I would argue the FR-S is a halo car not a niche car. It's about as garden-variety a sports car as you can get. Problem is, for what they cost it's competing with the Hyundai Genesis, which has a lot more utility (and better build quality). I'm guessing you're not in Los Angeles. Teslas have a few advantages going for them: - use of the carpool lane without carpooling - highest Consumer Reports rating of any car ever rated - highest Smug concentration of any vehicle on the road ...and they're priced in line with a BMW 7 series, which means you didn't buy one because you're a granola freak like Jodi and her fucking Nissan Leaf. You bought one because you're an ascendant broker that cares for the environment. And they're everywhere. The 370Z is crazy fucking expensive for what you get. a high-end Z roadster is within shooting distance of a low-end Boxster and there's no way someone's paying Porsche money for a Nissan.
I'd argue that halo cars are often niche cars. Keeping in the theme of Japanese automobiles, we can look to the Acura NSX and Lexus LFA as examples. Part of the problem with the FR-S here in the states is that competition is fierce. I would know. I cross shopped it against a Ford Mustang GT, Mazda Miata, and Subaru WRX. There's tons of other cars in or near the segment, such as the Dodge Charger and Challengers, Chevrolet Camaro, Hyundai Genesis, Civic Si, and probably some others that don't come to mind right now. Competition is fierce right now, which is great. I'm not denying though that if you get an FR-S or a BRZ, you're probably gonna make some concessions. I will admit that I do not live in Los Angeles nor do I have the income to even entertain the idea of purchasing a Tesla, so I'll concede to your better judgement on that. I do have to say, you bring up some pretty compelling advantages. If I remember correctly, which I may be wrong, the 350z started out reasonably priced. When it became the 370z and as time went on, the prices really started to jump up. It's not a car I would want and for that kind of money I'd indeed get something else myself, which is probably the logic behind its declining sales. At this point though, Nissan has pretty much wrung out the VQ37 engine for all its worth. I don't think the engine nor the 370z is long for this world.I would argue the FR-S is a halo car not a niche car. It's about as garden-variety a sports car as you can get. Problem is, for what they cost it's competing with the Hyundai Genesis, which has a lot more utility (and better build quality).
I'm guessing you're not in Los Angeles. Teslas have a few advantages going for them . . .
The 370Z is crazy fucking expensive for what you get.
God. That really makes me wonder how any Asian import was able to fare in the late 90s. Maybe they were taking hits? I think someone posted here that part of the reason Germany is unwilling to let Greece and other countries back out of the Euro is because they need it to prop up their export car market. BMW and Audi seem to be pushing the limit for the price of their cars as is. A jump like that would absolutely kill their sales. God knows no one would pay an extra $10-15k for a lame VW.