350Z-CR, Would you Buy it?

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:10 pm

it has been rumored but not confirmed that a group representing Nissan of North America was surveying demographic specific groups at the SCCA nations and several NASA/Time Attack events about s special order 350Z.

To be known as the CR (Club Racer), it would be a complete Option deleted vehicle with additional weight saving such as new seats, Aluminum vs. Caste iron parts, etc to bring the weight down to "around" 3K, possibly under. It would additionally have a much stiffer suspension setup, and cross frame bracing for additional rigidity. The suggested price range would be $36-$39K and would be a limited run.

This has not been verified, not has any results been posted. How many here would be interested in such a car?

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:00 am

I can't figure out why I like the 350z, but I have found my self looking at the classifieds for them. I think they have the potential to be a beautiful car, I just hate the shape of the rear lights. Anyway, Iguess that is to say I might be interested.

Matt Nicholson · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:10 am

There is no good reason the 350Z should have ever weighed more than 3000lbs to start with. Satellite nav system? On the track model?

Sean O'Connell · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 3:54 pm

if i was to spend 36-39k on a special edition car for the track it would have to be a '95 BMW M3 ltw. its faster lighter and better looking than a 350z anyway :wink:

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:35 pm

I agree with the other posters. At 36-39k for moderate weight savings, I'd rather buy a low mileage used one and put in the stuff that it needs for a lot less. - AB

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:40 pm

Seems to be all the rage to build a club racer model to try to win runoffs (or boost sagging sales of sporty models that turned out not so sporty). The car would need to offer more than just lighter weight. Mazda tried that with the club racer Miata, but they dropped the ball by not giving the car more HP or wider wheels. Not to keep beating the subject, but GM did it right with the Solstice ZOK pkg club racer by making sure it could haul the freight first, BEFORE they announced they were even considering building it. Same with the GXP club racer, they haven't even publicly hinted about building it... yet. But you heard it here first, there WILL be one before the runoffs!

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Aaron Buckley wrote:

I agree with the other posters. At 36-39k for moderate weight savings, I'd rather buy a low mileage used one and put in the stuff that it needs for a lot less. - AB

I agree. Buying almost any car that is 2-4yrs old with low miles (read garage queen). Then adding the appropriate 'go fast' goodies the manufacturer forgot. Removing any dead weight (Nav, Stereo, A/C, Power xxx motors, etc) the manufacturer put in. That is a no brainer and does not apply to just this car. It applies to most.

clinehall · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:25 pm

I was feeling rich when I responded earlier(too much coffee in the mornings gives me a since of euphoria) have scene some nice used ones for 20K I would have to go that route if I did. Anyway, I plan on keeping the mini for several more years.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:32 pm

Matt Nicholson wrote:

There is no good reason the 350Z should have ever weighed more than 3000lbs to start with. Satellite nav system? On the track model?

Bryan has the Nav system in his Base model RX-8. It's the only option that was on the car. It weighs all of 4#, and the DVD is in the center console in the rear, so about 3# of it is in the center of the car

Now I agree, it seems silly to have in the 'Track model', but if 1% of all Track models are actually being tracked, I would be surprised. - AB

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 7:00 pm

Chuck Frank wrote:

Seems to be all the rage to build a club racer model to try to win runoffs (or boost sagging sales of sporty models that turned out not so sporty). The car would need to offer more than just lighter weight. Mazda tried that with the club racer Miata, but they dropped the ball by not giving the car more HP or wider wheels. Not to keep beating the subject, but GM did it right with the Solstice ZOK pkg club racer by making sure it could haul the freight first, BEFORE they announced they were even considering building it. Same with the GXP club racer, they haven't even publicly hinted about building it... yet. But you heard it here first, there WILL be one before the runoffs!

General Motors has been doing it for as long as you have been alive. The Solstice is just another example. Hell, I got a prime example in my garage...a 1LE Camaro. I remember when my father ordered his 69 Z/28 Camaro.

Some of the top drivers at the Runoffs are GM engineers.

Ashraf Farrag · **Posted:** Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:40 pm

Chuck Frank wrote:

Mazda tried that with the club racer Miata, but they dropped the ball by not giving the car more HP or wider wheels.

That car worked fine for building an SSB or Spec Miata and even better if you are a Mazda Motorsports member where you can order the car at cost.

Does GM have a program like that?

--Ashraf

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:59 am

No, no grassroot support or contingencies from the factory (at least not yet). But the dealer cost on a GXP is only 1600.00 under MSRP and the distribution is on an alotment basis. That's why it's hard to find dealers willing to sell at MSRP or especially any discount below, it may be months before they can order another one.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:25 am

It won't be long before GM will have that problem "fixed" and the market will be flooded with them. They may not ever flood it so bad they do deep incentives, but it'll be able to be had for well under sticker in a few months.

Heck, same thing is going on right now with the new Jeep Wrangler. Many dealers can't (or won't) do orders and are trying to charge over MSRP, particularly for Unlimited Rubicons. But that situation definitely won't last.

--Donnie

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:39 am

Donnie Barnes wrote:

It won't be long before GM will have that problem "fixed" and the market will be flooded with them. They may not ever flood it so bad they do deep incentives, but it'll be able to be had for well under sticker in a few months.

--Donnie

Donnie's spot on. Outside of the Corvette, GM rarely has a car that's truly 'sought after', thus when they have a hit, they up production to take advantage of the demand.

They tried to do limited production units of the 'G6' figuring it was going to draw similar attention as the Solstice. It was a success, for not too many people wanted them, so they weren't completey flooded on the lots selling below MSRP :wink:

. If only they were smart enough to do that with the GTO :roll:

- AB

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

I don't know, how long has the standard Solstice been "available"? Hasn't it been like a year and a half? Yet they still have supply issues. I think GM is utterly stupid for this. They finally make a car that lots of people are interested in, but they turn away customers by not making enough. For a car company that is struggling that seems like a monumentally stupid move to me. My boss has been waiting six months for his Sky Redline, and has on several occaisions been on the verge of giving up on the idea. The salesman he has been dealing with has told him that several people on the waiting list have done exactly that and cancelled their order. That is a not a smart move, stop producing cars nobody wants and turn the production capacity over to cars that people actually want to buy if you ask me.

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