Should I keep my Z?
 

I've been really torn as of late. I want to love my Z. I really do. I love the style. I love the engineering. It's a magnificent beauty of a vehicle. I've wanted one since they first came out. A little over a month ago I finally picked up my baby. Monteray Blue. Touring. Sport. 6 speed.

Unfortunately as of late I've not wanted to drive her as much as she deserves. It's a simple matter really. I can't get comfortable. The beautifully shaped steering wheel makes my arms hurt. Those luscious leather seats put my legs to sleep in just a few minutes. Every little dip and nook in the road gets translated to movement in the steering wheel. I feel like I spend as much time trying to adjust my seat and get comfortable as I do driving. I feel like I have to manage the wheel far more than I should.

And the noise. Holy cow the noise. We have terribly crappy road surfaces in Portland. I mean...bad. I can barely hear myself think in the cabin it's so loud most of the time.

Now I don't expect it to be like a luxury car. I don't expect complete quiet and smoothness. I respect the attention to the road she demands. Still...I don't know if it's something I want to live with on a day to day basis. She deserves to be loved.

Am I the only one that feels this way? I fear that I am.

Worst of all...I fear the crap my friends and especially my wife will give me if I decide I want out of the car after pining over it for months.

Hmm, you must be a big dude to have those uncomfortable problems! Don't take offense, i'm not calling you overweight, but I do know people that are over 6 foot have issues with this car. I have two friends that are 6'4" and they are very uncomfortable in the car.

The car fits me like a glove and it's very comfortable for me, but i'm 5'7, almost 5'8.

There was another thread about a guy who just couldn't bring himself to buy the car, despite loving it, because he couldn't fit in it well enough =(

Hope things work out for ya.. Maybe a 135i/335i would be better for you, fluffier suspension and roomier I believe? The 135i was almost as tight-fitting as the Z though to me.

Jay

if your gonna get rid of it get a g37 coupe perhaps thats more your style. This will also allow some one to save a few bucks by buying yours maybe they want touring and sport but just cant pony up the difference, used would be better for this kind of buyer.

No offense taken. I'm about 6'1" and 220 lbs. Chunkier than I like of course but not massive. I just can't get my legs and arms in a position that I feel well composed in.

I really didn't notice it at first. Driving a stick is fairly new to me so at first I felt that was more of the issue. Now that I am very comfortable with it, I've begun to notice those things that you never really find on a test drive.

Combine that with the road noise and poor visibility and the problems compound themselves. Maybe a sports car just isn't my thing?

I didn't really try out any of the competition. I felt that a 135i/335i would be too much of a stretch for the pocketbook so I didn't look at them.

I'd happily take suggestions for other rides to consider. I was pretty heavily focused in my Z fervor. I'm open to anything.

That is...if I end up getting rid of her. Don't want to lose my shirt obviously. :)

maybe you need an evo X- the car fits me like a glove also 6'2 215lb its nice.. ive taken it on a few 2-3 hr road trips no problem.. i dont have the leathers though.. so i dont know how they feel but the cloth ones are nice.. i do miss the recaros in my evo though

I was under the impression that an Evo-X was a pretty raw car more suited to the track than daily driving. Perhaps I am mistaken? I also really like hatches. The MazdaSPEED3 is pretty hot as is the WRX. I'm a little gun shy though, afraid that they would be of similar livability, though with better visibility. :)


Our other vehicle is an 09 Jeep Wrangler and I find it to actually be far quieter inside than the Z, which surprised me. The Jeep is a hardtop though and they've made some pretty nice improvements tightening then up. It's a stick too and I find that while not nearly as responsive, its stupid easy to shift. The Z is a bit more finicky. With the Z I find it hard to get a very smooth shift sometimes, the clutch feels a bit springy on the release.

well i guess you if you don't want the car that much you could probably sell it. but you should probably test drive your next car extensively some that you don't get the same problems.

i do agree with you on the noise part, it's kinda loud when i go by a place with some rocks. loud fa sho.

I had zero visibility issues in my WRX.. very well rounded vehicle.. on a much smaller scale than the Z though.. The Z's just a much nicer car inside and out and better built in my eyes. Although I am bitter, I blew a stock WRX engine with just bolt ons..

EvoXs are bigger inside than the Z for sure.. Again, no where near as nice or luxo as the Z. They exude the "boy racer" feeling and look that I don't feel like dealing with anymore. I'd ONLY get a EvoX if I had kids.. It's probably the most fun to drive, 4 door out there right now.

I'm looking for monterey blue 6spd sport pllus touring (but with nav and gray interior) PM me with specs and mileage and price if you are seriously considering selling

with sports car you shouldn't expect a smooth ride. Just buy a SUV or a M3, a 7 series bimmer, lexus.

Most of the issues you mention are pretty standard fare for a true car...they tend to be tilted toward performance (as opposed to comfort), improved handling, improved feedback, larger wheels (which usually means more road noise unless you use additional sound absorbing/insulating material which of course adds more weight), tight suspension (road noise and vibration and "road feel", etc. etc...as soon as you start compromising on those characteristics you start to loose the performance edge.

I'm not saying you are "wrong"; just pointing out that if all those things bother you as much as they seem to then you sort of bought not just the wrong car but the wrong kind of car.

I love the G37 but despite someone's suggestion you go that route, I would not recommend it...the G37 has less headroom than either a 350 or a 370 so if you are feeling cramped in a 370 you will probably feel more so in a G37 (unless you like to be almost laying down when you drive).

If you can swing it financially, I would recommend you look at the M45 or the FX50...they are nice blend of performance and comfort and will likely fit just about any person's frame.

Financially, you will take a bath to get rid of the car this soon...for your own financial health I'd recommend you hold onto it (unless you can find some kind soul to take it off you hands with a compassionate offer). :)

I speak from some experience here...I'm a big guy; about 5'9" and quite a lot overweight...it's a small car to be sure for someone my size but I get alone quite well whether on the autocross track or on 700 mile (each way) weekend trips...maybe you just need more seat time in the car to lean what seating positions/steering wheel heights, etc work for you?

Try this
 

Gut the car. Dynamat the heck out of it. Spend some cash on an adjustable Recaro seat...........sit back and enjoy the ride.

The G37 is a nice comfortable daily driver. It's a longer wheelbase so it's not as twitchy, the seats are wider and softer. It doesn't follow every groove in the road and it is much quieter.

It's still got the same engine and is still fun to drive spiritedly, you just trade some sport for some luxury.

Seems like this isnt the car for you my friend. You probably want something more akin to the G37.

tvfreakazoid - you kill me dude. You think we're all made of money? A 7-series? MSRP of 80 GRAND? lol

I'm 5'6 and I'm constantly adjusting my chair also. The only way I can get comfortable is sitting improperly(left feet raised up and right arm resting on the center) and I'm constantly adjusting the dials and the lumbar support.