370Z, a better daily than an Evo X?
 

Long and short of it is I'm buying a house and a GTR. My wife and I have no kids, and only need one car for the next few years. A 370Z is drop dead gorgeous, and right around $8,000 less than my 12 Evo X. I could trade out, flip equity into the "new" car (I'd buy used), and come out owing a huge amount less than I do now which would lower my monthly expenses.

Talk me into it or out of it? I've only owned high horsepower AWD cars since my RX-8 back when I was 19.

You're giving up a whole lot of space if it's going to be your only car.

Oh f-... where to start. :shakes head:

True, but I work at a car dealership and have access to anything I need for the most part.

I realize it's apples to oranges. My main goal is to lower my monthly expenses as much as possible, an the 10K is difference equates to $200 a month in savings.

What's the trade in value of a 2012 Evo? It must be much higher than I thought it was.

The way I trade in is different from the way most trade in, as I work at a dealership. The money side is why it makes sense for me to do it, admittedly most people are not in as lucky of a position as I am to be able to take advantage of the way dealerships work.

I'm not trying to troll, and the money side I don't need advice on, just how they are to live with every day. I've driven a few, and with sways/cbe/lowering springs they look and drive excellent. I really could have titled that thread better and omitted the house and GTR purchase since it seems like just mentioning that car is like throwing a cube of ice in boiling oil. Oh well, it's quoted now.

Have you test driven the 370Z yet?

If it saves you that much money and it's just an interim car until you buy a GTR go for it. It's much smaller and far less useable, but you learn to cope with it.

Space wise the Z will be a good bit less, the misses and I each have a Z (no kids) and it works for us. If we need to carry more people other friends will drive, you live in the south so no real issue on weather (minus the hurricanes) so giving up AWD is not a major loss.

I am not sure on MPG on ours versus the Evo X, but something to consider for a DD if you care. Ride quality I really enjoy the Z, have upgraded to better coilovers and still enjoy driving the car everyday.

Yes, very nice but desperately needs the mods I listed above.

The main reason I'm considering it is my wife LOVES that style car. It was actually on the short list along with FRS/BRZ. I'm just going to give it to her when we need to buy another car.

Yeah I'm in Orlando so not too worried, and the X gets terrible mileage anyway. No loss there!

Just don't expect to make power as easily as the Evo. Bolt ons and a tune for the Z will only get you to ~325 whp or so. Beyond that gets expensive.

Nah, just a drop w/sways and a CBE. Definitely wheels and a lip too. I don't see the point in doing much beyond making it pretty and sound nice. Thats a large reason why I want to sell the Evo, somehow its still stock. I don't want to sink the kind of money into it that I did my STI.

End this thread, BUY THE Z. :tup:

I'm not really sure why anyone on this 'Z' forum would talk you out of buying one.. :tiphat:

:iagree:

I just like to get lots of opinions in case theres something I havent considered. The only other consideration is an FRS/BRZ which is only marginally more practical and slightly less money. Not as good looking IMO.

You're in the south. Expect to add an oil cooler to that mod list. These things run hot.

If she's ok with the drop in power, the BRZ/FRS will cost you a lot less both up front and ongoing. Between gas and tires, the Z will cost you more over time. It's still the better car, but there's a tradeoff.

What if you got a cheap gas saver instead? Like a Versa, Fit, or Yaris... You'd save money on gas and could probably get the GT-R faster :p

e: don't flame me please, just throwing the idea out there so OP can get to his end goal faster

I do believe we talked another chap out of getting rid of his NSX for a 370Z.

To the OP, do what is best for you. All we can do is tell you what we love about our cars and why we THINK you should get the Z.

My advice...GTRs are UGGGGGLLLLYYYY.
Power Yes!
Sexy NO!
Get a fleet of Z's.

Yeah I read that, my buddy has a 350 Nismo and said it was a big thing with these cars. I'm going to have her drive them both, but I'm massively in favor of the Z. They go for high teen's low 20's down here if you take your time to find the right one.

:icon17:

I thought about it for about 10 seconds, and pretty much since my wife and I are both huge enthusiasts we'd be miserable in something like that. Don't get me wrong, if life said that I NEEDED to save that much money then yeah I would but for me I just don't see the need for spending the extra cash on an evo when its just going to be replaced by a GTR and my wife will get one of these cars anyway. I'm trying to make a cohesive plan/path that will minimize excess spending.

LOL

I've also realized that the Z will hold value better than the FRS, but not the BRZ. BRZ price is the same as Z for the most part, and for the money I'd rather have it hold its value + get the extra power.

Well after reading all of that. I agree the thread should be titled differently. The key point is this will ultimately be your wife's car I believe. So her input is going to be the major factor. Which one does she like? The FRS/BRZ you can get new and in the ballpark of used Z's. I think something to consider as a compromise between the two (not on price) is a G37. You get the VQ and a little more room that you would find int he FRS/BRZ. I think the wife will be happy with one of those as most women like Infiniti. Just my :twocents:

I came from two 330+ HP 400TQ WRX's and I'm not complaining. I wish I had AWD for winter but it works fine with snow tires. I'm glad to be done with boost and worrying about everything that goes with it! My trunks gutted so it fits more than the WRX's trunk. Obviously it had a back seat too but neither WRX back seat was really ever used so it was no loss. The Z handles better and the no drop off after 5500 rpm is nice. Its nice to feel pull to redline. It was a torque monster though! But with RWD you don't need it. You can have RWD fun even at stock TQ. And from dyno's I've seen the 2.0 isn't a TQ monster either.

The FRS/BRZ is a fine car if you don't mind no power and an interior that comes out of a cereal box. For $25k new (and more like $30k with decent options) they're not nearly the bargain all the fanboys would have you believe.:roflpuke2:

From what I'm seeing they are high 20's new, where as the base + sport (a must) Z's I'm finding I can get for high teens/low 20's. I'm not into the G's at all, and she's not into the style as much. Yes it will ultimately be hers, which is why I'll just trade in my Evo now and get her the car she wants, especially since I don't plan on keeping it and her car will be much less money. Why pay for a car I'm just going to trade is kinda the thought process.

Just a boost controller and a midpipe will get me over 330whp/320wtq in the Evo. My STI had over 400. The Evo is stock now as much as I like fast car's I'm not going to put money into something that I'm just going to get rid of, you know?

Z it is!

/thread

I DD my 370z whenever possible. It's NY and the winter has been rough, so it's mostly been the Civic the past two months. Honestly though, the Z is great as a DD. I drive about 30 miles each way to work and 90% of the time it's just me. The Evo has it's advantages, but for me, I really don't need awd, extra luggage room, doors, seats etc...

If you both like the Z, I say go for it. Either choice is awesome and having both in the garage looks pretty badass.

Big bonus of living here in Florida = RWD all year no issues.

My z is a DD and I have no issues with it but I am considered a "youngin" by my colleagues and do not mind the inconveniences of a 2-seater sports car.

Only nags I've heard are difficulties in getting in and out because it is "too low" - I'm only lowered on Swifts haha

My wife and I are in our mid(low-mid) 20's so I hear you on that! I have had Swift Spec-R's on my last 2 cars, will definitely be doing them again. Do you know if the fenders need to be rolled with swifts + 20mm spacers on the stock Rays?

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...z-vs-evox.html

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...-vs-evo-x.html

Evo X vs 370z? - EvoXForums.com - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Forums

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ay-driver.html

there's some opinions on both sides so i am not biased

My wife and I are 24 and 25 respectively. We have no kids. I have daily driven a Z since 2009. I only got a little beater Honda recently for a DD. The Z can work as a good daily driver. I would get around 23-24 MPG. You obviously wont have a lot of space vs the Evo, which doesnt sound like an issue for you and the wife.

I bought my Z used with 21k miles on it. I have 45k miles now. The only maintenance I have had to do are oil changes. I did get the csc failure, but that was covered under warranty. I also pulled the steering lock fuse to prevent that from failing. Other than that is has served well for me as a daily driver. I only recently got a beater Honda Accord to keep from putting miles on my Z so I can baby it lol.

no it's not that.

here is a diy on how to buy a house... and a diy if you apply as a Z owner. :ugh:

focus on wat you want do and dont halfarse it. you want to buy a house? keep your evo if paid off, if not, sell and get a cheap car, build savings for mortgage downpayment. you dont need a 370Z to save money. get a cheapo like a aveo or some shittt used car.

buy the house in 2yrs or so, get a feel of home ownership and the costs associated to it, then when the timing is right (minimum 4-5yrs from now), get the car you want if you can afford it.

if youre one of those that can't buy a 2nd or 3rd car to use as dd, or have like $5K+ in creditcard debt, do yourself a favor and dont do the Z. you will end up not enjoying the car.

while the Z is a economy sports car, it wasnt intended for the poor.

I have the savings for the mortgage and the income is more than enough, my main thing here is if I keep the Evo I'm essentially paying for a car for a few years that I will not end up keeping, vs. the Z we would keep for my wife.

if you're thinking long term, as in keeping the car like 10yrs, then it can be worth the purchase.


the biggest money loser are those that keep buying new cars every few years. im not saying you can't have fun in the mean time, you only live once... but do it smart.

ok that concludes this tread.


/thread

I don't know if I posted this, but I'm a senior salesman at a very large dealership, so believe me I know. My wife is the type to buy a car and then keep it for a decade, and she absolutely hates loans so we'll have it paid off extremely fast. I bought the Evo for WAY under market value so I'm in a very good place with it and would like to use that to my advantage to do this maneuver here.

Long long term is I'll take that back as a daily once we have kids, since I work the crazy dealership hours and 95% of the time wont have anyone with me.

I hear yeah!

Here's more now that I think. The evo I'm sure is a track god like on top gear, but it seems to drive you with its electronics. Even on the street I'd call it boring (a little 2.0 4cyl doesn't help much). The Z is more raw and animal like. To me that's more fun turning onto my street feeling the car and on the track. If I go 1:40 at mid ohio and the cars driving me I'm not happy. If I go 1:45 and the Z's crazy and raw, that's more fun. My friends 11 STI was harder than my 09 and 11 WRX, but it's got nothing on the feel of my Z.

PS, way more complements too! Watch out for your wife! Guys will go nuts.

Boring is only true stock. It's just WAY too much car to pay for when Godzilla is happening.

I swear the day they cash that check for the house and it's all good to go I'm going out to buy one. Only reason I don't now is we only need 1 car and I like to keep my assets as liquid as possible. :stirthepot:

On that last note, my wife smoking hot. I'm used to it.

Get a 4x4 truck/suv. Z doesn't make any sense as your only vehicle. Unless you're only into one kind of vehicle, but life is too short to only stick with japanese sports cars.

Nah. Besides: city condo = parking garage