Story of how I got into a Z (with pics of my Z)
 

I drive an E92 BMW 328i coupe. I have been a BMW enthusiast for a few years now and it is my third BMW. I love how the cars drive and overall how they feel. But now of late I have started missing "something more". My car is a 2012 with not too many miles on it, so my quest for trading it in and getting something better started.

Requirements from the wife when I started out:
- Should be a four seater
- Should have an automatic transmission
- Should have minimum bells and whistles: Nav, backup camera, nice sound system
- Should have a decent trunk, so no convertible

My requirements:
- Should be fairly fast
- Should be small and handle great
- Should have great steering feel
- Should be fairly exclusive, shouldn't be every other car on the road
- Should be under 45K either new or 2012+ CPO with warranty for 3 years unless Japanese

Test drives - part one

M3:
Understandably, this started out with an assumption that a CPO E92 M3 would suit my requirements to a T. Maybe it did. I test drove an M3 but finding one that's not a convertible was getting difficult. A test drive of the M3 and I was instantly hooked.

But my wife wasn't convinced about going from an E92 328i to E92 M3, she said it looks and feels exactly the same (:shakes head:). So we started test driving a few other cars:

550i and CLS550:
I test drove these on a whim. The CLS550 was a beautiful 2012 with just 20k miles on it, a steal at $45K CPO. It had all kinds of tech and an S-class-ish interior. Even had gadgets like self-parking and a dozen other things I don't even recall.

The thing is crazy fast with gobs of torque at any speed. At any RPM, just push down half throttle and you are passing everything. But unfortunately it feels soft and like a luxury car (which it is), didn't fulfill my need for small, tight handling.

The 550i was very similar minus the fancy gadgets. It feels a tad sportier than the CLS550, but still felt bigger going from my 328i.

I didn't feel like either of these was an upgrade going from my 328i. Nice cars, but I wasn't convinced.

M3
The next test drive was an M3 which I mentioned above. One drive and I was hooked! But the budget didn't fit. After spending a couple of weeks crunching numbers and trying to make it work, I just couldn't justify it. Especially considering how fast these depreciate after the CPO years are over. With a heavy heart, I moved on to look at other cars.

S4
I found a couple of Audi S4's at around $42K with the sports diff. Fast cars. Handle well but feel heavy (because they are). Luxury family sedans that go fast and can take a corner. But I didn't feel like the driving experience was enough of an upgrade from my 328i. Wasn't convinced.

Golf R
Impossible to get a test drive! These are going like crazy, flying off the dealerships at 5K over MSRP within hours of arriving at dealerships. And pre-booked too. I wasn't paying $45K for a Golf and buying one without a test drive!

Mustang GT
Next was the Mustang GT. Again crazy fast car, fair handling but feels like the heavy muscle car that it is. Not the small, tight, sporty feel I was looking for. Moved on.

F30 335i sedan
Having owned an F30 328i before, I was convinced this was going to be the best fit for me and went in to the test drive with a cheque-book ready to buy. But was surprised, it didn't feel like enough of an upgrade. The F30 is the new generation BMW 3 series, and it has the new electric steering that feels soft. The legendary BMW feel is gone. I didn't see myself giving up my 328i with traditional hydraulic steering in exchange for this and paying double the price of it.

At this point I was pretty confused. It has to fit under 45K, it has to feel raw and tight, has to have four seats, a trunk and a hatch. Didn't look like there was anything that fit the bill :confused:. Quite sad, I test drove an E92 335i. It fit the bill technically, but the cost didn't justify the upgrade. With nothing changing from my current car except the engine, the upgrade didn't make sense.

I almost reconciled myself to the fact that there is nothing to upgrade to, then an idea struck me: Why not split it into two cars? Maybe I could tradein the 328i for an Accord, and use the rest of the money to get a roadster? I liked it! :)

Next step - I identified a couple of Civics and Accords, but after doing some math realized that the tradein would only save me a marginal amount of money compared to keeping my 328i as the regular car. The idea of keeping the 3 and getting a roadster in addition to it shaped up. Worked on the numbers, it all added up!

So instead of a $45K do-it-all car, my search for a $25K roadster started!

Test drives - part two.

135i and Z4 These were quickly ruled out because of the price factor and the CPO warranty situation. I have driven a few 135i's and Z4's in the past and I know their pros and cons. Since I am a BMW guy, I am quite familiar with these. The 135i has a lot of body roll even with the sports suspension and doesn't feel very different from my 3 series. The Z4 on the other hand is a favorite of mine, but it looked impossible to find one under $25K 2012+ CPO with low miles (I was only looking for one with a 35i engine, not a 28i engine).

370Z automatic
Next I drove a 370Z automatic and I wasn't impressed. I wasn't using the paddles (I hate manually shifting an automatic car), somehow it felt kinda slow. The handling felt great though. I was confused. Initially ruled out the Z.

BRZ
I went to a dealer to test drive a Subaru BRZ. As it turned out, it was a stick-shift and I haven't driven a stick in god-knows-how-many years. Since the test drive was already scheduled, I decided to go ahead with it anyway. Surprise! I LOVED it! I was hooked. It wasn't crazy fast after the first impressions, but it felt like driving a go-kart.

Now after the BRZ test drive my mind changed about stick-shifts. Since we are keeping our four-seat, automatic 328i anyway... why not let my weekend toy be a stick? I hadn't thought about this before.

Now one of my gearhead friends (he drives an STI) suggested that I should do another test drive in a 370Z, this time a stick. I did just that.

370Z stick
Just... WOW! What a beast! After the M3 that I test drove first, this is the only other car that truly pulled at my heart other than the M3. The Z with stick is a completely different beast. It was so much fun I requested extra distance on the test drive (with true intentions of buying). After I came home, for several days I couldn't think about anything other than the sensation of driving the Z. Strangely, the M3 and the Z left a similar impression in my mind, a unique sensation. No other car had that effect. What a raw experience. I felt that the rest are sporty cars, but these two are true sports cars.

Needless to say, I had to have a Z now.

WRX/STI
The same gearhead friend suggested I should test drive a WRX and an STI with stick before I made a decision. I didn't. Maybe he is right, maybe I should have test driven those cars too before deciding. But I didn't care, all I knew was I wanted a Z. The perfect design. Sports car feeling. Raw power and super-tight handling. Just perfect.

Anyway, I went to the Subaru dealer and half-heartedy asked for a test drive. They said something to the effect of "we will give you a test drive if you are seriously buying". I was like whatever, I knew my heart is set on the Z. If the STI is better, let it be. I wanted a Z now. I couldn't find a used STI, so I just walked out without unnecessarily putting miles on what's going to be some guy's new STI (side note: I made it a point that all other cars I test drove were pre-owned ones). If I really wanted a test drive I know how to get one, but my mind and heart were set on the Z.

I still don't know how the STI drives. I don't care. Maybe in the future when our family grows to the point where a 2-seat car is useless (we don't have kids yet), an STI will come into the picture. I don't know. For now I just wanted a Z.

Other cars I didn't consider based on irrational/prejudiced factors:
- Corvette (not the image I am looking for)
- CLA45 AMG (FWD based Mercedes for $45K? with a 4 cylinder? naah)
- Camaro (don't like the looks and they are so common)
- Miata - less power than my 328i, whats the point?

The search for a Z started
The Z I had test driven before was a base model. Based on past experience from owning a BMW without sports package and having buyers remorse (and spending $$ on upgrading suspension etc), I did a quick forum search and learned that a sports package is a must-have to be happy. I don't know if I will ever track my car but I know I wound't ever forgive myself for not getting the forged wheels, the big brakes, the LSD and the synchro rev. I wanted the tech package also, but the sports pack was more important.

I was finding it really difficult to find one near me with the sports package. I found only one piece listed like 70 miles away, at $36K!

Then finally found one - a 2012 Monterey Blue 370Z with sports package with 38K miles on it. That's a bit more mileage than I was looking for but I figured its OK. See, when your heart is set you start making compromises. But I didn't mind this compromise. It was listed at $22K and I thought that's a deal (even KBB listed $24K private party / $26K dealership, and carfax mentioned its worth $600 over blue book).

Went to the dealership and fell in love with it! I wasn't convinced about the Monterey Blue from the craigslist photos. I thought "toothpaste color" when I saw the photos but when I saw it in the flesh, I was floored.

A test drive, some negotiation, wrote a check and I took the baby home!

Now for a few pics.

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(continued)

Needless to say, I am already addicted to the Z. A true driver's car. Driving a stick after a long time, and what a car! Takes any corners I throw at it. In addition to having the sports package, I discovered that this particular car is equipped with Bridgestone S04 Pole Position tires instead of RE050. YAY!! I am familiar with the Pole Position and stoked to have these tires.

For a week I didn't touch the 328i. The feeling of driving the Z is addictive (so far anyway, lol).

Then I went on a 600-mile road trip with my wife and my mom, and since its 3 people I had to take the BMW. In this road trip I realized I made a huge good decision keeping the BMW too. Its a great car too, probably as good as the Z in its own right - as a touring car! I had a lot of fun driving this on the highway and even some twisties.

I quickly realized I love both my cars - win-win :excited:. Together, these two cars make the perfect combo of the 3 as a daily driver / tourer, and the Z as a weekend warrior.

A couple of pics of my beautiful bimmer:

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And a pic of them together:
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Together, they will probably give me more resale value than any single $45K BMW/Audi/Mercedes too :tup:

First mods:

Now I am not a mod sorta guy, I like to keep my cars fairly stock. But I had to get a few things done.

- Window un-tint: I know many will disagree, but I like clear windows. Can't see anything at night. With visibility already being low, I don't like my windows all blacked out. So un-tinted the windows.

- Tech. I was already missing nav, bluetooth and backup camera. Every time I backup I was scared I might hit something/someone small. Decided to get a backup camera done asap!

So got a Pioneer 8100NEX system and a backup camera installed (don't ask me how much it cost - ouch!). It comes with Bluetooth, nav, camera, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, HD radio. I haven't upgraded the speakers yet but got this top-of-the-line Pioneer head unit. I will post a dedicated thread with more pics and more details about the system, but here are a couple of quick pics before and after the HU upgrade.

Stock head unit (doesn't even play MP3s, doesn't even have USB for a car made in 2012!!):
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The new unit:
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... and now I have the equivalent of the tech package too! Actually, I'm kinda glad this car doesn't have tech package because I like the center storage box and I like having a capacitive touchscreen instead of the knob controls. And I still get to keep the storage box! I can even spend a bit more on speakers if I want, I haven't decided that, and I'd still be better off $-wise than if the car had tech package.

Beautiful car, and your story was a good read.
I like the Monterey Blue.

I felt the same way when I caught the Z bug. It was the FRS that got me looking at nimble, rwd coupes.
The Z stole my heart. I sat inside an FRS after testing my Z, just to be sure. The fit an finish of the Z was miles ahead, it was a 2 seater, and the FRS gearbox felt less than desirable.

I briefly considered an Evo, but the Z was exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks! The FRS/BRZ is also a lot less powerful than the Z, and it shows when you hit the highway (at least to me).

I didn't consider the Evo because I wasn't sure of Mitsubishi's resale value in the US. I calculate my costs not in terms of how much I pay, but rather in terms of how much I get when I resell vs how much I pay (a lot of excel sheets). I calculate a combination of depreciation, interest paid, gas, insurance and perceived maintenance to arrive at an approximate "cost of ownership per month". In fact, that's why the M3 didn't cut it - I could've afforded the M3's monthly payments but when all things add up, the cost of ownership goes sky high. The Evo, even more.

The Z on the other hand.. shines in that aspect :). I got this baby at 22K, I'm sure I can do better when I sell this in a few years than on any M3 / S4 / 335i that I buy for $45K. At least that's what I think, lets see it could go either way depending on what the upgraded Z looks and feels like.

Something tells me an upgraded Z - like other new cars - will come out with a turbo four cylinder, electric steering, a hybrid version and way overpriced. It will catapult our current Z's into high-demand among enthusiasts, like the S2000 and maybe to a lesser extent the E92 BMW's. I certainly hope so, now that I am invested :)!

That is a good price for your Z, in my opinion. Especially back home in the Bay. I grew up in Sunnyvale, delivered The Mercury on my bike between Raynor Park, and Valco Mall. :-)

I bought my 2012 Pearl White Touring Sport with Persimmon on 6/27, lightly used with just over 12k miles for $27k and change.

I had the same thought about the Evo 10 in regards to demand, since this will be the last year of production, but they just aren't as refined and "pure" as the Z.

Dam, you have a lot of time on your hand...........

Well all I can say is.. TV is overrated :icon17:

LMAO, well I have to agree with you on that one :)

I thought I read "F40" and I was like, "Yeah go for the Ferrari F40!" But wait, those are $1M+ at auctions.

With all the available bolt on's such as exhaust, intake, header, lightened flywheel, and better oil cooler, I think you can match the E92 M3 in acceleration.

Great story. As you've heard, the Monterey Blue was a hot color so congratulations!!!

The Z is my weekend car as well. Reliability was another big factor I considered when I was looking for a sports car...the Z fit the bill. I bought it nearly new with only 5K on the OD. I look forward to driving it; it's the weekend baby!!

Oh, welcome to the club :)

Thanks! For now I find it plenty fast enough stock :)

Have been thinking about the oil cooler and brake cooling though. Are these still necessary if I am not going to track the car, but planning to do long drives (say 300-400 mile drive non stop)?

Thanks! Yeah actually blue wasn't on my list at all. My color preference in order is white, gunmetal, black and red. But I jumped on this car despite the color because of the deal and nothing else being available in the used market. When I saw it in person, I was pleasantly surprised the blue is such a great color!

^if you're not going to track it, then no need for the upgraded oil cooler. But during hot weather you should be gentle about accelerating.

Welcome to the 370Z forum

:worship:

-Clifford :welcome: :tup:

Love the story telling. Congrats on your Z.