Yeah, take the equipment level standard in the "track" model with an MSRP of 34,350 and keep it essentially the same, but add the V8 motor. Try to only add ~5500 MSRP so the price stays under 40k. That should be completely possible even if it wouldn't be as lucrative $-wise, it's the only way I think that car would succeed. Past 40k you're getting too damn close to the Vette and I don't care how much power the Z platform has... it needs a complete ground-up redesign before it could be compared side by side with the C6. Suspension, features, interior, etc... they are all fine in a 30k dollar car, but not in a car 50% more expensive.

 

I hope Chevrolet is paying attention, and has an answer.

Because, even if the Z cannot be compared to the C6, the unwashed will think, "Gee, two 400HP V8 cars and one is Japanese and therefore PERFECT, so I'll buy that one."

It would not be good to have this eat into Corvette sales. I've already had way too many retards ask me why a 350Z is $28K and a Corvette is $45K when they're "Kinda the same car, and one's American junk."

 

ignorance is bliss...

 

I really don't see the Vette getting threatened. It has too much of a following, history, and performance credentials to ever be belittled by a Japanese wanna-be.

 

It seems like the C6 has made strides in the quality perception department. A couple of guys at work were saying that they read it was the first Vette with an interior worthy of a car that price (this was when the C6 first came out).

A 450Z would be interesting. It would just be interesting to have a 350Z, 450Z and Skyline at the same time, maybe a little overkill? A ricer friend brought up the idea of going back to the 240Z and the 450Z at the same time to avoid overlap...

 

I really don't think kids are buying Civics because they can't get their hands on NSXs.

 

I hope you punched whichever idiot you know who made a comment like that. I don't go around trying to discuss atomic theory, and people who don't know jack about cars shouldn't open their mouth either.

 

The 2006 Infiniti G35 coupe with 6 speed manual starts at 33,650. I expect the Skyline to cost considerably more than $40,000 probably closer to 60k, if not higher. If Nissan does a 450Z, I'll be surprised if it starts below $45,000.

 

Would it make sense for the 450Z to be trumping the G35?

 

I think if the 450Z had more hardcore sporting intentions, it could make sense. You can option a 350Z to cost considerably more than a base G35 and the G35 has a little more of a grand touring bent. Corvette outperforms Cadillac XLR, doesn't it? Who knows, Infiniti could get a G45 as well. But with the Skyline, Infiniti would have an even more ultimate car. I think it all depends on intended audience.

 

Well, if it is as ugly as the current 350Z, then ...

A ~400 hp G35 coupe would be more interesting than a Nissan version, since the G35 is rather attractive.

I'd still take the C6 though (or hopefully, an F5).

 

For those expecting a huge price jump from the current 350Zs price, I guess I *could* see that if they drastically increase the equipment level from the 350Z track edition. But consider that the current M35 and M45 only have about 6000 dollars in MSRP seperating them and that difference also includes some notable differences in standard equipment. Those are more or less the same two motors that would be going inthe 350Z vs the 450Z (though apparently the 450 would be puttingout 50 more hp or so than the M45 is). So again, if the track edition 350Z is 34 grand, I just can't see Nissan being stupid enough to add more than 5 or 6 grand to the price for the V8 and maybe a couple of special nick-nacks to make the V8 owners feel special.

 

Don't forget the AWD. The addition of that translates to approximately $1500 - $2000 price increase to the buyer.

Does M45 have AWD standard/optional?

 

The M45 is currently RWD only. The M35x is around $2,500 more than the M35.

 

Good point... I wasn't thinking about that. The G35 currently adds 1800 more for the AWD version compared to the RWD version.

That article didn't really mention if AWD was a for sure thing and if it was going to be optional or standard, though...