Attn: all members, need your input / opinion!

[AZhitman]

Hey guys - We have a pretty unique opportunity coming up, and I want your input on it.

Basically, if I were able to set up occasional Q&A session"chats" or open discussion threads with some of Nissan's Corporate staffers (such as product planners, engineers, developers, media managers, etc.), what kinds of insights and content would you like to see?

What would you like to know about the inner workings of the company? If you knew someone who worked for Nissan Corporate, what would you want them to share with you?

Note: Let's not make this a "yo, bring back dat 240sx, I'd buy one and drift it!" conversation, because that discussion has been beat to death.

Ready, set, GO.

[Mr1der]

ENOUGH WITH THE f*** CVT ALREADY.

That's about all I got.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

Compliments on the new redesigned Altima and a suggestion to bring back limited production of the SE-R trim.

Complaints of terrible paint jobs including the (code reds) and clear coat problems on on my car and several others see attatched threadpoor-paint-quality-on-05-se-r-altima-t547769.html

[themadscientist]

OK, here's my complaint with not just Nissan, but almost every car company. They force their interpretaion of what we want down our throats. Stop that! People are different and they have different needs and styles so build a car that is affordable, reasonably stylish and solid as a rock.


Please design a purposeful simple basic car. The idea is BASIC TRANSPORTATION. The base model should be a decently stylish, decently powerful, decently appointed blank canvas that someone who want s a reliable, kind of cute no BS car would appreciate. It should have:

seating for four with a stylish, but rugged and easy to clean interior.

front engine rear wheel drive powertrain with standard manual transmission and optional automatic. The base model should be a simple inline four, no variable this and that, just a solid mill that is good on gas and has the strength to be able to handle more power.

Nothing, but required nannytech like abs and traction control, tire pressure monitors, are you kidding? Hell no! offer them as options if you must, but don't force it on everyone.

aethetics that are contemporary, but not to off the beaten track. Understated and clean will always outsell agressive styling cues.

Now, there are customers and there customers. If you designed the base model right there should be next to zero duplication of effort, just different parts packages bolted in place of base model stuff.

ECOCAR
Same as base model, but with a hybrid setup attached to the engine in place of the transmission and the supporting battery pack. Some gay stickers announcing it's hybrid because how are people supposed to know how much better you are than them if they don't know you drive a hybrid, you douche.

SPORTS
Same as base model, except the NA engine is replaced with a turbo version. By building the block and head strong, it should need nothing more than different pistons, larger injectors turbo manifold and turbo and a different ECU. There should be a freer flowing exhuast with a nice note.

The suspension should have the same geometry, but with better struts, springs and swaybars. The brakes should be bigger and the diff fitted with a limited slip carrier and more aggressive gearing.

The interior should just add more supportive front seats and and standard boost gauge.

There could be optional styling and accesory items, but the idea is to provide the minimum required. Even the sports model should follow the idea of a blank canvas. Quit trying to deliver a complete idea, focus on giving us a solid foundation. We will style it and accesorize as we wish. It makes the car more affordable too.

[Bubba1]

1. What on earth were you thinking with the Murano Cabriolet?

2. The Altima redesign is good, but what are you gonna do with the Maxima? Would you consider stretching it to go after the Avalon/Taurus segment?

3. Why didnt you fire the ad agency/marketing mgr behind the disastrous 4 door sports car campaign for an obviously unsporty FWD CVT only family sedan (Maxima)? It stopped being remotely sporty when you eliminated RWD and the manual transmission years ago.

4. Nissan is clearly more infatuated with CVT than any other mfger.. I presume to keep manufacturing costs down and inch up a few mpg, but long term reliability after the warranty expires is a concern to those of us that buy new Nissan vehicles and keep them longer than the warranty period. It was a big enough concern to make me look elsewhere when I replaced my Altima sedan. I'm sure I'm not the only new car buyer that thinks that way. Is it possible to offer more vehicles with manual or at the very least the traditional automatic transmissions. Long term Reliability has not an issue with the non CVT trannies.

[skydragoness]

ENOUGH WITH THE f**king CVT ALREADY.

That's about all I got.

Also, I'd like to know who/what the hell is behind their designs. Why do all their models now look exactly alike? They just look like varying sizes of the Maxima. So bland!

I too, would like to know what they were smoking when they thought up the Murano Cabriolet. I guess they wanted to make a one-off abomination ala the Pontiac Aztek

[Mr1der]

also, don't price the 370Z so goddamn expensive. The Z's original selling point was it's low price in comparison to it's direct competitors.

I mean jesus...it's platform and driveline are shared on how many cars?

***holes....

Basically, stop being pretentious d!ck Nissan. Stop looking at a the f*** Fujiyama aquariums for design cues.

if I learned anything from the Simspons, no one likes 3 eyed fish.

The Juke gets a pass though.

THE JUKE IS A GREAT REASON TO BRING BACK SE-R TRIM.

[Eikon]

RWD Coupe with 200+ hp and under 2800 lbs for under $25k.

Takes notes from Toyota (Scion) and Subaru.. It can be done and it's a big hit.

Get back to what made Nissan/Datsun great!



Next topic..
We don't all like the CVT.. give us an option for a standard transmission.


Next..
Take the Maxima back to it's RWD routes! Base it off the new G platform, but make it a $30k car instead of a $40k car.


Next..
Bring us some good Diesel motors for cars and trucks. Why is VW the only company that sells a diesel motor in an affordable sedan or hatch? The world has changed.. the stereotypes about dirty, stinky diesel fuel from the 70's have faded and people will buy a diesel motor if you can get us 45 to 50 mpgs with them in a Versa or Sentra.


Stop the radical price increases of the GTR! It was under $70k and now it's over $95.. in like 4 years.. with no major changes.. come on Nissan.. I get that the Yen has risen a lot and US sales aren't as valuable.. but let's get this car back to a range that normal people can at least half seriously dream about. At least back in line with 'vette prices..


Put some energy into dealership customer service.. For the most part.. it's awful. Does Nissan still rank last in customer to dealer satisfaction? A bad experience at one dealership will turn a customer against you forever.


Why does the Quest have to be so weird? You've built the Altima into a car that could be the #1 seller in the next couple years by keeping it mainstream and normal and beating Toyota/Honda/Chevy/Ford at their own game. People (families) still want minivans.. Why can't you make the Quest a little more mainstream.. it's just so weird! It's so huge too! *I will concede that the current version is much better than the prior.. but you can do better!


Please don't ever make another Murano Convertible. Try listening to the public... put a picture of a concept on the internet and ask for some "crowdsourcing" feedback. We all told you it was the ugliest car since the Aztec.. but nobody listened apparently. Now that thing is a black eye on the whole company.


Speaking of crowd-sourcing.. Remember what happened with the Juke GTR.. Let that happen more in the future, and then make these vehicles available for purchase (at reasonable prices). Take a page from Jeep's notebook.. They let special design teams do really cool things. Why not come up with a couple cool Titan or Frontier theme builds? How about an extreme offroad Xterra? How about a Rogue that can actually pretend to go offroad? Realize that you don't have to sell a ton of these vehicles to make them very succesful. What they do is put an image (a very cool image) in front of people's eyes. They can buy the stock version with the impression of what it can be like if they choose. You can mold the public opinion of a vehicle by simply putting a cool picture out there and getting a few of them on the street. Try it at SEMA..


My last bit for tonight. GET INVOLVED with the Nissan owner community!!!! Sure, you need to have a more powerful social media outreach. But you need to learn to get involved with the owners after they purchase the vehicle. Assign PR people to monitor and participate in online owner's forums (like this one). Send representatives to car shows and meets and events. Bring something new and exciting to show off! Show people that you care and you appreciate and you join them in their enthusiasm for the vehicle they bought. You never know.. you might just learn something from the (soon-to-be) repeat customers.

[Eikon]

Sorry.. I just realized I didn't really answer the question as it was asked.. I offered my advice to Nissan rather than the question that was posed.

The question is: What would I want to talk to Nissan Corp employees about? Or.. What questions would I ask them?


My answers to these questions would be segmented by who it was we got to speak with:
product planners:
- Can you describe the life-cylce of a model and generation? How far ahead are you looking at with your product plans? How much guesswork goes into predicting consumer wants and needs? How much are you handcuffed by supplier product offerings? What level of scrutiny do you place on your competition - do you benchmark a great deal, or do you go it yourself for the most-part? What freedom does the US region have in designing it's product lineup? Does Corp in Japan push significant requirements for the vehicle designs and features? Do you read consumer sentiments online? Do you ever read internet owner forums like this one for feedback and ideas? Do you ever send out surveys to the general public? Do you discuss consumer trends with dealership staff? Are all design and product planning decisions based on $$$ or are you given some latitude to make something you love and think is cool?


engineers, ** Going to bed now.. Will edit this post tomorrow with thoughts for other categories**


developers,


media managers

[bigbadberry3]

I'd like to know what the most direct route to give feedback to Nissan is, besides my wallet.

[Loki]

I'd be game! I only got one question at the moment: professional engineer in training, graduating this December; job building the GTR, please?

[MinisterofDOOM]

ENOUGH WITH THE f**king CVT ALREADY.

THIS.
Nothing wrong with OFFERING a CVT. But making it the only option on EVERYTHING is asinine. I'd like some genuine feedback as to why this decision is continuing to be upheld.

And, secondly:
What on earth happened to the Maxima? Where'd its balls go (and its interior space!)?

Finally:
The M56 is sextastic. It raises my hopes for the future of Infiniti. Are we going to see a 7-series competitor to match the M's 5-fighter oomph? (Translated: where's the new Q?!)

[Buzzman]

ENOUGH WITH THE f**king CVT ALREADY.

That's about all I got.

Add my name to the list of CVT haters.
Like someone said, offer it as an alternative, but please stop making it the only option in your cars.
I've been thinking it would be nice to trade in my '06 Altima on the new one, but will buy elsewhere because the new Altima will only be offered with a CVT.
I also second the comment on the Maxima, and what it has become. What a way to ruin a nice car.
(If you want to see what sells, look no further than Kia and Hyundai.
I rented a Kia Optima while on vacation earlier this year, and absolutely loved it.)
I'd also like to ask them why they went off the rails with the Pathfinder.
From 2005 to present, it hasn't been half the vehicle it used to be.
It would be nice to ask these guys at Nissan where they get their ideas and inspiration.
It sure doesn't seem like they're getting it from listening to their customers.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Take the Maxima back to it's RWD routes! Base it off the new G platform, but make it a $30k car instead of a $40k car.

The G's platform is fine, but it needs to be a LOT bigger than the G. If two adults can't ride comfortably cross-country in the rear seats, it isn't a Maxima.

Somewhere right between G and M size is the goldilocks region for the Maxima.

[flohtingPoint]

In terms of affordable performance, Nissan already has it covered with the 370Z. How about an economy diesel model car for DD?

[krash]

How about an economy diesel model car for DD?

That would actually be cool

[AZhitman]

In terms of affordable performance, Nissan already has it covered with the 370Z.

$36K - $42K doesn't exactly scream "affordable".

Base 6MT is still $32K (good luck finding one, though - less than 5% of all 370's are outfitted as such).

So, no. They don't have it "covered".

[nissangirl74]

Here, even if someone CAN afford it, most smart people won't. Especially when they can go out and buy a used C5 for half that, have more power, get better fuel economy (the unmolested ones), and better prices on the mods they do want to make. People aren't just pissing money away anymore. They want the most they can get for their money and the 370 is NOT the most sports car for the money.

[nissangirl74]

what kinds of insights and content would you like to see?

What would you like to know about the inner workings of the company? If you knew someone who worked for Nissan Corporate, what would you want them to share with you?

1) It would be nice to have some real information about why Nissan makes the decisions they make and what influences those decisions.
2) Do you use focus groups?
3) If so, what is your demographic?
4) What is your reason for not being more involved in forum communities?
5) What is your reason for not setting up a booth at SEMA?
6) What is your reason for refusing to participate in JCCS when the largest group of enthusiasts there is ALWAYS Datsun?
7) What sort of campaign would it take to convince you that there enough people out there who would be willing to buy a small car (preferably a coupe, a 4 door offering, and a hatch added in would be awesome) that is RWD with a manual transmission (with automatic option), that gets good gas mileage?
A)How many signatures would it take?
B) You somehow justified building 6,000 Murano Cabriolets.
C)What would it take to justify building the aforementioned car?
1) If you made it exactly as described above and offered it at an affordable price point, you could probably get 6,000
people in our community alone to buy one.
D) People have been begging for them since the last 240SX was sold in '98. I am not asking you to bring back the 240sx. I am
asking you to accept the idea that people still want that TYPE of car and they would be willing to buy one if you made it
available.

[Ozzie]

OK, here's my complaint with not just Nissan, but almost every car company. They force their interpretaion of what we want down our throats. Stop that! People are different and they have different needs and styles so build a car that is affordable, reasonably stylish and solid as a rock.


Please design a purposeful simple basic car. The idea is BASIC TRANSPORTATION. The base model should be a decently stylish, decently powerful, decently appointed blank canvas that someone who want s a reliable, kind of cute no BS car would appreciate. It should have:

seating for four with a stylish, but rugged and easy to clean interior.

front engine rear wheel drive powertrain with standard manual transmission and optional automatic. The base model should be a simple inline four, no variable this and that, just a solid mill that is good on gas and has the strength to be able to handle more power.

Nothing, but required nannytech like abs and traction control, tire pressure monitors, are you kidding? Hell no! offer them as options if you must, but don't force it on everyone.

aethetics that are contemporary, but not to off the beaten track. Understated and clean will always outsell agressive styling cues.

Now, there are customers and there customers. If you designed the base model right there should be next to zero duplication of effort, just different parts packages bolted in place of base model stuff.

ECOCAR
Same as base model, but with a hybrid setup attached to the engine in place of the transmission and the supporting battery pack. Some gay stickers announcing it's hybrid because how are people supposed to know how much better you are than them if they don't know you drive a hybrid, you douche.

SPORTS
Same as base model, except the NA engine is replaced with a turbo version. By building the block and head strong, it should need nothing more than different pistons, larger injectors turbo manifold and turbo and a different ECU. There should be a freer flowing exhuast with a nice note.

The suspension should have the same geometry, but with better struts, springs and swaybars. The brakes should be bigger and the diff fitted with a limited slip carrier and more aggressive gearing.

The interior should just add more supportive front seats and and standard boost gauge.

There could be optional styling and accesory items, but the idea is to provide the minimum required. Even the sports model should follow the idea of a blank canvas. Quit trying to deliver a complete idea, focus on giving us a solid foundation. We will style it and accesorize as we wish. It makes the car more affordable too.

[flohtingPoint]

In terms of affordable performance, Nissan already has it covered with the 370Z.

$36K - $42K doesn't exactly scream "affordable".

Base 6MT is still $32K (good luck finding one, though - less than 5% of all 370's are outfitted as such).

So, no. They don't have it "covered".

Just about the same price an S2000 was new and you get more HP/room to actually put things. Mid 30's is totally acceptable for what you get in a 370z.

Without any effort at all, I found 6 new manual in my area for less than 35,000. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 9231&Log=0

[PapaSmurf2k3]

How long until Nissan/Renault split up so we can have our old Nissan back?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Without any effort at all, I found 6 new manual in my area for less than 35,000. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 9231&Log=0

35 large isn't a smoking deal.

I counter your 6 370s with this:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... 3285&Log=0
I know, not really a fair comparison, but I find it odd that I actually work for Nissan and don't have any desire to buy any of their current vehicles.

One question I'd have for them that I just thought of is why they wait SO LONG between model changes, and often when they DO do a model change, a lot of the same technology carries over. The Titan is a relic. The VQs in trucks hasn't changed much at all since launch, and still gets laughable fuel economy.
How long until we can send the QR out to pasture?

[Mr1der]

for what you're already dropping on the Z, I'd opt for spend a little more and step in a 302 Boss and get a much quicker car.

Nissan is a company that has lost it's way. The Altima and Rogue seem to be the only thing keeping it viable in the market.

also JUKE SE-R DAMNIT

[AZhitman]

Just about the same price an S2000 was new and you get more HP/room to actually put things. Mid 30's is totally acceptable for what you get in a 370z.

Jim, you gotta stop mistaking points for cones... because you totally missed this one.

[Bubba1]

I agree with Jim on this one. I don't consider 370Z overpriced or condemn Nissan for being completely clueless. They are only mostly clueless. The 370Z is a lotta car for the money. Compared to the 350Z, it really is not dramatically more expensive when you consider 10 years ago, a new nicely equipped 350Z sold for just under $30K. 10 yrs later, you can get a similarly equipped 370z, which is a more refined car than the 350, in the mid $30's. That's really not that bad.

I think some are trying to compare the FRS/BRZ and Miata to the 370Z. I see Apples vs oranges. The FRS/BRZ are low priced budget sports cars. The Z is a full step above that. Interesting to think about Nissan's competition for the 370Z the last few years. What did Honda do? They discontinued the S2K. Mazda RX8? - buh bye. Mitsubishi evo? bzzzzt. Toyota? They just built a car to compete against the miata, and Subaru went in halfsies with them. I believe that leaves the Hyundai Genesis coupe as only Japanese/Korean sports car in the 370's range. If you look at the 370Z's european competition, eg: Boxster, Audi TT, BMW Z4, the 370Z is a bargain by comparison. I agree with Mr1der too that the mustang has become a great performance bargain to consider though technically its not a sports car.

What Nissan might consider is offering a cheaper 4 cyl version of th 370Z like Hyundai did with the Genesis coupe, but I'm sure they'd resist due to drawing sales away from their higher margin V6 version.

[skydragoness]

I think some are trying to compare the FRS/BRZ and Miata to the 370Z. I see Apples vs oranges.

Totally agree.

The FRS/BRZ are low priced budget sports cars. The Z is a full step above that. Interesting to think about Nissan's competition for the 370Z the last few years. What did Honda do? They discontinued the S2K. Mazda RX8? - buh bye. Mitsubishi evo? bzzzzt. Toyota? They just built a car to compete against the miata, and Subaru went in halfsies with them. I believe that leaves the Hyundai Genesis coupe as only Japanese/Korean sports car in the 370's range. If you look at the 370Z's european competition, eg: Boxster, Audi TT, BMW Z4, the 370Z is a bargain by comparison. I agree with Mr1der too that the mustang has become a great performance bargain to consider though technically its not a sports car.

What Nissan might consider is offering a cheaper 4 cyl version of the 370Z like Hyundai did with the Genesis coupe, but I'm sure they'd resist due to drawing sales away from their higher margin V6 version.

I don't see Nissan making something that will take away from the 370z.
They really need to improve the rest of their line up though.

[Mr1der]

If we've learned anything from this thread...

JUKE SE-R!!!!

[AZhitman]

The 370Z is a lotta car for the money.

Maybe I'm a cheapskate, but I still don't agree. It's definitely underrated IMO however, and having driven the preproduction 370 and subsequent models each year, it's a fine, fine example of a true GT (which the Toyubaru FRBZRS-TGT2ZXIV is definitely not).

What Nissan might consider is offering a cheaper 4 cyl version of th 370Z like Hyundai did with the Genesis coupe, but I'm sure they'd resist due to drawing sales away from their higher margin V6 version.

They might think that way, but realistically, it wouldn't sell anyway. The 370Z is too much car for even the peppiest of 4-cyls without adding boost. It's a full-on GT, heavier than most sports cars.

What would make more sense, and we've said it all along, is to make a down-market 4-cyl rear-driver to compete head-to-head with the Genesis and Toyobaru twins. My fear is, that ship has sailed. They missed the boat on the high-hp AWD three-box design (a la STi / EVO), and they missed the boat on affordable, stylish, hip economy cars (a la xA, xB, tC, Fit). The Cube doesn't count, as it's strayed into Element territory, having exceeded $20K+.

How many more times is the hamburger gonna be left in port?

[TurboSauce]

Why no entry level affordable sports car, or hot hatch?