2014 Nissan 370Z: New Zs to Cost Fewer $s

The 2014 Nissan 370Z, like its immediate predecessors, will continue to offer almost 911-esque sheet metal, wrapped around a high-performance V6 engine, but it will now do so while stickered at $29,990—a price of admission that’s $3,130 lower than in the 2013 model year.

The move is right in line with Nissan’s price-cutting efforts from earlier this year, which lowered the MSRPs of the brand’s core lineup and have lifted sales to record levels in recent months. Of course, just moving the 2014 Nissan 370Z into the black would be an accomplishment. Although there’s much to like about the modern-day Z car, the success of its bigger, badder brother—the Nissan GT-R—as well as increasingly capable competition from the current crop of American muscle cars, have had a notably depressing effect on sales.

And even if the more-affordable 2014 Nissan 370Z doesn’t enjoy a sales bump, those folks who do buy one will enjoy a significant jump in value for a fairly unique entry in the U.S. marketplace. As you can see below, the comparable muscle-car rivals still offer a better power-to-price ratio than the 370Z, but they are now more expensive and still provide a vastly different approach to exterior design. As for cars with the sophisticated appearance of the 2014 Nissan 370Z, which were pricier than the Z even before the price cut, well, they’re just that much more expensive. It’s really just the Hyundai Genesis Coupe that delivers the same kind of overall package at a better price:

2014 Nissan 370Z—$29,990; 332 hp; 270 lb.-ft. of torque

2013 Scion FR-S—$25,255; 200 hp; 151 lb.-ft. of torque

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec—$28,750; 348 hp; 295 lb.-ft. of torque

2014 Dodge Challenger R/T—$29,995; 375 hp; 410 lb.-ft. of torque

2014 Ford Mustang GT—$30,900; 420 hp; 390 lb.-ft. of torque

2014 Chevy Camaro SS—$32,635; 426 hp; 400 lb.-ft. of torque

2014 Audi TT—$38,650; 211 hp; 258 lb.-ft. of torque

2014 Porsche Cayman—$52,600; 275 hp; 213 lb.-ft. of torque

There’s also new pricing for some of the other members of the 2014 Nissan 370Z family …

2014 Nissan 370Z: Pricing Details

While the biggest drop in price is for the entry-level 2014 Nissan 370Z Coupe, the MSRP of the Touring trim has been reduced as well, by $2,550. Roadster pricing is unchanged, as is the cost for the tuned-up NISMO Z, but the latter does welcome a freshened appearance. Its distinctive NISMO fascias, lower side sills, side mirrors, and rear spoiler all feature a new dark gray color that’s accented with red pinstripes, and the cockpit sports a new Alcantra-wrapped steering wheel and red NISMO tachometer.

MSRPs for the full 2014 Nissan 370Z lineup, which is at dealerships now:

2014 Nissan 370Z Coupe with six-speed manual transmission—$29,990

Coupe with seven-speed automatic transmission—$31,290

Coupe Touring with manual—$35,270

Coupe Touring with automatic—$36,570

Coupe NISMO with manual—$43,020

2014 Nissan 370Z Roadster with automatic—$41,470

370Z Roadster Touring with manual—$44,170

370Z Roadster Touring with automatic—$45,470