The Nissan Z should cost $ 40,000, here are 10 more RWD coupes you can buy instead, and why you should



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While Nissan hasn’t confirmed final prices for the 2023 Z Coupe, the company openly admits that we should expect it to hit the $ 40,000 mark.

That looks like a pretty spectacular value compared to the $ 51,090 you would need to spend to get into direct rival Toyota Supra 3.0. But you only have to dig a little deeper to discover a stack of other rear-wheel drive cars that you could buy for about the same price, if not less.

Some of them even make the Z 400bhp look expensive, while others make it look a bit short in muscle. And most are available now, which means you could be driving one today rather than waiting until next year to get behind the wheel.

Related: How Nissan’s Z Screws Toyota’s GR Supra By Delivering More Power Than 3.0 For Less Than 2.0

One thing’s for sure, and that’s despite the crossover’s growing popularity, there are still plenty of rear-wheel-drive coupes to choose from, at least for now. Which one would you buy?


Ford Mustang GT Premium Fastback

›Price: $ 40,285
›5.0 V8, 460 hp, 420 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: The Ford Mustang GT is an American icon and an absolute bargain (if you can live without the Premium goodies, the base GT gets the same 460 hp for $ 36,000).

Why wouldn’t you want to: You’ll wrap it around a lamppost in front of 400 camera phones if you’re within a mile of a car appointment and need to spend the next four months driving your mom’s Elantra while you try to charge the insurance company for the repairs. .


BMW 230i Coupe

›Price: $ 36,350
›2.0 4 cylinder, 255 hp, 295 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: Go for the redesigned BMW 230i Coupe if you don’t like standing out in a crowd (or the new 4-series grille), but you like the idea of ​​the (small) rear seats, a savings of $ 4,000 compared to to Z, and go 50 percent further on a gallon of gasoline.

Why wouldn’t you want to: Your heart will sink every time you step on the right pedal and you will remember that you are missing two cylinders, a turbo and almost 150hp compared to the Nissan.


Toyota Supra 2.0

›Price: $ 43,090
›2.0 4 cylinder, 255 hp, 295 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: It doesn’t look like anyone has fitted a garage door to the front bumper (with the Supra it’s more like it’s driven over a fire hydrant), and those bits of BMW oil ensure at least it’s fun to drive.

Why wouldn’t you want to: It’s slower and more expensive than the Z, and you can’t get it with a manual.


Dodge Challenger R / T Scat Pack

›Price: $ 41,645
›6.4 V8, 485 hp, 475 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: Have you even seen these engine stats for the Dodge Challenger R / T Scat Pack? The thing has so much muscle that Dwayne Johnson looks like he’s been released from five years in a POW camp, surviving condensation licked out of a damp window.

Why wouldn’t you want to: Not as sharp in the corners as his pony as his rivals, so it will be easy meat for a Z on a cross country race. Also more likely to be swept from your driveway by Mopar loving lowlifes.


Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring

›Price: $ 34,525
›2.0 4 cyl, 181 hp, 151 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: The latest Mazda MX-5 Miata RF is a light and fickle sports car that goes from a coupe to a convertible at the push of a button.

Why wouldn’t you want to: It looks a little terrible like a coupe from most angles, the cabin is sized for Ewoks and it’s so slow you risk getting smoked by the ice cream trucks at the lights.


Lexus RC300

›Price: $ 42,220
›2.0 4 cylinder, 241 hp, 258 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: You find the Z’s retro outfit a bit awkward and prefer to drive something classier that lets people know you’ve arrived, the Lexus RC 300 is your little girl.

Why wouldn’t you want to: You won’t arrive for a long time, as the RC that comes closest to the Z’s $ 40,000 price tag is powered by an anemic turbo four with just 241 hp.


Mercedes-Benz C 300

›Price: $ 47,200
›2.0 4 cylinder, 255 hp, 273 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: The C 300 may be Merc’s entry-level coupe, but it still looks stylish inside and out, and the updated four-cylinder engine that arrived for 2019 is reasonably impactful.

Why wouldn’t you want to: Who wants to pay $ 7,000 more than the Z for a car that’s about to go obsolete and sounds as characteristic as an industrial air conditioning unit just so they can boast that Mercedes badge?


Infiniti Q60 Pure

›Price: $ 41,750
›3.0 V6, 300 hp, 295 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: The Infiniti Q60 Coupe is essentially a Z below, just longer, more luxurious, and with a more relaxed tune for its twin-turbo 3.0 V6 which is almost certainly better for cruising.

Why wouldn’t you want to: It’s basically a Z below, just heavier, less powerful, slower, more expensive, and almost certainly not as fun to drive.


Toyota GR86

›Price: $ 30,000 (est)
›2.4 4-cylinder, 228 hp, 184 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: Because if this is a true sports car experience, you will want to trade the guns of Nissan for the cunning of the new Toyota GR 86 in the blink of an eye. Yeah, that and $ 10,000 for good.

Why wouldn’t you want to: An extra 400cc makes the GR faster than before, but still not quick in the context of cars like the Z. And purity be damned, but we love our healthy, hearty power.


Chevrolet Camaro 1SS

›Price: $ 38,695
›6.2 V8, 455 hp, 455 lb-ft

Why you would buy it on the Z: That true American V8 soundtrack is hard to beat, and the Chevy Camaro SS is great value for money. Splash for the 1LE performance pack if you can.

Why wouldn’t you want to: Submarine commanders have better visibility, the rear seats are tiny, and the trunk isn’t huge either.

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