Is it time to replace my 370Z?
 

I've had my 370Z for over a year now and as in previous occasions with other cars I'm somewhat losing interest in it. Don't get my wrong the 370z is an amazing car and I've enjoyed it. However, I might be expanding the family within a year or so and consequently I've been looking into a sports coupe with at least a small backseat. Some of my current options are the BMW 335 with the Dinan S2 package or an M3.

I would appreciate any feedback that you can provide me as I'm somewhat torn on my decision. If I keep the Z some mods will need to be added in order to keep the interest.

Thanks!:driving:

Your asking people you dont know to make a financial decision for you. Its up to you and you only. If your getting bored with the car and it dont make you happy anymore and you can pull off another car loan or whatever I say time to change. If you really like the Z but need more room consider getting a second car if you can afford it. And if you must change cars an M3 and a 335I is not a bad start. I would also check out the STI Hatch or Sedan and of course in normal the370.com fashion go test drive a 5.0. I'm told its the "bees knees"

Too easy, lose interest then sell it !!

Good advice: Wait until family expands, then buy bigger car.

Riskier financial advice: In the mean time buy gold and with the added profit in a year, the car will seem cheap. See how easy it is to make financial decisions.

Do whatever makes you happy that you can afford to do.

Some of us here have car ADD. I sold my 370 (18 months) for a 5.0 (currently at 12 months) and am somewhat seriously looking at options for my next car. It's just a matter if I am willing to pay for it or not. :icon17:

ahh.... internet advice ....

can't beat it!

Here's some advice, give me the car for free and get whatever you want.

If I have my count right, I'm at 18 cars in 11 years. From someone who knows, changing out cars too frequently is one of the biggest financial blunders one can make. I've learned a valuable lesson in the past year or so that no matter what car I have, it's never going to make me "happy," I will always be looking for the next better thing.

let's be real OP, without more details on where you're at financially, how you feel about the car, etc...it's hard to give any advice.

If you can post up some of that info, your full name, and your social security number, we can probably help make your decision a lot easier :ugh2:

Right there with you brother. M4A1 and I are thinking of creating a support group for folks with our "affliction".

Sounds like you guys should be leasing!

I like to keep cars ten years (though I traded my 2000 Eclipse GT for an NSX because it was a big mistake and my first NSX was reclaimed as a stolen car, I drove my MR-2 for ten years, and drove an NSX for ten years, and hope the 370Z will be close to that (perhaps 8-9 since I bought it used))

am i the only person in the world that can honestly say, even if i had someones ss number, i wouldnt kno what to do with it lol

Why are you even mentioning the financial part of this decision? He's not asking for your opinion about that! He's asking for car recommendations. He may be a millionare for all you know, why do you even care?

Uhh, he's probably giving him feedback because the OP asked for "any feedback." He didn't say "give me any feedback except financial" :rolleyes:

I'm on #18 over 16 years....do I need to join?:ugh2::bowrofl:

:tup:

so..... how about that new 3 series guys :coolface:

i feel like I need to be in this club as well...I can't even count the cars I've had, and only been driving for 7 years

What have you lost interest in with your 370z ?

Why do you want a 3-series ? The new 335is would be a good option, too.

Yeah, we need to set something up soon.

The only good thing for me, I guess, is that it will be a while before the new M3 coupe is unveiled, and I won't be making a purchase decision until that happens. At least I hope it is a while from now. :(

As stated by Dirtrat... forget about the financial part. I'm more than aware of the fact that changing cars every one or two years is a financial blunder. Still, as mentioned by m4a1mustang I think that I also have car ADD.

Honestly, I just wanted to get feedback on available car options from fellow car enthusiasts. Thanks to all of you who have stayed on that subject...

Going back to the M3, when is the new model expected to come out? 2013?

I guess that I've gotten used to its Hp and consequenlty I'm looking for more. (I know that this could be fixed with an FI system, but in order to go that route I would have to feel commited to the car, something which I'm currently debating). Also, as mentioned in the original post the family might be expanding in 1-2 years.

Why the 335? Good Hp potential, it is underrated at 300 Hp and with the Dinan chip or JB3/4 you can get it to the 400 Hp/Tq range and it has a backseat (small, but it is there). The M3 414 Hp right out of the dealership (small backseat or 4 door version available) and we all know that M3's are benchmark sport cars.

Here is my 2 cents on backseat for the kids

Putting kids between the ages of 0-4 into a back seat is difficult enough. In a coupe it would get frustrating. I think back seat usfulness is for the 5-15 year old that can get themselves into a seat. And the occational adult. Also, ask one of your friends who has baby seats in their car to show you what's under them. Not in my sportscar.

So since you seem to trade out cars pretty often I would suggest a sedan and not a coupe until the kids are at least into a buster seat.

definitely agree with this. coupe backseats are a pain in the *** with kids.

^^ +1 the only reason why i bought my temporary dd (HondaFit) and used it for 4yrs was because of the above. it was too much of a hassle in my G35C. now the kids are old enough to get in/out out of their recaro booster seats without scuffing anything so i sold the Fit and using my G as my dd. :)

things appear easy in a coupe on a sunny day but add bad weather, stroller with dirty casters :icon14:, diaperbag, being late for something.... :mad: adds up pretty quickly.

lol along with your full address and driver's license number...

Good point on the kids and back seats. I would never want to try that with a coupe. Unless it was a convertible in Hawaii and I could just plop them in their seats from the top. Of course there's that whole not exposing babies to sunlight or excessive outdoor exposure thing... :icon17:

Regarding the M3, I think the 3 series coupe is coming as a 2013 MY, so I would think the M3 would be announced around the same time. I'm interested to see how it works since they are returning to the old formula of light weight and smaller turbocharged 6 cylinder. If it turns out to be something I can't resist I am probably going to have to follow in RCZ's footsteps and order one with European delivery... talk about a dream vacation.

Are you bored of the Z, or more worried about room for kids?

If you are truly bored with the car, and tend to get tired of cars real fast, that's a good reason to lease cars in the future. I like to own vehicles for a longer time, and tend to own cars for 3-5 years on average. Who is to say you won't become bored of the next vehicle? Just address the issue, decide what makes you happy, since that's number one.

Regarding room for a family, a sports car isn't a good choice at all period. Even having a backseat (with 2 doors) won't be that practical. Rather then trying to focus on one perfect vehicle, as was suggested, maybe having a more practical second vehicle is a better idea? That's what I did. If you have the money for an M3, I think you have enough to pick 2 cars.

INFINITI FX50s :)

im on my third car and ive been driving for 5-6 yrs.....i guess in the long run, im gonna be like frost. now i wanna trade mine in and get the g37 conv. i could switch cars but i cant switch companies. 1. 97 infiniti q45 2. 08 nissan altima 3. 09 nissan z.

I've evaluated the having a 2nd vehicle option and find it very appealing; but my wife has some issues with it such as garage space, unnecesary car/insurance payment, etc... Consequently I'm back to the perfect all around sports/somewhat family oriented car search.

I have car A.D.D. as well.
About 27 cars since I started driving.
Lose money on every one of them, but it sure is fun!

Sounds like a 3 series sedan would be a good fit. If you like it, can afford it, and have had your fun with the z, have at it.

ill prob have to join too... 8 cars in 5 years and workin on 9 as we speak and 10's coming this winter :ugh2:

hummmm... not sure if you've ever had kids before but it's not the end of funhood. lol get wat you want and tell your wife you must have your certain necessities met to make it all work out for a lasting relationship.

just pay the beater out of your own pocket.

lol wow, some of you guys honestly keep a car for less than 1 year? I thought buying new every 2-3 years was bad for me, but jeez lol.

What you really need to do is take a test drive in a few of these other cars to see how they really make you feel towards the Z. I was in love with my Z until I sat down in a Mustang 5.0 and suddenly felt at home with the added space and back seats. It was only then that I realized the Z was more of a "toy car" for me and not that practical given my situation.

You obviously cant go wrong with a BMW, although personally I feel you see about as many of those on the roads these days as you do a Mustang, and the appeal of sedan with "hidden power" under the hood has lost its luster.

Go on 1 test drive. Go on 20. Check out an audi, a prius, a camaro, whatever! You wont know until you actually get behind the wheel.

Well one thing this thread makes apparent is that Puerto Rico needs to start paying its fair share of taxes.

yes, trade it. No matter what you drive, you are the kind of person who will want something else. I'm the same way. I drive a Z06 and am looking to get into a 370Z in a year or two. Why? Something different, and of course way cheaper. Variety is the spice of life. Go play.

If you are losing interest in a car in a year get a used car that has already depreciated, else your just throwing money away.

Maybe a 380Z or 400Z....:stirthepot: