[Devon]

Are there other cars you are considering as well as the 400Z? Which ones, and why?

For me, there are 2 serious contenders and one outside possibility:

1. The upcoming re-do of the GT86/BRZ. I love the slightly smaller and considerably lighter form factor of this car relative to the 370Z, but the nasty engine characteristics (torque dip, agricultural machinery sounds), sluggish highway acceleration, and cheap interior kept me from buying one. If they add rev-matching to the manual and address these issues with a new engine and improved interior I will be very interested.
2. The Miata ND2. Lovely high-revving engine, nimble and tossable, just enough performance to have fun on the street, but its small size and consequent lack of practicality makes it a challenging choice as a sole vehicle. Another negative for me is that the folding hardtop model does not provide anywhere near the noise isolation of a genuine coupe on the highway.
3. The Civic Type R. I haven't been able to test drive one, but by all accounts an amazing FWD performance bargain. It's that FWD part that dampens my enthusiasm. My current car is FWD, and I'd like to get back to the RWD experience I learned to drive with (my father had in that period a Porsche 911, a 1969 GTO, and a Fiat 124.)

If the 400Z turns out to be significantly lighter and more nimble than the 370Z it could be my ideal choice. Certainly the teaser Nissan gave us in that recent video is very promising, the car looks to be substantially pared down and well styled.

 

[Jdmuscle]

My initial quest for a daily back in 2017 started with me shopping for a 370Z with sport pkg and when i test drove it i was left with me not truely excited in getting one. Then i extended it to a BRZ (better pkg compared to 86) and a Mustang GT.

Then priorities changed and i really needed a functional rear seat so the Mustang GT became a clear choice eventhough i wasnt a big fan of how rhe MT82 transmission performed. Ended up getting one and within 10 months traded out of it for a GT350 which I still have and wouldnt trade for anything.

About 6 months later i wanted to retire the Shelby from daily duties and ended up getting a BRZ which I absolutely love although the motor does lack a punch in the mid range. With the 430 gears the refreshed cars do feel a bit more peppy and it hasn't bothered me much.

Now Im hoping nissan does it right by refining this sequel of the Z car with a better shifting gearbox, better steering, refined suspension and an up to date interior and I’ll be in line to get one as soon as they are released.

 

[neeyee8]

I dont think it will be significantly lighter without a huge increase in cost. I think 1450kg minimum would probably be the best we can hope for a GT. Unless they start using better materials. I just hope the cost doesn't jump from the £37,000 or $51,000 it cost now. In UK I can see it starting at £45,000 up to £52,000.

If you start adding aluminium and carbon fiber etc youre probably looking at £55,000

Im just going by what rivals are charging and huge costs to manufacture in Japan

 

[New2Nissan]

Right now, as I type this, I'm all over the place. New or used? NA or turbo? German, domestic, Japanese? Less expensive vs more expensive. Cars that interest me that I could probably afford to get into include: 400Z, Cayman GTS 4.0, C7 corvette GS, Alfa 4c, 997/991 era 911... Those are off the top of my head right now. There's clearly no rhyme or reason at the moment. A lot will come down to what it's like to drive the various cars in relation to cost. Though with the Cayman the interest in doing european delivery is strong. If Nissan offered such a thing for the Z, that would really complicate things.

 

[S30R32]

If the 400Z 'Track pkg' pricing comes close to a Z51 C8, that will be a close call. Nissan needs to keep it well below, at an ideal $50K or less. I already have a Mazdaspeed Miata, light weight and just enough turbo power it's a blast of a car on street and track...go-kart nimbleness. We need it on the 400Z, keep the weight down.

 

[Devon]

The car will also need a better LSD. There is a British track review of the current Nismo in which the reviewer complains that the car spun its inside rear wheel readily, the viscous LSD is totally inadequate.

 

[TroublesomeIconoclast]

Z35 has entered a field of existing cars for my future purchase considerations.

Porsche 996, 997, 987, 981, or perhaps early base 991 if it depreciates a bit more. Sort of a mix of whatever my budget will afford for a really good and interesting example of any of those.

Lotus Evora, preferably an S... 400 and newer are likely above my budget. I would put an aftermarket GT430 Sport front bumper on it, though.

I would test drive and consider a Mustang EcoBoost HPP with Handling Package... but I would likely prefer something lighter, something with 6 cylinders, and better balance. Always wondered why they don't put the EcoBoost V6 in it... or some sort of Lincoln GT coupe.

Not really considering the 86 twins, as they have no torque, and are likely a bit small for me to fit comfortably for road trips.
Not considering Miata, even though I had a 99 NB for 15 years before, and loved it for what it was... I don't fit in the new ones, and again, no torque or road trip comfort.
I'd buy a used Boxster, instead.

 

[Donalex]

Jaguar F-Type seems "mature" and my perception is that it's in the "serious" performance class along Cayman, 911, etc.

I haven't explored specs against the 400, though.

 

[italia]

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[Devon]

In the 10 months since I started this thread my preferences have shifted a bit. The Miata is out, too small and impractical for a sole vehicle. The CTR is out, I test drove an Si and its vast size detracted from my enjoyment enough to eliminate that form factor from consideration. Added to the list: the upcoming Mk8 Golf R with its torque-vectoring rear diff. It has been garnering rave reviews in England and Europe, and it's fast with a DSG (0-60 in 4.0).