NISMONICK: Nissan Z Values in CRISIS?!

[trackratZ]

I don't know why Nissan don't make more of a deal about offering sportier and lower suspension as a factory/dealer installed option. Maybe they do in the states? But now downunder. If you want decent suspension you have to go straight to the aftermarket after buying your brand new car. Seems like a missed opportunity to upsell the customer at point of original sale.

Same here in the States, you have to get the Nismo to get the nicely integrated suspension, that's been proven track worthy.

 

[MacCool]

Damn, I haven't driven one yet, but I keep hearing that. Kind of sounds like when I owned a 2015 MX-5 which came with a lot of roll and squat and dive. After a good coilover conversion, the car drove on rails.

It doesn't sound like you are part of Nissan's target market for the RZ34. I think it's likely that you wouldn't be happy if you bought a Z. If I were you, I'd either have to buy a Nismo, resign myself to several thousand dollars in aftermarket upgrades, or look at a different car (at a different price). The RZ34 non-Nismo would not be a great track car. It's a really fun car on the street, which is what it's designed for, but if you're going to push it hard at the track...not so much.

 

[Zmanshelby]

It doesn't sound like you are part of Nissan's target market for the RZ34. I think it's likely that you wouldn't be happy if you bought a Z. If I were you, I'd either have to buy a Nismo, resign myself to several thousand dollars in aftermarket upgrades, or look at a different car (at a different price). The RZ34 non-Nismo would not be a great track car. It's a really fun car on the street, which is what it's designed for, but if you're going to push it hard at the track...not so much.

I actually have no plans to track one. But the reviewers keep complaining about the soft suspension.

 

[MacCool]

I actually have no plans to track one. But the reviewers keep complaining about the soft suspension.

Every Z car I've ever owned, 9 of 'em since 1970, has had more body roll than I'd like...easily solved with sway bars. Other than that, I've never found the Z to have a "soft suspension". OTOH, suspension is a highly subjective experience and I would definitely recommend that you drive the car before buying one.

The Z is a relatively heavy, price-point GT sports car. No question that if you're willing to pay the price you can get a 400+ horsepower sports car with suspension and handling that would satisfy even the most particular writer at Car & Driver. I've been reading that magazine since I was 16 (long time ago) and have found that it's wise to take enthusiast magazine reviews with a grain of salt.

 

[Zmanshelby]

Every Z car I've ever owned, 9 of 'em since 1970, has had more body roll than I'd like...easily solved with sway bars. Other than that, I've never found the Z to have a "soft suspension". OTOH, suspension is a highly subjective experience and I would definitely recommend that you drive the car before buying one.

The Z is a relatively heavy, price-point GT sports car. No question that if you're willing to pay the price you can get a 400+ horsepower sports car with suspension and handling that would satisfy even the most particular writer at Car & Driver. I've been reading that magazine since I was 16 (long time ago) and have found that it's wise to take enthusiast magazine reviews with a grain of salt.

I plan on driving one soon to form my own opinion on it's handling dynamics. I may find it suitable to my needs, I may not. But, the fact that every review I've watched (about 40 reviews now) most if not all, dog the tires, and suspension is what makes me think that. Regardless, I hope to get seat time soon.
I will say, now that the Z's seem to be sitting on the lots and dropping in price, the car is becoming more desirable IMO.

 

[MacCool]

I plan on driving one soon to form my own opinion on it's handling dynamics. I may find it suitable to my needs, I may not. But, the fact that every review I've watched (about 40 reviews now) most if not all, dog the tires, and suspension is what makes me think that. Regardless, I hope to get seat time soon.
I will say, now that the Z's seem to be sitting on the lots and dropping in price, the car is becoming more desirable IMO.

Sure…makes sense…the cheaper the showroom price, the more you can spend on suspension upgrades. As it is, the MSRP price difference between a Z and a Supra is such that you can pretty much equalize the two from a handling standpoint by upgrading the Z and end up at the same price. Some real value in that in that you can actually pick the handling that you ultimately want the Z to have, whereas with the Supra, your stuck with the handling that they think you want.

OR…..if the Supra’s handling is suitable to you and/or you don’t want to wrench on your new car….you can just buy the Supra.

 

[Jrt]

We bought on discount a 24 Performance MT in White with blue interior. It was a good deal and it was the car and transmission my wife wanted. Buy and enjoy, life is short.

 

[Zenogias]

I actually have no plans to track one. But the reviewers keep complaining about the soft suspension.

I watched pretty much every video review that existed before I bought mine, and there are plenty of reviewers that were either neutral on the suspension or even positive.

It's pretty simple, The Sport/Performance Z was designed to be a daily driver. The "soft" suspension complaint is from people who want to feel every bump on the road and value feedback over comfort. The Nismo was made for those people, and those people love it. Win/Win.

Personally, I just wanted a modern RWD JDM Manual that I could daily drive; and that's what I got. Everyone is different, many people buy these cars as their "weekend car" or "track car" and those people are going to have different priorities over people like me who drive the car to work/grocery store/pick kid up from school/etc...

 

[Todd marks]

What’s the future for us Z owners as investors? Will the car depreciate as the years pass or will they hold their own as collectors items (similar to the Supras, S2000’s ect)?

 

[jc604]

What’s the future for us Z owners as investors? Will the car depreciate as the years pass or will they hold their own as collectors items (similar to the Supras, S2000’s ect)?

The discontinued colors will probably be sought after in the future, given the very low production numbers in the first year and paint issues in the second

 

[Todd marks]

 

[Todd marks]

Knew I should have gotten a yellow prohto

 

[Todd marks]

Was hoping to hold as a weekend/track car for the next 10/20 years and sell it. Modified it too much to let it go at this point in time