What Nissan has to offer?

[tschatzinger]

Hi Everyone,

I do not actually own a Nissan, but I am a long time car enthusiast. I'm working on a project regarding Nissan, and was wondering if you all could give me some of your opinions about the brand. Because I've never spent time on these forums, I don't have nearly enough knowledge about the brand as you all do, so you're the experts in my eyes.

Anyways, what's a main benefit that Nissan offers (the brand overall - and possibly just one car compared to others) over its competitors?

And is there any benefit Nissan has that its competition doesn't?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

[tschatzinger]

And is there any benefits that Nissan could offer to get more consumers?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Nissan often uses timing chains in their engines as opposed to belts, so you don't have to worry about that crappy 60k timing belt job.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Nissan tends to know how to make cars connect with the driver, and cars that are fun to drive regardless of how mundane. Mazda and BMW are similar in that regard. Even Nissan's crossovers manage to have some soul in them, which is something very few others have managed.

[Jesda]

Some people love the French influence in Nissan's designs, especially the Murano and Versa hatchback.
The Quest is the most interesting minivan on the market, and the Titan is a hot rod pickup.
The 370Z is the best sports car bang for the buck right now.

As a brand, Nissan isn't as consistent as it has been in the past, but the design flair is there.

[Rev_D21]

Does your research want to include comments from former Nissan fans? Or should I say 'era specific' fans?

[asoomal]

Durasteel.

[tschatzinger]

Does your research want to include comments from former Nissan fans? Or should I say 'era specific' fans?

Either one is fine. Just trying to gain some insight on the company itself right now.

[Bubba1]

Does your research want to include comments from former Nissan fans? Or should I say 'era specific' fans?

Either one is fine. Just trying to gain some insight on the company itself right now.

With the exception of the Murano Cabriolet (I can;t figure out what Nissan was thinking with that vehicle), I think Nissan's simply done a good job offering well built, well designed, nice looking vehicles that people want to buy. The last 3 new Nissans that I bought (240sx, Altima sedan, 350z) most closely matched everything that I wanted in the car. Then add in the good reliability experiences I enjoyed with each one, and that has influenced me to consider another one in the future.

In other words, build a good, reliable product and people will keep coming back. I think Nissan, Toyota, and Honda have all understood this concept well and is a major factor for their success. And a big reason the big domestic 3 lost so much market share to the Japanese is because they did not understand or care in the 70's, 80's, 90's, disappointing a entire generation of car buyers (baby boomers) to the point it almost killed the companies. I think the big domestics are beginning to figure that out now, so the future looks brighter.

[Eikon]

I'll tell you what Nissan doesn't have to offer right now.. A connection with driving enthusiasts in the middle class and under. Sure, the 370z, G37 coupe and of course the GTR are great sports cars, but most of us can't afford those. They used to sell the z cars and the 240's in a reasonable price range (sub 30k in today's money). They have lost that sweet spot that made us all love the company.

Now you see people heading toward Hyundai, Subaru, Scion, Honda, and even Ford and Chevy and Dodge.. They all sell fun-to-drive cars for around $25k or less. But the company that used too dominate that area has a giant void in their lineup. It's a shame.

/end rant...

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'll tell you what Nissan doesn't have to offer right now..

A proper transmission without belts?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Nissan has them in their trucks! Infiniti has them in their vehicles, and SOME Nissans even offer manuals! (Note, I know you know this Chris, just pointing it out for the new guy).

If you don't like CVTs however (you'll be hard pressed to find anyone on here that does), then that does eliminate a large part of Nissan's lineup for you.

[Bubba1]

If you don't like CVTs however (you'll be hard pressed to find anyone on here that does), then that does eliminate a large part of Nissan's lineup for you.

I agree 100%. Nissan's recent infatuation with CVT does raise serious concerns, particularly because it's long term reliability on a large scale is suspect. Plus CVT removes some of the "fun to drive" factor, which enthusiasts like us find important. I think CVT and the return of a modest priced RWD, non-CVT,sporty coupe (last being the 240sx) would be among the best answers to the question, "what would you change about Nissan".

[PapaSmurf2k3]

And fender cutoff. I would like to kick the person that came up with that... right in the shin.

[Bubba1]

And fender cutoff. I would like to kick the person that came up with that... right in the shin.

Yep, and they need to do something with the Maxima. They've devolved what was once a "4 door sports car" into an uninspiring, FWD, CVT-only sedan.

[Jesda]

The Altima sedan is garbage if you were unlucky enough to get the 2.5, which most people did. Friends of mine got one against my advice and ended up sinking thousands into that heap of trash; the engine finally bit the dust at 130k.

CVTs have been reasonably dependable for most manufacturers, but the ones fitted in Nissans over the last decade have been unreliable and ridiculously expensive to replace.

Let me be more honest with my answer:
Nissan makes a handful of great, sometimes revolutionary products and a whole mess of bland, mass market garbage. Just look at the new Versa sedan. They've become Japan's General Motors.


As for Carlos Ghosn, I've said since 2004 that his arrogance was Nissan's biggest downfall. He makes up for most of it by being intensely competitive.

[Rev_D21]

Most members here know by now that I declared Ghosn-era Nissan dead to me. Miter-box fenders are just the tip. Everything they offer now is huge in dimension and overweight compared to pre-Ghosn Nissan. Ghosn-era Nissan cars have dumpy asses and too much chrome. I grew up in the 70's, 80's and 90's so tha happen to be my favorite eras, bland or not. The Maxima mentioned above is a perfect example. I think most agree Nissan hit a home-run with the 1989-1994 Maxima while the 2004 Maxima is largely dismissed as a bloated, buck-toothed yawn with a mohawk. Nissan stopped producing cool cars and went for the cute "it even sprays you with Vitamin C" market and that is not for me. I don't want my cars...trucks in my world...to be cute or happy and smiley and until Nissan starts making some tougher-styled RWD cars/trucks with MAUNAL transmissions I won't be putting any Ghosn-era Nissan in my driveway anytime soon. The death of the Nissan Pathfinder was what pushed me over the edge. I love anything pre-Ghosn because even the most bland cars from that era look better than anything I see Nissan making now.

[krash]

With the exception of the Murano Cabriolet (I can;t figure out what Nissan was thinking with that vehicle)

I swear, they've gotta get bored up there at headquarters every once in a while. Thats when they come up with the weird looking stuff like Murano Cabrio. and Leaf. Watch, next thing you know, they'll try to shove a GT-R drivetrain into a Juke!

Like Eikon said, they're reallly missing an affordable sports car. With Scion coming out with their FR-S (and subaru's BRZ), the Hyundai with their genesis, and Mazda quietly lurking with their miata, Nissan really needs a replacement for the 240sx. I'm really waiting to see what Nissan's answer to the FR-S/BRZ will be.

[nissangirl74]

I test drive a lot of Nissan's cars and to be honest with you, there's nothing out there right now that I could get really excited about. I love the Titan but I'm not willing to pay what they want for one. I'm also not willing to buy something that gets such horrible gas mileage. However, I will not sell my '05 Frontier. Absolutely the best vehicle I have ever owned. We also own several classic Datsuns that we aren't willing to part with. Nissan has made a lot of great cars in their history. However, I believe, like so many others, that they have lost their way. The CVT and their lack of anything fun RWD, could be their undoing.

[Razi]

Our '05 Pathfinder has 183,000 miles on it and it is just like it was on the first day.
Engine runs nicely, nothing rattles in the car, and all we've ever done was doing regular fluid changes.
I'm quite happy with how reliable it's been with us, but I do miss how our old Pathfinder felt and drove.

[4cefed]

My 92 240SX has over 220k on the clock and it's the most reliable car in the drive compared to the Chryslers that have half the age and half the miles. For me my Nissan means reliability and definitely fun to drive. My SRT-4 with twice the horsepower isn't nearly as fun even commuting to work.

I haven't experienced any of the newer Nissans, but I have to agree with the other members that I think they have lost appeal and identity. I try and include the Sentra when shopping for a low-cost family car, but the waters are getting pretty muddy there.

Definitely the best support forums I seen though! Don't even try asking a question at the i-club-whatever.com

[300ZXttZMAN]

When I think of Nissan I think of Z cars...

Z cars have the ability to truely connect with their owners along with other enthusiasts... When ever a Z car owner sees a fellow Z car enthusiast its not who's car is faster, whos car is nicer or what trim/package does he/she have. What goes through your mind is: OMG I have to catch up to that person and meet them.

The Nissan Z series owners are truely a family were all instantly friends as soon as you meet a fellow Z car driver simply because you share the same passion for such a wonderful sports car.

to Nico!

[asoomal]

^^ That never really happens with most 350Z drivers. :S

[300ZXttZMAN]

^^ That never really happens with most 350Z drivers. :S

It does down here in the south.

Southern hospitality at its finest.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^^ That never really happens with most 350Z drivers. :S

It does down here in the south.

Southern hospitality at its finest.

True. Japanese sports car owners in general all treat each other like that down here. Doesn't matter if you're in a Z, Miata, S2000, 240, or whatever.

[Jesda]

The Z is the heart and soul of Nissan -- don't need any GTR owner suggest otherwise.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^+1
How they went ~4 years here without one is beyond me.

[Bubba1]

Hey tschatzinger, has this been what you were looking for?

[Gold Digger]

The Z is the heart and soul of Nissan -- don't need any GTR owner suggest otherwise.

That depends on where you are located, Jesda. There are people over here that will tell you the Fairlady is a great car, but the GT-R is what the people talk about in the Nissan crowd. Believe me, though...I am not taking ANYTHING away from the Fairlady. I will own an early 70's S30 before I die. Burnt Orange with black wheels and overfenders.

I have to be honest, though. The newest Nissan I ever owned was a 1997 Altima Limited Edition. But that was from 2001-2004. Great car for me, my wife and at the time our oldest son who was only 2.5 years old when we sold it. So, I can't really say about newer Nissans.

Now, as far as what the actual topic is, in my opinion, the 90's era Nissans were just the total package. Look at the S13/S14.

Pros: Four wheel independent suspension
Rear wheel drive
51/49 weight distribution
Great handling
Manual or Automatic transmissions
Nice styling
Optional LSD/HICAS from the factory in a budget minded sport coupe/hatchback.

Cons: U.S. models got an under powered engine when compared to it's JDM siblings
Not much back seat space
Not much trunk space


I am sure there are more, but the pros outweigh the cons.

The 32/33/34 GT-R's were probably the most well balanced car on the market during their times.
Yeah, the Supra was a beast, but handling wasn't the greatest.
The FC/FD RX-7 was a well balanced car, but didn't have near the stock power. Plus rotary engines are fickle little things.
EVO and WRX at the time weren't even in the same league in stock trim.

So, in closing, as I said it earler...it's the total package.

[300ZXttZMAN]

It does down here in the south.

Southern hospitality at its finest.

True. Japanese sports car owners in general all treat each other like that down here. Doesn't matter if you're in a Z, Miata, S2000, 240, or whatever.

Very true^.

To add to what I said: Its the same if you drive a S chassis car your automatically friends with the Z chassis owners and vice versa.