I test drove a touring, and I'm pretty sure it had the Bose. Maybe it didn't? Cuz it was crap. Mine was crap too. One of the first places I took my Z was to the audio shop. :happydance:

The Bose isn't bad, but it isn't great. They overcompensated with EQ - check out the drivers in the Audio/Video section of the forum. A large cone tweeter and a woofer with a tiny magnet (low motive force).

I was looking at the GTI as well, and I'd love to hear the fully decked-out Dynaudio system. :excited:

The Z will work if you are single with no attachments or hopes of family in the near future. You should seriously consider the touring package without sport and manual transmission. Possible even nav. I am an avid advocate for sport and NO nav in this car as I see it as a true sports car.
But you sound like you are more into general sportiness. You don't really need a pre-prepped tuner. That is what the sport and NISMO is to me.
Grip on the base Z is still incredible. You can't feel any difference between the two unless you push them really really hard. And the yokohamas give a quieter and slightly less bumpy ride and offer loads of grip. You may benefit from the techy nav pkg which offers a cool 9.3 gig music box. I personally put in my own system but... again. You don't sound like you want to do too much personalization so the full pkg minus sport might be up your alley. Test drive one.

i edited this out.

Update
 

I drove the GTI tonight.

It is a very nice car with some very nice and clever features...both electronic & ergonomic. This is no Honda Civic. The salesman knew the car in & out...which helped because I found the electronics a little overwhelming and somewhat distracting. The interior is VERY well built, but it was sadly identical to the interior of the Jetta. The seats are comfy, sporty, and very adjustable. The visibility is good, but I felt that I was driving a mini mini-van...if that makes sense. It handled the road well, and the turbo motor was peppy. Although the motor had plenty of power, I now realize why GTI guys flash their ECUs. I did notice the lapse before the turbo would take over. Driving a turbo is new for me. The GTI drove very smooth and quiet at 85 on the highway. 80% of my driving is highway BTW. I drove the 6spd manual, and it shifted/engaged/disengaged very smoothly. Oil changes will be simple as the filter is top mounted, right next to the cam cover. It also has a timing chain...no belt!!

Overall it's a great car, but I'm not convinced yet. It was like a first date with a girl...not sure if I'm going to call her again...but she was a really nice & cute girl. She might be more compatible and better off with another guy though.

Tomorrow night (Thursday), I drive the 370Z. It's what I've been thinking about all week. The dealer is 2 hours away. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you all for your comments and support.

You're going to love the Z. Its a completely different animal. RWD feels so much better than FWD.

Some have noted the noisy tires etc... I swapped out my Bridgestones for Michellin Super Sport Pilots and sprayed some undercoating in the rear wheel wells. After that I installed some inexpensive 18" flow through muffler because the exhaust was a little tame. Topped it off with a nice Pioneer Touchscreen DVD and this car rocks. I don't need dynamat at this point but, I might do it later to make the car quiet like a cadillac... Not necessary at this point but, $500 in dynamat would be a good investment for most. I think Nissan should add back in a little soundeading material.... Say 20lbs is worth it to me.

All this was done for under $2000 a lot less than going to Touring model from Base Sport. I didn't like the Bose system and I didn't need the electric heated leather seats.... I like the fabric seats .... So, the Base Z with Sport Package and a couple adds is perfect for me.

http://www.clarkdale.com/images/vw-golf-r-hdr.jpg\
DD.

I own a 2007 GTi and a 1996 300ZX. Hopefully I'll be adding a 370Z this year.

At any rate, I love the Z. Great handling car. It's the five speed manual and when you can actually get out and drive, it's the best thing. Of course, living in Los Angeles, that isn't a daily occurrence.

The GTi is my DD and I really do enjoy it, although for different reasons. I have the DSG and it's great transmission, especially when you get stuck in traffic and can't get out of first gear. It's nice to not constantly work a clutch. I've never driven any of the newer Zs with an automatic, but it seems like such a waste to get a Z with an automatic. Personally, I don't find a manual very fun in bumper to bumper traffic.

Another thing about the GTi is that it's a sleeper. Most people can't tell a GTi from a Golf. So hopefully the cops won't be targeting you. And frankly, I love driving the GTi as a DD because I don't love it enough to care that I'm putting lots of miles on it. I'd hate to have to drive a Z into the ground personally. The Z is more like a fine wine, something you savor. The GTi is more like a good vodka.

Someone rear-ended me in the GTi and it didn't bother me too much. But it breaks my heart to think of anything happening to my Z. So as far as driving around every day, subject to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, I feel better in the GTi. Dings in the parking lot? Eh, it's just the GTi. I can get another one.

Don't just look at new. The brand new GTi isn't a huge upgrade over the Mk V. If you get a well-kept GTi, you'll have plenty of fun with it. Besides, they just announced the 2013 370Z. I'd wait on a 370 anyway. I'm glad to see the fangs go.

The mini mini van comment is a good analogy.

Honestly, you may want to look around at used 370s. I picked up my 2009 last week with 2900 miles on the clock....that's still a brand new car. It's a fully loaded Touring model with Nav and I got it for $29,400 plus TTL. They had a 2011 in the show room with the exact same equipment MINUS nav and it was nearly $43K! Nissan also has 1.9% financing on their CPO cars which mine was so it was a win win. They threw in a 100K mile/84 mo bumper to bumper Nissan warranty as well.

I drove a base and didn't like the no frills approach. I personally wanted the leather heated seats and definitely the sport package for the brakes. They're awesome. Nav was a coin toss for me. It is one more thing to keep updated, but the one I found and dealed on had it. I do like the interface and it's easy to use. I tuned the Bose a bit to get better balance of sound front to rear etc, but I'm no audiophile, so it sounds great to me.

I've not driven a GTI, I just can't get past the looks and don't care for FWD turbo cars personally. I prefer RWD in a sporty car.

Let us know how your test drive goes.

I may add some dynamat to my Z to see if it helps with the road noise. That's my only complaint with the car.

Be sure to take the Z on some curvy roads. The steering is to die for. I've never felt anything like it.

If you've been looking forward to the Z test drive, it sounds like your decision has already been made. :)

I have to pipe in on driving the Z in stop and go traffic. I've only owned manuals, and the Z is, for a manual, extremely comfortable to drive in stop and go traffic. The gears are very forgiving. You can do a slow roll in third. The clutch is fabulous. Every time my husband drives my Z he is sick with envy (he has a Mazdaspeed 3, the most unforgiving and temperamental clutch known to man).

The V6 is so utterly smooth no matter how you're driving.

But I have to say one more thing about the GTI. It will be a lot safer in an accident. I got clobbered in my Golf (predecessor to my GTI) and walked away. The car was crushed to hell, but I was fine. VWs absorb a crash very well for a small car. I can't say I'd be as safe in my Z if I got hit as bad... And another thing you mentioned: visibility. Visibility in a GTI is great. Visibility in a Z? On my first test drive I felt I was driving blind. But that will go away. You'll adapt. I slid through traffic now in my Z and I feel I don't even need to look (although I do anyway). That goes back to the whole "extension of your body" thing.

I still say Z! Z! Z! Z! hahaa... :)

I love the Z very much, but it really isn't all that practical. The first thing I ask my self for a daily driver is. Can I fit a fishing rod in it? If you can't fit a fish rod in you can't haul much at all. I love the Z more than the GTI, but on a day to day basis the GTI is a much better choice IMO. I'm buying a new Golf TDI for my DD. My z has always been my weekend car. You'll be suprised what you can fit in a Golf/GTI. Either choice is great. Good luck man!

Haha, good point.

This is my toy car, but it makes a great traveler. This is just the gear I take to the drag strip in the trunk!

http://www.speedysgarage.net/challen...ck_gear_02.jpg http://www.speedysgarage.net/challen...ck_gear_01.jpg

damn thats a huge trunk! :D

Tell me about it. She's a BIG girl 4300 lbs with me in the seat according to the track scales.

GTI for a dd..... 370Z is not ment for being a dd its a sports car that is ment to be enjoyed at the track and on nice days not for sitting in traffic. /Thread







DAN

I bought mine as a DD and have used it as such. Makes the drive to work much more enjoyable and life is short.

370z works just fine as a DD, and is realistically far better suited for the road than the track

I use my Z as my DD in the summer, not in Winter ONLY because I don't want salt get to the underbody.

Very nice car.

Well.... its your MO I guess, but unless you live in a place where there is no winter I wouldnt buy one if it was my only mode of trans, not as good as something with 4 doors or a back seat or awd or fwd.... That is why I have my daily and my Z....






DAN

Update
 

I drove the Z tonight. Beautiful car. Seeing it in person is a whole different experience.

It drove great and shifted very smooth, but I found the Syncrorev to be intrusive, annoying, and unnessessary. So I turned it off. The steering was tight and a bit heavy. The visability sucks, as you all warned. I didn't care about the stereo, but the controls on the steering wheel are a nice touch. Nice steering wheel and I like how the tilt adjusts the gauge cluster as well. The road noise didn't bother me. The car is not small. The front end looks and feels huge. Maybe I just need to get use to it, but I'm 5-7. Keb, how tall are you?

The 370Z is 5.5 inches wider than my Civic, but it's 8 inches shorter in length.
It will fit in my garage, but I'll need to be careful.

These are merely observations, not complaints. I enjoyed the car. It smelled so nice. Interior is so nice. The cloth seats were beautiful and comfy. Even the carpet in the hatch area was so smooth. It has a full size spare, and plenty of room for my groceries. But where can I store a quart of oil?

The dealer wanted to sell me the car tonight and go with their financing. I declined as I'm using my bank in the morning. The GTI is a better DD. The angel on my left shoulder is telling me to get the GTI...and the devil on my right shoulder is telling me to buy the f--king Z already. I really wish I could buy both.

Welcome to the forum, be sure and introduce yourself in the "New Owners" section. :roflpuke2:

SRM is only annoying if you're trying to double clutch as well. :tup:

mines a dd, at times i wish i drove a comfortable dd around the houston area. The car is great, love the performance with the price u get!

hey Telephone, which one you enjoy driving better, that's the ONE!!

I'm 5'7". My husband is 5'9". And yes, we both got used to it. The big front end, the bad visibility, sitting so low, everything. Once you get used to it you will not be able to go back.

I held on to my GTI for about 6 months after buying the Z, and every time I drove it, I thought HOW COULD I HAVE LOVED THIS CAR SO MUCH. It felt loose, bouncy, and I felt so exposed, like I was riding on top of horse with nothing around me

Screw the quart of oil. You don't need it. I got rid of my spare as well (two subs live there now).

The rev matching can get annoying at first. But it's AWESOME in stop and go traffic, and awesome when you want to play around.

If you don't go with the devil, he'll nag you for eternity. The angel will accept her failure and go bug someone else.

I was in the same position as you, and I went with the devil knowing if it didn't work out, I could always trade it in and say oh well, it was worth a try. You only live once. :driving:

And I'm not sure if this matters, but it took two test drives in the Z for me since it was so different from anything I had ever owned (all VWs). The first test drive was, "Wow, this is awesome. I think I might love this. But I can't see a thing, how can I adjust this seat? And it's really fast, oh no I think I just wet myself. And is someone in my blind spot oh god!" The second test drive was, "OMG MUST HAVE."

I had a similar experience. Took two test drives and I was hooked. I'm 5'11 and find there is plenty of room in the car. The blind spots have taken some getting used to, but it has large mirrors. I've learned to hit the gas a bit before changing lanes in the highway to insure no one's in my blind spot. The Z accelerates quickly so it doesn't take much. I've averaged about 24MPG in my 1st and 2nd tanks of fuel with a 70/30 city/hwy ratio with some fun WOT bursts mixed in for good measure.

I'm blessed in that I have a couple of different cars to meet different needs, and having to pick just one would be a difficult decision.

However, based on the two you've chosen, I don't see a WHOLE lot of difference, and would definitely go for the Z in your situation.

I paid no attention to the blind spot during test drive. I too was hooked immediately. Getting on the freeway moments after buying was terrifying. That was when the blind spot appeared. I looked over my shoulder to see the head rest. Where did the porthole go? What is if for even? Now I've got it down with new mirror positions and little tiny convex mirrors.

The right side blind spot is no picnic either but I move the passenger seat to look out porthole. Passengers must assume this responsibility or they get hit first.

Get the little mirrors, they are great

I do this too especially in heavy traffic. FTW

My bank pre-approved me at 3.49%
Now I make offers...

Not a bad rate. :)
Do you have colors picked out?

Check around. Everyone's credit situation is different but I got 1.9% direct through Nissan on my USED car. I think they have 0% on some new ones.

Thanks for the feedback guys. My first offer was shot down this afternoon. I may have to travel a bit further. No 6spd in San Diego county! I'm happy with the interest rate, and I'd prefer to use my credit union for the financing.

The colors I prefer are White, Red, Blue...in that order.

all the colors look good, but dood get red its by far the sportiest.

They kept telling me that my credit union wasn't "compatible" somehow, I forget the terminology they used?! They were trying to get me to use their NMAC financing also. Be patient and get exactly what You want for the price you want. I haggled their arses and saved $5k!!!

how in the world did u get such a low insurance quote? geico for me with full coverage and clean record is $979/6months

Actually got my insurance , reduced to $900 for 6 months on all three cars,
limits $100k/$300k across the board, $100 deductable comp. and $250 deductable collision., free road and extended waranty on 1 car.

Dropped extended waranty on the Z as I got it from nissan.

Heres a comparison I just did today thru the top 3 companies apples for apples.

For the same 3 cars
Geico $1018
Allstate $1680
State Farm $1575

Your high rate quote from Geico was probably due to you living in NYC, it has some of the worst drivers, car thefts and vandalism in the country, one way you could save a lot is if you got a UPS mail box about 100 miles outside NYC and used that for your driving and insurance address or a friends or relatives address outside NYC. I used to live in a small little country setting in NYS and my insurance was only $1000 a yr. for 3 cars.

You also get 3 insurance reductions thru out your life, one benefit of aging 25yrs, 35yrs, 45-50 you will see it go down, also drops if you are married. You probably even get a lower one when when you reach your late 50-60's as long as you have no major accidents.

Those colors apply to the GTI too?

I was torn between white and red for my Z until I saw the blue in person. :happydance:

My salesman had to look around to find what I wanted (manual with sport package in blue) and ended up finding one about 300 miles away. They did a dealer trade and I only had to wait a few days for the driver to drive it here. I'm not sure if that's something you'd want to do but I didn't know it was an option until they offered it to me. The first dealership I went to didn't even offer it. There's a small added fee if I remember correctly but it wasn't enough for me to care about, and they agreed to throw in free tint.

The Z is track suitable BUT needs some investing and making the "Right Modifications". Which really isn't a break the bank investment to get it track ready. 2k in a oil cooler, brake lines, rotors and pads... and a DIY brake cooling duct and you're good to go.

Everybody always starts with power or suspension mods and this car needs other issues addressed as preliminary modifications. People that buy this car and don't find it track suitable are modding backwards.