Nissan Z Manual: Already Sold Out?

• Nissan is moving the Z to a build-to-order style production schedule.
• Dealer allocations will be low.
• Production of the Nismo Z with the manual gearbox will be extremely limited.

Nissan plans to course-correct production of its Z sports car. Initially, the automaker produced too many vehicles, which inevitably sat on dealer lots. Heavy incentives helped offload that volume, but Nissan doesn’t plan on making the same mistake twice.

That’s why the automaker will reportedly pivot Z car production to a build-to-order style model. Dealer allocation will be low, and actual customer demand will determine which trims and specs are delivered. According to a thread on NissanZClub, the allocation figures may be as low as just three cars per dealer.

Photo by: Nissan

That “three Zs per dealer” figure is an average, so a larger dealer in an important market would get more cars. Regardless, Nissan makes this move because it wants Z shoppers to wind up with a car they truly desire.

“Nissan is taking a more tailored production approach with Z to better align with customer demand,” the automaker tells Motor1. “This strategy supports sustainable inventories while ensuring each vehicle reflects what the customer truly wants.”

“We want to ensure every Z—especially with updates like the refreshed front design and available Nismo manual transmission—meets the expectations of our enthusiastic buyers. We will continue working with our dealer network to provide clear guidance as we move toward the 2027 model year. Our goal is simple—deliver the purest Z experience possible to the customers who value it most.”

Photo by: Nissan

The one that ardent Z fans are likely most excited about, however, will be the hardest one to get your hands on. Nissan will deliver a Z Nismo with the six-speed manual gearbox for the 2027 model year. 

While some outlets report that the car is already sold out, we’re not so sure that’s actually the case. Instead, it sounds like Z Nismo 6MT allocations have already been given to dealerships. Those cars will still be in search of a buyer. But with a reported extremely low production count coupled with potentially high demand, we won’t be surprised to find dealer markups applied to the bottom line.

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Motor1’s Take: The upcoming Nismo Z with a manual gearbox should serve as the purest driving experience in the lineup. Additionally, the visual changes to the car for 2027 make it a more appealing prospect, no matter which trim you buy.

Nissan wants to better control Z inventory so dealers don’t have cars sitting on lots. This is certainly an easy way to deal with that. But if you want one, it sounds like you had better start talking to your local dealer… now.

Also, the green-over-tan colorway is spectacular.

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