Which 370Z to get?

shadow85 · 09-07-2015, 02:47 PM

Hey guys I am going to be in the market for a used 370Z in the next few weeks. I have already looked at a few on carsales.com.au (I am in Australia) and have found a few that I like.

My budget here is max $40000 AUD. Now there is a 2010 manual 370Z with some mods done to it and 33000 KM on the odometre. There is also a 2012 manual model that is stock, has no mods with aruond 35000 KMs on it. Now what would you guys reccomend to me?

Should I look at getting a 2010 with mods or 2012 model with no mods, they are all around the same price here. Is there any reason not to get a 2010 model and go for a 2012 (max for my budget, 2013 is over $40K here).

Thanks, would appreciate any input.

GZ3 · 09-07-2015, 03:38 PM

I would get the un modded 2012. I pretty much only buy 1 owner non modified cars

You never know how a previous owner ragged a car out, or if they did, but if the car is modded you can certianly assume it was, at least ran pretty hard. Id rather not.

BoneZ · 09-07-2015, 03:52 PM

Sadly (depending on how you look at it) automatic base models are the fastest of the group... and you don't have the CSC issue to worry about.

Felix 808 · 09-07-2015, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GZ3

I would get the un modded 2012. I pretty much only buy 1 owner non modified cars

You never know how a previous owner ragged a car out, or if they did, but if the car is modded you can certianly assume it was, at least ran pretty hard. Id rather not.

Why inherit someone else's styling & possible problems as mods don't always go as planned

$.02 YMMV

FairladyZ40th · 09-07-2015, 05:13 PM

Unmoded

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

cooltoy · 09-07-2015, 05:18 PM

What are the trim levels of each?

shadow85 · 09-07-2015, 05:38 PM

I don't know what trim level is but here is a link to a few zeds I saved:

2010 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in SA - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in WA - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2010 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2013 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile

What would you go for out of these ones?

2015nismo · 09-07-2015, 05:54 PM

I would go for the 2012. Then you can mod as you like. ��

nismo2evox · 09-07-2015, 09:14 PM

Coming from an the Evo world... Do not buy a modified car unless you know the owner. Even then be cautious.

Other than a Cobb AP flash or similar, which is extremely reputable product, but not available for NA engines generally. Hell, even then, buy a stock one and be the first person who flashes it.

You are probably buying someone else's problem. After dumping nearly 20K into my Evo X and having everything installed and tuned by a reputable shop I brought it to be traded in praying it didn't blow up (as it had 3 times before) until I signed it over.

The problem with modified cars is you have to stay on top of them constantly and know what to look for. I started with the basic plumbing (intake, upper intercooler pipe, downpipe, and full exhaust and tune for about $5K). A short while later with spirited driving the ceramic around the spark plug broke and went into my engine.

$12K later I had a new engine with forged pistons and the car was awesome for the next 5,000 miles. Then the car wouldn't turn on. Apparently the timing chain stretched.

The car was one problem after another. After that whole experience I'm convinced (especially if you live in an area like New England with variable temperatures) don't buy a modified car unless you know what you are doing.

In my case, my peace of mind was gone. Driving a modified car wrecked the enjoyment because I never knew when something was going to go wrong.

The only thing i would say would be reasonable is a cat back exhaust only. Generally these require no additional tune and don't screw with the air fuel ratio going into the engine. It's just a nice noise without a tune. (Maybe minimal HP gains)

Sorry for the rant, hope this helps.

shadow85 · 09-08-2015, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoneZ

Sadly (depending on how you look at it) automatic base models are the fastest of the group... and you don't have the CSC issue to worry about.

Why are the auto's faster? I was under the impression that manuals are slightly faster like most other cars?

And I just read up on the csc issues. Is this common for all 370Z's, even 2012-2013 models?

sambar · 09-08-2015, 04:10 AM

I would try and find one with the sports package, it makes a lot of difference.

Auto may be faster but manual is more fun to drive imo.

Lukcas61 · 09-08-2015, 09:14 AM

Manuals not that fun in traffic gridlock like Los Angeles. I believe the csc issue is with all the manuals right?

GZ3 · 09-08-2015, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow85

Why are the auto's faster? I was under the impression that manuals are slightly faster like most other cars?

And I just read up on the csc issues. Is this common for all 370Z's, even 2012-2013 models?

Auto have always been faster, especially in competive motorsports
There was a time when manuals were better for avg consumers but only because auto tech hadnt caught up. Needless to say it didnt take much and now autos are killing it everywhere.

Androo · 09-08-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GZ3

I would get the un modded 2012. I pretty much only buy 1 owner non modified cars

You never know how a previous owner ragged a car out, or if they did, but if the car is modded you can certianly assume it was, at least ran pretty hard. Id rather not.

damn... I didn't even think about this scenario. This actually makes a lot of sense.

fyi... i'm still looking for a Z so I guess that explains that.

nismo2evox · 09-08-2015, 10:32 AM

Automatics are almost always going to be faster in newer cars. Even without dual clutches, transmissions and the programming has come so far.

Bottom line - it is very difficult to shift quicker manually than what an automatic can do. Back in the day automatic transmissions had rev hang, were slow to respond and did not have the same programming they do today. Manuals used to allow the user to optimize shift points better but now the computer does that for you. It's also why automatics generally get better mpg's than manuals today too.

With that said...unless you're looking for 10ths of a second on a track I would go with your personal preference. I like having a third peddle because it gives me something to do and it makes the whole driving experience more analog for me.

Frankly, I think the 370z is more about the driving experience than statistics. Yes, it's painful to admit but the manual is going the way of the dinosaur from a competitive standpoint. I think the "fun factor" is a whole other argument.

09-07-2015, 02:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
shadow85 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: South Australia, Austra Posts: 917 Drives: 15' 370Z A/T AMM TT Rep Power: 24	Which 370Z to get? Hey guys I am going to be in the market for a used 370Z in the next few weeks. I have already looked at a few on carsales.com.au (I am in Australia) and have found a few that I like. My budget here is max $40000 AUD. Now there is a 2010 manual 370Z with some mods done to it and 33000 KM on the odometre. There is also a 2012 manual model that is stock, has no mods with aruond 35000 KMs on it. Now what would you guys reccomend to me? Should I look at getting a 2010 with mods or 2012 model with no mods, they are all around the same price here. Is there any reason not to get a 2010 model and go for a 2012 (max for my budget, 2013 is over $40K here). Thanks, would appreciate any input.

09-07-2015, 03:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
GZ3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 3,296 Drives: Z Rep Power: 21	I would get the un modded 2012. I pretty much only buy 1 owner non modified cars You never know how a previous owner ragged a car out, or if they did, but if the car is modded you can certianly assume it was, at least ran pretty hard. Id rather not. Felix 808, jpkirk, Rahul718 and 1 others like this. __________________ 09 GT-R 12' 370Z 7AT HANDED DOWN 12'+13' 5.0 SOLD

09-07-2015, 03:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
BoneZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2015 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 52 Posts: 9,295 Drives: 2012 Silver Thang Rep Power: 2684381	Sadly (depending on how you look at it) automatic base models are the fastest of the group... and you don't have the CSC issue to worry about. MagmaRed370z likes this.

09-07-2015, 05:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,937 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 240204	What are the trim levels of each? __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

09-08-2015, 04:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
sambar Base Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sunnyvale Posts: 56 Drives: 370Z-2012-6MT Rep Power: 9	I would try and find one with the sports package, it makes a lot of difference. Auto may be faster but manual is more fun to drive imo. onzedge and BoneZ like this.

09-07-2015, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
FairladyZ40th Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 483 Drives: 2010 370z 40th 6MT Rep Power: 60	Unmoded Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-07-2015, 05:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
shadow85 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: South Australia, Austra Posts: 917 Drives: 15' 370Z A/T AMM TT Rep Power: 24	I don't know what trim level is but here is a link to a few zeds I saved: 2010 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in SA - Carsales Mobile 2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in WA - Carsales Mobile 2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile 2010 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile 2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile 2013 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile 2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile What would you go for out of these ones?

09-07-2015, 05:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
2015nismo Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 273 Drives: 2015 370z Nismo slvr Rep Power: 18	I would go for the 2012. Then you can mod as you like. ��

09-07-2015, 09:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
nismo2evox Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 39 Drives: Evo X Rep Power: 12	Coming from an the Evo world... Do not buy a modified car unless you know the owner. Even then be cautious. Other than a Cobb AP flash or similar, which is extremely reputable product, but not available for NA engines generally. Hell, even then, buy a stock one and be the first person who flashes it. You are probably buying someone else's problem. After dumping nearly 20K into my Evo X and having everything installed and tuned by a reputable shop I brought it to be traded in praying it didn't blow up (as it had 3 times before) until I signed it over. The problem with modified cars is you have to stay on top of them constantly and know what to look for. I started with the basic plumbing (intake, upper intercooler pipe, downpipe, and full exhaust and tune for about $5K). A short while later with spirited driving the ceramic around the spark plug broke and went into my engine. $12K later I had a new engine with forged pistons and the car was awesome for the next 5,000 miles. Then the car wouldn't turn on. Apparently the timing chain stretched. The car was one problem after another. After that whole experience I'm convinced (especially if you live in an area like New England with variable temperatures) don't buy a modified car unless you know what you are doing. In my case, my peace of mind was gone. Driving a modified car wrecked the enjoyment because I never knew when something was going to go wrong. The only thing i would say would be reasonable is a cat back exhaust only. Generally these require no additional tune and don't screw with the air fuel ratio going into the engine. It's just a nice noise without a tune. (Maybe minimal HP gains) Sorry for the rant, hope this helps.

09-08-2015, 09:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lukcas61 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: California Posts: 104 Drives: 13 Nissan 370z Red Rep Power: 10	Manuals not that fun in traffic gridlock like Los Angeles. I believe the csc issue is with all the manuals right?

09-08-2015, 10:32 AM	#15 (permalink)
nismo2evox Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 39 Drives: Evo X Rep Power: 12	Automatics are almost always going to be faster in newer cars. Even without dual clutches, transmissions and the programming has come so far. Bottom line - it is very difficult to shift quicker manually than what an automatic can do. Back in the day automatic transmissions had rev hang, were slow to respond and did not have the same programming they do today. Manuals used to allow the user to optimize shift points better but now the computer does that for you. It's also why automatics generally get better mpg's than manuals today too. With that said...unless you're looking for 10ths of a second on a track I would go with your personal preference. I like having a third peddle because it gives me something to do and it makes the whole driving experience more analog for me. Frankly, I think the 370z is more about the driving experience than statistics. Yes, it's painful to admit but the manual is going the way of the dinosaur from a competitive standpoint. I think the "fun factor" is a whole other argument. SouthArk370Z and Kazzan11236 like this. Last edited by nismo2evox; 09-08-2015 at 10:35 AM.