OP...have you considered an RX-8? Slower then the Z and 3.8 GC, but still has all the nice creature comforts. The extra you will have to spend on gas for the Mazda will be more than made up for with the much cheaper price you can obtain one for compared to the other 2.

The Z is in a class of it's own and the RX-8 is a more tame version of the Z. Honestly I consider the 8 and Z together in a class of their own. Not much to compare them to in the same price range. I think it's been mentioned in a previous post, but the thing that would concern me with the GC is the alarmingly high number of folks that have had transmission problems. 100k warranty or not, that's something I would not want to be dealing with on a new car.

Get a TC. Sporty looking and drives okay, but nothing special.

The RX-8 has been one of the most disappointing cars that was made... the power output is absolutely pathetic for a supposed "sports car". It's such a shame too because it's such a great looking car IMO and with an excellent heritage. Why they took the power down, the turbo's out etc is beyond me. My friend had one and he took it to the track... he could never get it to run under 16 flat!! and the thing is, he's been to the track many many times and run great numbers in every car he's run. I had read somewhere they were supposed to run a 14.2 or 14.5? I don't know but his just wouldn't do it. The Mazdaspeed walks all over that RX-8... i've seen some new ideas that are supposed to be coming out with the next model RX... i'm interested to see what they will do to the car to get it back in competition with the rest of the sports car group.

Thanks you (and dad, hansoac and others!)! There's a reason for the way I'm approaching this purchase the way I am. I''m trained to seek factual information obtained through data and/or observation (hence engaging previous/current owners) as well as to recognize and account for bias. Without getting into too many details, I work in a heavily technical field and in my role its necessary to maintain as objective of a view of issues/problems as possible. I also do a fair bit of technical reading, occasional writing. That's the scientist part of me, the engineer part wants to know every @#$! detail..


In all honesty I actually know quite a bit more about either can than I initially let on. Believe me, I could fill up pages with observations of the minutia of each car that would bore even the enthusiasts here.

In other news, 370Z pulling ahead as my favored choice. Drove it again today, may just end up purchasing one off the lot if an agreeable figure can be reached. One dealer has a 370Z in the exact color, options I want, but it's a leftover previous model year. Not surprisingly, saying they don't sell well in rural Ohio would be an understatement. Most folks around here prefer (ok, demand) their sports cars be of the American variety. Anyway, it's brand new, no miles, not a demo, never titled and I'd definitely be open to buying it. While they have discounted the price, it isn't far off what I could buy a 2011 for with my corporate discount. It's not an inconsiderable amount, but it's not enticing enough to make buying it over a 2011 worth my while. I know they must really, REALLY want to move it by now so I think I can get a better price. Wish me luck!

No thank you. Scions are okay cars I suppose, but the TC doesn't fit what I'm looking for.

As for some of the other make/model suggestions...

Corvette: More $$$ than I wish to spend. In terms of MSRP's, even a stripped out Vette is more expensive than the well-equipped Z I'm considering.

RX-8: I have limited driving experience with them but what I is Chassis dynamics are great and handling is off the charts. Shifter is excellent too, which is a plus given the rowing required to to keep its torqueless engine in its narrow, high RPM powerband. I dropped the RX8 from the shopping list because I want this purchase to be an automatic and I don't care for its looks inside or out.

370Z NISMO: I'd prefer an automatic, plus its appearance is 2fast, 2furious for me.

G37: I mentioned before.

BMW 335i Coupe: BMW is the only "premium" brand that interests me. I came THIS close to buying one a year ago, but ultimately did not. I'd be willing to forgo the purchase budget for the 335. Truly the ultimate driving machine, it's simply a dream to drive. After putting one through its paces, all I can say is the dual character of the car is unmatched. It's as fast as the 370Z when you choose to really get on it and as docile as a 4cyl accord when you don't. It's a pretty much a civilized M3. What scared me away was the high pressure fuel pump issues. Yes the part was covered under a recall, but that doesn't do me much good if it leaves me stranded. Still, if BMW ever got the reliability issues sorted out once and for all on this model, it's the only car I'd be willing to jump out of the pre-set price bracket for.


Really though, my final two choices I've narrowed it all down to are the 370Z Touring with Sport Package & the Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track. I'm leaning more towards the Nissan currently, but not a done deal.

And I DO want the sport package (or "track" on the GC). Not only do I want the sharper handling, but the limited slip and upgraded brakes are must-haves in my eyes.

OP, I thought a lot about getting a 335d... great gas mileage and good performance... not that you are interested in that, but just speaking of the 335i, it reminded me of it.

Hey OP... did you wind up getting a car yet?

Not yet, unfortunately. I've narrowed in on a specific car :excited: but have been unable to reach an agreement on price as of yet. We are getting close, but still about a couple thousand away from making a deal. I'm not desperate for a car or anything so I can afford to be patient and wait for the deal I want. Plus it's a leftover model year, but they want me to eat almost all the depreciation to take it off their lot.

I've made an offer that is more than fair, the dealer is trying to play hardball and refusing to budge on the price at all. I'm in a county that is a mix of post-industrialized wasteland and rural farms. There are very few around here who could realistically afford the car, and clearly none are willing to buy it. The car has sat on their lot for over a year now, proving my point. I've made a pretty generous offer. I want the car, but I'm not going to be stupid about it and over pay. That's not in my nature.

If this impasse can't be bridged, I go back to the "buy an in stock GC vs. custom ordering a 370Z and waiting God knows how long" debate.

I retracted my post due to OP POST. He has his choices down. I still think the Z and 3.8 are overkill. Especially with sport pkg siince he doesn't drive aggressively ever. BBK's only make a difference when you drive in the 3 digit speeds but to each his own. I guess some people just wanna look the part? I will change my post to buy whatever. You are making performance comparisons on performance cars you already admitted that you won't ever push to the limit. Kinda pointless to me due to the fact that at lower normal driving speeds. They will all feel nearly the same. For assured braking any of these cars will brake very well and for a better brake feel you can add steel braided brake lines.

And the new scion isn't a bad idea. I don't think it was a TC being recommended.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car...ws?redirect=no

If I were not an aggressive driver I would be looking for the most fun in my speed range. 6cyl and 8cyl engines are boring under 80mph.

The only problem with the Scion FT-86 is that it still doesn't have a release date, no solid info on engine specs or body weight. And probably most important is that all the hype on this car coupled with the fact that it's a Toyota means that no one will touch this car for under MSRP for a while. Chances are this car may even have a mark-up. In the end OP would probably end up paying the same amount for the Scion then he would for a Genesis.

I'm in Md, and when I bought my 08 Evo, I called one dealer and it turned out the price was "mistakenly" 1000 lower than it was supposed to be. I then backed out of the deal and the salesmen had the nerve to call me and leave me a message saying that because the car was being purchased in my Father's name that I wasn't going to be able to get the 0% that was being offered, he then said "so good luck getting a car my friend" ... he had called my Father and told him the same thing.

I then called him back and said... excuse me, why don't you clear this up a little more. Basically he had called Mitsubishi and told them it was in my Father's name so I wouldn't be able to get the 0% interest due to it being what is called a straw purchase.

I laughed and said Chris... I guarantee you that I will get 0% interest on this car... and he says " well well, how are you going to do that"? and then I said, BECAUSE MY FAMILY IS FILTHY FU*KING RICH YOU MORON" ... literally yelling it into the phone.

I said all that to say this.. I, being in Md, went all the way to Chicago to get my Evo... that I got OTD for under invoice.

I also told the salesmen that I wouldn't be forgetting him and i'd see him sometime lol.

So hell, go out of state if you have to.

If your family is "filthy f*cking rich," first of all why are you even financing said vehicle, second, why would you freak out over an extra $1k so much, and finally, if all of that is in fact true, someone who is "filthy f*cking rich" would have better things to do with their time than shop around cross country for a not altogether rare vehicle.

Bloody posers today

^ Hambone, I hear ya bro... it seems like "hard-work" and rewarding yourself for the said hard-work comes down to lies, or, a rich family.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again... nothing compares to working hard for the things you can afford. In other words, YOU work hard, YOU get paid, YOU buy the car (or whatever else in life you buy). Not mommy. Not daddy. YOU.

Is it true, or were just going there to make him feel like a mo?

/\______This