Mulling selling the Z for a used GTR....thoughts?
 

So let me start off by saying I know this is going to open a can of worms just by suggesting this.....I am prepared:tup:

Backlog: I used to be pretty active in the Z community, always wanted one of these. Bought mine in January of '13 and quickly put the typical bolt on mods and such to it. Since then I have got into sport bikes and was riding that every single day to work that I could but on rainy days, in those days I took one of my Hondas. Then came the new baby, I have 3 cars so selling my Z was out of the question, no need. However, the wife tells me I can't take him in the 370z as it has no backseats. First off I said ok I'll go buy a 4 door luxury sedan which I was OK with. Then I sat back and said....wait just a minute, I could sell my Z, toss in some cash, and buy a used GTR!!! :excited: She was actually like uhh that's no family car. Then I said it's a HUGE car and has a backseat. After driving up to the Nissan dealer today, he let us actually put the baby seat in the back and let him sleep back there while we went over the car. My wife was impressed by the car overall with its room and the fact that SHE can drive it being an auto! (She doesn't know how to drive stick.)

So, my thoughts are now, sell the Z which collects more dust than mileage, part out my Fast intentions exhaust, test pipes, and wheels etc and toss in some cash and buy a used GTR, or buy a luxury 4 door cruiser and keep my Z? The wife could care less, just said it's your car, you decide. My wife has an SUV so before you say I need a family car...just know that she has an SUV already for trips, the Z is nothing more than a garage queen anymore.

Please, be respectful and let me know your thoughts, coming to fellow Z owners is a better sounding board than some random guys at work or what not.
Thank you! :tiphat:
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...pssx2cgcbl.jpg

The GTR is Nissan's High $$$$$$ Flagship Sports Coupe & a ~Z~ is a unique 2 seater sports car w/bolt on's that can propel it to the Exotic Sports Car Category.
I got rid of my old 406ci/built 81' Z28 camaro when my twins came along-so i know what you're going through......If the money is no object; Go for the GTR,,,,,if you love your ~Z~ & want to keep it as a playtoy,,,consider a slightly used Q50 sedan...same powerplant/7sp.Auto & RWD as the Z w/excellent performance,ride quality,fuel milage & roomy.
I like you putting your Family First,while making this decision...while i'm 49now & my kids are 21; I'm keeping my ~Z~ and enjoying all the moment's i spend w/it...I have just scratched the surface w/bolt on's & the immediate response has been very noticeable.
Good Luck & Choose Wisely....No rock's thrown from me :)

Sounds like a perfect plan as the GTR would meet your family needs and a very nice upgrade to the Z. Just make sure the GTR is in good shape and won't turn into a 'money pit' down the road.

Life is short and if that makes you and your family happy, do it.

I'm not trying to start a fight, or derail the thread, but you and I must have very different definitions of bolt-ons and "exotic sports car category." Nothing short of FI is putting the Z into that category.

I do agree with this suggestion though, the Q50 is a nice platform and a comfortable car. Can always pick a nice used one up for a lot less than the difference between the Z and GTR. A+ idea here, in my opinion. I especially agree with it if you really do love the way the Z drives.

The GTR is a bit more refined than the Z, stupid fast, and an attention getter. I will stress that it is not the most tolerable car on the road, from a ride comfort perspective. I'd test drive it significantly to ensure you and your wife are comfortable with the ride comfort, for each of you and with respect to your baby. Otherwise, from a raw performance perspective, not much needs to be said in the point that the GTR is superior in every way. There's also the feeling of owning a car like a GTR. I know it's not *that* expensive with respect to what it is, but it's kind of a unicorn in ways to many of us. I'd be lying if I said one of the reasons I'm considering the same as you wasn't the fact that I just want the feeling of having it parked in my garage.

Do you still love the feeling of driving the Z? More than a GTR? The Z is less refined, more mechanical, and lets you row through the gears. You'll always have more to do in the Z from a driving experience perspective. It's so unique in what it offers you on the road. It's a true enthusiast car and I'm not sure anything drives quite like it. I personally think the GTR is boring to drive compared to the Z. I feel like this should be your biggest consideration when switching (other than the family stuff, but I'm assuming you get a sedan for them if you keep the Z). You can always pick up a used sedan and keep the Z. If the power of the Z is the problem, you can push it to levels similar (but not as functional) as the GTR's power if you're willing to go FI. And you keep that feeling and fun (subjective) that the Z gives you.

Lastly, check out GT-R LIFE - NAGTROC - MEGTROC - SGGTROC - GT-R Life. A lot of folks over there who I'm sure could also share some perspective with you.

meh, its red.. just sell it.













:icon17:

If get the GTR


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I think the Z is the best-looking, most-stylish vehicle on the market. Period. I get a big smile just looking at it sitting there. The smile only gets bigger when I drive it.

As much as I'd like to, I don't get anywhere near the same feeling looking at the new GT-R, but I understand that the GT-R is a fantastic performance vehicle, as nowadays many other vehicles produced by a variety of manufacturers also are.

You know your situation better than anyone on this forum. Just do what you think is best for your family but keep in mind that, as Joni Mitchell sang so many years ago, sometimes "you don't know what you've got til it's gone".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWwUJH70ubM

I've been on there (and 6speedonline) reading threads where "370z" is mentioned. There was a thread asking if GTR is really worth the double/triple/quadruple price of a 370z. I think the consensus is there is no comparison, and some owners flat out said it's worth it, especially after driving both back to back. Some gave credit to the Z as the rawer machine, but it's too much of a apple vs orange.

Nothing matters until Niche79 test drive a GTR. I say test drive a few of them and he'll know the answer for sure.

If he likes it, and is willing and able to handle maintenance cost, I say go for it. I'm on the same boat as niche79, I am just too cheap to fork out the level of maintenance/repair costs a GTR requires.

This. It's not the entry price into the GTR that'll get you, it's the upkeep. Even if you DIY, it's pretty nuts. There's one hell of a "GTR Tax" that seems to get applied.

If it was me I would go the sedan route and keep the z for now. Wait a few years before you get your super car.

Ask yourself if you want your wife driving your toy. Also ask yourself if you want your toy pressed into DD/family hauler service. Then ask yourself if the GT-R makes you happier to drive than your Z does (faster isn't always "happier").

Those are the real issues IMO.

lotta horsepower, don't know where you would use without getting popped by a cop

Get the Q50, no to the gtr

The BRAND NEW Q50S would make douche more sense!!
Consider a Mercedes GLA45AMG, Chevy SS, Jaguar xe-r all seem more comfortable for a small family. if you wanna save a Lil dough and get TOP performance...

So many great cars that are WAAAAY more suitable.look at the gla45 amg. It will behave like a GT-R. have room for a family. Get to 60 in 4.2 seconds and still average 25mpg. Remember, you have to launch control a million times for the gtr to hit sub3 seconds. GtR typically gets out on just under 4 seconds. So acceleration should feel similar and the Benz sounds waaaaaay better.

I honestly don't mind my wife driving my cars at all, I trust her with them and have taught her to park a mile away next to a curb even with her car! :bowrofl:

I only have to have him in the car to drop him off at her job before I head to mine each day. I also think, imagine being a kid today with a dad who picks you up in a GTR! I have even thought of letting him drive it one day as I usually keep cars for years on end (except this circumstance). I do love my Z but I honestly rarely even touch it anymore, I bet I have driven it maybe 10 times or 20 times this entire year!!! I am ALWAYS on my sport bike as it's just so much faster and more fun. The wife even knows it has been a dream car since 09 when we saw the first GTR's ever sold in Atlanta when she was doing her medical school clinicals there! The fact that she can drive it is just a bonus.

Thanks a ton guys for the feedback, I am reading each and every response and am thinking about it. First thing is first, I want to have around 10k cash to put down on top of what my Z sells for, the bigger the down payment the better and that will give me a few months to really contemplate my decision.

Thanks!
-Niche79:bowdown:

I have almost three year old twin boys and just went the opposite route. Sold the 4dr Audi and bought the Z and an SUV instead. The only part that sucks is I can't take the boys for a ride in the Z, which they would love to do. I figure I'll hang on to it a couple years and look at swapping it out for a used GTR too.

Tried to find an all-around vehicle and the closest I came was an SQ5. It was ok but it's the last production year for it and would expect to take a big hit once the new models roll in. There wasn't a do it all that really floated my boat, at least not at a reasonable price range.

And yes I realize there's a new Z coming out shortly but a forecasted 4 banger turbo is one thing in a small sedan or hatch, but not a sports car if you ask me.

In short, I don't think your plan is unreasonable. Finding a used GTR that hasn't been driven into the ground is another story.

Just throw the baby seat in the trunk. Seriously

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Buying a used GTR.?Make sure it is not a unit...that is used roughly,most of the GTR in my market [S'pore] are rubbish,needs huge repair,which is very costly.

I practically got my Z after seeing your videos. Hard decision, in my opinion I would sell the Z and get a nice GTR.

:) Thanks,

I wouldn't even consider selling it but she won't let me put him in the front at all so I never even drive it. I figure why not just upgrade now and get something i have wanted for years on end instead? Time will tell.

Sounds like you have your answer then. Shop around a LOT when buying and be prepared to pass up on a lot of ragged-out GT-Rs. As others have said find one that hasn't been beaten into the ground. Good luck.

My personal:twocents:: For that kind of $$ with comparable acceleration and 4 seats I'd be thinking GT350. Sure it's just a Ford, but HOLY GOD have you seen what it can do? Plus you'll keep the raw RWD feel and actually increase your redline to 8250 PLUS have a real transmission.:eekdance: You'll also be buying it new and won't have to worry about how it was taken care of.

I hear you on the sport bikes; I ride a Ducati 848... less frequently now that MD drivers seem to be getting worse. What do you ride?

Kawasaki ZX6R. I was out all evening on it today, it's just more fun than my Z sitting in traffic light after light. I can get between the cars and beat those pesky red lights and keep going at speed instead of crawling through traffic.

If there's an opportunity take it.

Porche Panamera... cost the same, looks ok but more comfy and still sporty.

YzGyz

if you can afford the maintenance intervals and have a transmission slush fund id say go for it

Get the GTR man no question about it


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Meh trans problems are 9-11 thing 13 and up if treated right last quite a bit


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If you already have a family car for most trips and you need something with back seats for occasional trips when wife is not available AND you have extra 10K for repairs just in case then i'd say go for it...we have an SUV and i drive a Z, if the kid needs to go somewhere wife does it, that simple.

this....cheap SUV cause they will poop and throw up on it anyways i got a KIA with lifetime warranty and the rest of the money goes to Z mods

If you have the extra $ on hand for maintenance that comes up and don't mind getting the kid in and out of a two door vehicle, then go for it.

If you go for a GTR, just make sure to take your time in finding the RIGHT ONE!! Do your research and best of luck in what ever decision you go with! :tup:

If GTR is the car you want, and it seems like you're trying to convince/justify to everyone why you'd want it, then just go for it. No one else is going to drive it but you and your family, so you and your family should be the decision makers.

I bought my Sports Tech Z new, after driving it for 3 weeks, I regretted not getting the Nismo version. Decided to trade in and get the 2016 Nismo Tech. Absolutely horrible financial decision, but I could afford it and couldn't care less what other people thought about the loss in the trade. In the end, I was completely happy with the Nismo and won't look back.

Same idea here, if you really love it, go for it. The only thing to make sure of, is that you really do love it and you can afford the maintenance. The Maintenance on the GTR really is no joke, and after several years of maintenance, you might've even paid for another luxury sedan.

So if you're fine on the finance, and you're not taking your kid's college funds for the maintenance, and you've weighed the pros and cons relative to your personal driving habits, then go for it and you can at least say you've "been there, done that".

Other things to consider... Lots of people will be eyeing your car, and that's probably a good thing. But if they take a peak inside and see a child seat in there... be prepared from a change of "awe" to very confused looks of, "Are you crazy, dude!?" Lol.

On the pro-trade side, I just noticed that you live in Kissimmee. My wife and I used to own a winter home in Melbourne. If you have a nice garage or carport at home and at work that will shield the vehicle from hours of paint-fading, plastic/vinyl-killing sun-rays, you have the perfect climate for a white GT-R (or any other vehicle, including motorcycles, for that matter) as a year-round daily driver.

Typical automotive AC compressors in Melbourne's climate have an average life expectancy of about 5-years. So if I were buying a used GT-R, one of the first questions I'd ask the present owner is when the AC compressor or other AC parts were last replaced, if ever, and planning/pricing accordingly. I'd also be boning up on the real-life AC experiences of other GT-R owners in Florida and either how to DIY the AC system, or how much it would cost to get that done by pros. A little voice tells me that for a GT-R, the latter may require either a new home mortgage or the sale of a family member's kidney to a wealthy Chinese buyer.:D

Is the GTR in good condition? Then I'd do it. I don't know how reliable they are, or how much maintenance, but it seems like a no brainer. That's an affordable supercar. 11's out the box, 200 mph top speed. It doesn't get any better than that for under $100K.

The Maintenance costs should not be ignored in such a purchase. While you may be getting the car for under $100K, After a few years of maintenance, it'll potentially add up to $100k.

Just some rounded figures, based on those who have owned older GTRs:

Oil change $150 - $200
Every 18k miles you need
- Transmission service $1k
- Differential Fluid every 18k miles, at $50/quart
Change Rotors and Pads $8k - $10k
Replacing Transmission - $15-20k

That's obviously not a full list of maintenance. Can probably go cheaper if using Aftermarket parts, and do it outside of dealerships, if that's the risk you're ok with.

Wow I knew GTR maintenance was expensive, but 8-10k for brakes:eek:

I had no idea the brakes and rotors were that expensive.

The oil change isn't anything magical, so $100 or less if you go to Pep Boys and get their synthetic specials.

'Replace transmission' is not maintenance. That's no different than saying "replace engine." If this is the case, then this is a "disposable car." I would stay away from GT-R. Porsches, as long as you don't hammer them, won't fall apart like this. Ditto for Corvettes.

Replacing the transmission isn't normal, but it is something to consider with early GTRs. Even if you don't have to replace it, the annual tranny fluid swap costs a lot. It needs 10 quarts of fluid at $85 a quart.

Going from what I've seen on gtrlife, if you diy you can get the brake costs down to only $3-4k. :rofl2:

^So I guess there's a tradeoff in having a $100K supercar but the maintenance is expensive.

I'd go with a NA Porsche 911 or Vette C7 stock. GT-R is just too expensive to upkeep. And plus, its insurance is expensive too.

The maintenance is comparable with other cars that perform like it, not cars that share a similar purchase price.