2014 vs 2015
 

Hey guys!
Recently I have met a choice of buying a new vehicle, I'm looking for something that will last me the next 7 years or whenever I can buy my own car, I'm 18 now.
Currently my interest is in the 370z because I want a head turning car unlike mustang, camero, and bmw which I see in every neighborhood.

At my local dealership there is a 2014 nissan 370z touring with sport package, fully loaded bose system, nav, leather seats, etc. The dealer so far has offered me a price of $37,000. I could probably talk him to lowering it to $35,000

Or should I instead buy a 2015 nissan 370z touring without the sport package? This one comes in pearl white with the black 19' rays forged wheels which is exactly what I wanted. The only problem is 2015 model doesn't have the sport package and it's a manual. (My family and I have never driven a manual but I do want to learn and willing to go to a local driving school for this car. I also live in SC which has it's fair share of hills, messy roads, and stop and go traffic.)

There's also this used 2013 nissan nismo with only 658 miles! Going for $37,000 but I haven't really talked about this one with my parents due to the fact that for 37 grand I really want the standard things it should come with i.e. heated/leather seats, bluetooth, and etc.

Are these good deals to go for? Or should I turn my head and look in other directions? Also around where I live I don't trust many of the local car shops so no heavy mods for me but I do want to install after market exhaust, spoiler, lips, and if it comes to it a new body kit. Please share any suggestions you have with me!

The gunmetal 2014 that you referred to has an MSRP of about $43,000. You stated that you can probably get the salesperson to sell this exact car to you for $35,000. Please let us know if you are indeed able to get the salesperson to knock $8,000 off the MSRP, as that kind of discount will make lots of us buyers.

The white 2015, however, does not have the RAYS wheels because it does not have the sport package. So please reevaluate your decision based on this information.

Even at $37,000, the 2014 is a great deal. Thats way under invoice to start, so even if you ended up paying that, you'd still be in a good position. I paid just south of $39,000 for my 2014 loaded, about $2,000 under invoice and was stoked, so even less than that is a steal. No brainer IMO.

18 and getting a new Z from the parents? you lucky dog you....

I lived in the SC area before, and if you're 18 and getting a manual for the first time (and no one is available to teach you) be ready to burn up some clutches...they are a pretty hefty maintenance cost as well.

things to note about the sport models:

more expensive tires, and depending on where you go the mounting and balance is also more expensive. It comes with summer tires which are very soft, and the 19" size doesn't have any true winter tires, so if you're in the part of SC which sees snow you're gonna have some trouble. 18s do have true winter tires and cost less to maintain.

The big difference between the sport and non sport is the LSD. unless you actually race it (spirited driving doesn't count) then you're better off getting the '15 non sport with the 18" wheels. Much easier on the wallet, a bit more comfortable because of the taller side wall, and it's newer so resell down the road would be a bit better.

All this being said, I have a Z sport for my fun car, and as much as I love it for fun, I don't know how anyone here deals with it on a daily basis, during cold/snowy/slushy winters or with crappy roads associated with colder areas. I've got quite a few friends that deal year round, and they either LOVE to deal with it or they complain.


This isn't to dissuade you in any way, just throwing some un/biased information out there to help out.

Would I buy my Z for all year driving where I currently live? NO
Would I buy it again? Oh yeah, for sure