Daily Driver: GTI or 370Z

Mt Tam I am · 02-17-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telephone

My second offer was shot down last night. The 370Z is a bit of a stretch for me, but I thought 36K OTD was a reasonable for offer for a Base+Sport in 6spd (no options). Maybe not in California and maybe not for a 2012. Maybe I am being too stubborn on the price. Maybe I'm just out of my league, LOL. However, sales tax in my area is 8.5%. I also cannot import any new 49 state car into California. I was planning on putting $7-8K towards a down payment.

I have not seen a Blue 370Z in person, and I'm not totally crazy about pearl white. For the GTI, I love that bright Candy White. After pricing a GTI with options, I found the Base model Z to be close in price. And after driving the Z....well.

As for the insurance comments: My quote included Collision with a $1000 deductable. Any minor/medium damage that I cause to my Z, I will fix myself...this prevents my rates from going up later. I'm almost 32 years old with a clean record. I live outside the city limits and in a decent area of town.

RE: However, sales tax in my area is 8.5%. I also cannot import any new 49 state car into California.

Watch out. CA wants sales tax. I live in a 9% county and thought about buying in a lower sales tax county. It does not matter, you will be billed the difference. 8.5% for out of state buy in your case.

alcheng · 02-09-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One_Quick_Z

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 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.

One_Quick_Z · 02-09-2012, 08:47 PM

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

Telephone · 02-10-2012, 02:59 AM

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.

ZMan8 · 02-10-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telephone

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.

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

Three7D · 02-10-2012, 08:28 AM

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

tonythetiger · 02-10-2012, 09:34 AM

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!

alcheng · 02-10-2012, 09:38 AM

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

keb370z · 02-10-2012, 10:42 AM

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.

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."

Speedy · 02-10-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keb370z

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.

Mt Tam I am · 02-10-2012, 11:42 AM

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.

keb370z · 02-10-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy

I've learned to hit the gas a bit before changing lanes in the highway to insure no one's in my blind spot.

I do this too especially in heavy traffic. FTW

cossie1600 · 02-10-2012, 11:49 AM

Get the little mirrors, they are great

Telephone · 02-10-2012, 01:51 PM

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

keb370z · 02-10-2012, 02:14 PM

Not a bad rate.

Do you have colors picked out?

02-09-2012, 08:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
One_Quick_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seneca Il Posts: 1,374 Drives: 10 Civic EX Sedan Rep Power: 220	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 __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

02-10-2012, 02:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Telephone Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 297 Drives: 2012 Sport M6 Rep Power: 14	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.

02-10-2012, 08:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Three7D Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NorCal 707 Posts: 174 Drives: to slow Rep Power: 15	Welcome to the forum, be sure and introduce yourself in the "New Owners" section. __________________ 2010 Mag. Black Base+Sports V-LEDs Amuse Vestito (in a large box in my garage) Volk SF Challenge Gold/Phantom Ed. 10mm ichiba v2 F.I. CF+18" res. + F.I. RTP's Last edited by Three7D; 02-10-2012 at 08:32 AM.

02-10-2012, 09:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
tonythetiger A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: SA, TX Posts: 1,035 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z PG MT Rep Power: 193	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! __________________ KWV3/Eibach/StillenG3/FI CBE+LTH+34Row/Uprev/SPL/SouthBendSS/QuaifeLSD/4.08/TommyKaira/Status/VolkZE40/AP Radical BBK/Seibon/Amuse/VIS/Sparco/WorksBellGTC/RJM/Nismo

02-10-2012, 10:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
keb370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 214 Drives: '11 M6 Sport in Blue Rep Power: 14	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. 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." Last edited by keb370z; 02-10-2012 at 10:45 AM.

02-10-2012, 09:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
alcheng A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 28,894 Drives: 2011 ZR PW w/Clutch Rep Power: 418354	hey Telephone, which one you enjoy driving better, that's the ONE!!

02-10-2012, 11:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3844	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. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

02-10-2012, 11:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	Get the little mirrors, they are great

02-10-2012, 01:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
Telephone Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 297 Drives: 2012 Sport M6 Rep Power: 14	My bank pre-approved me at 3.49% Now I make offers...

02-10-2012, 02:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
keb370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 214 Drives: '11 M6 Sport in Blue Rep Power: 14	Not a bad rate. Do you have colors picked out?

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