Any opinions would be appreciated
 

My 16th birthday is coming up so it is time to start looking for some cars. I was originally planning on a 2011 STi but the 2010 370z just keeps showing up and I thought it would be worth getting some insight. I was just wondering if everyone has been happy with their z's and if they have had any issues that would be important to take into consideration. Thanks!

Hi



(16?!)

I'm very happy with my Z. No problems at all. Use the search function and you will find millions of pages of info.

You'll probably get some tickets in a 370z if you're only 16...

Maybe start w/ less power: 350z

someones momma is rollin in the dough, lol i started with a hyundai! haha

Wow when I was 16 I thought my 89 cavalier z24 was the best thing ever!

Will it be your only car? AWD might be nice if you need to drive year round.

I'm not sure a RWD coupe would make a great first winter car.

Seeing that you live in New York, I'd go with a base WRX, or get a beater car as your first drive. Get something you can control in the winter; too much power without being able to control is a recipe for disaster, AWD or not.

You'll appreciate an STi or other more powerful vehicles that much more later on once you get the fundamentals down.

(And I just have to point out - my parents would have never agreed to get me a car as nice as an STi or Z when I was 16. Lucky you.)

Well, if I were anywhere near 16 (or, let's face it 26), I would go for a Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Roadster. Okay, that's a bit rich. Keep this in mind:
any car without a rear seat will slaughter you with insurance premiums.

That's true no matter what your age, but at 16 it's really gonna hurt. So consider the cost of upkeep in addition to the base price of the car. I believe that's why so many 2-seaters come as "2+2" (including Porsche, for heaven's sake!), where we all know you can't really seat anyone in the back. Well, maybe your dog, if it's not too big. Perhaps you should consider a 2+2...like a used 911. Happy Birthday!

If his parents are getting him an STi/370.. they'll probably be paying for the upkeep/insurance anyway so I doubt the 2-seater premium is much of a concern for him. ;)

Most peeps on this board probably considered the STi as one of their choices while shopping for the 370.. I certainly did. In the end we got the 370 so that's the opinion you'll likely get from here.

That said, since it's your first car and you live in a city where it snows.. I would suggest the AWD also. Maybe not even something as crazy as the STi.. the base WRX suggestion was good. Though if your parents are letting you choose what car to get.. I know there's no way you'll ask for a regular WRX :excited:

Unfortunately the accident/write-off rate for a 16 year old in an STi is probably like 75% :shakes head: The reality is.. no 16 year old guy can resist speeding. Was bad enough in my 1988 toyota camry. Getting behind an STi at 16 is likely a recipe for disaster lol

1 of my friends got an STi at 19. He was one of those fools that thought AWD = invincible/unstoppable in winter. The lamp pole he wrapped his car around sure stopped him. So.. regardless of what you end up getting.. just be careful with overconfidence in any car just because it's deemed to have great handling.

I'm hoping for your sake that you're the exception though man! :) Good luck! Let us know what you end up getting. My 16 year old former self is jealous :rofl2:

16 in NY you can only drive with a permit.

My thoughts exactly, im from NJ/NY 16 was permit with a relative over 21, then 17 was restricted license (only one person non related in the car, no driving after midnight or before 5am)

To be honest, Id start with a Impreza WRX plenty fast and nice as a first (beater) car to learn the fundamentals of driving, shifting, parking.

G/L

Wow when I was 16 I was holding on a PONY!:wtf2:

+1........ :iagree: I hope your parents know what they are going to get themselves into. All of us wish & hope for the very best for you & hopefully you will not do anything to effen crazy in a sport car.

a 370z at age 16 will give you a perminant erection.

the Z is a reliable car that will last as long as you maintenance it.
i've owned many nissans and i trust the brand.

Thanks guys, and actually I will be paying for it (sadly enough). It's been a lot of money saving but it will pay off eventually. And yes, the permit age is 16 in New York, but I want to learn in MY own car, and my parents agree that it would be better off that they keep their cars safe. Besides, I would feel like a loser driving a Ford Edge... But on the beater topic, I have a winter truck lined up already and good storage for the 370, so the RWD is a non-issue, and it is cheaper to just get a $500 beater than try to track down decent snow tires. One of the biggest issues with getting a WRX or an STi is the fact that I can't seem to track one down that is within a reasonable distance. Even in Florida they were few and far between. The price and availability have both boosted my enthusiasm, and it's one beautiful car too. Lastly, the seating isn't an issue. My parents feel that having more than one friend in the car will be the biggest danger, they are very welcome to a useless back seat. Thanks for the help everyone!

I still say if you can track it down....WRX is the winner out of this :tup: lol

I'll see what I can do. We still have to shop around, and don't want to make a decision and regret it.

a z at 16 you will love it m 17 right now and got my z also on my my 16th birthday just get it and enjoy it!!!!!:happydance::driving:

Where in NY? There is a good Subaru Dealer on Route 17 in Ramsey, NJ which from NYC is about 25 minutes with no traffic. They always have one or two STI's and WRX's since its a wealthy area and highly populated. Look into them if its not too far. G/L and keep us posted.

LMAO. same here. '99 hyundai elantra. WITH A SPOILER! wassssup.... Good luck kid.. if you have another vehicle you can use during winter like you said you did, then get a Z. its pretty awesome..

Just curious what your job is at 16 that you can afford a Z and a winter car? I'm interested in whatever it is that you're doing bringing in the cash/saving up your pennies. My first job only paid ~400 a month and that was at age 18. Although that was 10 years ago (!!)

Hey hey, don't bash the Ford Edge. Derek Jeter drives one and he totally has an Edge. :stirthepot:

It'll be nice to have another Z around in NYC though that's for sure but :pics: of whichever car you get!

I hated that car, within 6 months it was gone cause I was working for big brown and dad cosigned my first car loan! haha The real reason why I stared even working there! :eekdance:

I actually have three jobs at the moment, and have had them for quite a while now (don't tell the authorities). But I am a runner at an auction house that is very well known and we get some pretty pricey items, so after I'm done paying insurance for the stuff I have to handle, I get a pretty decent pay.

I'm all the way up in Rochester. We have a HUGE Subie dealer here, and have looked into ordering an STi, but I will look into this for sure. Road trip!

Go for it dude keep it going while the pot is hot at the end of the day you deserve it!
I was like that when i was younger but I can only afford a PONY. haha
Just kidding.
I bet your parents are so proud of you and trust you enough that your responsible to handle a sports car. Reminder: Take it easy as these Z's do BITE!
I wish my son will be as hard working as you. He's 11 now.
America needs you buddy!

Thanks guys, you have all been great. And as I told my mom, "I will be less toolish in a Z than an STi, because all of the people on the Z forum seem down to earth but on the STi forum a lot of them are aholes."

Will be sure to put up some pictures if (more like when) I get it!