Exactly.

Sit 2 beside each other on a new lot, with the pricetags facing each other, and your non-gearhead (which probably make up about ALL new car sales) will have to consider the coupe from Nissan.

 

True to a degree.

Im sure most people lease Infiniti's while those who would choose a Nissan are more likely to get a 5 year loan and buy it.

Similar looks but totally different buyer IMO. I admit there could be some cross-shopping between the two, but I don't believe it would be significant enough to cause a severe problem within the dealer network.

Infiniti for all we know could be getting a new entry-level car (cheaper then the 'G') made on the same platform sometime in 2008.

 

Definetly seems like they're robbing Peter to pay Paul... Different drive wheels or not.

Although I suppose this is more evidence that rumours of the coupe markets demise have been exaggerated.

 

SCNGEN,
That was insightful

Anyhoot, it's a pretty nice looking car IMO. Indeed, it probably will steal a few G35 sales, but won't the G35 be receiving a makeover sooner or later anyway? Maybe that's why Nissan took this route with the Altima?

Regardless, nice car...too bad the GTP G6 coupe doesn't offer an M6 with the HF 3.6...I bet Nissan won't make the same mistake with their top engine To think GM offers 3 V6s in the G6 line amazes me...the 3900, while its a great engine, seems like the odd man out now...

 

The Altima coupe looks like the 1st gen G35 coupe the new coupe and sedan are starting to hit the market about now I think.

 

Not bad on Nissan to bring a 2+2 coupe to their line up. Definately looks alot like a G35.

 

The obvious thoughtfulness you bring to these discussions and your equally insightful commentary never ceases to be unimpressive.

 

Maybe their getting a coupe ready so they can join Toyota in Nascar.

 

what does a coupe have to do with nascar.. Ford and Dodge both use sedan names as their nascars.. Fusion and Charger.. before Fusion, Ford used the Taurus which is a sedan... Chevy will probably use one soon too, switching from Monte Carlo to Impala SS....

 

Guion, I can see this car competing with Solara, Accord Coupe, G6 coupe, but not Cobalt SS. Even if this car should overpower the Cobalt and beat it in straight-line acceleration, Cobalt is a much different vehicle for anyone to cross-shop the two. Not to mention a large price difference for top model vs. top model.

In any case, I also happen to think that Cobalt is doing just fine - it has sufficient power, more would be great, but just because some FWD family coupes offer more horespower does not mean that CObalt is threatened.