to develop the 370z replacement. There was a comment made that Nissan was concerned that sports cars lose their demand in the 2nd year they are on the market and that they need to consider things carefully. The problem that I see with Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ in Australia was how we as the public are treated by the car companies. We were told that the Toyota 86 would start at $29,990 and hence the interest in this car was strong, so strong that everyone wanted one, but the waiting list for some models was up to 18 months. However if you were prepared to pay $48k for one, you could get it shortly. With Subaru you had to make an appointment to test drive one and then order it online. A lot of people got jacked of this and went elsewhere, where they wouldn't have to put up with this artificial hyped up demand for the car. Now 2 years later there are over 300 Toyota 86's available on Carsales and people now don't want one because they were stuffed around. It would have been much better if Toyota/Subaru made the cars available in the first place.

As far as Nissan is concerned, there is so much love for the original 240z style and concept by enthusiasts around the world, yet they don't seem to be listening. Rather they seem to be focusing on ugly concept cars. Nissan need to wake up and just build a modern 240z, and they have winner. Problem with the current 370z for many people is you need to a midget to get into it, compared to the 240z which had plenty of room. I don't want to be cramped up in a 370z with my head touching the roof and the dash pressing on my knees, yuk

[260DET]

From what I see Nissan have lost the plot generally, just look at their range of vehicles now to see what I mean. They seem to be blundering around hitting and missing, mainly missing, with seemingly no idea of what the public really want. As I indicated before that Nissan designer just seems indicative of the problem.

[d3c0y]

Problem with the current 370z for many people is you need to a midget to get into it, compared to the 240z which had plenty of room. I don't want to be cramped up in a 370z with my head touching the roof and the dash pressing on my knees, yuk

 

 

I own a 350Z and have test driven a 370Z and i am 6 foot tall midget. This is not true unless you are like 6'5" and in that case will have trouble with most cars.

[PB260Z]

The problem that I see with Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ in Australia was how we as the public are treated by the car companies. We were told that the Toyota 86 would start at $29,990 and hence the interest in this car was strong, so strong that everyone wanted one, but the waiting list for some models was up to 18 months. However if you were prepared to pay $48k for one, you could get it shortly. With Subaru you had to make an appointment to test drive one and then order it online. A lot of people got jacked of this and went elsewhere, where they wouldn't have to put up with this artificial hyped up demand for the car. Now 2 years later there are over 300 Toyota 86's available on Carsales and people now don't want one because they were stuffed around. It would have been much better if Toyota/Subaru made the cars available in the first place.

 

Hmmm, certainly an interesting and creative read.

[oldmates260z]

From what I see Nissan have lost the plot generally, just look at their range of vehicles now to see what I mean. They seem to be blundering around hitting and missing, mainly missing, with seemingly no idea of what the public really want. As I indicated before that Nissan designer just seems indicative of the problem.

Totally agree, Nissan (Datsun) were the trend setters for great ideas...the Roadster...the Zed...the P510 1600...now there is not one model that you could say is progressive in a positive way. Hence we drive their old stuff and remember the good old days.

[d3c0y]

How many 350Z and 370Zs do you see driving around though? I see quite a few. The 350 and 370Z have been progressively cheaper and more simple than the Z32 and competent around a track.

What exactly is it that you want them to make?

 

 

I just think that Nissan is taking too long to develop the 370z replacement. There was a comment made that Nissan was concerned that sports cars lose their demand in the 2nd year they are on the market and that they need to consider things carefully. The problem that I see with Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ in Australia was how we as the public are treated by the car companies. We were told that the Toyota 86 would start at $29,990 and hence the interest in this car was strong, so strong that everyone wanted one, but the waiting list for some models was up to 18 months. However if you were prepared to pay $48k for one, you could get it shortly. With Subaru you had to make an appointment to test drive one and then order it online. A lot of people got jacked of this and went elsewhere, where they wouldn't have to put up with this artificial hyped up demand for the car. Now 2 years later there are over 300 Toyota 86's available on Carsales and people now don't want one because they were stuffed around. It would have been much better if Toyota/Subaru made the cars available in the first place.

 

As far as Nissan is concerned, there is so much love for the original 240z style and concept by enthusiasts around the world, yet they don't seem to be listening. Rather they seem to be focusing on ugly concept cars. Nissan need to wake up and just build a modern 240z, and they have winner. Problem with the current 370z for many people is you need to a midget to get into it, compared to the 240z which had plenty of room. I don't want to be cramped up in a 370z with my head touching the roof and the dash pressing on my knees, yuk

 

 

There is so much nonsense in this post. You understand they are still making the 370Z right, so you can buy a new one right now and yet you are saying they haven't made the new one soon enough?

 

 

The story you describe about people trying to buy the GT86 is pretty much exactly the same as it was for the 240Z in america when it was first released.

 

 

If people got jacked and went else where why are there so many for sale? Are Toyobaru just listing new ones as second hand cars? They were released in 2012, so a number of them will be coming up on 3 years old, which correct me if i'm wrong is probably as long as some one that buys a new car will keep it, for depreciation, warranty etc.

 

 

You guys need to go and actually drive a modern zed instead of sitting back and reminiscing of the "good old days". I'm not saying you have to even like it. But a 2 seat, relatively low cost & well appointed (for a 2 seat sports coupe segment), large capacity 6 cylinder, good handling and brakes and will punch 400hp+ with bolt on modifications. Sounds pretty much like the same recipe to me and $62k driveaway...

 

 

[PB260Z]

There is so much nonsense in this post. You understand they are still making the 370Z right, so you can buy a new one right now and yet you are saying they haven't made the new one soon enough?

 

The story you describe about people trying to buy the GT86 is pretty much exactly the same as it was for the 240Z in america when it was first released.

 

 

If people got jacked and went else where why are there so many for sale? Are Toyobaru just listing new ones as second hand cars? They were released in 2012, so a number of them will be coming up on 3 years old, which correct me if i'm wrong is probably as long as some one that buys a new car will keep it, for depreciation, warranty etc.

 

 

You guys need to go and actually drive a modern zed instead of sitting back and reminiscing of the "good old days". I'm not saying you have to even like it. But a 2 seat, relatively low cost & well appointed (for a 2 seat sports coupe segment), large capacity 6 cylinder, good handling and brakes and will punch 400hp+ with bolt on modifications. Sounds pretty much like the same recipe to me and $62k driveaway...

 

Indeed, But lets not let any facts get in the way of a good rant.