Daily Driver: GTI or 370Z

Speedy · 02-09-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telephone

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.

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.

keb370z · 02-09-2012, 02:11 PM

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...

fillyv · 02-09-2012, 04:00 PM

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!

Speedy · 02-09-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fillyv

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!

02-09-2012, 02:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
keb370z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 214 Drives: '11 M6 Sport in Blue Rep Power: 14	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... Last edited by keb370z; 02-09-2012 at 02:13 PM.

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02-09-2012, 04:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
fillyv Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Glarus, Wi Posts: 53 Drives: 2004 350Z Track Rep Power: 17	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!