Just When Nissan Perfected The Z, It Made It Harder To Get At a Reasonable Price

If you follow my articles, you may or may not have noticed I have a soft spot for the Nissan brand, especially its performance models. I think Nissan makes some decent vehicles as far as bang for buck goes, and while the reputation for unreliable CVTs still plagues the struggling brand, Nissan is doing a lot of stuff right.

That said, the Japanese company is doing a lot of stuff wrong, too. The Nissan Z is one of the better things we got, and a car I am really rooting for to succeed. In 2024, the Z even managed to outsell the GR Supra, despite many complaints about the square front grille, and the fact that it is a parts-bin special, which I don’t think is a bad thing in this case. 

Nissan finally fixed the Z’s looks, but may have ruined another aspect of it.

For 2027, the Nissan Z is getting a fresh new look and will feature a much more eye-pleasing front-end styling. Gone is the square front grille that tried too hard to emulate the 240Z’s looks. The NISMO Z is also getting a six-speed manual this year, instead of being automatic-only, which makes it a much more worthy rival to the GR Supra Final Edition.

The Z has been a bargain sports car from the very beginning, with a starting MSRP in the low-$40,000 range. I reckon the Performance trim provides the best value for money for a few key reasons.

Nissan is attempting to take a page out of Porsche’s book, and that’s a bad idea.

Attainability may no longer be on the Z’s side. Nissan is switching to a build-to-order strategy for its two-seater sports car, which means a few things for the buyer. Most of them are not good. On one side, it will be easier to get the desired specs of the car. 

Porsche excels in this area, particularly with the 911 and 718 models. However, Nissan is not in the same price range, and attempting to garner more exclusivity for the Z may backfire tremendously, in already turbulent times for the company.

Here’s why I think the Nissan Z might no longer be as affordable. 

1. Fewer dealer incentives

In past years, dealers often had Nissan Zs sitting on the lot that they wanted to move, meaning discounts and rebates were common to clear inventory. Luckily, there is still at least one dealer willing to sell you the Z of your choice at a reasonable price. Once Nissan switches to making cars only after customers order them, those surplus incentives will largely disappear. That means buyers will likely pay closer to MSRP rather than having room for dealer discounts.

2. Reduced supply, higher demand

With Nissan reportedly allocating only two to three Zs per dealer for the entire 2027 model year, supply will be extremely tight. Economics 101 suggests that when demand outstrips supply, prices tend to rise — often through dealer markups or bidding pressure, especially on popular configurations.

3. Dealer markups and premiums

Even without official MSRP increases, limited availability can mean dealerships will charge premiums above MSRP, especially on desirable trims or colors. This isn’t absolute, but it’s common in low-volume sports car markets, as seen with other limited allocation models. The Z badge carries certain JDM heritage, and dealers are likely to attempt to capitalize on that legacy. 

While it remains to be seen how much of this will become reality, I think Nissan is taking an unnecessary risk. Granted, the sports car segment is insignificant compared to more mainstream models (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, etc.), but a reasonably-priced sports car with a coveted nameplate is ultimately what makes many potential customers set foot at the dealership. If you are a fan of the Nissan Z, have one, or are planning to get one, let me know what you think in the comment section below. 

Related story: 3 Models I Think Nissan Should Bring Back To Survive

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Over 10 years of experience make him an expert in creating car content. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, but he is especially passionate about performance cars. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition press