Why does Nissan Hate the U.S.?

[zinkie13]

I was looking around on some websites my friend had referred me to because he is a big fan of the Nissan Skyline. I happened to run across Japan's Nissan website. On the website it had the specs for all of the vehicles sold there under Nissan's name. In Japan they call the Q45 the Cima, the 350Z the Fairlady Z, and so on and so fourth.

Well, I believe most of the options available in Japan were the same, EXCEPT one feature. Almost all of the vehicles sold by Nissan in Japan have AWD as an available option. WHY CAN'T WE HAVE THAT HERE?

[maxnix]

Probably because Nissan judges the market won't pay for it in sufficient quantities.

Do you know how many F50s they sell annually here? It is not a question of "hate," but of market economics and demand.

It's difficult to change one's mind after one has jumped off a cliff.

[K1LLA916K]

why dont you think nissan decided to market the skyline and sivia here? its like this, nissan didnt market the 180sx or silvia because it would have taken business away from the Z and skyline models and also because between 1990 and 1998, the american market was looking for japanese versions of muscle cars such as the Z, supra, 3000gt and rx7. the skyline never reached the american market because it would have also taken business from the Z and because it would not have much demand because americans didnt really understand the all wheel drive system in a performance car deal. also because it didnt make sense to have two similarly priced performance cars from the same company. also because the american market was already familiar with the Z.

[jmatas]

AWD... coming this fall to a G35 near you.

[Q45tech]

Nissan North America is the most profitable of all Nissan divisions, it helps support the Japanese experimentation.Very few US owners would want a FULLTIME AWD Performance car considering the extra purchase cost and the extreme maintenace it requires.

Many cars are not sent to US because they know we are not capable of maintaining cars to extreme precision [Americans won't pay]......plus for some reason US owners think they should last over 100k.

[EWT]

Unless you have to deal with snow, I don't know why you'd want AWD. I have a lot of experience with both, and I much prefer RWD to AWD in a performance car. You end up with a lighter package with better steering feel that is a lot more fun to drive since the throttle input has much more of an effect on the handling characteristics, and you don't have the front wheels trying to turn and put power down at the time, which leads to corner exit push unless the amount of power routed to them is minimal. AWD is good for hamfooted drivers since abrupt throttle inputs don't have as much of an effect, and it is unbeatable in the rain/slippery conditions, but overall I'd take the RWD version of a performance car every time. There's a reason the top performance versions of the 911 Porsche makes (GT2 and GT3) are RWD rather than AWD which is available on lesser versions.

[Jesda]

Isnt the hot-selling Subaru Impreza WRX a full-time AWD system?

[maxnix]

Isnt the hot-selling Subaru Impreza WRX a full-time AWD system?

Yes, because it is primarily a FWD platform, as are the Audis. That much power to the front wheels would induce bad handling behavior under power in corners. AWD can ameliorate a lot of sins of FWD and engine mass outside of the wheelbase.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[Jesda]

I wish Mazda didnt keep the RX-7 out of the US. I'd love to have a 2002 RX7 imported for track use.

-Jesda

[K1LLA916K]

umm first of all i didnt know rx7s were made til 2002. i thought they died in 1999. and second of all i say get a rx7 and swap the rx8 engine. its a lot better. same power but better on gas and emmissions. also quicker. im going off point. well jesda im almost sure u dont enough money to pay 40,000$ to get a rx7 to the US and if u did have the money then i am prety sure u would rather get a skyline u know u would. admit it. newayz rotaries are dead. and if there are still a few alive then they will die very soon.

[Jesda]

Hmm, no. I'd rather have a 2002 RX7. Last one came out of the factory last year. Maybe its me, but the Skyline is ugly. Too many awkward spots in the overall exterior design. I like it clean.

Do I have the 40k? No, this is purely a imagine-if scenario. The RX-7 is MUCH faster than the RX-8, lighter, and scores higher on handling. I also find it more visually appealing.

The RX8 was created not to take the place of the RX-7, but to serve as a mid-range item in Mazda's three-level sports car lineup. Right now, they have the Miata and moved on to create the RX8. If the RX8 takes off, Mazda plans on making an even faster, better sports car to sell at the top of the line. All of these plans of course require successful sales. Currently, every model is selling poorly (compared to other brands) except the Mazda 6 sedan and the Protege.

-Jesda

[Chally]

The 4wd system in the GT-R & the Impressa are unequally split, so you don't get the torque steer, suggested above.

I held a GT-R flat around a bend, expecting slight understeer, but you'd swear it was on rails & the steering was very neutral. It surprised me just how nice it was to drive.

[K1LLA916K]

ididnt say the rx8 was better. i just said the engine was better whih if put into a rx7 will be better. yes the rx7 does look pretty nice. and yes it is lighter which is why it handles bete and is faster but te rx8 rotary is primarily an improved version of the one used in the rx7.

[Jesda]

Well, the engine is weaker due to emissions controls. The RX8 might be more efficient and far more reliable, but performance is weak in comparison.

[K1LLA916K]

the old rx7 pumped 250 hp. the new rx8 pumps 250hp. not much torque in either car but can u still seriously say the engine is weaker?