2014 370Z Coupe gets $3000 price drop...

[RicerX]

Check this out...

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/26/2014 ... d-by-3000/

Nissan is up to something. The company announced pricing for the 2014 Nissan 370Z, 370Z Nismo, and 370Z Roadster, which isn't out of the ordinary. What is, is that the standard, hardtop 370Z has received a $3,130 reduction in price for 2014. The upmarket Touring model, meanwhile, has been dropped $2,550.

That means, excluding the $790 for destination and handling, a base, six-speed manual 370Z is only $29,990. That is an excellent deal. Adding an automatic will bump the price to $31,290, while the Touring model starts at $35,270 for DIY shifters and $36,570 for autos. The top-of-the-range Nismo runs $43,020. The Roadster, meanwhile, starts at $41,470.

So what does this mean in the grand scheme? Automakers don't just slash $3,000 off the price of a desirable sportscar because they're feeling generous.Could this be a move to clear out stock before a replacement to the current Z arrives?

The current car, codenamed Z34 by Nissan, has been on sale since 2009 and was refreshed not so long ago. With the 2014-2015 auto show season about to kick off, clearing out parts and inventory by slashing prices could be a precursor to the debut of the Z35 later this year, or in early 2014. That said, there's been precious little information about from spy shooters or internal sources on the next Z. Only time will tell if our guessing is correct. But hopefully, we'll have our answer in the not-so-distant future.

The 370Z Base 6MT is now priced $2,495 above a Subaru BRZ Limited. Do you think this is Nissan's answer to the BRZ? Is it simply a continuation of Nissan's "scorched earth" price adjustment blitz? Is this a move to move units in lieu of the incoming Z35?

[sstroudwku]

It's supposed to be the last year for the Z34, new model for 2015 is rumored.

[nissangirl74]

I wonder if sales are down and they're just trying to move units, period. At our local dealership, they're doing the same thing. Titans and Maximas have $10,000 rebates right now.

[sstroudwku]

I wonder if sales are down and they're just trying to move units, period. At our local dealership, they're doing the same thing. Titans and Maximas have $10,000 rebates right now.

Again this is due to new model launch. A60 Titan is the oldest body style production truck in the 21st century. It's been relatively the same since it's launch. It was due for a redesign in 2008, we had worked a deal with Dodge, to sell Titans based on their platform. When Dodge sank and Fiat took over we canceled our deal for financial reasons and because of our ties with Renault. Now, we have an all new Titan to be released. So we're pushing the current body as best we can. As for the Maxima, the redesign of the Altima from L32 to L33 has made it a bigger car, so the A35 Maxima is due for it's face lift again. It'll be more driven towards the 4DSC "4 door sports car" concept that we've pushed for the last few years.

Little insight on the new Titan. Cummins was doing software development and consult III+ integration at one of our training facilities.

[nissangirl74]

If Nissan doesn't put a manual trans back in the Maxima, they might as well just stop production. I know they sold a decent amount of them last year (approximately 59,000 units) but I'm guessing there would have been a lot more interest if the thing that made it popular was still offered.

[Jesda]

Not surprised. The Z isn't as unique in the market as it was a decade earlier.

[sstroudwku]

If Nissan doesn't put a manual trans back in the Maxima, they might as well just stop production. I know they sold a decent amount of them last year (approximately 59,000 units) but I'm guessing there would have been a lot more interest if the thing that made it popular was still offered.

I wouldn't count on it. Manual transmission cars in America are a thing for enthusiasts. Even though they are heavily popular in Europe, in America well, we have some of the laziest drivers in the world. Even in the new Sentra you can only get the manual in a stripped base model. Altima coupe is slated for the chopping block at the end of this year as well. CVT is taking over the fuel economy race, not utilized to it's potential for fuel economy in my opinion. For example, all of our CVT's have an OD ratio of about .37-.41and in the Rogue it's paired to a 5.11 differential. So you just killed all the OD but super short gearing. /end morning rant

[Bubba1]

Personally I think they should have dropped it $6K minimum. Given how little they've spent on its development since it's introduction, aside from slapping on a gimmicky spoiler, and NISMO decals and jacking up the price, the car is still priced too high for what it is.

FWIW, Toyota attempted the same thing with the Supra right before they discontinued it. Its price was waaaay out of line. They then dropped the price a few thousand just make it a bit less unreasonable but still overpriced. They did not significantly increase sales with that price drop. The lesson to be learned is you can't keep raising the price while doing nothing and expect it to keep on selling strong. And tossing in small discount after 6 years of increases ain't gonna fool a buyer.

[dasoupdude]

If Nissan doesn't put a manual trans back in the Maxima, they might as well just stop production. I know they sold a decent amount of them last year (approximately 59,000 units) but I'm guessing there would have been a lot more interest if the thing that made it popular was still offered.

I doubt that will ever happen, I don't even think there hope going back to just a regular transmission. Especially after what happened to the poor Pathfinder.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

The weaker yen definitely played a hand in Nissan's ability to lower the price on the Z. As Bex mentioned too, they weren't selling many of them.

[WDRacing]

we have some of the laziest drivers in the world.

While I won't disagree that there are some lazy drivers, lazy isn't why manuals are on the way out. They simply aren't as comfortable in a daily driver as a automatic is. The vast majority of people that prefer a manual are enthusiasts.

I'm an enthusiast and I still prefer a good automatic.

Auto's make things like traffic far less miserable and things like coffee far more enjoyable.

[MinisterofDOOM]

If Nissan doesn't put a manual trans back in the Maxima, they might as well just stop production. I know they sold a decent amount of them last year (approximately 59,000 units) but I'm guessing there would have been a lot more interest if the thing that made it popular was still offered.

Yep. Not just that, but it needs to get a LOT bigger to be worth keeping. Right now, interior space for the Maxima is LESS than you get in the Altima (95.8 for Maxima, 101.9 for Altima). WHAT. THE @#$%. The real problem, though, is that Nissan doesn't have any engines worth putting in the Maxima. There are no "hot" VQs for front-drive formats. The current FWD VQ making 290hp goes into everything...you can't put that same motor in the Maxima. Plus, the FWD VQ is getting OLD.

Basically, Nissan is not CAPABLE of building anything worthy of being called a Maxima right now. Not unless they abandon CVTs, remember that size matters more than "coupelike" rooflines, and introduce a 100% all-new-from-the-ground-up V6 making over 330hp for front-drive applications.

[nissangirl74]

Yep. Not just that, but it needs to get a LOT bigger to be worth keeping. Right now, interior space for the Maxima is LESS than you get in the Altima (95.8 for Maxima, 101.9 for Altima). WHAT. THE @#$%.

Wanna hear something really f*()ed up? The new SENTRA has more rear legroom than the Maxima. 37.4 inches vs. 34.6

[jbracy7]

I love watching u guys work,keeps my hopes up for the brand

[dasoupdude]

Wanna hear something really f*()ed up? The new SENTRA has more rear legroom than the Maxima. 37.4 inches vs. 34.6

Oh Nissan..

[WDRacing]

Yep. Not just that, but it needs to get a LOT bigger to be worth keeping. Right now, interior space for the Maxima is LESS than you get in the Altima (95.8 for Maxima, 101.9 for Altima). WHAT. THE @#$%.

Wanna hear something really f*()ed up? The new SENTRA has more rear legroom than the Maxima. 37.4 inches vs. 34.6

That is a WTF? Moment if there ever has been.

[MinisterofDOOM]

As to the Z, my biggest complaint with it for a long time now has been the price. Sure, it's a good car. But it's a good car for great-car pricing, and in the end it just doesn't add up. Doesn't matter how fun a car is to own or drive if you can't convince people to BUY the damn thing.

So the $3k price drop, which puts the base model below the $30k mark, is a good step in the right direction. The next step, though, will have to involve a full redesign to a smaller, lighter (cheaper) format while still retaining what makes the Z a Z: rear-drive, fantastic powertrain, and good handling.

[Mr1der]

I blame the domestic pony cars.

Big power and better styled in the same price range.

I'd by a Mustang GT and not give the Z a second thought.

[IBCoupe]

FWIW, Toyota attempted the same thing with the Supra right before they discontinued it. Its price was waaaay out of line. They then dropped the price a few thousand just make it a bit less unreasonable but still overpriced. They did not significantly increase sales with that price drop. The lesson to be learned is you can't keep raising the price while doing nothing and expect it to keep on selling strong. And tossing in small discount after 6 years of increases ain't gonna fool a buyer.

Thing is, I don't think I'd miss the Z as much as I miss the Supra.