Need advice
 

Okay, first of all, I'm embarrassed to have to put that I drive an '01 Buick Regal. What can I say? (It does have a great engine, however boring that it is.)

Back about 24 years ago, I bought my first Z, a 300Z turbo, that I drove for about seven or eight years. Leather, T-tops. I always, always, ALWAYS had fun driving that car, no matter where I was going. I'm almost always alone in my car; why do I need a sedan like the Buick? (Although the rear-wheel drive in MN in winter would never work.)

I'm contemplating buying another Z and hanging on to my Buick for winter. Wayzata Nissan in Wayzata, MN, has one I'm looking at now, and it appears to be a great price, my color. It's a red '10 with the Sports package, 5 miles, for $29,999.

They also have a Touring model, also a '10, also red, for $4,000 more. No sports package, but leather, navigation (???), also 5 miles.

My questions are:

At 54, should I go for the Touring and an automatic? I've become fat and lazy. But I loved my manual 300Z Turbo, and do almost exclusively highway driving, which the biggest drawback to the manual transmission is stop-and-go traffic, at least in my mind.

Should I wait for the '11s? Does anyone know when they are coming out?

I haven't even driven one yet. Maybe it won't be as fun as I remember. Maybe I'm now too old. Maybe this is EXACTLY the right time to let my hair (such as it is, gray and short) down.

Any advice???

Treat yourself and get down to the dealer to test drive both. I can't say what's right for you.

If it's me, I'm thinking sports package for 30k is a great deal, but I'm in a different situation than you.

I think when you drive the manual in this car, it will certainly provide you with fun.

And you're holding onto your buick, which I assume is fine for commuting, so if you know ahead of time that traffic is whacked, you can cruise in it.

That's just my impression. Even at that, test drive them both and pick what's right for you. :tup:

Well do you like to drive sporty or more relaxed.

if you want it to be sporty get the sport package

if you want the navigation and leather seats get the touring package.

but damn 29.999 dollars?

that is 23.000 euro. I bought my car for 44.000 euro which is 56.000 dollars.

sometimes I really think I need to consider importing my cars >_>

Whatever you do I would definitely get the Sport package on a Z. You get the upgraded wheels, brakes, LSD (fine for the street even though many people rag on it), aero package, and Synchro-Rev for the 6MT. Syncro-Rev in and of itself is awesome!

If you require leather, heated seats, bluetooth, and an upgraded sound system, then you'll want to look into getting one with the Touring package as well. But I would definitely make sure whatever Z you get has the Sport package... it's well worth it.

I would go test drive that Sport package Z and see what it does for you. I guarantee you'll love it.

And no worries about the Buick. The 3800 Series II is bulletproof.

Oh, and welcome to the forums! :hello:

Also, if you get serious about buying, talk to Lou (his screen name is FuszNissan) and he will help you find exactly what you want and get you a great deal. :tup:

wow m4

triple post.

Try the manual to see how you like it. The transmission is a bit on the noisy side and it
takes some effort to depress the clutch (I have a crappy knee), but it shouldn't be a deal breaker. The automatic on the the Z is pretty good, so performance is gonna be more or less the same.

Triple the information.

:iagree:

The 7AT is not your typical slushbox. It's actually the fastest Z in a straight line. :tup:

Quadruple information. :D

I won't repeat the other responses, but as far as the fun factor, trust us all. It's definitely there. :driving:

I'm going to just have to do that.
 

I think one day this week, I'll just run up to the Cities and check it out. I've been reluctant because I don't want people bugging me. But it's time to *hit or get off the pot.

Thanks for the boot to the butt. It's what I so often need.

I'm sure you will love the car... especially in red. It's such a sexy color.

I used to know what I liked . . .
 

[QUOTE=Vegitto-kun;676284]Well do you like to drive sporty or more relaxed.

if you want it to be sporty get the sport package

if you want the navigation and leather seats get the touring package.


--------------------

But I'm not the same person. When I had my old Z,
you could adjust the suspension with the flip of a buttin inside the car, so I'd put it on a stiff suspension, take the T Tops off, put in my favorite rock song at the time, head out to windy, curvy Highway 66. I used to love dropping it down into third coming into the sharp curves, pushing as fast as I dared around those curves, and coming out, then, throwing it back into 4th, till we came ot the next one. Ahhhhhh.

But, now I'm 54, fat and lazy.

Guess it's time to drive up and do some test driving and see.

[QUOTE=m4a1mustang;676286]Whatever you do I would definitely get the Sport package on a Z. You get the upgraded wheels, brakes, LSD (fine for the street even though many people rag on it), aero package, and Synchro-Rev for the 6MT. Syncro-Rev in and of itself is awesome!


-----------------------

Don't REQUIRE leather, although I do have a pooch who likes to go along and I always do get leather. Don't need heated seats. I'm 54 and female: I'm a walking furnace. Besides, I won't be driving it in the winter.

The Syncho-Rev is a kewl idea. Like the sportier wheels.

TIme for a test drive, I guess.

Thanks!

Well, thanks very kindly! You sure appear to be a nice crowd -- and so helpful with great suggestions.

The Sport package doesn't change the suspension, so the only handling change is in the wheels and tires - I don't find it rough on mine, but sometimes it is a little bouncy.

If I ever upgrade the suspension, it would be for firmer rebound control.

I definitely suggest getting both Touring and sport :)

Thanks for the advice. I think I need to drive both and make my decision. I used to love the flexibility of my manual transmission on the old car, but I'm old and lazy now. If there's no trade-off on power, maybe it's a no brainer to go with the automatic.

You do know there is a multi-quote button so you can quote 3 posts, and reply to them all in 1 single post correct? I'm not trying to be rude, just trying to help you out, and make things easier to read for the rest of us. :tiphat: It's the small button to the right of the quote button with double close quotation mark (") and the plus (+) icon on it. Once you selected all the posts to which you want to reply (the icon will turn red for them), just simply click on Quote. By the way, you can do it across pages in a thread.

I believe the 7AT is actually faster as its a 7speed vs 6speed, so you get through the gears quicker, and from what i've read, it changes gears rather quickly.

Drive both, but you may like the 7AT better, as you can put it into 'manual' mode and use the paddle shifters if your feeling frisky.

You definitely can't go wrong with the 7AT if you go that route. You don't sacrifice any loss in performance to the manual and if you feel like shifting it yourself you've got the paddle shifters and the lever.

Keep in mind that if you get the touring package the seats are leather with alcantara/faux suede inserts which are very hard to clean, so unless you get a seat cover it's probably not a good idea to let the dog sit on the seat!

I am elite.

(Yes, I know I need to multi-quote, but my brain is all over the place)

You don't get +10k posts by multi-quoting... :)

I'm 62, my hair is also gray and short and I'm thrilled with my 370Z. No problems getting in or out---and countless complements on its beauty. My age has not been a hindrance or detriment of any kind to me in enjoying this car---although I bought the automatic in contemplation of possible knee and hip developments in the out years of my ownership. The automatic is plenty fun, especially with the paddle shifters. I bought the base and got a beautiful aftermarket leather interior---didn't need any of the other Touring benefits. Go for it---you're about to have one of the most thrilling experiences of your life.

Good for you, definite rep point!:tiphat:

Get this one. Navigation is overrated.

Welcome to the forums. Please get the Z. You know you want it.

Some forums hate when you don't quote.

Some forums hate when you do quote.

I appreciate the suggestion about multiquote (that seems like a very cool idea), but for now, I have all I can manage just getting around and finding the reply window. Maybe next week I'll get this figured out!

Hey, my pooch just bit me in the shin after reading that suggestion that it wasn't a good idea to bring her along!

So cloth seats might be the way to go with her. Or she may have to stay outta the car. Shhhhh. Don't tell her.

What a great car to get lost in, though -- right?

I totally agree. It happened to me this morning when I took my own 350Z out for a nice drive around the Mystic Lake area. Got lost a few times on some back county roads but didn't care.

Now that's what I want to hear.

I'm 54.

I own my own business.

I own my house (no more payments!!!)

I have saved all of my life for my retirement, and it's gotten me squat.

I have cash saved up to buy this car if I decide to do that.

I should just go out and do it. I might be dead this time next year and never get a chance to spend any of the money I've saved.

The real question: Can I ever go out in that beautiful car like I do my Buick, without doing my hair or putting on makeup, in my sweatpants? I think you lose your invisibility with a car like this -- especially in a rural Minnesota town where about all you see are trucks and SUVs.

But I'm ready to feel alive and have some fun again. Thanks for the encouragement, OldGuy.

Hey, another Minnesotan!!! Isn't today to die for! I'm not surprised you went out for a drive. Gorgeous.

To be honest if I had the chance I would get a red one too :roflpuke2:

I think you should because you're right. Enjoy life now. I think like this all the time.

I think you'll be fine no matter what you wear. Well, except for tutus and pink ankle warmers.

:happydance: It was great. Still is. Thinking of mowing the lawn and go out for a jog soon.

I also have a 260Z sitting in the garage needing a money tree. :D It's on the 5 year plan.

Awww, come on Mitzmin...
I am 50 and bought my 370Z in May of this year. I bought the coupe with sports package and 6 MT. You are never too old to be a sports car enthusiast and enjoy the pure driving experience. In fact, I would argue that we "middle-aged" guys may very well get greater enjoyment that the "young guns". We have worlds of experience, are less likely to take excessive risks, and understand our limitations and those of our vehicles. This is no slight to the "young guns". Rather, this is a pep-talk. Get what you want and enjoy it. By the way, the AT with paddle shifters can give you the best of both worlds!

I end up getting lost half the time I take the car out. I always find myself taking the long way to where ever I'm going, the only problem is now I'm finding that I'm becoming one of those people thats always late. :tiphat:

To the original poster, I think you need to drop the hammer and go get yourself a Z, it sounds like you've earned it and had a passion for the one that you had before. Oh and get the manual trans., half the fun of having a sports car to me is being able to bang gears with a clutch pedal. :tup:

well since everyone's telling there age i'm 56 and love the car. this is my second.
go test drive em you want regret it. the sports package is worth every penny.
iv'e always had leather but really don't miss it that much. i use mine as a daily
driver and never tire of pushing in that little start button.

Well, my calendar is free tomorrow (if I can get this job outta here today), and I do believe I'm going to head up to Minneapolis and do some test driving.

When I think about this, I alternately feel like throwing up or soiling myself. <grin>

Today, I even went online looking for car covers and seat covers for what will, if I pull the trigger, undoubtedly become my new obsession. My pooch will NOT tolerate staying home.

Where are my TUMs?

Thanks, guys and gals, for your support and encouragement.


Mitz

Have fun tomorrow! Report back. :tup:

:driving:

i thinks he is going to come home with at MT... :D