to buy or not to buy, that is the question

Drex · 12-07-2013, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redzoneos

This I guess is what I was looking for. I'll assume snow tires are a necessity (adding about 3-4k to my cost if i get a wheel/tire package).

probably don't need to spend that much on winter wheels/tires unless you are looking at expensive wheels. i spent about $1200 combined. check out this thread:

My Winter Rims/Tires Setup: TRMotorsport C2 + Blizzak LM-25 w/TPMS w/pics (AK370Z)

axmea? · 12-07-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b15

I also live in the 'burbs' of chicago. I hate the salt and thats mainly why I garage it however if you're not concerned, a good set of winter tires and wheels will be fine. We will get the occasional 4-6" of snow and in that case you're likely stuck but for the majority of winter you'll be ok. Personally I would recommend two cars if you can afford it.

Nailed it!

nmjaxx9 · 12-07-2013, 05:43 PM

Buy! and sell later if u want cars are like shoes switch em every few weeks and you can keep running.

Amuse370z · 12-10-2013, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainhead

When I bought my Z the sales guy told me he had one but it was so hard to get in and out of after a few months he sold it.

This I have to agree, I also park on the left side of my garage at home.

The huge doors combined with the little I space that I have and the low seating makes it extra tough to get in and out of the car.

andre12031948 · 12-06-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redzoneos

Hello all,
so I've been lurking this forum for the past few days trying to decide on whether I want to buy this car or not. Based on my budget I'm looking at buying a 2010 model 370z (probably touring, but maybe sport, definitely not base).

I guess one thing has really bothered me, leading to this post:
Why are so many of these cars sold with ridiculously low mileage? So many 370z's, even on this forum get sold 3 years later with less then 15k or even 10k miles?

Is it not a good daily driver (I plan on making it mine)? Are there long term reliability issues? expensive maintenance? poor driving feel?

I dunno... just seems strange. "Bothered" is a strong word, I dunno that I'm bothered by it, but it certainly makes me think twice before I buy!

The Z is a nice sweet car, but after 25k the heads start working as if they are missing 2 camshafts. So people are afraid to buy a 370z above 20k miles.

Be afraid, be very afraid.... Kidding.

b15 · 12-06-2013, 04:44 PM

It all boils down to personal preference. I love my Z and after test driving a host of cars from the Corvette all the way to an s2000, I ended up with the Z because I liked it the best. As others have stated, many don't DD their Zs which is why you can find a lot of low mileage preowned ones. I personally don't DD mine and wouldn't want to either as I find it on the small side. As a fun weekend car though, it fits the bill perfectly! I would say spring for the sport package if you can, you won't regret it.

Good luck with whatever you decide on!

joentown · 12-06-2013, 04:47 PM

I bought a new 2010 touring sport and have 22K miles to date. I drive the car as much as I can but have another car for Winter driving. Modded with Fast Intensions exhaust and an UpRev tune to get a little extra performance and love it.Never had any trouble with the car at all, just oil changes and tires. Get the touring sport and you won't be sorry.

Redglare · 12-06-2013, 04:48 PM

you can pick up a low mileage 09-10 base sport manual for a bit over 20k,

Nothing wrong with the car at all, it's just there are so many factors out there it is inevitable that low mileage Z's end up on the market.

Some people like to switch cars, others have to downgrade or upgrade, meanwhile others run in financial problems or just get tired of not having rear seats. The market is flooded with all sorts of sports cars, making the prices very appealing. What does it mean for a used car buyer? Great news, a used 10 sport package car with under 15k miles for ~22k? not much out there that can compete. As time goes on the prices will get better (for buyers). 09's base sports are dropping in sub 20 range as well.

I've been tracking the prices for a while now, the best time to buy is a Z carr that's about ~3-4 years old with very low mileage, best time to sell is after 2 years (3max) to recoup most of your money.

b15 · 12-07-2013, 08:16 AM

Absolutely run winter tires if you're going to drive in the winter. Where are you located, if you don't mind me asking.

Tazicon · 12-07-2013, 11:02 AM

I hated the Z in snow, yes snow tires help but a second car really is your best bet. We used ours as a DD and my wife was getting around 22 in town. If you have a lead foot it will be less, much less. My wife loved it as a DD, great for getting through traffic etc, good acceleration when you need it stops great. For a DD where only one person is commuting you cant beat it for fun as well as just a good car. We put about 33k on ours in the 3 years we had it. The wife decided she wanted an SUV though so the Z is now gone.

Gadgetech · 12-07-2013, 08:29 PM

I bought a 2014 with substantial discounts and love it. I was fully planning on driving it daily but I have a 2001 Mustang GT that I'm using for that task now. I got a base car with the sport package. I wanted a car with the non-Bose stereo b/c I'm not that impressed with the software Nissan has on their Bose stereos and I wanted the cubby at the top of the stack rather than a screen. I wasn't planning on spending anything on mine either...$2k later and here we are. I've wanted a Z car for a long time and despite the wife's desire I not get one...I figured it was time. We don't have kids and I'll be 40 next year.

redzoneos · 12-08-2013, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b15

Absolutely run winter tires if you're going to drive in the winter. Where are you located, if you don't mind me asking.

I live in Algonquin IL (its like 20 minutes west of Schaumburg)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmjaxx9

Buy! and sell later if u want cars are like shoes switch em every few weeks and you can keep running.

LOL, if only I could do that, I would be one happy man.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drex

probably don't need to spend that much on winter wheels/tires unless you are looking at expensive wheels. i spent about $1200 combined. check out this thread:

My Winter Rims/Tires Setup: TRMotorsport C2 + Blizzak LM-25 w/TPMS w/pics (AK370Z)

thanks for the link, I hadn't don't much research on the packages. 1200 or so sounds a lot more reasonable then my random expectation!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadgetech

I bought a 2014 with substantial discounts and love it. I was fully planning on driving it daily but I have a 2001 Mustang GT that I'm using for that task now. I got a base car with the sport package. I wanted a car with the non-Bose stereo b/c I'm not that impressed with the software Nissan has on their Bose stereos and I wanted the cubby at the top of the stack rather than a screen. I wasn't planning on spending anything on mine either...$2k later and here we are. I've wanted a Z car for a long time and despite the wife's desire I not get one...I figured it was time. We don't have kids and I'll be 40 next year.

haha good for you man glad you got what you wanted. I'm 33 and single so I don't really need to worry about the desires of others. yet.

One more question if you guys don't mind. Roadsters in the winter, any issues with this? Don't see convertibles often out on the roads in chicago winter, probably for good reason but is this a possibility or just stick with the coupe?

Tazicon · 12-09-2013, 07:21 PM

I would stick with a Coupe if I were you. Even with my Jeep in the winter I put the hard top on. If Z's had a hard top convertable (like the G's) I would say yes, but being a soft top I wouldn't do it.

I am coming up on 50 this coming year, no kids etc. but I have a 2 seater, having 2 two seaters was my wifes problem. Our kids are gone and they don't even live with in 600 miles of us. I saw no reason not to both have a 2 seater but a happy wife makes for a happy life. I change cars more often than I change my shorts.

Gadgetech · 12-10-2013, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazicon

I change cars more often than I change my shorts.

You too? Our wives shouldn't ever talk.

Sent from my Lumia 1020 using Tapatalk

redzoneos · 12-09-2013, 10:09 PM

all right guys, final decision made. i'm definitely going to buy a Z coupe. I've decided though that it would be wisest to wait until the winter is over before buying. I feel this will give me a bit more time to get a feel for the new ride in safer driving conditions, time to save for any additional expenses I haven't thought of including winter wheels, and give me more freedom to shop around/test drive etc.

Thanks again for all your help

12-06-2013, 04:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Redglare Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: FL Posts: 387 Drives: C172 Skyhawk GIII Rep Power: 176	you can pick up a low mileage 09-10 base sport manual for a bit over 20k, Nothing wrong with the car at all, it's just there are so many factors out there it is inevitable that low mileage Z's end up on the market. Some people like to switch cars, others have to downgrade or upgrade, meanwhile others run in financial problems or just get tired of not having rear seats. The market is flooded with all sorts of sports cars, making the prices very appealing. What does it mean for a used car buyer? Great news, a used 10 sport package car with under 15k miles for ~22k? not much out there that can compete. As time goes on the prices will get better (for buyers). 09's base sports are dropping in sub 20 range as well. I've been tracking the prices for a while now, the best time to buy is a Z carr that's about ~3-4 years old with very low mileage, best time to sell is after 2 years (3max) to recoup most of your money. Last edited by Redglare; 12-06-2013 at 04:52 PM.

12-07-2013, 08:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
Gadgetech A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Cumming, Ga Posts: 1,559 Drives: The Short Bus Rep Power: 870	I bought a 2014 with substantial discounts and love it. I was fully planning on driving it daily but I have a 2001 Mustang GT that I'm using for that task now. I got a base car with the sport package. I wanted a car with the non-Bose stereo b/c I'm not that impressed with the software Nissan has on their Bose stereos and I wanted the cubby at the top of the stack rather than a screen. I wasn't planning on spending anything on mine either...$2k later and here we are. I've wanted a Z car for a long time and despite the wife's desire I not get one...I figured it was time. We don't have kids and I'll be 40 next year. TheGreatOne likes this. __________________ Upstate Z Club

12-09-2013, 10:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
redzoneos Base Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 6 Drives: none yet Rep Power: 12	all right guys, final decision made. i'm definitely going to buy a Z coupe. I've decided though that it would be wisest to wait until the winter is over before buying. I feel this will give me a bit more time to get a feel for the new ride in safer driving conditions, time to save for any additional expenses I haven't thought of including winter wheels, and give me more freedom to shop around/test drive etc. Thanks again for all your help b15 and TheGreatOne like this.

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12-07-2013, 05:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
nmjaxx9 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Middletown, Ct Posts: 5,853 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 27	Buy! and sell later if u want cars are like shoes switch em every few weeks and you can keep running.

12-06-2013, 04:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
b15 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,229 Drives: 4drz Rep Power: 36572	It all boils down to personal preference. I love my Z and after test driving a host of cars from the Corvette all the way to an s2000, I ended up with the Z because I liked it the best. As others have stated, many don't DD their Zs which is why you can find a lot of low mileage preowned ones. I personally don't DD mine and wouldn't want to either as I find it on the small side. As a fun weekend car though, it fits the bill perfectly! I would say spring for the sport package if you can, you won't regret it. Good luck with whatever you decide on!

12-06-2013, 04:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
joentown Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Philly, PA Posts: 70 Drives: 370Z '10 Tour Sport Rep Power: 17	I bought a new 2010 touring sport and have 22K miles to date. I drive the car as much as I can but have another car for Winter driving. Modded with Fast Intensions exhaust and an UpRev tune to get a little extra performance and love it.Never had any trouble with the car at all, just oil changes and tires. Get the touring sport and you won't be sorry.

12-07-2013, 08:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
b15 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,229 Drives: 4drz Rep Power: 36572	Absolutely run winter tires if you're going to drive in the winter. Where are you located, if you don't mind me asking.

12-07-2013, 11:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tazicon Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vegas Baby! Posts: 773 Drives: German/British cars Rep Power: 15	I hated the Z in snow, yes snow tires help but a second car really is your best bet. We used ours as a DD and my wife was getting around 22 in town. If you have a lead foot it will be less, much less. My wife loved it as a DD, great for getting through traffic etc, good acceleration when you need it stops great. For a DD where only one person is commuting you cant beat it for fun as well as just a good car. We put about 33k on ours in the 3 years we had it. The wife decided she wanted an SUV though so the Z is now gone.

12-09-2013, 07:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tazicon Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vegas Baby! Posts: 773 Drives: German/British cars Rep Power: 15	I would stick with a Coupe if I were you. Even with my Jeep in the winter I put the hard top on. If Z's had a hard top convertable (like the G's) I would say yes, but being a soft top I wouldn't do it. I am coming up on 50 this coming year, no kids etc. but I have a 2 seater, having 2 two seaters was my wifes problem. Our kids are gone and they don't even live with in 600 miles of us. I saw no reason not to both have a 2 seater but a happy wife makes for a happy life. I change cars more often than I change my shorts.