Wait until Spring when they have an automatic + Brembo package that you can drive.

That's what I'm gonna do. I have seriously been thinking about trading/selling the Z next fall once I start working. I've been thinking about either a 5.0 or an Evo X. Only problem is that I know I will end up losing money doing it and I'd rather use that money on the house or save it for my next car (GT-R).

Trading a car on a loss is always a bad decision financially, but you only live once. It's really up to you whether the change in vehicle is worth it.

Really selling any car that still works is a bad financial decision, but you're right. You only live once... do what you want.

:iagree:

I'm trying to get 200k mi out of my 6, but the trade-in bug is biting me all over my nono bits. :bowrofl:

That's pretty much why I bought my Z in the first place. The only thing making my decision difficult is that if I keep the Z, it would be a lot easier for me to get a GT-R like 2-3 yrs later.

Blades, didn't know you were interested in a 5.0 too. You and Lemers should look at the 2013 Shelby... specs are out now. 650hp. End of story.

Btw, my 5.0 arrived yesterday, and drove it today already. Best car decision I made to date.

Steve, Dan, see my thread in "other" forum for pics... feel free to respond! Here's a teaser pic :D

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...d/DSC_0444.jpg

Congrats, man. I love Kona blue. Great color. It's the one Ford color I wish was available on the 370. :tup:

thanks Steve. You were right though... Brembo package is wayyyyyy diff't from the stock one I tested last time. And the 3.73 gears??? OMG. And the Sync.... it ROCKS.

Modding will happen sooooooon.....

Man kona looks awesome

I've been interested in it ever since Steve took me for a ride in his :icon17:

I kinda want one but I doubt it will happen. Only chance would be some urgent need to get a 4 seater, otherwise my parents would be sooooo pissed if I get rid of the Z so soon. I mostly just want to drive it to see how it is. I've never driven a car with a V8 before.

Car looks great BTW :tup:

Thanks Dan!!! You're the REAL reason why I have this car :D so to you, thank you... hehe.

Also, am glad I got 2012. 2013 and onward, no more Kona. Deep Impact Blue, which is NO WHERE near Kona.... not even sure if it's metallic.

Dan, more pics in my other thread in other forum... won't post it here. I can PM you and Steve link to it if you can't find it.

Driving the 5.0 is awesome though Dan... remember when you and I talked on phone? About how you were comparing the 5.0 to Z and merits/demerits??? You were SPOT on. Even your comment on paint quality... lol.

Blades, sounds like it is time to knock someone up

So funny blades... that's my EXACT situation... or was, I mean. Not sure if you remember, but all it took for me was 20 minutes of test driving the 5.0. I came out going, where do I sign?

Also, I only did the deal because I got for my Z what I paid for it in the first place...

EDIT: one word blades... TORQUE.

I said a reason to need a 4 seater, not a reason for my parents to try and kill me :icon17:

:tup:
glad you are enjoying the car man!

You posted pics on ms? Forum is down right now it looks like...shoot me a link and I'll check it out when it comes back up

Before I forget the topic of this thread... to the OP, Lemers, to answer your question bluntly (now that I have my 5.0 in my possession), the short answer is YES. And the long answer is YES.

Good thing I'm limited by my parents then since I can't get a loan under my own name. I guess I'll just have to wait and see where I am next fall. I still gotta graduate and get a full time job first :icon17:

Why can't you get a loan? You should have no problem, especially since it wouldnt be much over the z

PM sent to you, Steve, and Lemers...

and yes, ms is down right now... but I got it in before it went down :D

Well I probably could when it would be time for me to buy, but not now. Also, my parents probably won't let me get anything before we get a house. That will probably kill my hopes of getting a new GT-R, but I can still go for a used one.

What's funny is... I'm prolly still the only Asian guy around her driving a Stang... everyone sees me and goes WTF? haha....

Dan, Steve, how do you adjust the steering effort? I know you can with the BBK...

I have it on sport all the time.

I don't have a 2012 so I can't adjust it outside of turning sport mode on.

Dan, how please? haven't had time to read... lol I want to do it after I get off work.

I forgot this fact!

It's in the cluster control. Don't recall exact procedures offhand.

I think you select Setup then cycle through.

crap I gotta figure it out before heading home.

Ok so let me know if this plan makes sense or if it's just completely retarded.

If all goes well in my job search I should be working full time by Summer 2012 and can start looking at cars in the fall/winter, let's assume a purchase time of January 2013. Now the end goal for me is to buy a GT-R like 3 years later, say January 2016. I can either keep the Z in that time or buy another car.

Option 1: Sell the Z in January 2016, when it will be ~7 yrs old and with estimated 100k miles. I'm assuming I drive around 15k miles per year. I could then sell it for around $10-12k (based in 2004-2005 350Z prices). This would give me a $10-12k down payment on the GT-R.

Option 2: Sell the Z January 2013 for around $20-22k and buy a new car for $35k. So I would spend like $10-15k extra on the new car. Then I could sell that car in 2016 at 3 yrs old and 45k miles for around $20-25k. Subtract from that the money I lost from buying the new car and I have like $10-15k to spend on the GT-R.

Damn I didn't expect those numbers to come out the same. Of course I know this is a really rough estimate and their are too many factors involved to predict this accurately. Does the logic somewhat make sense it am I embracing my inner ImportConvert a little too much? :icon17:

GT 500 or 5.0?

5.0. All GT500s have the Brembos standard.

No matter how you massage the numbers, 2 plus 2 still equals "time to buy a 5.0"

My thoughts exactly :icon17:

Here's the plan. Go big! Get the biggest house loan and get a loan for that GTR then declare bankruptcy. Protect your homestead and transportation. You would get a loan for the next seven years but hell ou have a house and drive a GTR who the F cares.

So the GT500 will have automatic?

I didn't see anything about autos yet. So I say no. That would have been a big deal and includes in the press release.

Lemers, you read my prior posts??? 5.0 ftw! :D

Also, I already have the mod bug. Barely 24 hours into ownership, a car that had only 6.8 miles yesterday afternoon, now has 70 or so, and a new exhaust! Let the MODDING BEGIN!!! MGW shifter next... in box waiting for me.

Install time should have been less than 2 hours, but I spent some time straightening out the exhaust pipe that connects to the over the axle pipes. It seemed to have been bent through shipping, etc. Fixed that up, then finished the install. Figuring out how to best tackle the exhaust hanger bolts was the key. Starting from the driver side, I was much quicker on the passenger side. Essentially, loosed the rear end bolts, then loosen the clamp, then loosen the remaining exhaust hangar bolts, and voila! Repeat on other side.

Impressions: I made sure the tips lined up evenly front to back, side to side.... I like the single walled tips. Reminds me of older muscle cars... aggressive. Start up was great! Noticeable louder than stock, but in a deep throatier way. Wife walks in to garage as I asked her to help step on the gas as I check for leaks. She goes, "That's scary!"... LOL. I looked at her with puzzlement. I took it to mean it sounds beefier.

Took her for a spin, and I love it. It's not too loud and not too soft, as expected. It's the goldilocks of exhausts... juuuuuuust right.

For those of you looking for a great exhaust (factory too, might I add), that is a little more aggressive than stock, but not obnoxiously loud, look no further than the GT500's.

Here's a 2 minute or so video I shot tonight... I tried not to wake the neighbors too much... Dan, if this video doesn't convince you to get these puppies, not sure what will :D I love them!!! They're louder than Invidias for sure!!! Be sure to watch it in HD!!! :D

Yes I saw that you got your 5.0. You really seem to like it. I'm glad. After looking at everything ford just put out I'm leaning toward a 2013 Shelby if ford doesn't jack the price. If they do jack the price I'll probably do a 2013 5.0 with a factory SC.

If ford doesnt jack the price the dealers will. Went to look at a boss and they wanted $55k. Dont know what they are thinking. 2013 shelby would be the answer to satisfy your power needs but if you want something a little more practical, plusher ride and extra bills to spend on anything else...get a 5.0. At first you will only be slightly impressed by the seat of the pants meter. It will snap your head back slightly. Then you will get a CAI +TUNE and at least an axle back cuz you want it to sound mean. You will be very impressed and you wont stop grinning from ear to ear. And your passenger will keep hitting their head on the headrest when you punch it. And then you'll find the easter eggs and run around in sport mode. Maybe in the future i'll want a SC but for now , pretty happy with my setup. And there many aftermarket goodies to customize if you wanna make it look unique.