Advice on whether 370Z is the right car for me...

FL 4Motion · 01-03-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_W

hi,

I'm about to buy a used 2010 370Z and suddenly thought, "hey, maybe I should ask some people who actually know something about these cars."

So here is my situation: I've recently gotten "into" the idea of owning - and being able to drive well - a sports car. I think the car I want is a Corvette Z06 (please, hear me out!) , but I'm not dogmatic; could go for a used Porsche 911 or GTR. I don't want to drop $60K+ while being fairly ignorant of sports cars or how to drive them.

So I thought I would start with the "driver mod" first. I know how to drive stick but have never owned one, so I don't know how to drive one "well" or with skill.

I want to buy a stickshift sports car to learn on, take a course at Skip Barber, go to autocross a few times, get into HPDE 1 and 2, and then by the end of this year, decide what sort of car do I really want and then know how to drive it well at that point.

I started with the idea of getting a Miata until I found out that for HPDE, I'd need a rollbar (convertible), and probably remove foam from the seat for a 6'1'' person like fit with a helmet (head must be beneath level of rollbar).

Wanting to learn on a rear-wheel drive car - and being unable to find a decent 240SX in my area - I thought I'd get a 370Z for 23-25K and then sell it after a year.

Questions:
1. Is the 370Z a good car for my purposes? Since it's newer, I was thinking it would sell better than a 350Z, i.e. I would not lose as much money.

2. Is it true that the 2009 370Z "burns oil" and should be avoided?

3. Do you think I'm going to lose a lot of money when I sell the car, e.g. I buy a 2010 370Z with 30K miles, in good condition, for $25K and then in 12 months I sell it? Would be losing a 2-3K or are we talking losing more than 4K?

Thank you!

I'm gonna vote that you just go buy the car you really want, z06 or whaterver. Learn to drive stick and be responsible with it. Go take thsoe performance drvier ed courses you mentioned and then go track your new toy. Getting a used 370 is a waste of $$ for you based on your stated goals and any really cheap pos is only going to have 6mt and rwd in common wiht the 500hp car you are going to end up with anyway.

dP3NGU1N · 01-03-2013, 06:54 PM

I think you've basically got your answers.... I don't know what else to tell you.

1. Ignore the advice and buy a 370z
2. buy an older model vehicle that you can learn on and enjoy without fear of losing too much value
3. buy the car that you originally intended to buy and just enjoy it at your own pace. You don't need to be a pro racer the moment you step into the car.

Zenmaster · 01-03-2013, 10:04 PM

get a ford pinto

Adam_W · 01-03-2013, 10:56 PM

DEpointfive0 - thanks for the generous offer. Replied to PM.

I appreciate the voices of wisdom here and will take the collective advice and not buy the 370Z for the time being. I'll do some more research on other cars, and look harder for older Miatas.

I appreciate everyone's advice and will let you know if I have any other questions. 370Zs are beautiful cars and I'm kinda sad I won't be getting one (was going to get the black 2010 370z at Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim).

For those who've been less than helpful, I suggest you ponder how you respond to newbies on the forum. As with all things in life, everyone has to start somewhere, and the guy you offer help to today might be the same person who is able to teach you something in a couple of years. Such is the meaning of Community.

KERMIT · 01-04-2013, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_W

DEpointfive0 - thanks for the generous offer. Replied to PM.

I appreciate the voices of wisdom here and will take the collective advice and not buy the 370Z for the time being. I'll do some more research on other cars, and look harder for older Miatas.

I appreciate everyone's advice and will let you know if I have any other questions. 370Zs are beautiful cars and I'm kinda sad I won't be getting one (was going to get the black 2010 370z at Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim).

For those who've been less than helpful, I suggest you ponder how you respond to newbies on the forum. As with all things in life, everyone has to start somewhere, and the guy you offer help to today might be the same person who is able to teach you something in a couple of years. Such is the meaning of Community.

Adam,

its not that we are trying to be less than helpful, its just that there have been a number of trolls lately. Your post indicates a few contradictory statements that make it seem less than legitimate. A month ago someone claimed to sell their Ferrari and purchase a Z..

1. You are looking for $60k sports cars
2. You have the money to go to skip Barber (1 day course starts at $1500)
3. You are looking for a car to learn on ($25k beater of sorts)
4. You are looking to race the car and support tires, maintenance costs, etc..

5. You are concerned with losing 2-4k - ??

The money you will lose on the transaction price of the $25k vehicle will be far outweighed by the Tax (8% = $2000), Tires ($400-800 per set), Insurance of owning additional car, gas, etc...

Adam_W · 01-04-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KERMIT

Adam,

its not that we are trying to be less than helpful, its just that there have been a number of trolls lately. Your post indicates a few contradictory statements that make it seem less than legitimate. A month ago someone claimed to sell their Ferrari and purchase a Z..

1. You are looking for $60k sports cars
2. You have the money to go to skip Barber (1 day course starts at $1500)
3. You are looking for a car to learn on ($25k beater of sorts)
4. You are looking to race the car and support tires, maintenance costs, etc..

5. You are concerned with losing 2-4k - ??

The money you will lose on the transaction price of the $25k vehicle will be far outweighed by the Tax (8% = $2000), Tires ($400-800 per set), Insurance of owning additional car, gas, etc...

Understood.

I am not a troll. I'm just a dumba*s when it comes to cars and costs relating to cars and racing. I'm a physician who has driven the same car - a 2001 Honda Accord - since med school and now that the old honda is giving up the ghost, I've decided that it's time to live a little bit and upgrade into something fun. I'm willing to spend the money on a nice sports car, but I don't want to be a poser who buys an M3 doesn't know how to drive it. The money spent learning how to drive well - the driver mod - will be a worthwhile investment I think, but I'm still frugal and don't want to waste money unnecessarily. Hence my search for the most efficient path to my desired endpoint. Hope that puts things into perspective.

Thanks for the advice.

OldGuy · 01-03-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_W

hi,

I'm about to buy a used 2010 370Z and suddenly thought, "hey, maybe I should ask some people who actually know something about these cars."

So here is my situation: I've recently gotten "into" the idea of owning - and being able to drive well - a sports car. I think the car I want is a Corvette Z06 (please, hear me out!) , but I'm not dogmatic; could go for a used Porsche 911 or GTR. I don't want to drop $60K+ while being fairly ignorant of sports cars or how to drive them.

So I thought I would start with the "driver mod" first. I know how to drive stick but have never owned one, so I don't know how to drive one "well" or with skill.

I want to buy a stickshift sports car to learn on, take a course at Skip Barber, go to autocross a few times, get into HPDE 1 and 2, and then by the end of this year, decide what sort of car do I really want and then know how to drive it well at that point.

I started with the idea of getting a Miata until I found out that for HPDE, I'd need a rollbar (convertible), and probably remove foam from the seat for a 6'1'' person like fit with a helmet (head must be beneath level of rollbar).

Wanting to learn on a rear-wheel drive car - and being unable to find a decent 240SX in my area - I thought I'd get a 370Z for 23-25K and then sell it after a year.

Questions:
1. Is the 370Z a good car for my purposes? Since it's newer, I was thinking it would sell better than a 350Z, i.e. I would not lose as much money.

2. Is it true that the 2009 370Z "burns oil" and should be avoided?

3. Do you think I'm going to lose a lot of money when I sell the car, e.g. I buy a 2010 370Z with 30K miles, in good condition, for $25K and then in 12 months I sell it? Would be losing a 2-3K or are we talking losing more than 4K?

Thank you!

I've owned my '09 370 for over 3 years now and it doesn't burn or use any oil. It has been trouble freee for me. That said, I'd start out with something a bit more modest. Z is a lot of car and ties up a lot of money for an "experiment." I also own a Miata which has been been perfect since its purchase new in 1995. Get a used Miata to own as you "find yourself" automotively speaking. Much more modest investment and a lot of fun, as well.

Zoren 370 · 01-03-2013, 08:52 PM

If your primary purpose is to sharpen your skills in driving inside the track or do autocross. Might as well get a cheap beat up Miata or an RX8 do mods to be track ready, then sell after a year. Your loss will not be as much since you started cheap.

Once you have the skill and still have the money then go for your best dream sports car and keep it. A 911 GT3 would be a nice sports car to keep. IMHO

scope22 · 01-03-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGuy

I've owned my '09 370 for over 3 years now and it doesn't burn or use any oil. It has been trouble freee for me. That said, I'd start out with something a bit more modest. Z is a lot of car and ties up a lot of money for an "experiment." I also own a Miata which has been been perfect since its purchase new in 1995. Get a used Miata to own as you "find yourself" automotively speaking. Much more modest investment and a lot of fun, as well.

I 2nd that..my 09 is perfect...The real question is how much of a car you can afford to have fun with, if you're ok with tracking 370z and potentially crashing and losing 25K then i say go for it. get the best car you can afford to lose.

ZMan8 · 01-03-2013, 08:57 PM

if you just want to learn...get a NA Miata. (90-99) they are relatively cheap, have very little issues/maintenance and parts for them are as cheap as for a civic. For around 5-6k (3.5-4k for car + brakes, seat/harness, suspension, wheels/tires, etc) you will have a track car. Then when you have learned what you need either sell it, or just keep it as track only.

6MT · 01-03-2013, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_W

hi,

I'm about to buy a used 2010 370Z and suddenly thought, "hey, maybe I should ask some people who actually know something about these cars."

So here is my situation: I've recently gotten "into" the idea of owning - and being able to drive well - a sports car. I think the car I want is a Corvette Z06 (please, hear me out!) , but I'm not dogmatic; could go for a used Porsche 911 or GTR. I don't want to drop $60K+ while being fairly ignorant of sports cars or how to drive them.

So I thought I would start with the "driver mod" first. I know how to drive stick but have never owned one, so I don't know how to drive one "well" or with skill.

I want to buy a stickshift sports car to learn on, take a course at Skip Barber, go to autocross a few times, get into HPDE 1 and 2, and then by the end of this year, decide what sort of car do I really want and then know how to drive it well at that point.

I started with the idea of getting a Miata until I found out that for HPDE, I'd need a rollbar (convertible), and probably remove foam from the seat for a 6'1'' person like fit with a helmet (head must be beneath level of rollbar).

Wanting to learn on a rear-wheel drive car - and being unable to find a decent 240SX in my area - I thought I'd get a 370Z for 23-25K and then sell it after a year.

Questions:
1. Is the 370Z a good car for my purposes? Since it's newer, I was thinking it would sell better than a 350Z, i.e. I would not lose as much money.

2. Is it true that the 2009 370Z "burns oil" and should be avoided?

3. Do you think I'm going to lose a lot of money when I sell the car, e.g. I buy a 2010 370Z with 30K miles, in good condition, for $25K and then in 12 months I sell it? Would be losing a 2-3K or are we talking losing more than 4K?

Thank you!

I think that if you need to ask.... It's not right for you.

KERMIT · 01-03-2013, 09:55 PM

Smells trolly

DEpointfive0 · 01-03-2013, 10:04 PM

OP, sent you a PM if you wanna meet up and talk and maybe get a feel for my car

dP3NGU1N · 01-03-2013, 11:04 PM

3-4k sounds about right for a track beater... A buddy of mine bought his for 2k and has been beating the hell out of it ever since. Then he bought a used mustang for about 12k and he's happy.

37ZERO · 01-04-2013, 06:28 AM

The thought that appears to me would be to split the 60k you want to spend into two different cars... Hear me out - you've no experience in a manual or driving a car on a track, there is no way on this earth I would be taking my 60K daily driver and modifying it to suit that purpose and inevitably damaging it at some point.

My money would buy a open wheeler for the track (built for that very purpose!) and either something like the Z or a different daily driver option. That way you have something with brilliant power to weight setup to suit track only and a comfortable undamaged/abused daily.

01-03-2013, 10:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Adam_W Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Irvine Posts: 11 Drives: old honda accord Rep Power: 13	DEpointfive0 - thanks for the generous offer. Replied to PM. I appreciate the voices of wisdom here and will take the collective advice and not buy the 370Z for the time being. I'll do some more research on other cars, and look harder for older Miatas. I appreciate everyone's advice and will let you know if I have any other questions. 370Zs are beautiful cars and I'm kinda sad I won't be getting one (was going to get the black 2010 370z at Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim). For those who've been less than helpful, I suggest you ponder how you respond to newbies on the forum. As with all things in life, everyone has to start somewhere, and the guy you offer help to today might be the same person who is able to teach you something in a couple of years. Such is the meaning of Community. Last edited by Adam_W; 01-03-2013 at 11:25 PM.

01-03-2013, 08:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
ZMan8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,844 Drives: 10 370z 40th M6 Rep Power: 659	if you just want to learn...get a NA Miata. (90-99) they are relatively cheap, have very little issues/maintenance and parts for them are as cheap as for a civic. For around 5-6k (3.5-4k for car + brakes, seat/harness, suspension, wheels/tires, etc) you will have a track car. Then when you have learned what you need either sell it, or just keep it as track only. __________________ 2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT \| Fast Intentions \| Swift Springs \| SPC \| Z1Motorsports \| JWM \| Redline Oils \| 35% Window Tint 2015 Mazda6 \| 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

01-03-2013, 09:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
KERMIT Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Republic of Wadiya Posts: 301 Drives: Ms. Daisy Rep Power: 14	Smells trolly Akmcmahon likes this.

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01-03-2013, 06:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
dP3NGU1N A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,682 Drives: 13 PW sport 6mt Rep Power: 19	I think you've basically got your answers.... I don't know what else to tell you. 1. Ignore the advice and buy a 370z 2. buy an older model vehicle that you can learn on and enjoy without fear of losing too much value 3. buy the car that you originally intended to buy and just enjoy it at your own pace. You don't need to be a pro racer the moment you step into the car.

01-03-2013, 10:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zenmaster Base Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 68 Drives: 10 370z M6 40th Rep Power: 14	get a ford pinto

01-03-2013, 08:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Zoren 370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL Posts: 11,018 Drives: 11 Nissan 370 M6 Rep Power: 1913654	If your primary purpose is to sharpen your skills in driving inside the track or do autocross. Might as well get a cheap beat up Miata or an RX8 do mods to be track ready, then sell after a year. Your loss will not be as much since you started cheap. Once you have the skill and still have the money then go for your best dream sports car and keep it. A 911 GT3 would be a nice sports car to keep. IMHO

01-03-2013, 10:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17152	OP, sent you a PM if you wanna meet up and talk and maybe get a feel for my car

01-03-2013, 11:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
dP3NGU1N A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,682 Drives: 13 PW sport 6mt Rep Power: 19	3-4k sounds about right for a track beater... A buddy of mine bought his for 2k and has been beating the hell out of it ever since. Then he bought a used mustang for about 12k and he's happy.

01-04-2013, 06:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
37ZERO Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Burradoo Posts: 26 Drives: --- Rep Power: 13	The thought that appears to me would be to split the 60k you want to spend into two different cars... Hear me out - you've no experience in a manual or driving a car on a track, there is no way on this earth I would be taking my 60K daily driver and modifying it to suit that purpose and inevitably damaging it at some point. My money would buy a open wheeler for the track (built for that very purpose!) and either something like the Z or a different daily driver option. That way you have something with brilliant power to weight setup to suit track only and a comfortable undamaged/abused daily.