Looking to buy, first sports car experiences?
 

So I'm 19 and currently saving for a new car, and the Z looks like exactly what I'm after, so looking at a 2010 MT GT model hopefully. The main thing I'm really waiting for is my insurance costs to go down, as at the moment there looking to be about £4,000 a year, which works out twice the monthly cost of the car itself, so I'm a little ways off as of yet.

Anyway, I currently drive a Toyota Celica GTS, so going from a FWD 190hp car to a ~330hp RWD car is quite a swap. Just wondering if anyone here made a similar change and has any advice or stories, other than the normal 'don't drive like a moron' :tup:

Also people say quite often that the ride quality is so-so, and the you feel most bumps in the road, at the moment my car has absolutely terrible ride quality, the back end squeaks a lot and you cant hear the radio when you're going 80 due to road noise. The car is a 16 year old Toyota so I'm letting it off the hook, however is the 370z similar to this? Hard to judge what some people define as 'bumpy ride'.

IMNSHO, the ride quality of the 2009 Touring I had was very good for a sports car - firm but not harsh. It can be bumpy on a rough road but that's common for any light car with a suspension made for canyon carving.

Maintenance costs are rather high if you have the work done by a dealership - download a copy of the FSM (link in sig) and DIY. Plenty of how-to's on this site.

Road noise is real in the Z. And the ride is a little more harsh than other cars I have been in - the way I look at it though is that while the Z is a little more harsh and road noise is louder - it feels like you are in a sports car vs a Mustang (IMO) - I am a fan of Mustangs but I just feel like the ride is too smooth - almost like you are in a sedan that is really really fast but doesn't have a lot of feel when it comes to feeling the road.

Like most have told me when i bring up different cars - go test drive one and see for yourself. The Z is a balanced fun car to drive; my main concern would be the insurance costs for driving it.

When it comes to road noise, the Z is the loudest car I've ever been in.

The ride isn't that harsh in my opinion, but it is like driving a lowered car around, even stock.

Insurance on the Z is also the highest of any car I've owned.

Don't squeeze yourself financially for a car, if that's what you're doing. I love my Z, but there are lots of fun options out there.

I feel it's smoother and quieter when you aren't using the stock Yokos and if you put aftermarket parts such as catback and test pipes you don't hear the road anyways. The Z is rather tiny and I feel how it rides and hugs the road is different than most cars, such as the mustang. (never driven the newer ones). I also believe the Z is a lot lower to the road than the Mustang which adds to the road noise.

I'm on the yokohamas and I also feel that there is nothing wrong with the harshness of the ride. I like feeling connected to the road to a certain extent, but the Z really is not bad. Note that I don't have aggressive coilovers. Someone else put it well when they said road noise is real. To a certain extent that just comes with the territory of owning a sports car. I came to the Z from a base model 2006 Impala... basically the car that the elderly drive if they can't afford a Buick. I learned to drive a stick on the Z, which was (is?) an interesting experience, but that's a story for another thread.

Insurance is a bitch. No way around that owning a car like this. I hear STI drivers are hit pretty hard too.

I’ve driven a lot of cars, old, new, minivans, modified Hondas, trucks, Ferraris, Lambos etc etc... and honestly I don’t see why people complain about the road noise and harshness. I just don’t see an issue. Although, when it has rained, that’s a different story, sounds like you left the hatch open in the back. But in all honesty, add some dynamat and you’re done.

My advice is to respect the rain and really get a feel for not only the Z, but rwd in general before you really start to push the car in any capacity. Driving dynamics and counter-steering are entirely different on a rwd car compared with the fwd car to which you are accustomed. The last thing you want to do is overthrottle exiting a corner only to realize that unlike your fwd car which will begin to understeer and plow outside of your chosen line, a rwd car like the Z will kick out the rear end. The driving nannies in the Z will certainly be your friend until you're used to the car. To that end, don't turn off traction control until you have a nice warm dry day, tires with life, and not alot of cars around you because you may very well spin the car.

Ride is fine, the price you pay for stiff suspension (performance over comfort). Gas mileage sucks. Tires are expensive.

Given your age and your concern over the insurance, I'd recommend getting an FRS. It's not much of a HP bump, but it's easily the best (and most fun) car that I can think of for learning how to handle a sporty rwd car. You can hang it out non-stop and still be in complete control due to suspension, 50/50 weight distribution, tire width, lack of hp/torque, and relatively low vehicle weight. Further, with baby backseats, narrow tires, and a trunk, you'll be able to drive the gt86 year round with ease (provided you pick up some all seasons or snow tires). Winter driving is something I wouldn't advise in the Z. Some do it, but it's far from ideal no matter how you cut it. After a couple years with the frs, you'd be more than prepared to trade it and step up to the Z or other 300+ rwd cars/coupes.

No car I've ever driven felt as close to the e36 3 series as the frs, and those were well designed cars.

I get what you mean, in reality I find it much easier to save money if I have a goal, and something more specific than just a house or a holiday.

If I can't see this as financially viable, I'm fine with waiting, as I have a lot of fun with my current car. The only thing I can fault it on is the ride quality and the fact it tries too hard to look faster than it is.

I have had a good look at the FRS, simply because it almost seems like a straight upgrade and pretty good entry into RWD cars. I just prefer the styling of the 370 so so much more I guess, I can't stop staring at that ***

I don't find road noise to be an issue at all in the Z, but my second vehicle's a Jeep Rubicon so maybe only in comparison to that. Good advise above on REALLY taking it easy in the rain. I agree with you on the 370's styling and that ***! I like the FRS styling, but it still falls short compared to the Z :twocents:

Your Celica GTS may be faster than an FRS lol.

They drive REALLY well though. If they had any power I would have grabbed one. Also check out the MX-5, there's a reason they sell so well.

Zetine,

You asked for advice .... so here it is.

For crying out loud .... don't tie yourself down to high insurance rates and car payments. Here's what will happen if you do.

You'll blow the clutch, trash the tranny, or get overly enthusiastic with the high powered speed demon and slide it broadside into a ditch ... and you'll be walking because you can't afford the car payments, the insurance, or the cost to make repairs, not to mention the cost of Premium fuel in the UK that a 370Z must have to stay happy.

If you physically fit (I don't because I'm 6' 3" and all legs) ... get a nicely used Miata MX5. There are used parts for it everywhere, they use regular fuel, and the insurance and the purchase price will still allow you to have a life without worrying about how to pay for it and next month's rent. And the new generation comes within a half second of the 370z's 0 to 60 time.

You telegraphed in the first paragraph of your first post the unrealistic reach you're trying to achieve by purchasing a 9 year old car that'll cost 4000 British Pounds to insure ( about $6000 US), and that price is double what your monthly payments will be to purchase the car. And you haven't even factored in maintenance, tires, etc., or premium fuel at over $5.00 USD a US gallon!

I can see the possible future misery you're setting yourself up for.

Be patient. Wait until you can actually afford to get that sports car you really want.

Affordability aside (you'll have to figure out if you can really afford the car or not) I would say the car is good, not perfect.

Power is plenty and fun, but not snap your neck back fast. Lots of fun on twisty roads and track, but not as flickable or as confidence inspiring as a Miata. The CSC will go, which costs a few hundred for parts, but you end up adding on the "might as well"s like the clutch and flywheel and you're in 3k USD. Tires do cost a fair amount given the width and kind of tire usually put on the car. MPG isn't great as above. NVH is not great. But Miata's are worse IMO. Can't say if it's worse than your car. I do have to turn the volume up at speed, but can def hear the radio easily at 80.

Purchase a Nissan 370Z if you can overall they are reliable and dependable vehicles to own. The ride quality of the base Nissan 370Z with stock suspension is actually very good for a sports car really. The ride quality isn’t as great on the Nissan 370Z Nismo model with the Nismo suspension but,handles like a champ in the turns and off the line.I will say that Toyota reliablity and dependability is hard to beat. The Nissan 370Z is in a class of it’s own in the sports car world and is a excellent vehicle to own overall. The CSC failure issue is hit or miss from what I have seen though some fail and some get lucky and their CSC doesn’t fail it’s a roll of the dice? At your age with a excellent driving record insurance on a Nissan 370Z should not be too bad. Ask your parents/family or a friend if you can be on their insurance and you will save on your insurance costs. As long as you do all your general maintenance on time our Nissan 370’s they will last a long long time to come just find a shop or do the work yourself. The best of luck with your vehicle shopping.