Opinions on the Nissan 350z

[///M-Spec]

I've consider an older porsche, 911 or even a FR one. Are they really worth the $$$? I mean isn't getting them fixed if anythign happens expensive? I want a car that woun't cost me an arm and a leg to own.

911s are worth every penny and more. If you stretch a little, you can probably land a decent, but higher milage 993 in the 30k range. A 964 should be no problem.

However, the downside would be keeping it up, especially if you track it. Consumables like tires, pads, filters, fluid and the like should be no problem, but wait until you price out a set of control arms for a 993 or a set of shocks. Also, 911s are generally reliable cars, but when stuff does break on them, the parts are a small fortune.

The price of upkeep and mods are why I didn't suggest a 993/964. Don't bother with a 928 of any variety either, unless you like monthly repair bills that are more than your house payment (an exaggeration, but not much of one).

You are probably better off looking at a 944S2 or 968. Don't discount the Boxster either, it is an excellent car.

You could also look into a 951... or even possibly a 930... the two most hairy arsed Porsches I can think of, RS and GT3/GT2s notwithstanding.


M

 

[pimp racer]

993 eh? What about the insurance?

 

[///M-Spec]

993 eh? What about the insurance?

For a 30 year old married male? Probably not too bad, actually. I looked into one when I was 26... it wasn't great or anything, but it wasn't oh-my-god-forget-it.

I remember it wasn't too much more than my M3.

Now, for a youngun' like you on the other hand....


M

 

[kensei]

911s are worth every penny and more. If you stretch a little, you can probably land a decent, but higher milage 993 in the 30k range. A 964 should be no problem.

However, the downside would be keeping it up, especially if you track it. Consumables like tires, pads, filters, fluid and the like should be no problem, but wait until you price out a set of control arms for a 993 or a set of shocks. Also, 911s are generally reliable cars, but when stuff does break on them, the parts are a small fortune.

The price of upkeep and mods are why I didn't suggest a 993/964. Don't bother with a 928 of any variety either, unless you like monthly repair bills that are more than your house payment (an exaggeration, but not much of one).

You are probably better off looking at a 944S2 or 968. Don't discount the Boxster either, it is an excellent car.

You could also look into a 951... or even possibly a 930... the two most hairy arsed Porsches I can think of, RS and GT3/GT2s notwithstanding.


M

I LOVE the 964, one of my favorite 911s. I'd love one but didn't think I could find one under 30k....

I love the boxster too, but don't want an open car for a daily driver. Now in a few years when there is a Boxster Coupe around that is a few years old I might be more interested.

I've read really nothing good about the FR Porsches and maintaining them. In fact I've read alot of horror stories about them.

Hmmm, so much to think about....thanks for all the help.

 

[CFM]

One thing to think about...they are practically GIVING away leftover 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5's right now. People on the Miata forum have been getting them for right around $20,000 even, sometimes below 20 with a tough negotiation. I got mine with my employee discount, Mazda loyalty discount, standard rebate and 3.9% financing, for $21,500 last July.Stickered at $26,700. This is just about the ultimate car to learn how to drive in at an auto-x. The convertable top is a nice bonus too. Once you own one you'll never go back. Miatas are very reliable too. With the leftover cash you can buy a winter car like I did. I paid $3200 for my 300ZX a couple of months ago. Just some food for thought.

Used Miatas are in vast supply and you can get 2002's for around $15,000-$17,000 fully loaded with LOW miles if you look around a bit. Then you could have some cash to mod it, also.

OK,the hard sell is over, good luck with your purchase.👍

 

[///M-Spec]

I LOVE the 964, one of my favorite 911s. I'd love one but didn't think I could find one under 30k....

I love the boxster too, but don't want an open car for a daily driver. Now in a few years when there is a Boxster Coupe around that is a few years old I might be more interested.

I've read really nothing good about the FR Porsches and maintaining them. In fact I've read alot of horror stories about them.

Hmmm, so much to think about....thanks for all the help.

964s go all the time for under 30k. I got 222 hits on autotrader alone. Though I's say, you're better off getting an E36 M3 than a 964. Better handling, just as quick and more practical to boot. Not to mention much cheaper.

Honestly, though. If you love the Z, then get one. A sports car should be an emotional thing... otherwise, it's just an appliance. If the Z hits all the right buttons with you, that should be most of what matters.


M

 

[Akina Racer]

I heard that MX-5's are supposed to have good handling. Not much power so they wouldnt make a suitable track car. There's a Turbo MX-5 SE here in Australia now. Saw one the other day with a big cat back...never thought I'd see that...
Anyway...My brother brought back a newspaper from at the start of 2004 just to show me how cheap Evo's are. $25k! Evo's are great cars. Even better than the STi (Speed issue 16 for Aussie members). If you can pick one up for 25k it'll be a great deal. I'd be willing to buy the Australian spec Evo VIII if I had a spare 65k but one for 25k would be a dream come true

 

[pablosbrain]

I was just pointed towards this thread after posting a pic of my 350Z in another.

Pic of your car thread

Bought my 350Z January of 2004. The pic is from the day I bought it. With stock tires it definitely does not fair very well on the snow. Was lucky that the roads were clear that day and the next after a small warm spot. I know I tried to drive it one day and it couldn't even make it back up my driveway which just barely has a slope to it. But as with my brothers old 280Zs he had... Actuall snow tires make all the difference. I don't have snow tires as I just decided to buy a used SUV for a winter vehicle a few months back.

check out ZCar.com and search in there. Lots of people have Z's for daily drivers and have used them in the snow without too many issues.

Its now a year later and I have had the dreaded tire feathering as well as a few other small issues. All taken care of by the dealer at no cost to me.

I have to say I love this car! Can't say I've driven the RX8 as some where comparing it too.. but I wouldn't want to. Got addicted to the Datsun/Nissan Zs. Nothing likem. I tell everyone I know who is even slightly interested in getting one to just do it. They are a ton of fun to drive! And even with the higher trim models aren't a pocket book breaker.

Only thing I would like to do is possibly trade my current one in for the 2005 35th Anniversary model or a 2005 Track model.

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

So I test drove one a few weeks ago. I've been test driving cars for 2 years now in the search for my new car. I fell in love with it, unlike any other car I've test driven besides the WRX. My wife even liked it. I've read consumer reports and various sites and magazines about the 350z. What I am looking for is real world feedback. Anyone here own one?

My one and only drawback is since it is an FR car how it behaves in the snow. I did grow up driving FR cars in the snow, learned to drive that way. With the right tires it shouldn't be THAT bad...or is it?

Waste of time mate, buy a Infini G35 👍

 

[pablosbrain]

Waste of time mate, buy a Infini G35

Others would say thats a waste of money... But I'm ZBiased!

 

[///M-Spec]

Its now a year later and I have had the dreaded tire feathering as well as a few other small issues.

Pablo, any word from the Z community on what the cause of the tire 'feathering' problem might be? Is it toe geometry related? Will Nissan keep doling out brand new tires even after the warranty period is over?


M

 

[PS]

Feathering? I thought scalloping resulted as a problem of the toe?

 

[kensei]

An update here...

I test drove a Z again, the base model coupe...this time in snow. The car handled better than I expected from reading here. It was no worst than the car I learned to drive in (a FR V8 in upstate NY)...I spent alot of time in that V8 in the snow growing up. I could see where I would have issue driving the Z in the winter off of highways which concerns me slightly. I do ski alot and need a car to take me to the mtns.

I also test drove and older M3, forgot the year. I've loved the M3s for many years but like a Porsche never thought I could afford one. The price the guy quoted me for this was was well within my range so I know there are M3s out there I could afford. Gotta look into this.

I also test drove a new BMW 325xi (the AWD one, right?) in snow....I thought I was going to wet myself in excitement with this one....it's on the list as well, though a bit out of my price range.

Test drove and Audi TT....yuk. Love the looks, hate the drive. the A4 was nicer but oh so boring (like the BMW 325)...

unfortunately the project I have been on work-wise (I'm a consultant) dried up last week...so I have to put off buying a new car for a while longer...uggh!

I do love test drives though!

 

[pablosbrain]

I don't think they'll ever figure it out officially. One says this... the other says that. But from all the billions of posts I've read only one had an explanation that caught my eye. Mainly... that the Z's suspension was designed to flex basically while driving... so you drive it hard and go through the turns it flexes to give you better control. I'm not an engine or suspension guy, but I am a big Z fan and have a ton of Z collector stuff.. One is the history of the Z book that came out the same time as the 350Z. I remember also reading in there something along those same lines about how the suspension was designed to change depending on how you drive it. And I'm not talking about the electronics, AI or any of that. And Flex... well.. take that to mean whatever you want. It wasn't very clear to me what the book meant or the poster meant.

The best real world solution type advice I have heard is to get the alignment checked every so often... I plan to do that twice a year or around 5-8 thousand miles. Be proactive about it and you'll probably be able to avoid the feathering and also continually have a better ride.

I already have new tires all around for both tire feathering as well as bad rear springs. So I'm starting 2005 with new shoes! And I still love it! As long as they keep handing out free tires I'm happy!

 

[///M-Spec]

Feathering? I thought scalloping resulted as a problem of the toe?

Scalloping is a more severe variation of the Z's "feathering" problem. Front toe is often a culprit of both maladies. The feathering problem is speculated to be toe/camber/castor related.

I poked around and found THIS official Nissan TSB on the problem. Interestingly, on page 4, they have the tech adjust the toe-in.

I don't think they'll ever figure it out officially. One says this... the other says that. But from all the billions of posts I've read only one had an explanation that caught my eye. Mainly... that the Z's suspension was designed to flex basically while driving... so you drive it hard and go through the turns it flexes to give you better control. I'm not an engine or suspension guy, but I am a big Z fan and have a ton of Z collector stuff.. One is the history of the Z book that came out the same time as the 350Z. I remember also reading in there something along those same lines about how the suspension was designed to change depending on how you drive it. And I'm not talking about the electronics, AI or any of that. And Flex... well.. take that to mean whatever you want. It wasn't very clear to me what the book meant or the poster meant.

I'm sure the Z's suspenion flexes when you drive it. All suspensions do. Maybe Nissan should have put some harder bushings in there?


M

 

[pablosbrain]

Yeah... had a copy of that TSB printed when I went in because of excess tire/road noise. Lucky my dealership is actually being pretty good about it. I didn't even need to show them the TSB before they mentioned it to me and said they'd see what they can do. My alignment specs were also quite off. If I can find the paper they printed with them I'll post them. But.. its all good. And even with that little hickup, I don't regret getting it.

 

[RobcioPL]

If you're serious about not needing leather, power windows, etc., then I'd go used and get a legit car. For $25-$30 you can do damn well as far as performance is concerned with a used car. Consider:

- early Acura NSX
- 97-01 (exc. 99) Acura Integra Type-R
- 03 Acura CL Type-S 6-speed
- 87-88 BMW M6
- 88-91 BMW M3
- 88 BMW M5
- 91-93 BMW M5
- 93 Cadillac Allante
- 01 Ford Mustang Bullitt
- 91 GMC Syclone
- 92-93 GMC Typhoon
- 93-95 Mazda RX-7
- 95-97 Mercedes C36 AMG
- 94-99 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
- 90-96 Nissan 300ZX Turbo
- ?-95 Porsche 968
- 93-95 Porsche 928 GTS (not sure on the price of these things)
- 93-97 Saab 9000 Aero
- 91-95 Toyota MR2 Turbo
- 93-96 Toyota Supra Turbo

You can't really beat many of those for performance-for-dollar on the new scene - unless maybe you get a Vue V6 - and most of those vehicles lend themselves well to modification. I wouldn't recommend the very first vehicle on that list, but I tell people that if you're completely taken by an NSX, go for it - you only live once.

None of these cars can compare to the new RX-8 or 350Z. All of them will have a lot of miles and there is no warranty on them.

 

[PS]

Don't argue with M5Power. He's like the leading authority on that type of thing. Just admit you were wrong before he goes on a 3 page rant. Althought M5Power, the production of the GMC Cyclone was pretty limited. Just be happy you have one (or was it the Typhoon?). Also, I heard you could get M6's for much cheaper than that. I think Top Gear said that tons were floating around for about £8,000 which is like +/-$12,000 CAD (i think). I think those are from the early 90's too. And definately the '95 RX7, and the Mitsu 3000GT VR-4.

 

[1X83Z]

None of these cars can compare to the new RX-8 or 350Z. All of them will have a lot of miles and there is no warranty on them.

As opposed to the major depreciation hit and less standard features and power than you'd get with an RX-8 or 350Z? Most of those cars have more stuff and more power stock and the rest could be tuned if they don't and still be under the 350Z/RX-8 price floor. It's buyer opinion, new or used.

Don't argue with M5Power. He's like the leading authority on that type of thing. Just admit you were wrong before he goes on a 3 page rant. Althought M5Power, the production of the GMC Cyclone was pretty limited. Just be happy you have one (or was it the Typhoon?). Also, I heard you could get M6's for much cheaper than that. I think Top Gear said that tons were floating around for about £8,000 which is like +/-$12,000 CAD (i think). I think those are from the early 90's too. And definately the '95 RX7, and the Mitsu 3000GT VR-4.

The Syclone's production was indeed limited, but they're unbelievable fast - I think they might be the quickest vehicle available for under $20000 - 0-60 in 5.1 is the figure. They're always on cars.com or AutoTrader, if you're willing to ship. I've got the SUV version, the Typhoon, which was less limited but, to me, more usable.

The M6 - and several other cars on that list - are indeed cheaper, but I figure if you come up with a car for cheaper you can always use the money under the hood and get even faster. The 93-97 Saab 9000 Aero, for instance, can be picked up for no more than $9000, leaving the rest of the cash to be spent making it even faster.

 

[Carl.]

The 93-97 Saab 9000 Aero, for instance, can be picked up for no more than $9000, leaving the rest of the cash to be spent making it even faster.

Don't forget to keep a few bucks for dumbbells.