370Z replacement...suggestions?
 

Something in the same performance class, but with better balance and handling. I'd prefer a 2011 or 2012 model that I could buy as a CPO, or if new, something $35K or under MSRP. I was looking to down-size on my car note before building a house, looks like I will be doing that a bit earlier than I anticipated.

Gti?

350z? - Not exactly better handling and such, but is cheaper.

Not as powerful, but, how about a BRZ or a FRS?

Golf R. Loads of room AWD and its no slouch.

Nothing /Thread

Walmart 10 speed!

NOTHING out there with better balance is in the same performance class and also in the same price range' For balance these are your options.

1.BRZ/FRS
2.Miata (You'll love the doors)
3. Used S2k
4.An RX-8

You can get a used porsche cayman and risk high maintenance costs. It seems you hate going fast... You left a Z06 to a Z??????? After being here years, doing research and taking test drives... You bought a car you were 50/50 about and now want to trade it. Your motives for buying the z boggle me? You liked the interior but hated everything else????

My advice is learn about other cars in the home forums of the cars mentioned... Good luck with your next downgrade. If you woulda kept your vette you'd be 1 year closer to owning it.:wtf2:

That sums it up nicely. You will have to broaden your horizons.

Although I did see a commercial the other day where they were pushing the new Toyota Corolla's stating that you didn't have to give everything away you used to do to have the car you wanted. In this case it would be so you could save up that down payment for the house. Anyway just a thought. Then you can pick up the car you want after you accomplish that goal.

Used S2K if you want less power

Used Cayman S if you want to spend more




or,


http://fordauthority.com/wp-content/...stang-gt-9.jpg

Fixed :icon18:

:stirthepot:

Wow that dash looks like the dash in my grandfathers Ford Galaxy 500. I remember driving around town in his lap in the early 70s.

I'm looking at maybe the GT. The reason for the trade is that someone hit my 370Z pretty good, and I don't relish the gremlins that may pop up later. The BRZ/FRS area also appealing. THe 370Z disappointing me in the handling department, it was fine in the speed department. The Z06 was amazing in every way, but unless I was breaking the law, the interior? My money didn't follow me in there, and it sucked. The 370Z HAS spoiled me for seats and NAV.

I've had my complaints about the 370Z, but I would not rather own the Z06. Also, I am not considering very heavily getting back into a C6, either. Things I value are: Interior, Handling, in that order. The Z06 just fell on its face for interior. Now, instead of buying a new GT500 or something, I am wanting to stay at the $35K or under mark for the sake of buying land and a house later in the semi-near future.

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?

Like you said, financially, you are best off keeping it.

Find a great bodyshop and have it fixed right. I know if it was mine, the body shop I use here in Atlanta would have it fixed and you could never tell it was ever hurt afterwards.

:iagree:

You're best off running it to the ground.

Yes, I'm serious. You could google it, there have been several threads at S2Ki if you want to see some intelligent conversation by people who have also owned S2000's (as well as E30 M3's and Boxsters and a variety of other sports cars they compared it to) who complain that the S2000 has a lack of feedback from the wheel, and potential solutions.

I'm sure you've never noticed the issue, though. Some people just don't have much sensitivity to it or care about it. Enjoy your car.

In the context of comparing far upmarket, sure. I actually remember people bitching about the electric steering. A lot of those complaints are outdated at this point.


Far more feedback than the 370z, though, which is what he has as a reference...

I'm having Charles Body Shop here locally fix it. They are currently in the process of becoming a Nissan certified repair shop, and they are who the local Nissan dealership uses. I have talked with people, and everyone recommends them. I don't know of any better feasible options.

Mike, how much do you think this will de-value my car? How hard is it to match GM paint color/shade/quality/etc?

Parts are parts...they bolt on and come off and you adjust them.

Paint is something else entirely. Not sure how I feel :/

My thoughts exactly. It might not have as much steering feel as other cars, but it's still good. Better than the heavy but muted feel from the 370Z, IMO.

And of course you get far more butt, foot, transmission, and aural feedback in the S2000 than you do in most other cars.

I'm very sensitive.

In all honesty I'd be worried about the parts of the car that don't need to be painted. I bet you'll end up with a few panels with much higher quality clear than the untouched factory panels!

From what I understand, good shops can match crappy factory quality. The guy who wrapped my car has an SRT8 Jeep that had been in a wreck and we talked about it. He said they can match orange-peal texture and everything, but I am a hardcore realist and seriously have my doubts :/

Well, unless they have access to Nissan clear, you're probably going to have good clear on some panels. :|

Sounds like they owe me a re-paint on the entire car. It matched BEFORE it was hit, didn't it? The answer is "yes".