370z owners, what do you do about practicality?
 

I'm bout to turn 24, and getting the 370z with the help of my parents financing it. I did feel confident about getting the car but since after telling my friends about it, some of them pointed out how its not a practical car to own. No backseats, very small truck space, and seats don't recline (for let's say napping or chilling with a girl in the car). Another point was how it's a nice car to look at and drive, but not own (probably for the reasons said). That got me shaken a bit, cause although 99% of the time I don't buy large purchases, or seat any more than 1 other person, there are times when I do. What if I buy something relatively big? It won't fit in the passenger seat cause it doesn't recline, there's no back seat to thrown it on, and the truck floor level to my surprise is unusually high that the trunk will have to be tied down with rope. I currently have an Integra, and there were times where the ability to recline the seats were very useful.

The other issue is guilt. Although my mother has a Lexus RX350, and my dad doesn't drive much anymore being that he works in the city and gave me his car. My mother is making a strong point that she doesn't like how I want stick shift cause she and my father know very well she physically cannot drive it since she has polio in her left leg and it's relatively weak, so the clutch will be a large hurdle. She just doesn't like the idea that shes financing car that she can't get a chance to drive, so I'm feeling like a selfish ****. But honestly, the 370 is just a car you can't have in automatic IMO. I'm a transporter for Nissan and had to drive 2 hours in a 370z auto, and as fun as it was, it didn't feel completely right.

I just want some opinions.

:confused:

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom's condition. However, it sounds like she has ample transportation if/when needed. How often does she drive your Integra?

I think your friends are jealous. There have been a few times I wish I had a small truck back when I had a Trans Am, but I never put anything in my Trans Am that wouldn't fit in a 370Z, either.

A car is a car. You can't put a christmas tree in it. You can't haul a boat behind it. (Yes, I know, you can, but it's not the right tool for the job, really.)

My point is this: If you want to haul stuff around, get a truck. If you want a sports car, the Z is the cheapest new "true" sports car that you can get that performs as billed. As to reclining the seats with a girl in the car. Have some class, get a room or take her home, or if you're too broke/frugal to do either, bring a blanket and go to a scenic place. She would like that a lot more than the cramped interior of anything but a pervert van with a bed in the back.

Since your parents are financing, you are under-thumb with your Mom, there, but it seems like she has her own transportation, so I wouldn't feel bad about it. If your parents will finance it--do it. Just make sure that your name is on the paperwork as well so you can start establishing credit NOW for when YOU want to buy on your own. :tiphat:

Your parents may be financing it, but you are paying the bill. So get the manual! However, if your parents are helping you out on the payments, then maybe you should get an auto.

If you need to carry something large, you should ask one of your friends who owns a truck to help you out cuz that's what friends do. But if you constantly need to carry shet around then this ain't the car for u.

I never really got into problems in terms of practicality. I rarely have to take more than one person with me, I don't need to drive around with big things.

so yeah but I guess I could agree with the thing about your mother.

You're 24, finance your own damn car!

For practicality get a dd. :D

The Z is fairly practical as long as you don't need to haul people or large items around. But if you want that capability then the Z definitely isn't for you.

Since your parents are helping you with financing, I think you owe them to compromise. So if your mom wants to be able to drive the car you need to take that into consideration. If the only way you can get the car is with your parents financing it, then you need to get the automatic.

But I agree with Ken... at 24 with employment you should be able to finance it on your own?

I went from a 4 door, 4WD, diesel truck, which was possibly the most practical vehicle anyone could ever own to the Z. Why such a change? Because I had no practical use for the super practical truck.

Unless you do construction, have children, or haul stuff the Z is just fine. The trunk space is ample, and much more useful than my old Camaro or Mustang. Any of your friends who are telling you the car isn't practical, are in a sense correct, but only if you meet 1 of the 3 things I just said. It doesn't sound like you do, so practicallity doesn't matter. And those who say you can't drive it in snow are wrong, get snow tires. And the next time the city gets 30inches of snow, just remember that nobody is going anywhere regardless what they drive.

I can understand your moms complaint, but does she really want to drive it, will she ever even if you get an auto?

The most important thing is, it might not have back seats and the seats may not go super far back, but if you can't screw some girl in this car you have no idea what you're doing in the first place.

I would argue that if you're 24 and your worried about selecting a car based on whether or not it has room for sex, then you quite simply fail in general.

Because you should literally have a room for sex. :roflpuke2:

Have not owned a car with more than 2 seats since 1986, never had a problem with my cars not being practical.

Sure you are not going to get the 55 inch big screen in the car but as long as you don't get a roadster you would be amazed what fits in a 370...

As a plus you never have to worry about being the designated driver and some yob throwing up in your car, your girlfriend is another matter entirely...

This car is a less practical choice than many others for a variety of reasons.

Can't rotate the tires - tires have to be replaced sooner
Sucks down premium gas
two seater with not much cargo room
RWD means you have to be super careful in slick conditions
MT vs AT practicality, there's really no difference, although I guess AT's can be driven by more people.

All that being said, you can live with this car. You merely have to pay the piper for its limitations.

Regarding the passengers , I've fit 5 people in the z, quite comfortably actually..... so the 2 seat's isn't a hurdle.... and the Z's only for first, second, and third base with a chick..... Homerun's got to be in your room... come on now !

I recently was faced with getting a rifle in a 45.5 inch long box home. In my old 300 zx it was not a problem. With the 370 it is more difficult. Without the box it would be easy but with the box I simply stood it up in the passengers floorboard and used the head rest to hold it in place.

As far as passengers, just tell your friends that you bought a car for you and a chick. Not a bunch of dudes.

Based upon your parents guilt trip, do not buy the car . Save up a little longer and do it on your own.

If you want a car for sex get a van. It will also hold all your buddies and haul junk around.

No 2 seater car is practical. If you want to combine performance and practicality, look at an Evo, or the hot-hatch market.

I second what Full Monty said (I'm paraphrasing here) that practical is overrated. The times when I've needed to pick up something large I've borrowed a friend's pickup or SUV.

I recently went snowboarding and though I didnt drive the Z all the way to the mountain, I had to get my board, boots, and a duffel bag full of clothes over to my buddys place nearly an hour away. Was it safe - not really, but I did fit it all and get there just fine. Others have reported being able to fit 2 golf bags in the trunk. In other words, practicality isnt an issue unless you commonly drive more than 1 passenger.
Even in the snow my Z has proven to be more than capable as long as you can invest in a set of good tires and drive carefully.
As for chilling with a girl, the Z enhances your chances of chilling with girls just by owning it. I prefer taking girls out over sitting in the car with them, but if that really floats your boat theres a great thread in the gentlemens club section that offers a handful of positions that should both excite and challenge you hahaha.
Im 23 and own a manual transmission, though everybody in my family is capable of driving stick. If your parents are helping you to finance then do them a favor and compromise, get an automatic.

Get your 370z with auto box :

1) You're happy cause you got a 370z without the guilt of having bought a car your mom can't drive

2) your mom thinks you're a wonderful son cause you love her enough to purchase it with an auto box

3) have sex with girls in your bed instead of your car

4) Sorted

Get the 6MT Z... you wont regret it.
Case closed.

:gtfo2:

Lets break this down.

-Ignore your friends, if you like the car, and enjoyed the test drive then get it.
-See if you can finance it yourself, if the parents are just co-signing and it will be primary under your name then so be it. But it sounds like it will be your car, the parents are just 'helping' in the credit department
-Practical is what you make of it at that point. I had a Saturn Ion before this car and remember hauling a few bigger items around, but honestly I just plan now. Ask friends, do favors, etc. A good friend will help since he knows the favor will be returned.

3/4 cosigned loans end with the consigner picking up payments because of primary signer default. There's a stat I learned the other day.

i was about to post rent a van when you have to move things, but then a lot of places require that you're 25. is that rule still around? :confused: it use to be clumsy when i was out on biz trips at age 23... lol

Some good advice above. Compromise and get the 7AT for your mom (I don't think it's a huge loss on your side).

And you'd be surprised how much you can get in the Z - but, obviously, as others have said better - you're not gonna' be haulin' furniture or french horns.

Keep the Integra too, problem sovled.

I get the distinct feeling you still live at home though. Maybe think about getting your own place first. And at your age, you may want to think long and hard about getting that type of help from your parents. I mean, you're almost to the point of getting an AT instead of a MT due to guilt. That guilt can easily spill over into other areas, and will last for the next 6yrs of your loan if their names are on it.

You should get the transmission you want. It's unfair of your mom to make you feel guilty about it. If it was her buying the car for herself and letting you drive it, that would be a different story. but to get an AT when you want an MT for the .01% of the time your mom would actually drive the car even if didn't have a disability is kind of silly IMO. but honestly, how often would your mom really drive your car anyway assuming it was automatic?

are they cosigning or financing the car for you? like, they are paying cash and you are paying them back, or you are taking out a loan in their name to get a lower interest rate?

I think if you're not married and no kids, the Z will be just fine. I've had my Z since March as my DD and only car. I lived by myself and never had an issue with the trunk size for everyday things.

The only issues I could see for you will be:

1. Winter time in NYC and if you park it on the street. You'll need a set of winter rims/tires. I used to live in NYC with a G35 and it was a pain in the *** to have 2 sets of rims/tires but it was a necessity.

2. You'll be spending a lot on gas, so make sure you can afford at least $250-$300 a month on gas if it's your DD. My commute to work sucks and if I do that without driving on the weekends I still basically fill up once a week.

3. Maintenance isn't bad, except for the tires but once you replace the OEMs with some cheaper or longer lasting tires, it'll be fine. Mine need replacing soon and I'm up to 20k miles.

4. There have been plenty of times where it would have been great to have back seats to fit 3 or 4 people. That's really the only thing I miss about a more practical car.

5. Insurance rates are pretty bad for this car so you'll need to shop around for insurance. You can probably get away with having it under your parents but it's still going to be more than an a normal sedan.

Overall the car is practical for everyday use as long as you can afford the extra costs. Your friends probably aren't car people or those types that think it's a waste of money. They'll never understand what it means to have a sports car, so just do what makes you happy man. Life is short, I rather live it now while I'm young than be the old man regretting I didn't do it when I was younger.

Yes, still a rule. Louisiana, here.

If OP still lives at home, I bet it already has. Sounds like its time to move out and make it on your own.

or if you are really worried about practicality

ask for a GT-R

Auto for mom.
AWD for snow.
4-seats for whiney friends.

WIN!

For only two more payments of $35,000!

Call now and we'll include a Juke, a $18,999 value, FREE! But only within the next 10 minutes. Limited to the first 50 callers. Call now!

hey that juke looks like a frikken joke but it's a cool car. :D i can't understand it, it's a confusing looking car but i like it. not sure why. maybe a 24yr old needing mommy's help should get that in AT for ultimate fail. :tup:

Veyrons have AWD. That's pretty practical. And iirc they only come in automagic transmissions.

You did not list a number...I need a number now!!!!

1 get the car you want because its what you want
2 tell mom to driver her own damn car or pay for yours in full if she's gonna complain about the stick
3 get the stick. who buys an auto sports car?

Parents.

People who wanna go faster than the manual version of that car :tiphat:

while having a juicy charburger and cheeze fries. :yum:

who needs practicality at your age? thats what friends are for. need to haul something? call your buddy with the truck. need to go somewhere with more than 1 person? tell him/her to drive, save the miles!

...at least this is what i do, and im around your age as well

:facepalm: Oh no, not THIS again! :icon17: