Is the 370Z a car to keep forever?

JoeyD · 03-23-2009, 12:25 PM

I've long been a fan of performance cars. After years of modding (and destroying) my daily drivers I have decided that I should buy a thoroughbred, be gentle to her, pay her off, buy a new daily and keep the thoroughbred for when I need my jollies. The cars I considered as candidates for this undertaking. N=New U=Used.

U-Corvette C5 Z06
N-Corvette C6
U-Corvette C6 Z06 (A bit pricey or would be the obvious choice)
U-Ford/Shelby GT500
N-Evo X
N-370Z
U-300ZX TT
U-Supra TT
Or hold my breath and hope the new supra project gets revived.

I didn't put the likes of the BMW, Audi, Lexus or Infiniti on my list because parts for luxury cars are ridiculously over-priced.

I think I made the right call. I also think that besides the Supra the 370Z will stand the test of time best (In terms of style and mechanical longevity).

Could anyone else keep a car indefinitely?

Brazilbro · 03-23-2009, 11:45 PM

I was about to get a supra but went for the Z. supra is nice.. but its too long and big for my taste and its getting old. i wanted something new that i could keep for 10yrs build the engine and throw a turbo on it. plus the tec. on this new 3.7 is amazing.

Anatoray · 03-24-2009, 12:06 AM

The Supra is truly a car that has managed to build a legend around it. I was looking at getting one myself before deciding on getting a new sports car instead. Simply too difficult to find one that fit my taste; that being a fairly un-modded manual in red with BLACK leather.

As for the 370 as a keeper, I think it's a pretty solid car. The engine already has been a proven somewhat by the G37, so we know it's not a mechanical bust, and the body is deffinately hot enough to catch eyes for some time.

I also think that with the way the car market has been moving as a whole, the 370 is a keeper because sports cars have become more of a novelty than before. Toyota doesn't produce any ATM, unless you count the Scion TC (Yeah right...), and Honda is about to drop their only sports car once this year is up for the S2000. Mitsubishi is running on a thin line, and who knows what's going to happen to GM in the coming years or its line up of cars.

Minicobra1 · 03-24-2009, 02:12 AM

with the way the automobile industry is going, I'd say we don't have much time left for gasoline based sports cars. My guess is 10-15 years, if that. The hybrid and electric market has grown so much in just the last 5 years. When the oil starts to dry up and prices start to rise, there will have to be another alternative, your average driver that uses a car solely for transportation is demanding it. The sports car market probably only amounts to about 5% of all autos sold, it will be the first to get nixed. I'm sure aftermarket car parts and car enthusiast will always exist, but it will be in the form of hi-po electric, hybrid, and hydrogen parts. Maybe we should start an all electric race class, anyone have enough money to buy a Tesla roadster?

Sounds funny, but 25 years from now, I don't think we will see very many gasoline motors being built. I wonder what type of platform will win out.

DJcuetip · 03-24-2009, 03:07 AM

i personally have a widebody supra and I will keep that forever!!... whats funny is that I bought the 370z to be a daily driver... and now the 370z is also becoming so modified ill need to buy another car like a cheap civic or something haha.. but the supra im gonna work on for the rest of my life.. it still amazes me how the car is 15 yrs old, yet if any random person saw it on the road they would think it just came out recently..

even though its still na... all that i need to work on is engine work.. which is why I will be working on this for the rest of my lifeee.. plus the car is getting rarer every day!

heres my pride and joy:

chubbs · 03-24-2009, 07:01 AM

When I get a new car I always think, "Maybe I'll keep this one for ever". But after a while they release new models!

However, the honeymoon period with my 2.5 year-old Z is lasting longer than usual

Greg · 03-24-2009, 09:48 AM

If you can resist the "every sixth year new model fanfare" I'd say you'll be alright. Me? 3 years is about my max endurance.

Bster · 03-24-2009, 10:42 AM

I thought my Mini Cooper S, that I pretty much modded out without doing too much to engine internals, would be my car for life (it's that great!)... but its wear and tear on the peripheral parts was not able to handle the power added so I demodded and sold off the car. I still love the damn thing... no questions about it for sure.

For what it's worth, no other car that I could consider, could match up to its level of enjoyment and fun factor. I'm not from the USA so I don't have American cars to have choices from, fyi. But the Mini was a tall order in that price range, to match. The 370Z, for me, feels about the same as a 1.6 supercharged 75% modded cooper S. I can't wait to start modding my Z!

With great regards to the topic starter, I have my doubts on the 370Z or any other car or any other car, being a life long commitment as every few years, car manufacturers will come out with something more exciting to buy.

In any case, I like to change to newer better cars every 5-8 years!

BurntGauge · 03-24-2009, 11:32 AM

I agree w/Bster.

My GTI right now is pretty good to me. Great on gas, has space for people and cargo, and I own it.

To keep a 370Z or any car, it has to be good to you. If it's a money pit and is always broke, then it's an easy choice to make. But when the car is fine, to change it, there needs to be a serious upgrade.

For me it's easy to leave a sensible choice and come to a 370Z b/c I grew up on RWD and this car is a great bang for the buck.

03-23-2009, 12:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
JoeyD Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Raeford, NC Posts: 305 Drives: 09 NISMO 370Z Rep Power: 186	Is the 370Z a car to keep forever? I've long been a fan of performance cars. After years of modding (and destroying) my daily drivers I have decided that I should buy a thoroughbred, be gentle to her, pay her off, buy a new daily and keep the thoroughbred for when I need my jollies. The cars I considered as candidates for this undertaking. N=New U=Used. U-Corvette C5 Z06 N-Corvette C6 U-Corvette C6 Z06 (A bit pricey or would be the obvious choice) U-Ford/Shelby GT500 N-Evo X N-370Z U-300ZX TT U-Supra TT Or hold my breath and hope the new supra project gets revived. I didn't put the likes of the BMW, Audi, Lexus or Infiniti on my list because parts for luxury cars are ridiculously over-priced. I think I made the right call. I also think that besides the Supra the 370Z will stand the test of time best (In terms of style and mechanical longevity). Could anyone else keep a car indefinitely? __________________ When was the last time you did 230MPH in something with 4 seats?

03-24-2009, 02:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Minicobra1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange County, CA. Posts: 1,205 Drives: 370Z Tour, Spt, 6mt Rep Power: 644	with the way the automobile industry is going, I'd say we don't have much time left for gasoline based sports cars. My guess is 10-15 years, if that. The hybrid and electric market has grown so much in just the last 5 years. When the oil starts to dry up and prices start to rise, there will have to be another alternative, your average driver that uses a car solely for transportation is demanding it. The sports car market probably only amounts to about 5% of all autos sold, it will be the first to get nixed. I'm sure aftermarket car parts and car enthusiast will always exist, but it will be in the form of hi-po electric, hybrid, and hydrogen parts. Maybe we should start an all electric race class, anyone have enough money to buy a Tesla roadster? Sounds funny, but 25 years from now, I don't think we will see very many gasoline motors being built. I wonder what type of platform will win out. __________________ 370z Tour\| Spt Pack\|Navi\|BERK CBE\|Berk HFC's\| Eibach Springs\| Hotchkis Sway Bars\|SPC Camber Arms\|15mm Ichiba Wheel Spacers\| 19"Factory Nismo Wheels-Matt Black\|Stop Tech Rotors\|TWM Shifter\|3M Tint\|Black Fangs\|Black Rear Valance\|JDM Fog Light\| MY BAND-www.myspace.com/petroleum

03-24-2009, 07:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
chubbs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Zeeland Posts: 1,046 Drives: 2016 370z Auto-Grey Rep Power: 7586	When I get a new car I always think, "Maybe I'll keep this one for ever". But after a while they release new models! However, the honeymoon period with my 2.5 year-old Z is lasting longer than usual __________________ . '03 Grey >>> '06 Black >>>'10 Silver >>> '16 Grey ^

03-24-2009, 09:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Greg Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Age: 56 Posts: 551 Drives: 06 350 ZR CS Rep Power: 299	If you can resist the "every sixth year new model fanfare" I'd say you'll be alright. Me? 3 years is about my max endurance. __________________ Chef Greg At Your Service

03-24-2009, 10:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
Bster Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 174 Drives: '09 PW Z34 Manual Rep Power: 16	I thought my Mini Cooper S, that I pretty much modded out without doing too much to engine internals, would be my car for life (it's that great!)... but its wear and tear on the peripheral parts was not able to handle the power added so I demodded and sold off the car. I still love the damn thing... no questions about it for sure. For what it's worth, no other car that I could consider, could match up to its level of enjoyment and fun factor. I'm not from the USA so I don't have American cars to have choices from, fyi. But the Mini was a tall order in that price range, to match. The 370Z, for me, feels about the same as a 1.6 supercharged 75% modded cooper S. I can't wait to start modding my Z! With great regards to the topic starter, I have my doubts on the 370Z or any other car or any other car, being a life long commitment as every few years, car manufacturers will come out with something more exciting to buy. In any case, I like to change to newer better cars every 5-8 years! __________________ TEIN Monoflex with EDFC \| H&R 20mm Spacer \| SPC Rear Camber \| HKS Hi-Power \| Berks High Flow Cat \| Stillen G3 \| EVO R Rear Diffuser \| Blacked out headlights \| Z1 34Row Cooler \| Z1 SS Brake lines

03-23-2009, 11:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Brazilbro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,131 Drives: Juke/240Z Rep Power: 848	I was about to get a supra but went for the Z. supra is nice.. but its too long and big for my taste and its getting old. i wanted something new that i could keep for 10yrs build the engine and throw a turbo on it. plus the tec. on this new 3.7 is amazing.

03-24-2009, 12:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Anatoray Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 794 Drives: 09 BLK 370Z Rep Power: 17	The Supra is truly a car that has managed to build a legend around it. I was looking at getting one myself before deciding on getting a new sports car instead. Simply too difficult to find one that fit my taste; that being a fairly un-modded manual in red with BLACK leather. As for the 370 as a keeper, I think it's a pretty solid car. The engine already has been a proven somewhat by the G37, so we know it's not a mechanical bust, and the body is deffinately hot enough to catch eyes for some time. I also think that with the way the car market has been moving as a whole, the 370 is a keeper because sports cars have become more of a novelty than before. Toyota doesn't produce any ATM, unless you count the Scion TC (Yeah right...), and Honda is about to drop their only sports car once this year is up for the S2000. Mitsubishi is running on a thin line, and who knows what's going to happen to GM in the coming years or its line up of cars.

03-24-2009, 11:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
BurntGauge Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 81 Drives: '06 VW GTI 6MT Rep Power: 291	I agree w/Bster. My GTI right now is pretty good to me. Great on gas, has space for people and cargo, and I own it. To keep a 370Z or any car, it has to be good to you. If it's a money pit and is always broke, then it's an easy choice to make. But when the car is fine, to change it, there needs to be a serious upgrade. For me it's easy to leave a sensible choice and come to a 370Z b/c I grew up on RWD and this car is a great bang for the buck. __________________ Yours truly, Gabriel