Great topic, it's one of those things I daydream about constantly. I read a blurb in either EVO or CAR (I think :ughdance:) about the next Z4's (coupe and roadster) getting the current engines, so the twin turbo six and M3 V8 for the M models... if the price stays even remotely the same those cars could be all kinds of awesome. I will do due dilligence on my next purchase, test drive pretty much everything between $25K and $45K worth driving and then ask myself which one best fits my intent: Is it a car that I will want to drive for years to come, one that will bring a smile to my face every time I see it? It doesn't have to be practical (although if the new STI is any good, that'd be a huge bonus), it's just gotta be great fun!

S.

The old (current) Z4 is all the way down to low 40's, since production is being shipped to germany. I wouldn't pay 50K either for this Z4, but for the next 2010 Z4 I may pay even more..............yes, 20k more than the 370z, but they are saying it will come with a tweaked twin turbo engine 330HP and more torque than the current engine, so performance will be similar, but the "looks" go for the bimmer this time.

The 2010 generation Z4 also comes with a retractable metal hard top , i hope the 370 Z roadster has the same type of set up ;)


Cheers
Michael

Hate to say it but I highly doubt.. Nissan will not offer a hardtop in Z yet :(. I do remember reading somewhere it'll be soft top. I like hard top because it's safer (if involved) in a accident but you sacrifice trunk space with it.

:eek: now that will be great competitor. I like the look of the newer Z4.

Only other cars I am looking at the Evo X, which is growing on me, but I don't really need the space. The C6 w/LS3, but I am not really a Vette' kinda guy, I don't have that much chest hair.

The Genesis is a very poorly designed car in my eyes (and I happen to be a designer), and not nearly the quality that the Z can offer.

For the money there is nothing else that really interests me, as the base price allows me to have a quality DD as well as put some money into modifying the Z. If I decide I don't need a DD I will look at E92 M3 or 996 GT3 (though I am not a big fan of the 996 design).

There is no real middle ground when it comes to these cars, they kind of trail off in the mid $30k to $40k range and then nothing really interesting until you get to the $65k - $80k range. Where is a solid 400hp, lightweight coupe for $50k?

That said, the 370Z is the most attractive option in my eyes. $30k for a base model + $5-8k for mods and I am looking at a perfectly satisfying weekend canyon carver/track machine that looks fabulous. No complaints from me.

:icon17:

:tup: well said. There is really no real 2 seater sports coupe in the that price range (25000-35000) anymore. There is S2000 but it's got a hideous rear view and no tq. . Rx-8 is a great candidate but only 238 HP :(. Is there anything else really? That's why Nissan is doing a monopoly business in that category and they are doing a great job.

If there were NO Z in the world, I would probably drive a used C6 or a used SLK350. I wouldn't mind driving the new design Z4 but again it would have to be used in order to keep it in that price range (25k to 35K)

I wouldn't mind waking up to this one

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...x/slk350-1.png

Funny you say this, because after seeing the Genesis coupe yesterday for the first time from the moment I laid eyes on it I thought, "how bland". The design has absolutely NO character, and very little if any at all visual tension. Its just......just....so drab. To say the least its off my already very short list.

I really liked the refreshed Cayman, but it's also about $50k to start. The only Cayman I'll be buying anytime soon would be a CPO car, and I really don't want a used car.

Agreed. I got turned on by the 5th generation Camaro upon seeing it for the first time yesterday as well. Very attractive car with the performance and handling to match (in SS trim at least). I'm not sure if I want to deal with the fuel economy issue and that fact I'll probably end up as another face in an already large crowd. We'll see....

ah, forgot about the Camaro. Great design, decent HP/tq but WTF happen with the weight! I refuse to drive a car heavier than 3400 lbs :(. But great design :tup:

The camaro is big and heavy and handles poorly. I agree that the 370z is one of the best or maybe the best value for your money, but there is people like me that needs the extra 2 seats on the back, so i was thinking about an Evo X MR vs a 135 (since the subaru STI has fallen behind both). After seeing this video my decision is made:

onethreefive I am joining the club.

RacingFilm.com - BMW 135i Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Motor Trend

335i
Evo X MR
Evo IX MR

And this is a recent pic.


http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/298517/2009-bmw_z4.jpg

Evo X
Camaro SS

The only reason I'm considering those is because they're performance cars in the same price range as the 370Z but they have back seats.Plus they are very easy to get power out of. I kinda want back seats but they're not necessary. More than likely I'll be going with the Z though. :tup:

Rent a hotel room, and you won't need a back seat!

Did you look into Infiniti G37? I wouldn't mind driving one of them if I needed a back seat.

:icon17:

What other cars are you considering besides the 370Z?


If you mean, to buy "other than" the Z, None!

I've looked at others, compared others.

There are pros, there are cons, but none beat the Z!

I WAS considering the G37 coupe, G35 sedan, or IS350. Then the production 370Z pics came out. Someone had mentioned wanting a house before a car, smart move and right now is the time to do it with current house prices, way to go. My problem is that I DO have a house and the mortage takes precedent over a car...

Now back to the fun stuff... If I wasn't trying to keep my purchase within the 30-36k range, within reason, I'd get the Audi S5 just cause I love the exterior and interior.

Don't get me wrong it is a nice car. But I want something more performance oriented.

True. I was looking into the G35 coupe before buying the Z but I liked the Z way better than the G. G is a little heavy but that's expected because of all those luxury amenities. I think if I were to get a 4 seater 2 door, it would have to be 135i or G37-S . I do like the G interior

http://www.the370z.com/images/370zforum/int1-w.jpg

I'll go with a G37-S, 335 Coupe, or an Audi A5 (looking for a 4 seater)
I was car shopping (I didn't get any) last month and I checked the Audi A5... it is a wonderful car.
Considering 2 seaters, Cayman S, but, I'll definitely go for the 370z in a blink of an eye.

BMW 335i....it's nice, but I don't like the styling
Lexus IS350...A very nice car, but the fact that a 6MT isn't offered killed the deal
Corvette Z51...Very fast, and I like the styling. Not too sure about the handling
Mercedes C350...I think I'm too young for a Mercedes just yet...lol

a G37

2003-2004 Z06
91 Corvette (For an LSx swap)
Another 300zx
74 or older 280z for LSx swap.

:drool:

I was considering the camaro at one point, but that thing has been "coming out" for so long, I'm sick of looking at it now, lol. They showed the concept January 06 and just started production a few days ago.

right now its between the 370z and the CamaroSS. I have read some comments that the camaro wont handle well but if you guys read the G8 GXP reviews you will see how the camaro will handle. It is on a lighter and updated version of the G8 GXP's platform that car will surprise alot of people

Got a few people in my car club that did this too... I took a ride in one and nearly sh!t myself in it's pure awesomeness. The most awesome perfectly balanced street machine I've ever had the pleasure of freaking out in! Good times.


By the way, that specific one I rode in weighs 2200 Lbs, and dyno'd 540WHP. (Before the nitrous... ;))

Those motors are great for mods. I'm sure it was fast as hell! My show truck had that motor in it, and it had a few bolt-ons and a dual race tune. On the highway I could pull away from a stock GT. I could only imagine that in a car weighing a 1/3 of that.

Sorry for thread jacking...lol

for me it is the 370Z or the chalenger. Also considering getting an antique already have a 67 comet cyclone looking for an old GTO

http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/6823_20020751449.jpg
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/po...VP990699_1.jpg

My other choices were Bmw 1 and G37S

Nissan Cube. It's faster than the Z but in the end I Just felt the Z was more practical.

lol! your crazy!
Omg I saw the camrao ss in black on the highway and that kid wanted a race.
Isn't he crazy?!

i was considering the Genesis due to decent power and affordability but all that quickly went out the window when i got to see the z up close.

There are 2 hyundai genesis that I always see around my area, car seems alright imo. :tup:

i still have yet to see one on the road here.

Also considered G37S and 335i coupe, but decided to order PG/Black interior 370z 6spd, touring, sport and nav. The Z is just too much fun compared to the other two.

S15 or DC5 both FOB,
cost around same as buying the 370z
but i think im set on the 370

If only we all had your willpower. I can see us both in fifteen years; you tucked safely away in your warm home and me shivering under some covers and shop rags in my car outside of Pepboys. :( Oh well. At least I'll have a bitchin' ride!

To answer the question, I'm looking at used NSX's right now. There are plenty in the 30-35k range, which would leave me with enough wiggle room to pay for any unforeseen problems since the car is most likely going to be more than a decade old.

One of them is a bone stock LS1 (no tune yet) in a 260 doing 12.5ish
Another is a basic tuned H/C/I LS1 in a 280 doing bottom 11s.
Another is a untuned H/big C/big I LQ4 (6.0L) on N02, we suspect in the mid 9s. :)
LOL! Rehijacked!!! (Sorry. :()