Hypothetical question
Hypothetical question
What would be the price of a completely new 3rd gen, and would nissan be willing to perform that task?
I was wondering this about many cars. Do manufacturers have the capability to do it, or is this not possible due to incompatible new equipment?
I was wondering this about many cars. Do manufacturers have the capability to do it, or is this not possible due to incompatible new equipment?
I remember several years back Nissan bought (bought back?) a bunch of old 240z cars, totally refurbished them and sold them "as new." It was some kind of anniversary/promotion, I think. They were pretty expensive. I can't recall how much, I am sure it was pretty steep.
I doubt the maxima is "legendary" enough to get that kind of treatment. If a company has enough money, I am sure they could make (re-make) any car they wanted to.
I doubt the maxima is "legendary" enough to get that kind of treatment. If a company has enough money, I am sure they could make (re-make) any car they wanted to.
Thanks for the constructive post, chris.
"Refurbishing" is not new, no matter what spin they put on it. I talked to a mechanic friend of mine, and he said if they could do it, it'd be around 50k. I was wondering if that was a reasonable sum.
"Refurbishing" is not new, no matter what spin they put on it. I talked to a mechanic friend of mine, and he said if they could do it, it'd be around 50k. I was wondering if that was a reasonable sum.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 380
Originally Posted by anaximander
Thanks for the constructive post, chris.
"Refurbishing" is not new, no matter what spin they put on it. I talked to a mechanic friend of mine, and he said if they could do it, it'd be around 50k. I was wondering if that was a reasonable sum.
"Refurbishing" is not new, no matter what spin they put on it. I talked to a mechanic friend of mine, and he said if they could do it, it'd be around 50k. I was wondering if that was a reasonable sum.
I'd say that is a very optimistic number. think about it, they'd have to get all the tooling out of storage (if they even still have it), manufacture all the parts, assemble the parts, take a factory or a piece of a factory to produce it all, and then test it and all that.
talk about $$$$$
Originally Posted by LittlePiggie
I'd say that is a very optimistic number. think about it, they'd have to get all the tooling out of storage (if they even still have it), manufacture all the parts, assemble the parts, take a factory or a piece of a factory to produce it all, and then test it and all that.
talk about $$$$$
talk about $$$$$
I'm curious if any other car firms have set a precedent for this kind of undertaking. I've seen a custom shop here in town produce brand new classics from 1930's to 1970's. I'm not sure of the exact process but they looked pretty good finished.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 627
Once a production of a particular model run ends in a particular factory, that's pretty much the end for that model, at least in that factory. Given the major changes that take place on cars from generation to generation, it just doesn't make sense to try to build something "obsolete" when the new model is in production.
Also, a good number of parts are made by a supplier to the auto company, so that makes it really hard to just figure out getting all the right parts
Now, for popular models, that same car being produced in other countries after the production run in the original factory is completed does happen often.
If you have been to Mexico, you probably noticed a lot of VW bugs (air cooled) that were made long after the production line in Germany shut down. If you have been there fairly recently, you probably noticed what looked like a lot of 91-94 Sentras. I think they are still made there, or at least until recently.
Goto China. You'll see what we remember as VW Quantums from the 80s. They still make those (called Santanas).
The reason car companies do this is that it's a safe way to enter into a new market with a proven model. By having the car manufactured locally, tarfiffs can be avoided on importing whole cars. Furthermore the local market is usually willing make a lot of the parts for you for less than you can get your traditional suppliers to make them. Even if the quality of the locally sourced parts are bad initially, the manufacturer can usually still get a hold of New Old Stock (NOS) parts from the original supplier.
As far as our 3rd gen ever getting produced again - NOT -
Also, a good number of parts are made by a supplier to the auto company, so that makes it really hard to just figure out getting all the right parts
Now, for popular models, that same car being produced in other countries after the production run in the original factory is completed does happen often.
If you have been to Mexico, you probably noticed a lot of VW bugs (air cooled) that were made long after the production line in Germany shut down. If you have been there fairly recently, you probably noticed what looked like a lot of 91-94 Sentras. I think they are still made there, or at least until recently.
Goto China. You'll see what we remember as VW Quantums from the 80s. They still make those (called Santanas).
The reason car companies do this is that it's a safe way to enter into a new market with a proven model. By having the car manufactured locally, tarfiffs can be avoided on importing whole cars. Furthermore the local market is usually willing make a lot of the parts for you for less than you can get your traditional suppliers to make them. Even if the quality of the locally sourced parts are bad initially, the manufacturer can usually still get a hold of New Old Stock (NOS) parts from the original supplier.
As far as our 3rd gen ever getting produced again - NOT -
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 380
Originally Posted by Tom
Once a production of a particular model run ends in a particular factory, that's pretty much the end for that model, at least in that factory. Given the major changes that take place on cars from generation to generation, it just doesn't make sense to try to build something "obsolete" when the new model is in production.
Also, a good number of parts are made by a supplier to the auto company, so that makes it really hard to just figure out getting all the right parts
Now, for popular models, that same car being produced in other countries after the production run in the original factory is completed does happen often.
If you have been to Mexico, you probably noticed a lot of VW bugs (air cooled) that were made long after the production line in Germany shut down. If you have been there fairly recently, you probably noticed what looked like a lot of 91-94 Sentras. I think they are still made there, or at least until recently.
Goto China. You'll see what we remember as VW Quantums from the 80s. They still make those (called Santanas).
The reason car companies do this is that it's a safe way to enter into a new market with a proven model. By having the car manufactured locally, tarfiffs can be avoided on importing whole cars. Furthermore the local market is usually willing make a lot of the parts for you for less than you can get your traditional suppliers to make them. Even if the quality of the locally sourced parts are bad initially, the manufacturer can usually still get a hold of New Old Stock (NOS) parts from the original supplier.
As far as our 3rd gen ever getting produced again - NOT -
Also, a good number of parts are made by a supplier to the auto company, so that makes it really hard to just figure out getting all the right parts
Now, for popular models, that same car being produced in other countries after the production run in the original factory is completed does happen often.
If you have been to Mexico, you probably noticed a lot of VW bugs (air cooled) that were made long after the production line in Germany shut down. If you have been there fairly recently, you probably noticed what looked like a lot of 91-94 Sentras. I think they are still made there, or at least until recently.
Goto China. You'll see what we remember as VW Quantums from the 80s. They still make those (called Santanas).
The reason car companies do this is that it's a safe way to enter into a new market with a proven model. By having the car manufactured locally, tarfiffs can be avoided on importing whole cars. Furthermore the local market is usually willing make a lot of the parts for you for less than you can get your traditional suppliers to make them. Even if the quality of the locally sourced parts are bad initially, the manufacturer can usually still get a hold of New Old Stock (NOS) parts from the original supplier.
As far as our 3rd gen ever getting produced again - NOT -
I wonder how much it would cost to get all new pieces from nissan, engine and all and assemble it yourself?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 303
Originally Posted by LittlePiggie
I wonder how much it would cost to get all new pieces from nissan, engine and all and assemble it yourself?
And with the quantum leap in body stiffness of new cars, why would you go back to something that comparatively flexs like thin aluminum sheet.
Nice to wonder if it were possible, I guess.
Well I guess the big thing would be demand. For example the demand on elenoar from gone in 60 seconds is huge and now Caroll Shelby bought the rigsht to produce the Gt500E as a 2003 Model. They are offered in three trims ranging from$80,000-$150,000 for the super snake which is supercharged and has 750hp. I don't think there is a huge demand for a 3rd gen maxima like there is for the Mustang GT500. If there isn't enough demand then its not worth it for a company. I wish I had $150,000 I would buy the Gt500 without even thinking about it, that car is awesome.
If you think about it, a company can make any car they want, from scratch, and it wouldn't necessarily cost $50k for the car, especially if they made it fairly large numbers.
I think a 6th gen Maxima runs about $30k. That car didn't even exist five years ago. Nissan built all new tools and body parts for it. Building a new 3rd gen COULD be done and the car would probably be $25-30k. It would be very silly to do it, since it's now an "obsolete" model, but it isn't impossible.
What I don't understand is why Chevy doesn't jump on the bandwagon, like Ford. If they "recreated" a 57 Chevy (probably the most iconic American car ever) like the 67 mustang was done in "Gone in 60 Seconds" there would be thousands of people lining up to buy one.
I think a 6th gen Maxima runs about $30k. That car didn't even exist five years ago. Nissan built all new tools and body parts for it. Building a new 3rd gen COULD be done and the car would probably be $25-30k. It would be very silly to do it, since it's now an "obsolete" model, but it isn't impossible.
What I don't understand is why Chevy doesn't jump on the bandwagon, like Ford. If they "recreated" a 57 Chevy (probably the most iconic American car ever) like the 67 mustang was done in "Gone in 60 Seconds" there would be thousands of people lining up to buy one.
there are hundreds of millions of dollars involved in tooling costs for the machinery.. all of the sheet metal stamps and molds, the CAD/CAM programming on all the machines, let alone all of the parts that were contracted out to make, like radiator, alternators, starters, window motors, most of the plastic on the interior, etc etc etc.
The only way they can charge $30k for the car is that they plan on selling several hundred thousand of them over the next 4 years, and they're spreading the tooling costs over that.
to do that for just a short run of cars is absolutely horrendous. they'd be well over $100k to do it and actually come out even on the dollar end of things. ain't gonna happen for a Maxima. the 240Z, sure... and they actually are Restos.. they stripped a car down tot he bare shell and replaced everything on it they could. only the original shell remains. One of the dealers in my hometown has one, and it's gorgeous. it's also worth about $80k.
The only way they can charge $30k for the car is that they plan on selling several hundred thousand of them over the next 4 years, and they're spreading the tooling costs over that.
to do that for just a short run of cars is absolutely horrendous. they'd be well over $100k to do it and actually come out even on the dollar end of things. ain't gonna happen for a Maxima. the 240Z, sure... and they actually are Restos.. they stripped a car down tot he bare shell and replaced everything on it they could. only the original shell remains. One of the dealers in my hometown has one, and it's gorgeous. it's also worth about $80k.
Originally Posted by Jeff92se
Uh who in the hell would want one. Let's say you could have one for the original price of about $20 grand. Excuse me, wtf would I want to buy a 190hp fwd ancient pos by today's standards car now??
Originally Posted by Tom
Once a production of a particular model run ends in a particular factory, that's pretty much the end for that model, at least in that factory. Given the major changes that take place on cars from generation to generation, it just doesn't make sense to try to build something "obsolete" when the new model is in production.
Also, a good number of parts are made by a supplier to the auto company, so that makes it really hard to just figure out getting all the right parts
Now, for popular models, that same car being produced in other countries after the production run in the original factory is completed does happen often.
If you have been to Mexico, you probably noticed a lot of VW bugs (air cooled) that were made long after the production line in Germany shut down. If you have been there fairly recently, you probably noticed what looked like a lot of 91-94 Sentras. I think they are still made there, or at least until recently.
Goto China. You'll see what we remember as VW Quantums from the 80s. They still make those (called Santanas).
The reason car companies do this is that it's a safe way to enter into a new market with a proven model. By having the car manufactured locally, tarfiffs can be avoided on importing whole cars. Furthermore the local market is usually willing make a lot of the parts for you for less than you can get your traditional suppliers to make them. Even if the quality of the locally sourced parts are bad initially, the manufacturer can usually still get a hold of New Old Stock (NOS) parts from the original supplier.
As far as our 3rd gen ever getting produced again - NOT -
Also, a good number of parts are made by a supplier to the auto company, so that makes it really hard to just figure out getting all the right parts
Now, for popular models, that same car being produced in other countries after the production run in the original factory is completed does happen often.
If you have been to Mexico, you probably noticed a lot of VW bugs (air cooled) that were made long after the production line in Germany shut down. If you have been there fairly recently, you probably noticed what looked like a lot of 91-94 Sentras. I think they are still made there, or at least until recently.
Goto China. You'll see what we remember as VW Quantums from the 80s. They still make those (called Santanas).
The reason car companies do this is that it's a safe way to enter into a new market with a proven model. By having the car manufactured locally, tarfiffs can be avoided on importing whole cars. Furthermore the local market is usually willing make a lot of the parts for you for less than you can get your traditional suppliers to make them. Even if the quality of the locally sourced parts are bad initially, the manufacturer can usually still get a hold of New Old Stock (NOS) parts from the original supplier.
As far as our 3rd gen ever getting produced again - NOT -
I suspected that body shell would be the biggest problem. But this again implies that if a custom shop had the skills and tools to do it, then a used chassis would work. Stripping down the car, buying the parts individually + labor would still run astronomically high. The bottom line is therefore that a "completely" new maxima is utopian.
Ancient POS, jeff? Blasphemy!
nissan never offered a shell anyway. you would have to buy the floor, roof 1/4 panels, hinge pilars etc and weld together. only hight end cars like benz offer shells, and they usually run abot 10,000 for a bare shell
Originally Posted by shavedmax
nissan never offered a shell anyway. you would have to buy the floor, roof 1/4 panels, hinge pilars etc and weld together. only hight end cars like benz offer shells, and they usually run abot 10,000 for a bare shell
Originally Posted by anaximander
Interesting. Who's buying them though? There's no way even high performance tuners like lingenfelter start from the scratch.
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