Help me decide what car to look for next!

HKYStormFront · 01-23-2012, 08:25 PM

so i'm hoping to scrounge up some money this year and hopefully by the end of the year be able to put a sizable down payment on a 2nd vehicle. my truck has been fantastic and i still love it just as much as the day i bought it almost 6 year ago now. however, there isn't a whole lot of room inside the back to carry all my photography gear and/or extra passengers when people come to visit me. i just have a few requirements which limits my list pretty considerably. i want leather (preferably heated) power seats, four doors, mid size, and manual transmission. this will mostly be a highway car going to meets and photo gigs so highway fuel mileage important tho i'm getting 22mpg in the truck and as long as it's not worse than that, i'll be happy. i've basically narrowed it down to the three vehicles in the poll above. what i'm looking for is people who've owned the vehicles or had good friends who had them that are familiar with the ins and outs of each car. as for the infiniti, i'm hoping the G37s will come down in price into the bracket they are affordable to me (trying to stick to $20k-ish or less if possible) by the end of the year. so you tell me, out of the three above, which one should i focus my search on when the time comes and why?

geosZ · 01-23-2012, 08:29 PM

s4 ;-)

HKYStormFront · 01-23-2012, 08:32 PM

i know they are awesome, my friend's mom had one that i did a photoshoot of (the car, not the mom

) and i was duly impressed. i had almost completely ruled against getting german cars. i definitely do not want a BMW or Mercedes. what i like about the S4 is the awesome seats, the v8-in-the-smallest-car-we-make packaging and the awesome AWD which will be nice in inclement weather. did you own one? if so, what were your experiences with it?

ClemsonWill · 01-24-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKYStormFront

i know they are awesome, my friend's mom had one that i did a photoshoot of (the car, not the mom

) and i was duly impressed. i had almost completely ruled against getting german cars. i definitely do not want a BMW or Mercedes. what i like about the S4 is the awesome seats, the v8-in-the-smallest-car-we-make packaging and the awesome AWD which will be nice in inclement weather. did you own one? if so, what were your experiences with it?

Dude, I know I have said this before but, "don't get a VW!" My brother-in-law went to the special VW tech school outside of Chicago. He worked on them for 2 years and couldn't take all the stupid engineering and electrical problems. And that only starts some of my stories about how awful VWs are. They look cool but it's not worth the headache. Definitely stick with the G35/G37.

HKYStormFront · 01-24-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClemsonWill

Dude, I know I have said this before but, "don't get a VW!" My brother-in-law went to the special VW tech school outside of Chicago. He worked on them for 2 years and couldn't take all the stupid engineering and electrical problems. And that only starts some of my stories about how awful VWs are. They look cool but it's not worth the headache. Definitely stick with the G35/G37.

i know, trust me, i'm an ordained minister in the "never buy a VW" church but the S4 is really a "cut above the rest". that's a good thing and a bad thing. the reliability overall seems to be pretty good based on what i've heard and read but yea i'd prefer to stick with japanese. it was just an option and i was willing to listen if we had a bunch of guys come in here and say "yea i had an S4 for x years and it was awesome, never had any problems" etc.

FL 4Motion · 01-24-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKYStormFront

i know, trust me, i'm an ordained minister in the "never buy a VW" church but the S4 is really a "cut above the rest". that's a good thing and a bad thing. the reliability overall seems to be pretty good based on what i've heard and read but yea i'd prefer to stick with japanese. it was just an option and i was willing to listen if we had a bunch of guys come in here and say "yea i had an S4 for x years and it was awesome, never had any problems" etc.

B6 (v8 S4s) have the DI v8 motor right? Carbon buildup on the heads requiring cleaning every 20K miles or so (not cheap). These cars are nice, but not worth the headache imo.

RoadZter · 01-24-2012, 07:47 PM

I consider my Z a family car! I treat her like one of kids! lol

Seriously though, I really did think that the g37 was going to be it for me. I really liked it. Really tough to do anything together as a family unless we have a back seat. There were many times that my wife would be running around town and call me to pick up one of the little ones. I felt like I really needed something that had 4 doors or at least a back seat. Enter the Cadillac SRX. I enjoyed that car but then it felt like we had 2 family cars. I couldn't get rid of my truck because I constantly needed it for the weekends. Traded the SRX for the G37s. I loved that car for about a month. Then one of my co-workers bought a 40th Z. I looked at it parked next to my G37s and felt like I had settled. Not sure if thats the midlife crisis but I felt like the Z is what I really wanted and I settled for the G because I felt like it was "necessary". Maybe I'm just getting old but I didn't want to settle for what was ok for me and great for everyone else.

I had to really think about it before I bought the Z. Talked it over with my wife and she said..."You deserve it, buy your Z, we'll make it work". That's all I needed to hear.

I say all of this because so far I've read every reason why you NEED one of the three TYPES of cars in your poll but not sure if you prefer them over a Z. If you say "I really like these 3 cars over the Z" then I guess none of this really matters. That said, if you really like the Z, but feel like it's not the right car for you because of your current situation, that's cool too. I know how difficult it is to make a decision for yourself when others are depending on you. At the end of the day though, is it just a car or is it something you are passionate about? Weird but when I'm driving my Z I just feel better. I can't explain it. I feel like it's my time away even for just 5 minutes down the street. My wife laughs and says it's my "Z time". She is happy because I'm happy. My kids love my Z, they even help wash and take care of it. Isn't that the true definition of a "family car"?

Good luck on your decision brother!

bigaudiofanat · 01-23-2012, 08:53 PM

Hands down G37!!!

djpathfinder · 01-23-2012, 08:59 PM

If AWD is important to you, have you considered the G37x S? Not familiar with all the trims available in the US, but in Canada, an AWD S version is available (though you'd lose the 6MT).

Is the interior and trunk room of the S4 enough for you? Mind you, I've brought photo gear including small assembled softboxes to photoshoots with my Z...but there wouldn't necessarily be enough room for a passenger in some cases. So, either S4 or G37 should be enough for photo gear...I guess it depends on how much stretching room you want for your passengers. BTW, doesn't the current S4 have a supercharged 3.0L V6...or are you looking at a pre-2009?

Between the two, I would choose the G37.

Good luck with your decision.

HKYStormFront · 01-23-2012, 09:09 PM

the AWD G37 is only available in the US in non-sports and only in automatic. i'd rather have manual if i can. just a person preference. if i can get a 37, i wouldn't mind the 7AT trans, but if it's a 35, it'll have to be a manual. i hate that older 5AT, it's crap... AWD is not a priority, but it definitely is a plus in the other two's category and really the only negative about the infiniti tho it makes it up a little bit with a mechanical LSD in the sport models (i believe, someone correct me if i'm wrong).

that's the big negative for the audi imo is the cramped back seat. the trunk isn't bad tho it's not as big as the subaru and the infiniti. yea i would not be able to afford a v6 s/c'd S4, those are too new. also, if i'm going to get one, i'd want a v8 one. i realize the v6 is slightly more powerful, vastly more efficient but it's also drastically more expensive. i've seen decent S4's going for the low 20's

StLRedrider · 01-23-2012, 09:45 PM

Infiniti

frost · 01-23-2012, 10:02 PM

I had an infiniti g35 in a previous life. Loved it. In fact, should have just kept it.

FL 4Motion · 01-23-2012, 10:11 PM

g35/37 for sure. Best mpg of the bunch, sporty and meets all your practicality/luxury needs. Will also be cheaper on maintenance than the S4. And you don't need the awd of the subie (i'm assuming here).

(also, if you feel like modding it a bit, Z1 and Forged are close by are ready to help you out.

)

Oh, and it keeps you in the ol Nissan family. (hugs)

HKYStormFront · 01-23-2012, 10:59 PM

that's pretty much been my plan phil all along but i was opening it up for discussion amongst the community just to see where experiences were

6MT · 01-23-2012, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKYStormFront

so i'm hoping to scrounge up some money this year and hopefully by the end of the year be able to put a sizable down payment on a 2nd vehicle. my truck has been fantastic and i still love it just as much as the day i bought it almost 6 year ago now. however, there isn't a whole lot of room inside the back to carry all my photography gear and/or extra passengers when people come to visit me. i just have a few requirements which limits my list pretty considerably. i want leather (preferably heated) power seats, four doors, mid size, and manual transmission. this will mostly be a highway car going to meets and photo gigs so highway fuel mileage important tho i'm getting 22mpg in the truck and as long as it's not worse than that, i'll be happy. i've basically narrowed it down to the three vehicles in the poll above. what i'm looking for is people who've owned the vehicles or had good friends who had them that are familiar with the ins and outs of each car. as for the infiniti, i'm hoping the G37s will come down in price into the bracket they are affordable to me (trying to stick to $20k-ish or less if possible) by the end of the year. so you tell me, out of the three above, which one should i focus my search on when the time comes and why?

The pole makes it obvious.

View Poll Results: What should my next car be?
Infiniti G35/37 Sport 6spd Manual	24	75.00%
B6 Audi S4 4.2L V8 6spd Manual	6	18.75%
Subaru Legacy GT Spec B 6spd Manual	2	6.25%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

01-23-2012, 08:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	Help me decide what car to look for next! so i'm hoping to scrounge up some money this year and hopefully by the end of the year be able to put a sizable down payment on a 2nd vehicle. my truck has been fantastic and i still love it just as much as the day i bought it almost 6 year ago now. however, there isn't a whole lot of room inside the back to carry all my photography gear and/or extra passengers when people come to visit me. i just have a few requirements which limits my list pretty considerably. i want leather (preferably heated) power seats, four doors, mid size, and manual transmission. this will mostly be a highway car going to meets and photo gigs so highway fuel mileage important tho i'm getting 22mpg in the truck and as long as it's not worse than that, i'll be happy. i've basically narrowed it down to the three vehicles in the poll above. what i'm looking for is people who've owned the vehicles or had good friends who had them that are familiar with the ins and outs of each car. as for the infiniti, i'm hoping the G37s will come down in price into the bracket they are affordable to me (trying to stick to $20k-ish or less if possible) by the end of the year. so you tell me, out of the three above, which one should i focus my search on when the time comes and why? __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

01-23-2012, 08:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
geosZ Track Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: queens ny Posts: 623 Drives: 2012 wrx Sti ice S. Rep Power: 15	s4 ;-) __________________ ark cbe R.I.P.°berk test pipes°red injen cai°180 lights°eibach springs°spacers°pioneer navi/dvd°stillen splitter°carbonsignal fenders°xxr 527 wheels•momo Italy floor mats•weapon R 4 point Raceing harness. SOLD. NEW CAR 2012 Subaru Sti sedan ice silver.

01-23-2012, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	i know they are awesome, my friend's mom had one that i did a photoshoot of (the car, not the mom ) and i was duly impressed. i had almost completely ruled against getting german cars. i definitely do not want a BMW or Mercedes. what i like about the S4 is the awesome seats, the v8-in-the-smallest-car-we-make packaging and the awesome AWD which will be nice in inclement weather. did you own one? if so, what were your experiences with it? __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

01-24-2012, 07:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
RoadZter Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sunny South Texas! Posts: 228 Drives: 370z Roadster Rep Power: 13	I consider my Z a family car! I treat her like one of kids! lol Seriously though, I really did think that the g37 was going to be it for me. I really liked it. Really tough to do anything together as a family unless we have a back seat. There were many times that my wife would be running around town and call me to pick up one of the little ones. I felt like I really needed something that had 4 doors or at least a back seat. Enter the Cadillac SRX. I enjoyed that car but then it felt like we had 2 family cars. I couldn't get rid of my truck because I constantly needed it for the weekends. Traded the SRX for the G37s. I loved that car for about a month. Then one of my co-workers bought a 40th Z. I looked at it parked next to my G37s and felt like I had settled. Not sure if thats the midlife crisis but I felt like the Z is what I really wanted and I settled for the G because I felt like it was "necessary". Maybe I'm just getting old but I didn't want to settle for what was ok for me and great for everyone else. I had to really think about it before I bought the Z. Talked it over with my wife and she said..."You deserve it, buy your Z, we'll make it work". That's all I needed to hear. I say all of this because so far I've read every reason why you NEED one of the three TYPES of cars in your poll but not sure if you prefer them over a Z. If you say "I really like these 3 cars over the Z" then I guess none of this really matters. That said, if you really like the Z, but feel like it's not the right car for you because of your current situation, that's cool too. I know how difficult it is to make a decision for yourself when others are depending on you. At the end of the day though, is it just a car or is it something you are passionate about? Weird but when I'm driving my Z I just feel better. I can't explain it. I feel like it's my time away even for just 5 minutes down the street. My wife laughs and says it's my "Z time". She is happy because I'm happy. My kids love my Z, they even help wash and take care of it. Isn't that the true definition of a "family car"? Good luck on your decision brother! __________________ 2008 Nissan Titan Crew, 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster 2011 Mercedes GL 450 "Guess who drives the Nissans?"

01-23-2012, 08:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	Hands down G37!!! __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-23-2012, 08:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	If AWD is important to you, have you considered the G37x S? Not familiar with all the trims available in the US, but in Canada, an AWD S version is available (though you'd lose the 6MT). Is the interior and trunk room of the S4 enough for you? Mind you, I've brought photo gear including small assembled softboxes to photoshoots with my Z...but there wouldn't necessarily be enough room for a passenger in some cases. So, either S4 or G37 should be enough for photo gear...I guess it depends on how much stretching room you want for your passengers. BTW, doesn't the current S4 have a supercharged 3.0L V6...or are you looking at a pre-2009? Between the two, I would choose the G37. Good luck with your decision. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD Last edited by djpathfinder; 01-23-2012 at 09:10 PM.

01-23-2012, 09:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	the AWD G37 is only available in the US in non-sports and only in automatic. i'd rather have manual if i can. just a person preference. if i can get a 37, i wouldn't mind the 7AT trans, but if it's a 35, it'll have to be a manual. i hate that older 5AT, it's crap... AWD is not a priority, but it definitely is a plus in the other two's category and really the only negative about the infiniti tho it makes it up a little bit with a mechanical LSD in the sport models (i believe, someone correct me if i'm wrong). that's the big negative for the audi imo is the cramped back seat. the trunk isn't bad tho it's not as big as the subaru and the infiniti. yea i would not be able to afford a v6 s/c'd S4, those are too new. also, if i'm going to get one, i'd want a v8 one. i realize the v6 is slightly more powerful, vastly more efficient but it's also drastically more expensive. i've seen decent S4's going for the low 20's __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now Last edited by HKYStormFront; 01-23-2012 at 09:12 PM.

01-23-2012, 09:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
StLRedrider A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St.louis,Mo Posts: 17,755 Drives: O9Sprt/Touring,p-51 Rep Power: 60	Infiniti __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today J.Dean

01-23-2012, 10:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
FL 4Motion A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: FL Posts: 4,776 Drives: Baby Shark Rep Power: 701615	g35/37 for sure. Best mpg of the bunch, sporty and meets all your practicality/luxury needs. Will also be cheaper on maintenance than the S4. And you don't need the awd of the subie (i'm assuming here). (also, if you feel like modding it a bit, Z1 and Forged are close by are ready to help you out. ) Oh, and it keeps you in the ol Nissan family. (hugs)

01-23-2012, 10:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	that's pretty much been my plan phil all along but i was opening it up for discussion amongst the community just to see where experiences were __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

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