Why a Z

grandpawmoses · 05-24-2014, 07:20 AM

Last year my wife told me if I gave up my motorcycle I could get any car I wanted. I agreed if I could get a Corvette.
Well, I sold the bike & test drove the Corvette along with several other two seaters. I wouldn't consider a four seater as this was a third vehicle and I wanted something that would be my "toy".
The 2014 Corvette at $72K outshined the pack in both performance and technology. The BMW Z4 35is at $68K was a little tight for an old man and I didn't like the confusing I-Drive system. I never drove the Miata, its' looks didn't do it for me. I couldn't find a Mercedes SLK to try. I did test an Audi TTS and liked it but research indicated it was a car you buy and drive, not to be tinkered with.
When I considered the Z, it's initial looks had me. Now I wanted a convertible but the coupe looked so good. (Here in Alabama you probably only get to comfortably ride with the top down four months a year and the convertible is an extra $4k+.) Its' ride is a little rough (but no more than the Vette), rear road noise is excessive (I've solved that with added insulation), and rear visibility is, well, "poor". (Nissan really should add a rear collision alarm.) On the plus side, it handles as good as the Z4, goes as fast as I want to, and the cost was less than $40K after negotiation, "out the door" for sport, touring, auto, and nav coupe. If this was to be my only ride I probably would have spent the extra for the Vette but I'm happy with my decision and that's all that counts.

blackcherry20 · 05-24-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpawmoses

Last year my wife told me if I gave up my motorcycle I could get any car I wanted. I agreed if I could get a Corvette.
Well, I sold the bike & test drove the Corvette along with several other two seaters. I wouldn't consider a four seater as this was a third vehicle and I wanted something that would be my "toy".
The 2014 Corvette at $72K outshined the pack in both performance and technology. The BMW Z4 35is at $68K was a little tight for an old man and I didn't like the confusing I-Drive system. I never drove the Miata, its' looks didn't do it for me. I couldn't find a Mercedes SLK to try. I did test an Audi TTS and liked it but research indicated it was a car you buy and drive, not to be tinkered with.
When I considered the Z, it's initial looks had me. Now I wanted a convertible but the coupe looked so good. (Here in Alabama you probably only get to comfortably ride with the top down four months a year and the convertible is an extra $4k+.) Its' ride is a little rough (but no more than the Vette), rear road noise is excessive (I've solved that with added insulation), and rear visibility is, well, "poor". (Nissan really should add a rear collision alarm.) On the plus side, it handles as good as the Z4, goes as fast as I want to, and the cost was less than $40K after negotiation, "out the door" for sport, touring, auto, and nav coupe. If this was to be my only ride I probably would have spent the extra for the Vette but I'm happy with my decision and that's all that counts.

^^^^I agree on the looks. But...i recently picked up a 1990 Miata for auto-x and DD.

it is surprisingly fun to drive. Doesn't compare to the Z in looks though. Not even close.

Fuzzzy · 05-24-2014, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

For the money, no other car comes even close on performance and style.

Everything else going for less $ or that is in the ballpark is either a hot hatch, underpowered cone dodger's car, or a bloated pony/muscle car.

Everything that reflects an equal or greater performing sports coupe is significantly more expensive, and frequently not any more attractive.

So, for me, that's why the Z.

Absolutely this!

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpawmoses

Last year my wife told me if I gave up my motorcycle I could get any car I wanted. I agreed if I could get a Corvette.

My mother made me a very similar offer when I was in high school. But her list was far more restricted than your wife's. I loved my bike, but it didn't have a back seat

But she achieved her goal as I never even considered owning another bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpawmoses

When I considered the Z, it's initial looks had me. Now I wanted a convertible but the coupe looked so good. (Here in Alabama you probably only get to comfortably ride with the top down four months a year and the convertible is an extra $4k+.)

Your definition of "comfortably" is much broader than mine. I would probably concede that there are only four months where you have an opportunity to ride comfortably.

Akurei · 05-24-2014, 12:51 PM

I saw a 370z at the gym parked next to a GTR that i have been looking at everytime i go to the gym cause the bastard is always there anyhow, but then i looked over the Z and some reason i was hooked. I do have a CRX, so maybe i'm just attracted to hatchback/fastback bodystyles. I wasnt completely taken by the Z but enough to look at prices and quote around. Now with the right price, i walked out with one and have no regrets

05-24-2014, 07:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
grandpawmoses A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Northport, Alabama Age: 81 Posts: 1,398 Drives: a hard bargain Rep Power: 27	Last year my wife told me if I gave up my motorcycle I could get any car I wanted. I agreed if I could get a Corvette. Well, I sold the bike & test drove the Corvette along with several other two seaters. I wouldn't consider a four seater as this was a third vehicle and I wanted something that would be my "toy". The 2014 Corvette at $72K outshined the pack in both performance and technology. The BMW Z4 35is at $68K was a little tight for an old man and I didn't like the confusing I-Drive system. I never drove the Miata, its' looks didn't do it for me. I couldn't find a Mercedes SLK to try. I did test an Audi TTS and liked it but research indicated it was a car you buy and drive, not to be tinkered with. When I considered the Z, it's initial looks had me. Now I wanted a convertible but the coupe looked so good. (Here in Alabama you probably only get to comfortably ride with the top down four months a year and the convertible is an extra $4k+.) Its' ride is a little rough (but no more than the Vette), rear road noise is excessive (I've solved that with added insulation), and rear visibility is, well, "poor". (Nissan really should add a rear collision alarm.) On the plus side, it handles as good as the Z4, goes as fast as I want to, and the cost was less than $40K after negotiation, "out the door" for sport, touring, auto, and nav coupe. If this was to be my only ride I probably would have spent the extra for the Vette but I'm happy with my decision and that's all that counts. gbrettin, Leadfoot, Shadezz and 4 others like this.

05-24-2014, 12:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Akurei Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: California Posts: 319 Drives: 14 370z Rep Power: 12	I saw a 370z at the gym parked next to a GTR that i have been looking at everytime i go to the gym cause the bastard is always there anyhow, but then i looked over the Z and some reason i was hooked. I do have a CRX, so maybe i'm just attracted to hatchback/fastback bodystyles. I wasnt completely taken by the Z but enough to look at prices and quote around. Now with the right price, i walked out with one and have no regrets Leadfoot likes this.