350Z finally in Oz

[g260]

After much fanfare, the 350Z is about to appear in Nissan showrooms 'downunder'. About time!!

http://www.drive.com.au/news/article.asp?article=http://drive.fairfax.com.au/content-new/news/general/2003/02/07/FFX8D44ZUBD.html

[Alfadog]

G260, yes, it is here and I'll tell you I was not impressed when I first saw the 2nd lot of concept pictures, but now that I have seen it in real life, I must admit, I like it a lot.

I went to the official launch tonight on the Gold Coast, where we were able to look all through the cars and even get to test drive! I can't speak about how well it drove, but it looks much better in the flesh.

I actually LIKE the exterior styling now, and the interior is just fantastic.

Before the rest of you start stoning me, I better step down... :sleepy:

[Ben]

I was at my local dealership late last week & bid the Dealer-Principle a grumbling goodbye as he left for the airport to fly up to the Gold-Coast for the launch.

grumble, grumble.....

[Alfadog]

They had 2 350Zs on display in the ballroom, plus 3 outside you could test drive.

They also had (for "nostalgic" purposes only) another Z there. A Z32 300ZX. Auto. N/A. 2+2. Ugh.

[halz]

So... did you drive one????

[Mike]

Damnit... why the hell are cars soo bloody expensive in AUS? This car sells for $35,000 in the US. What the heck is so different about our countries?

[halz]

Two things: volume and tax. Our market in Australia is smaller than the U.S so high-end sports cars are usually regarded as low volume units and therefore low return on investment for an importer. 2nd thing is tax, The Australian government is merciless on cars deemed as 'luxury' which turn out to be cars over $50k. When you hit the $50k price, the import tarif jumps by a disproportinate percentage. So, yes we cop it all ways and most of us end up living vicariously through our Amrican cousins who live in the land of cheap cars and even cheaper fuel...

[Mike]

I've noticed that prices for cars are expensive even though they aren't considered luxury or sports cars.

[halz]

:cry: OK ok ok! They're expensive, I admit it But dammit, its the world we have to live in...please don't rub it in...

[Mike]

Yea, sorry about that. :tapemouth But, I really want to get to the bottom of it. Why are they so expensive down there? They could control the vehicle economy by charging more money for exported vehicles.

I've been doing a bit of research and a $20,000 Toyota Rav 4 in US would cost over $30,000 AUD.

Does the government have a big control over the price of cars in AUS?

PS: I do have to admit that you guys take cars more seriously than most of us Americans. We seem to take a lot of things for granted... that's one of 'em.

[Ben]

Mike don't forget the exchange rate....

If the 350Z @ $35kUSD was the equivalent AUD it'd be $60k (well $59540.91 to be exact :classic:)

So the 350Z in Aus. is only a couple of thousand more - not much really...

Don't forget that our cars also have to comply with different rules & when there are only ~20 Million people in the country, the market is just so much smaller.

And your $20k USD RAV 4 = $34k AUD at the current rate.

(I still can't afford $66k AUD for a new Track model )

Another thing - the '96 Z32 2+2 NA was $87k AUD, this makes the new 350Z an absolute bargain!

[Alfadog]

Yeah, Mike, it's all about the exchange rate mate... didn't you notice how you suddenly became very rich when you visited Melbouring?

The 350Z actually starts at 59,990 here, which is $35,296.48 USD.

Halz, I didn't drive one! (1) because I'm 18 and I dont think they'd let me, (2) because I didn't even bring my license to prove that I was legal to drive and (3) the queue was rather large... didn't stop my dad from waiting in line for ages though!!!

I drove the Z and picked up my brother (who also came along) out the front next to the new Z's. I felt proud, but most of the Nissan people didn't seem to really notice........ ugh