evildky wrote:
Keep in mind the MR2 sold about 130k copies in North America over the course of 12 years so it's more successful than the MR2. The 240Z sold about 150k cars in North america in just 3 years, the Z31 sold 150k cars in North America in just 2 years, the Z32 took 6 years to sell 150K cars. Japanese car sales in North America are strong for appliance cars, Japanese halo cars just don't sell that well in North America. We also tend to favor in retrospect the cars that didn't sell as well.
Going from memory, the original s30 cars (70 - 78) were never less than 50k a year (on average), 70 and 71 excepted; I think it was 10K units for 70, and 25K units for 71. And I think the 79zx hit 70k units, pretty good for a two seat sports car, impractical and all. I know they tailed off a fair amount after that, though.
For year and years, you could find a nice Z-car for $1500 - $2500 all day long.
I also think the original body Z-car is an exception to sports car production in general. They hit a vein with that one.
Fairly certain Vette's have always been, on average, a 30k a year production number.
I'll defer to those in automotive manufacturing as to profitability on niche cars, but I think as long as they're making a little money or breaking even, they'll help as marketing to bring people in to the dealership, brand excitement, "corporate identity" etc. I think the Vette does that for Chebbie, and I think the Miata does it for Mazda. How much the twins contribute to that, I don't know. Not to many sporty cars you can point to that have been manufactured for 30 years or more continuous. Vette, Miata, 911, and I can't think of many more. Z-cars took a hiatus, Supra's are gone, MR2s took a hiatus and are now gone again, Solstice/Sky are gone, Fiero, etc.
My buddy has a BRZ, drove it, very capable car imo, great chassis dynamics. Power deliver is flat, which is a little boring in a sporty car. Great for economy numbers and everything else that mfgr's have to account for in terms of CAFE, regulations ad nauseum, etc., but in terms of generating a little excitement in the seat of the pants, not so much.
Styling wise, when I saw them in pics, it was meh, but in person they liven up quite a bit (well, for me). I also think with a drop and wheels, they look really cool.
I think with a change in driving dynamic/power curve, the cars would generate a little more excitement in buyers. Several on here have said they were excited about the car, drove it, and thought "eh, not what I was expecting". If the non-enthusiast looking at it drives it and thinks the same thing, they figure "well, it drives like a Camry anyway, and with the Camry I get more space, utility etc..." and they buy the Camry. And the non-enthusiast being drawn to it is what would help drive sales numbers.
