I'm an old guy (57) who bought my '03 Track w/o looking too much (dad had '84 50th Anniversary Z that got totaled by hit/run after I inherited it) and I sure wonder if I chose wisely.

Another colleague (I'm a university prof of mechanical engineering) says he just got an STI and boy how can they make such a tremendous car for so little money. Yeah, the wing is a little much, but boy, I just wonder...good styling only counts for so much.

So I start trying to justify the Z..."good styling, good handling, etc." But I have to admit the STI is faster, AWD, etc.

So how do you justify the Z to your STI-owning friends? I even feel foolish writing this...shoulda bought an STI, I guess; everyone seems to love them. Didn't even drive one...

 

Simple... your car looks classy, and down right sexy.

His looks like a boy toy.

Simple?

 

well.. I think the Z looks ALOT better and I bought a base Z for $26 grand... can't get an STi for anywhere near that....I agree tho, that if I'd spent $33+ grand on a higher model Z I'd probably be kicking myself right about now...

 

First off, you don't need to justify your Z to anyone else. I assume you bought your Z because you like the car. I assume others buy a STI, Vette, S2K, etc. because they like their cars. I don't give a rats-@ss about what other people drive or think about what I drive.

Second, the Z has a 35 year history. That's probably longer than Mitsubishi has been in business.

Personally, I think the STI looks like a econo-box that somebody stuck a hood scoop and big wing on. No style, no class. It will never become a classic like a Z.

 

Hi Doc,
This is the time you need to let your right brain work a little harder. Why do you even feel that you have to justify to anybody? We are human and we like different things, different color, different shapes, etc. You liked the Z and bought it. What's wrong with that? If everyone thinks like your colleague, there will only be one kind of car on the street, and they all be the same color too. While we’re at it, we would have the same haircut too.

On the other hand, if you feel compel to have the STI instead of the Z, because it makes sense to you, you should just do it. Otherwise, you will continue to feel the need to defend your choice of car for as long as you have it.

 

If speed is more important to you than class and style go for the STI, hell even an srt4. Who cares if one car is faster than the other. Its not like you can drive it to the limit everywhere you go.

 

Just turbo your Z and wave to him as you pass at mach .245!!

 

I've had both 03 350z and 04 STi and now an 05 350z. The reason I buy these cars is to auto-x them and drive around town. What I found is the STi and the WRX which I also have are not fun cars to drive. It is like the car is driving you. There is always going to be something that is slightly faster but who cares. I could build a CRX that would destroy both of them for 8k. The 350z is a much more pleasant car to drive around town. It is quieter more refined and better built. Sometimes I miss my STi but the Z is a fun car and I dont reget it the 2nd time around.

 

Why don't you sell your car and try an STI. I'm sure after several 6k rpm launch you'll either come back to the good ol Z or continue to shred those tires at the stop light. I can't imagine a 57 year old man driving such a toy car. You would probably be more suited with a Legacy than an STI. Heck you're more suited with a Vette, GTO, BMW or Stang than an STI. Just remember this is your daily driver and you're not going to launch at every stop light with a big wing. Both cars are great but what suits your personality is what matters. Plus you can pick up on young girls much easier in a Z.

 

the Z is a true sports car...the sti is a "sport sedan"

 

Someone here said it before," you can make a Z faster but you can't make an STI look better". That says it all for me.

 

Sounds like you've second guessed your decision.

Do you want to street race or what? You're 57 not sure why you care who's faster.

Z-Stalker

 

Well I'm 17 and the STi would seem more wanted by someone in my age group. I actually opted for the highest model Z, fully loaded. If winning every red light race is important to you, then yes you made the wrong choice. If that isn't your number one priority, you don't need to justify your car to anyone.

Would you say the SL500 or 645ci are less notable cars than an STi or EVO because of sheer performance? I hope not. I wouldn't think twice if you asked me what I wanted. Buying a car shouldn't be focused on one thing alone, but rather as a package. You need to take into account what kind of performance you are looking for, the price you can pay, if you agree with the styling, and if the car fits your overall lifestyle. I'd never think about getting an STi or EVO because they're faster. I'd give the S4 some thought however, because it is much classier than those factory rice rockets.

 

btw every time I see a STI I feel nothing... not a thing. Mainly because at 41 I'm past my time that I ever cared about such a trivial and trite feeling.... They've long died. Plus the STI IMO is damn ugly and driven by people mostly half your age.

Seriously... why at 57 do you even care?

Z-Stalker

 

Yeah wise choice with the Z. Around here anyways i see 30-40 stis a day. The Sti is cool no doubt i was eyeing one prior to testing the Z. They really are over the top the styling is made up primarily of wings and spoilers. The Z is without a doubt way better looking. As for performance? The STI may be a little better with the turbo intercooled but for the same price as a sti you could always install the same stuff and problably come out ahead.

With the exception of no AWD the Z is cooler maybe not as versatile but way sexier

 

You should ask the STI owners how they justify to the EVO owners, the evo is a way better car. The Z is just sick, i like it cuz its crazy sexy and a turbo z = speechless.

 

** Nevermind, there is a much better comparison in another thread. **

 

You Bostonians have strange quotes and I read it before you edited it.

Remember that cell phone commercial with the old people trying to act young with the whole street racing culture.

 

Yo doc,

The best answer is at least you don't have to walk backwards when approaching the Z to keep from offending your eyes!

LOL!

 

When I went road racing for the first time, evos and sti's weren't doing to well against the good ol Z