On my way home from work I drive along the "auto mile" where all the car dealerships are located. For the last few weeks I keep seeing S2000s show up on dealers' lots, presumably as trade-ins for new wheels. It started with the local Chevy dealer (maybe traded in for a 'Vette?), then I saw a MY00 at the entrance to the local Nissan dealership (well, the lease probably expired), and yesterday I saw another MY02 at the same Nissan dealership (WTF?).

Looks like the 350Z really is giving the S2000 a run for its money...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ulrich
[B]On my way home from work I drive along the "auto mile" where all the car dealerships are located.

 

Many folks these days are trading their toys for an SUV because of family priorities. It's not always one sportscar for another. The Murano is a nice design that should do well for Nissan. I could definitely see such a scenario if I knew a tyke was on the way.

 

Many people who buy this car do not have a clue about what they're getting. Most no doubt have soft butts and a nervous foot and think the car should have an automatic. Why worry if we're rid of those types among our ranks. I say good riddance

Then we're left with the people who really care about the car and appreciate what it is.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ulrich
[B]Looks like the 350Z really is giving the S2000 a run for its money...

 

I worked at a Honda dealer and had a customer comparing both cars just last week, he said hands down that the Z doesn't even drive close to the S.

If that guy said so, that surely must mean the S is giving the Z a run for its money, right?

 

The Z and S are two totally different cars, however, most people, inclusing myself, consider the Z more of an everyday car than the S. It has more interior features and options, more room, TC, It's something new and different, plus, it cost less than an S. So if you paid sticker for an S ($34,000 with the goodies) and have been paying for the car for 2 or 3 years, you may have about $2,000 or so in equity in the car after trade in. So you can get into a new Z for about $26,000 after trade in and have lower payments, a new car, and more luxury and cargo space and still get the wow factor for at least another year or so. Personally, I don't like the Z, but if Infinity comes out with a G35 Convertible for around $40,000, I may jump ship. You can't beat having a back seat, 280 hp, all that torque, and a real trunk. The next best thing would be an M3.

 

I finally had a chance to see the Z up close a few days ago. A track edition in that orange imola-style paint scheme. I was impressed with the looks but the interior left me cold. It's an automobile exercise that frankly, with sales figures in the thousands, will have a short "wow factor" shelf life compared to the relatively rare S2000 which still in many parts of the country, is as rare as an SR-71 fly by. A TVR would be cool to spot on your streetcorner but if you saw one 20 times/day, it would eventually become non descript. This is why I appreciate Honda's conservative approach to selling this car. They KNEW it wouldn't be for everyone and I like it that way. I hope Nissan sells 20,000 Z's.

 

Russ, I totally agree, let them sell all the Z's they want, they will become like the Z3 or the Boxster, everyone will have one and they will totally lose their uniqueness.

What I can't figure out is that Nissan is saying it is a limited production car, but the numbers they are producing are so high, it doesn't make much sense. Honda truly has it down, there are probably as many Z's on the road now after a few months as there are S2000's after 3 years and I am totally cool with that.

I still love when you get the "hey what's that..."(with the finger pointed at you), thats something the Z3 and Boxster have lost and the Z will soon be joining those ranks.

Just my 2 cents....

 

AMEN RICK!