Hop in a GT premium with Recaros. Seats and nav will not disappoint.

Regular mustang seats (what I have) suck.

Look at used CTS's (non-v) doubt you could find a CTS-V in your price range.

Honestly, at the risk of sounding like a fanboy, at this price point -- another Z.

The BRZ/FRS cannot outhandle the Z. Maybe with various upgrades -- but not stock.

The nicer track pack Mustangs are probably in the same ball park as the Z on handling and braking, albeit much heavier.

The only other option I can think of for a new car would be a heavily modified BRZ or FRS, which should give you everything you want (except, of course, it would be a project car...)

This is what I did! :tup:

Depends on what you mean by "handling" - I think the Mustang isn't nearly as fun to drive at 6/10 due to the steering ratio and lack of feedback from the road, although the performance is absolutely there. The S2000 lacks feedback as well but is fun as hell to drive with the top down and pretty much everything else is right on, you can't beat the transmission, the pedal placement is excellent, etc. I'd check out a BRZ or FR-S but you're unlikely to find one used, but if MSRP is "cheap" enough to make the cut that might be something to at least test drive.

I dunno dude I asked myself the same question and I ended up with a Z. If you want something considerably cheaper with better handling and the same class of performance it's going to be somewhat old and tired.

If you want handling, don't get the GT, at least not the base one. Its got nothing on the Z in that department. I love mine, but I love it for driving like a grandpa to and from the airport.

you have non-brembo, correct?

s2000 lacks feedback? not sure if serious

Huge difference between your base and a Brembo/Track Pack car.

Yeah I'm not sure on this one either.

non brembo, but I do haz brembos on it! and they are a beautiful candy red.
http://imageshack.us/a/img716/1584/imagejfhc.jpg

yep. springs/struts/rear LCAs


those look great. I need to send mine to you whenever I can stop driving my car for a couple days.

I've already put 21K on it in 16 months:ugh2:

I've kindof arrived at the decision that I am well and truly screwed considering I am upside down in my car because I did buy it with nothing down, just this last March I believe it was. I might end up just keeping my 370Z if it's not totaled, pocket the pain and suffering and devaluation compensation, and drive it until the wheels fall off and I have to give it away. Pretty pissed about everything. I hate trash, I should have left this state sooner.

The ONLY car I like in this price range is the 335i, and it comes with a 1-wheel-peel, total crap. Everything else is too heavy, too slow, too spartan, etc.

bmw 135i M package CPO. should be in your price range. one of the better driving cars and nice interior and comfortable.

unfortunately, you are probably right about having to keep it, b/c of being upside down $$$. BUT, possible options:

1. miata, club ed powerhardtop vers. Only drawback is it's down on power but that can be relatively easily fixed and it's about a $27K car before you start actually negotiating.

2. brz, but i'd wait for the sti vers. personally.

3. another Z. Perhaps the nissan dealer you bought your current Z from will be mroe generous on trade in since you would be a repeat customer??

4. 'stang GT with brembos/recaros.

5. something used in that 30-35K range. take your pick but used is always a bit of a risk, esp if it's your only car.

I'm upside down, and I'm looking to buy land at the beginning of '14, and a house being built 2 years after that, or so. I think I would be best served to just keep my 370Z until I break even in it, pocket the personal injury and depreciation monies, and then trade the 370Z when I break even or come close or decide to put down monies to make up the difference. Less than a year in of ownership, that's not something I want to do.

When I break even, the '15 GT will be out, BRZ STi will be out if it ever will be, and I will have a new body-style of 370Z to consider, maybe.

I guess since a house and land are my goals first and foremost, this is the best solution. Using this accident as an excuse to downsize will just land me upside down in ANOTHER car. Mine may be dicked up, but I can rake them over the coals until they get it RIGHT, and it is still a $45K MSRP vehicle. If indeed I am $5K upside down, plus $5K in damages to resale value, that is a $35K car that I will owe $45K on, and that's BS. I would rather just keep this until it breaks even and dump it, or, if it's doing just fine by then and not giving me issues, just keep it until it dies of natural or irreparable causes.

Even if I radically down-sized into a $25K car, I would still be paying $35K for it when everything is all said and done is my guess, and that's opposed to the $43K or so I financed. I would be paying on a note that is $8K less, which is something like $100/mo which means nothing to me and wouldn't help me in any way other than I would hate my car and be able to save another $100 a month, which I am currently saving $2K a month, so another 5% per month, or $1200/year. Not worth it.

Thoughts/ideas?