If you had to start all over....
 

Hello 370Z Owners,
First of all, I tried to search this question out using the search button, and I even looked at the F/I for noobs thread...
That being typed....
I am seriously considering getting a 370Z, and I am torn between the roadster and the coupe.
Fortunately, both are within my budget, and I plan to put in an additional $15K worth of mods...
IS it even possible to drop a turbo kit into a roadster?
Am I better off buying a base model (coupe) and having A/M mods put in, or is it better to buy the Touring Sports Trim, and work my way up from there?
I know the possibilities are endless, but I would like to get some owners opinions...If you had to start all over, and you had a $50K budget, what would you do?
Roadster vs Coupe vs Nismo?
Base trim or all out?
F/I vs N/A?
This might be fun to answer to as I am sure some people wish they could hit the "do-over" button!

Good question and the answer really is cliche, but it depends on you.

If you want a race car, go with base and use the money saved to get all upgrades. FI is possible but prepare for reliability issues from the added stress.

If you just want a fast fun car, get touring sports package coupe or vert and get upgrades + turbo.

If I could do it all over....I'm not sure that I would change a thing, maybe go TT instead of SC since I don't track it nearly enough as I'd like to. Makes me drool though what could be done if I started with a used base car and then put $25k worth of going fast into it. As you said, endless.

Are you hell bent on the Z? As much as I love mine if I had a $50k budget I'd be looking into used GT-R's or Z06's (more like high 50's but you could get a better deal coming in with cash), but that's me. If you want the Z get a used base model and you can do a SC or Stage 1 TT with supporting mods, full aftermarket suspension, brakes, wheels/tires for your budget. In terms of track cars, you could build one nasty time attack Evo with that budget as well.

If I had a 50k budget I would have gone with a Touring+Spot+Navi instead of my base+Sport. And as much as I love the TT kit and I'm gonna try to get one in a couple of years I dont think I would spend 40+ on a car then dump another 10K+ unless I was rich.

as mentioned already, depends what you want the car for, fun GT, track/road or strip...personally, id get the same as i did, coupe, with sport pk. (we don't have the touring option here, thats where ours start) and go SC.

I cannot speak as someone with forced induction experience with a Z, but I would only consider the coupe. In my opinion, the coupe is much more attractive as the design has better proportions, along with the added structural integrity of a fixed roof.

I bought my 370z with just the Touring package as I am a performance guy: I knew I was going to buy a big brake kit, an after market LSD, and wheels and therefore I did not choose to get the sport package. The touring package gives the interior a much higher quality feel with the leather, suede, and decent Bose sound system which was important to me as I would rather start with a nice interior and concentrate on the performance and exterior. Others have given you some great advice, just choose what fits your preferences and interests and you can't go wrong!

This is what I did AND added the GTM stage 2 TT kit.....no regrets.

*thread highjacked* if you were to upgrade from a 350z to a 370z with TT build in mind, does it make sense to go for the Nismo edition (hoping the few extra HP will make a difference once the TT is installed) or not worth the extra money?

thanks guys!

I'd rather get the nicer interior...part of the Nismo's extra power IIRC is the CBE, which would be changed to do a TT anyway.

The main thing the Nismo probably has going for it as far as raw power is that it most likely has a different VVEL tune, which as of right now, no aftermarket product can tune (that will probably change within the year -- I know GTM and possibly others are working on this)

So, really, you've got some suspension mods, all of which can be obtained aftermarket and a (very cool!) body kit and extra nice wheels.

If you want the body kit, then go for it. Otherwise, either a base or sport package Z will probably be the best starting point for an all out radical build (Base over sport if planning on an aftermarket LSD).

I agree with RCZ. You have a very large budget for a Z. Get a slightly used low milage base model and with the money you save you can't get your TT and way better after market parts then what would come on any other Z package. Like you and everyone else said this has limitless angles to choose from given your budget, so think hard on what you want out of the car and start there. Have fun!

Porsche Cayman S instead :)

All the nismo gives you AFTER a F.I. install of any kind is cosmetics, suspension, and wheels.

The HP it has before with the F.I. setup will not matter...for instance:

-Base model/F.I. (same as nismo) exhaust/tune...same car....nismo just looks better and costs more. Im confident that if you got the nismo you would change out the $1,400ish exhaust, that is part of your car payment, for another one once you get boosted. know what i mean?

If you have the money then by all means do it, i know i would...but i dont have it like that so i just went with the base knowing that i would change out alot of parts.

Thanks to all for the feedback...Makes you think doesn't it.
To clarify (which I should have done in the beginning)
1. My mission is to kill ponies on the open road. MI has tons of mustangs with mods and it is something my G could never do
2. Also want to get from house to my boat (60 miles of freeway) quickly. I am able to navigate most of the traffic with my current G, but want to a have a true sports car help out.
$50K budget is lifetime wife imposed cap on the car (purchase + mods)
I know I could likely get a different car, but I am and always will be a Nissan junkie, and I work directly with Nissan North America as part of my job.
I plan to name the car "GTR JR" if that gives any indication on what I would like to do.
It seems that for my purposes, the roadster is out, as structural integrity seems to be an issue.
As I already have a car to drive, the base model is where I will likely start.
New vs used????
"Low Milage"...how many miles is considered safe/the threshold?
I imagine under 20K?
Thank yoou so much to your feedback...it has been invaluable.
I am still looking for more opinions/options, and I promise to keep a journal of how and what I do...may proove useful to other potential owners!
Kotaba!!

You seem like a nice guy so I'll be civil, but...

Wife-imposed spending limits?
The goal is to beat Mustangs on highways?
You need a fast sports car to get to your boat quickly?

Come on man :shakes head: