A&Q about 350Z
Q:
but are we seeing the ramifications at the market level -
here's why: i think i got a survey from JDP - it included a brand new dollar for me to fill it out. guess what? i never filled it out.
NOW, if i did that, based on my current feeling about the car (which is that the car is very acceptable, all things considered), then there must be a few others like me. BUT we all know that there are a LOT of people who are upset about feathering. since this is a solicited survey, i'll bet a lot of unhappy people took the time to fill out the survey and return it.
that's why i ask about the market data. are trade in values dropping unproportionally? are sales dropping uncontrollably? is NSANY dropping on the stock exchange, not just the entire auto sector? these are things that attest to the real market pressures that someone would consider in addition to opinion and the like from this forum, magazines, etc.
if 35,000 units are sold:
30,000 people do not respond
1,000 people respond that they "love it"
4,000 people respond that they "hate it"
you can, and they will, manipulate the statistics. example: without knowing about the other 30,000 people, it would appear that 75% of people hate their car. it's much more like 12%.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
No mods
A:
Well said 350ZNewbie!
In these times of SPAM and Telemarketing abuse...I rarely give out personal information via surveys, raffle contests, web sites, etc.
Only if I were deeply dissatisfied with a product and I felt that I wasn't being appropriately dealt with by the manufacturer/distributor, would I respond to a consumer survey. Maybe when I am 65 and bored with my retirement. But who has time or motivation to respond to JDP.
Maybe if I spent 12K on a KIA and was thrilled to make it home without the bumper falling off I would. Maybe then I would be willing to put in a good word for a company that is selling a cheap car that isn't falling apart.
I work with a guy that drives a Daewoo, and he is always raving about how good the car is for $8,000. He talks more about that Daewoo, than I talk about my 350. I remind myself that this Daewoo also hit a tree at 30MPH head on, pushed the transmission into the passenger area and to top it off the airbags did not deploy, "GREAT FOR $8,000, though".....
I think that the 350, for many people, was their first 25-35K vehicle, and their expectations are that the car should be a lot better than other cars out there. When the truth of the matter is that, like it or not, 25-30K is becoming an average price for a modest vehicle these days. Sure there are going to be quality issues, sure they might take some time to hammer the issues out, but in the end it's hard to find a new sports car with the handling and performance of the 350 in it's price range.
Sure, there's the STI, Crossfire, RX8, etc....to each his own...
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset
JWT Pop Charger
Rallitec Q-Shifter
Zainoed (Z1, Z2, Z6, Z18)
A:
350z is the Fairlady Z in Japan... Infiniti G35 in the Nissan Skyline in Japan... take your pick, they're both awesome cars.
A:
I made my daughter fill mine out. I think She circled in all the bubbles...and I when I say all I mean ALL. I woudn't trust JD Power statistics.
350Z has 7 HP more, handles better, feels stiffer and keeps it simpe in the intereior. I also think it looks better than the G.
I would just test drive both and see what feels better to you.
A:
well the g35 has a 4 door model right. well then hey so does the z(kind of). strange, i never saw a 4 door z before this
A:
4 door Z?
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04.5 DB Performance
Typhoon Intake
Injen SES Straight Tip Exhaust
Blue Z-Xtreme Grounding Kit
Kenwood MP3 Player
EBC V4 Greenstuff Pads
Clear Lens
Carbon Fiber Piller Covers
20% Tint
5 Coats of Zaino
......
'01 Yamaha R6
A:
I was sent a crisp $1.00 bill to take in the survey from JD Power and declined. I kept the dollar. This car has the best bang for the buck!
Sportscar = 03 Z SS Performance Pure Stock
A:
I can understand why people say the "prestige" factor because of the Infiniti name. However, i don't really see that in my eyes. I just know that my car looks better and different from the Infiniti. Despite some similiarities, the looks of the 2 cars are still noticeably different.
A:
If you need the two extra seats for kids or short people get the G35. Also, when there is a problem the Infiniti people give you a free loaner.
A:
Nissan's has always been near the top. It's not a reflection on Infiniti quality by any means....it's more of a brand recognition thing. And...makes Infinitis excellent used car buys. And anyone who accepts J.D. Power's judgement, go for it....GM's got lot's of products with big rebates! I would like to hear someone's theory though, on why J.D. Power's rankings are in inverse order to Consumer Reports. I would suggest , that Consumer Reports' rankings are base on long-term reliability, while the much-hyped J.D. Power ranking is the somewhat funky "initial quality". So, if every single "Z" owner reported the infamous grease streak, and every other Cadillac (for example) owner reported a blown engine.....the Nissan would 1.0 problems per vehicle, and the Cadillac would have only .5 problems per vehicle. Which car would you rather own?