How can you compare a Z with a STI, they aren't in the same class. Z's compare with Z4s, S2000s, Boxsters, etc. STIs compare with Neons, EVOs and Civics. Are you apologizing because you made a much better decision than your friend?
At 57 style and class way out weigh speed.

 

Thanks for all the support. I may actually test-drive an STi, but I can't afford to trade, so don't think don't think I'll do anything. But being a mechanical engineer, it's hard to see the STi get "engineering" awards, when MY car doesn't.

Anyway, I'm reminded of the Ducati (I own one) advertising slogan during the 90s:

"Speed, sophistication, and style..."

Kind of applies to the Fairlady.

P.S. I could never see myself with that stupid wing and hood scoop...at least my '90 SHO was a sleeper.

 

Sounds like you are coming out of it...For a while we thought we might need Z ambulance.

 

hey doc if you really want to be young at heart race your buddy from a 90+ roll lol it will be a drivers race and first one to slow down loses....the Z tops out @156mph....i'm sure he'll shut up after you walk him .....not daring you just something to think about,and by the way if he does beat you it will be by a hair,he'll then realize there's not much differance between you 2 besides his AWD advantage

 

I don't streetrace and I don't autocross so speed alone is not very important to me. I want a nice car with a bit of style to get from point A to B. My next car will probably be an M3, again a car that is outclassed by others in its price range. I guess for a similar price I could get a Corvette....but I won't.

 

You shouldn't have to justify your car to anyone, but unfortunately there are a lot of thickheaded people out there that *need to believe that they have the best thing available.* Both (all) cars have their advantages and disadvantages.

Bottom line: Enjoy your car and don't waste your breath on anyone that needs an explanation.

 

How about that the VQ35 has been on Wards top 10 engines since they started keeping a list in 1995 (11 consecutive years), or that it is the ONLY engine to be on there as many times as it has. Dont know if it can be considered an "engineering" award or not, but something to consider. The STI engine isnt listed at all.

Dont get me wrong, the STI is a nice sled, but the only things it has that interests me is the AWD(i'm in NH), and the power. I prefer N/A engines, and the Z is sexy as hell, as another put it. Personally, the STI hits a very specific market; a market I am not in. I want a sports car (350z), I want a four door people hauler (Maxima or Altima in a year or so); I don't want something that compromises by trying to be both.

 

I can promise you this, the STI is not that much faster than the Z. Sure it puts up nice 1/4mi numbers and 0-60 but believe me it's all in the launch. Rolling start or running start you and your homey's STi will be neck and neck.

Until the first corner....you get what I mean.

nread, let's not forget what got Nissan where it's engines are; the VQ30DE in the maxima, that was 1995 Wards best.

 

one thing u can do 2 justify ur car, not that u had to in the first place...

adv. Z cost let say 29000 (from base to track) and ull more than likely end up spending 32-34000 on an STI... use that money to buy a supercharger or some suspention mods...

 

<--$30,495, out the door, off the show room floor.
<--$1800 in mods
<--$32,095 dollars later...306 AWHP, 341 AWT. Speed governer removed, top speed >160 mph, etc.
Try that in a 350Z. Just wanted to get the real life facts straight. FWIW, see my previous post, as I firmly believe that other's thoughts of your car, be it performance or looks, just don't matter. Having to defend you car for any reason merely propagates the growing perception that 350Z owners are about the "vanity", and not about the car. I like to think that isn't true.

 

man, STI's for kids. If you wanna be young, go eat some Trix. I'm 34 and there's no friggin way I'd be seen around that. It's a cool car, but Z's waaaaay more classy looking. Besides, sti is already FI'd. Z's got plenty of room for upgrades. I'm getting my SC soon and it'll blow away some hosers on the street..

 

Fun discussion

Both cars are differents, with simillar performance.

I put them on equal footing overall. Both have a big racing heritage, are dynamically involving and attract their share of attention. It's just down to personnal preferences.

My Z Track should be here soon. Hurray !

And I'll keep my Impreza as a daily drive and winter-fun-car.

 

Go away....

;-P

 

Put performance aside then argue the Z vs STi. Anyways, just get an STi, you will be the envy of alot of civic owners.

 

Lol... thats something I definitely don't aspire to.

 

I love these threads! The STI is a great car, one of my best friends has been in love with them for years. (before they came to the states)

Performance, dollar for dollar is close. Even with the above prices, (32,000 STI with mods) you could get a base 350 for 26k, add a Vortech SC for 4500 and have 360whp and 310 wtq for about 31-32k. Dollar for dollar it's close. The Z will never have AWD, but that only matters if your racing from light to light. Track really doesn't matter, (AWD may actually push more) and if your dragging at the track, you can just put on some drag tires.

Granted, out of the box, off the line, the STI is faster.

Fortunately, That's not the only reason people buy cars. The Z looks awesome, the STI is a borderline econobox. I mean, the boost gauge is practically duct taped onto the steering wheel. Ask any person of the female persuasion and they'll tell you the Z is "hot" (as nicole would say), while the STI is ugly as sin. (if they even notice it, aside from the rice note from the exhaust) Let's face it, Chicks are half of the reason we buy cars, and if they don't like it, I don't like it.

If I could have anything, I'd get a 911 turbo. You could easily argue that an STI with 20k in upgrades would spank a 911 turbo for half the price......but is there anyone, if given the option of the two, would take an STI over a 911 turbo??

Same thing with the Z, there's more to a car than 0-60. If Chrysler made car a that looked like the dumb and dumber dog mobile, but it went 0-60 in 3 seconds, would you buy it?

 

Whoopdie do, if you play that, a base Z + a $5K supercharger + an ECU reflash is $32K and has > 400RWHP. 306 horses isn't exactly impressive.

If you're gonna call Z car owners vain for discussing their cars and buying choices, I'm gonna call STi owners having low self-esteem cause they have to come brag on the Z car board that their cars are so fast cause they can run a ___ and Z cars only run 13.9.

The best is a guy over in the street racing forum talking trash with a 13.6 in his sig. Wow, that's a pretty fast STi.

 

I wasn't trying to denegrate the Z, nor make this a Z vs STi performance thread...just to enlighten a few of the folks on here. I notice that my other positive comments are ignored, but oh well.

I can prove my points regarding power to price. I'd like to meet the Z owner that has +400 whp and only 32K into their car. Please provide his/her name so can follow up on this interesting development.

Besides, this thread was about someone defending his vehicle against another. I was trying to back up that position, while also educate the general masses. In no way did I call a Z owner vain, that is your interpretation, and you are welcome to it.

As for coming to this board to brag...it is a public forum, you dont' own it. My presense here can be interpreted any way you choose. I am comfortable with myself and have no need to boost my esteem. Come over to owr forum and provide intelligent, thoughful and factual based posts, and you will be welcome. Unlike what happens when you do the same thing here.

The 1/4 mile times I post were achieved after a couple of runs at a local track. That forum is not the STi's area of dominance, as it is much more an all around car. At a road course, where I spend most of my racing time, it truly does open up its big ugly wing and dominates. Over Porsches, 350Zs, etc. I saw some others post that they easily pass STi's on the track. I'd like to see that happen with me on the track, even when I was stock (I haven't had the opportunity over winter to test out my new performance goodies on the track yet).
Lastly, that "pretty fast" STi is still faster than a stock Z, so what is your point?

 

^I see this sort of thing in every forum I am a member of, be it the srt forums, the B15 sentra forums, the Mustang forums, or the handful of 350z forums. Even though I have only recently begun posting here, I have been reading for quite some time. Usafarice does have some antagonizing comments, as do you, but I think you both have good points to make; please try not to hijack the thread to argue...


:::gets off soap box:::

 

My girlfriend liked the STi better, along with most of her friends. She drives one now too. She says its because the Z looks like a mid life crisis mobile. I don't deny the Z does look like I'm compensating for something, especially in yellow. I'm just saying looks subjective. I wouldn't argue that most Z owners share the opinion that the Z is prettier. You just shouldn't expect everyone to agree with you. I personally like the way the STi looks better. I bought the Z this year because I think it is going to be a class winner in solo2 that is the only reason.