Leaning towards a 370Z over an M3
 

I know some of you may think I might be crazy by even having a decision to make such as this. Let me first tell you that I am finally starting my first job out of college next month and although I will be making enough money for an M3 once I start working, I don't have money at the moment. Another thing is that I don't have car to get to work and so I need one before I even get my first paycheck. I don't want to get some little civic for like 5k either because I want to reward myself for graduating, passing state boards, and getting my first career job.:driving:

My parents are planning to help me get a car and I'll be taking over the payments once I start getting money which would be right away. The other reasons that probably is weighing against my decision to get the M3 is I want to have more money to help out my parents and there is a Z shop where I pass through everyday when I leave to go anywhere.

What a dilemma I have, haha. Kinda a good one I think though.:happydance: If I do get the Z, I can't wait to start posting and being part of the community. I have just been lurking for the past couple of months scoping out what mods I'm going to do to the car if I ever decide to get a car. Anyway, thanks for letting me post.

Live it up! Today could be your day or years down the road--your death.
Hell, why only a M3 or 370? These cars are peanuts. How bout a 997 turbo? You're a recent college grad, you must make lots of money at your first job?

Who cares about this precarious economy? I bet your expertise in whatever job you acquired is so rare that nearly no one can replace you; you're like a brain-surgeon, your services are in high demand and your pay is commensurate to your talent.

Additionally, why not move into a posh place that costs $3,000+ month? You deserve it buddy!
:tup:

Haha...I'm not that crazy. Living with my parents to help them out. This is the only thing I really want to spend money on. I know you are being sarcastic but I will really be making great money as a Registered Nurse here in the Bay Area. http://allnurses.com/california-nurs...rn-368885.html
http://allnurses.com/california-nurs...al-361059.html

I'm in the medical field and had all my education paid by grants, so nothing to worry about with debts. Btw, if I could buy a porsche it would be a GT3 lol.

First off - take it easy guys lol... are you talking about a new m3? if you can afford that why not a GTR... if you are talking old m3 and you like the extra seats - go for it... if you care about performance and dont mind the 2 seats - get the Z...

Ideally you would drive both and decide - no other way

I would get the M3.

Practicality and performance rolled into one!

I am sorry if it seemed like I was trying to be like...oh I can afford this and afford that. I am just excited to finally have a chance at getting a car that I can get and worked hard through school to be where I am now.

Anyway, yeah I am talking about the new M3. It's been the car I've wanted since I was 10 and during the same time my cousin would take me out in his 280Z so I liked Z cars too. I dont want a GTR and even though they are such great machines, I want to drive a manual and I don't want to spend that much money. I doubt you can get a GTR for msrp [83k?] or below anyway. If I were to build an M3 to my specs it would be about 66k and I would try to get it through European Delivery. I don't care for the premium packages and other luxury items. Just M drive and a manual tranny.

I've driven my friends e46 M3 and I like it. The only thing is I want to buy a new car so that takes it out of the question....And that leaves me with the Z which is why I am leaning towards it. The only thing that isn't making me commit to it is that the M3 is one of my dream cars. I've driven the 350Z before and I like it and that's one of the reasons why I looked into the Z. I can't wait to get whatever I'm getting and its looking like the Z right now.

I won't regret whatever choice I make.

would you be able to afford an apartment + the car payment + insurance? Gotta look down the road.
The loan is a commitment. You will TRASH your families credit if you fail.
And on a repo, they come get the car, auction it off well under value, and then sue you for the difference. I've seen it happen to two people.

And I'd much rather have a gt2 over the 3.

RN's really get paid well here in the bay area and you can see what a new grad would be paid on average from the links I put up. So I will be able to if it were to happen. But, I really don't plan on moving out unless I have to. Gotta help out the family first. I have my priorities.

I really just want a car that I've been wanting since I was younger and it happens to be the M and the Z.

I understand the wanting a Z... I've had 5 plus a g35 coupe... and I just turned 27 last month. Plus a few other cars that I hated and an e39 528i sport package/manual.

BMW's are some of the best built cars out there, but you just pay so much for the power. And a couple of repairs starts looking like a down payment.

Honestly, I think you need to buy less car the first time around. Work your way up to the big payments, build your credit.

^^That is what I was thinking. I was just over eager to get an M since I can start working for it and all. I understand that I can still attain it but with time and be financially stable to where if something unexpected happens that I will be able to take care of it.

Thanks for that grahfz.

its a v8.... its not the same as the M you are used to

Do you have a 3-month review or something like that? I'd try borrowing a car until you know you're solid in the job.

Yeah it's like about a 3 month on the job training program. They require a commitment to the Hospital since they invest all of that money with training you so they won't just throw you away unless you do something extremely catastrophic. Just have to make sure you are being safe and delivering the best care you can.

I have been trying to see if I can borrow a car. But haven't had much success. So I really do need to get a car soon. I know the new M is different to what I have driven...I just would like to buy new, that's all. I am about 90% to choosing the Z so it isn't really likely I'll be getting the M. I want to keep an option open although I am probably not gonna get the M

I would get the Z you don't want to be driving a 70k car and living at home. The women see you in a BMW and they think you have some coin and then you just live at home.

Honestly - if i had to pick from:
1. Drive a 30k car and live on my own
2. Drive a 100k car and live w/ the folks

I would pick the 100k car... whatever - bite the bullet and live at home for a year or so... but then again my folks are pretty cool... I mean ... what .. a hottie who you wanna fling w/ thinks your car is hot... take her to a hotel and spend the occasional or not so occasional 100 bucks for a room... she will be more impressed..

lol, reminds me of when I'd loan the bmw out to friends for dates.

Deferred gratification - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My generation just doesn't have a good grasp of this concept.

^^ I suffer from poor impulse control....

I LIKE THE POSITIVE VIBE IN THIS GUY. KEEP IT UP :hello:

RIGHT... thats why i rather get a sick car like the z, it shows you got some coin but not shoving it in peoples faces like a 21 year old driving a 997 to his parents country club would...

I don't know why but this thread reminded me of an article I saw. Maybe it's the in reference to the new bimmer and living with the parents.

Dallas News - $30,000 Millionaires: Douchebags in the Mist - page 1

and then this guy understands us 21 year olds who lack deffered gratfication, and just tops it all off with the way we DO IT.

:tup:

lol awesome article.

Haha...I got myself a woman already so I dont have to impress anyone. I wouldn't be ashamed to tell people I live at home anyway since it will be mine and my family's home collectively. I think I will be getting the Z so that I can build up credit like what grahfz said and also so I can actually save money for mods and maintenance...and do other miscellaneous things.

I'm 24 going on 25 next month. I will be making almost twice as much than my parents combined, which will be helpful to my family. They have been counting on me. I come from humble beginnings. I have been sacrificing not having a car and taking public transportation to get to school, asking friends for rides to places recently since one of my parent's cars went out of commission last year.

I don't have any nice clothes, jewelry, not even a bunch of video game systems either. I have been blessed by getting an education and a degree where I can be able to help people. In turn, I will be compensated well for the job that I will do and be able to help my family as well.

Like I said, I am not in it to be flashy or pretend like I am rich and spend money just because I have it. A car is the only thing I will really be spending my extra money on. I know what is ahead of me and a driving is one thing besides playing sports that help keep me unstressed.

^ if thats the case - you should get a used Z... w/ < 4k miles on it... thats my humble opinion... If i lived @ home and saved the 900 bucks a month I spend on rent... Man I would be driving a GTR for sure...

Student, I wasn't attacking you with those links but if you take a moment to be honest with yourself, a brand new Z or a new M3 is not the wisest decision. You will be making good money as an RN, so why not get a more practical car and use the extra money to help your parents out. Save up for awhile, then when you have nice down payment get the car that you really want. You might even have enough to pay in full.

I know delayed gratification is tough, especially in this day of instant gratification. I'm going to to go put this up on twitter now. Later.

Thanks, I understand...I just really want a car since I've been waiting so long. I guess a few more months of driving a beater will make it even worth getting a better car. Something to think about.

Thanks...

but, like the other posters here.. I meant LESS car. Not as in '370z less', like 15-25000$ range.

I've made more than both my parents since my first job at 18. It's been 9 years since, and I'm making more than double that.
And I've made some bad decisions. If I could do it over again, I'd be driving a GT2 right now. Everybody probably would.

What you should do, is get a reasonable payment for now, and put the difference into a mutual fund or something similar. ARTMX is what I'm holding. You need 1000$ to buy in.
I bought 11 shares of apple stock two(?) months ago for 1514.92, as of today (and it's been falling the last few days) it's worth 1803. 300$ in 2-3 months on 1500$ isn't bad. I could make a LOT more by daytrading and taking risks, but I'm ok with modest gains with minor risk.

When you're solid in your job and income, trade it in on a 370z/m3 and pay off the upsidedown loan. I'd recommend a 36 month on your first car, if you can afford it. You'll be out of upsidedown loan territory reasonably fast.

That is some good advice you got there. It's hard to hold back when you are just so close to what you want, though. I've been waiting for a long time it seems but I guess that I probably should wait a little longer. I know that I will be able to afford the payments for a car like a 370Z or even an M but I guess having income to back up the car and my other expenses is important as well, which I don't have at the moment. Ahhhhhhh...it's a little frustrating that I might still have to settle for something else that I want again. We'll see what happens.

Sorry.

You can get all sorts of cool cars in that range, with a good (factory, as in NISSAN) extended warranty. Anything goes wrong, 100$ deductible.

Let me suggest the G35 Coupe. Go test one. They're not bad at all, and don't look dated (to me anyways) by the new designs.. it had really singular looks. And some of the best taillights on the planet.
Make sure that you get the aero package (spoiler on the back).. they look wrong without it.
And the wheel/tire package (depending on year?) you'll get the vLSD with it then. It was GREAT fun.

I've read many of his post and they are always so positive! :happydance:

I don't know if you're into bikes or not, but they're a fun, cheap alternative for the time being until you feel totally comfortable about getting a car that you really want. Just my .02

haha what i would do in ur situation.. is get an 'ehh' car.. a car to get ur to work safely..then when ur bank account is FAT and leaking money.. start looking at what u can afford..i say this.. life is too short to save FOREVER, live it up but make smart decisions.. out of ur 2 original choices i say get the 370, only cuz ur already into it and its cheaper than then bimmer. then once uve secured ur career and have built ur credit get ur dream car. ppl will tell u this and that but in the end its ur life ur living.. do what makes u happy but make sure u really think about it.

^ Excellent advice. Thank ur.

It sounds as if you aren't even considering an M3 at this point and you seem to know exactly what your priorities are. RN's make a decent amount of money. You seem like a nice guy and I think you definitely deserve to have a Z. Just face it....the Z isn't going to break your bank balance. It's marketed as an affordable sports car that's made for your specific demographic. I say pull the trigger and enjoy what you have worked hard for.

I am also in the medical field and work with RN's all day(or should I say give orders to..haha....sorry for being a douche - just had to). I wouldn't even look at an M3 in your situation....but thats just me. The Z is a reasonable vehicle if you can get away with it's impracticality.

Thanks Doc haha...I am lucky to even get a job here in the bay area since its so competitive. So anyway, the M3 now is not in consideration as you have said and I am looking at Z's vs. other alternatives. So far the Z is definitely winning that battle.

have to echo what others are telling you... living within your means usually implies that you don't have any car payments (sorry, true)... at most maybe 1/10 of your after-tax take-home... so if you're paying $600 / month for a car, that means you need $10K per month pre-tax... and those are numbers for people that have a savings account and retirement account! I think if you're living in the bay area, you may even want to be more conservative... I realize most people don't follow these kinds of rules, but then again check out how many people are upside down on their mortgages and cars... okay off soap box

you haven't really asked anything technical about the cars... any questions? what are you looking for? speed, looks, handling ???

I understand what everyone is trying to tell me and I am considering all of the advice given to me along with my own personal opinion. I know that I also have to make a decision that is smart and hopefully something that I can be happy with too. I am not married, have no kids, no loans to pay off, free benefits through my job, I live a humble life, and do not have anything extravagant (don't care about them). I will be sharing other responsibilities with my parents such as mortgage and utilities among others depending on what they may need so it isn't just me spending on everything. I also comprehend that there are other expenses that I am going to have as well. I just want to thank everyone for their input. It is well received and no matter my decision, I will weigh in each perspective.:tiphat:

I will almost be taking in that amount of money (depending on what shift I work) pretax and I know it will shrink a lot before it comes for me to save/spend it. It is the ideal situation for me not to be upside down when it comes to owning and paying for a car. It would be financially responsible for me to be right side up also. But the Z and the M are the only cars that I have had a connection with as I had talked about in my earlier post. And right now the Z is hard to disconnect with.

In regards to asking about technical questions. I have been reading many different perspectives from magazine/online reviews and forum posters that the Z and the M (which is out of consideration as of now), possess a variety of aspects to which they excel at. They are quick, good-looking, and handle well. I have been following Travis's thread along with others as to what can be done to the Z and I know that it is very moddable as well. The only big differences b/n the two would be the practicality aspect and price. Practicality is something I can look past since I am not married nor have kids (and I don't plan to for a while). I see the Z as the jack of all trades performance wise and I would love to have a great balanced car such as this.

sounds like it's the z for you, then... you'll be happy with it... take a look around for resale... maybe you can find one with a couple thousand miles on it? there have been a couple on this board for sale, for example