I wouldnt be able to afford the Z if it was 35k base price, but maybe nicer qualities. Is this car really made for the average joe like me, or is every owner a 60k+ annual salary computer guy who is wishing for just a little more?

 

it always depends, I bet some people make $30k and have this car, just b/c it is a HUGE priority (no kids, house paid off, no other major payments). The nice thing is, at 27K, the car is affordable if you have a decent job and REALLY want it.

 

Isn't $60K in California the average "Joe?"

 

I think the "average" joe in the Bay Area makes like 75-80k.

 

You got most of the facts right but my name is Jeff, not Joe!

 

I am active duty and used part of my re-enlistment bonus to buy this car. 27k was a lil out of my price range but I really loved this car when I first saw and thought well your only young once.
I just turned 22.

 

75 - 80 might be average in Cali...but aren't a lot of things, like a place to live really expensive in most places???

 

I am a lawyer and I make a lot more than the "average Joe" figures people are quoting here, BUT I would NOT have bought this car if it ranged from 35K to 45K. This car is a toy, it is a REALLY fun toy, but it is still just a toy. My wife wasn't too excited about me paying 29K for my toy, but since we needed another car and it was only a little more than the Passat/Maxima priced cars we usually get, she didn't think it was too bad of an idea. But even if she had been willing to spend more money, I'm not sure I would have. I make good money, but I am not Bill Gates. The money I make beyond my family's basic living needs goes towards my daughters' education, travel and retirement. Now maybe some people would rather drive a $60K car than spend two months in Italy, if so, more power to them, but that's not for me. I like to see the world, and I also like to drive around town in a fun car that's not too expensive. VIVE LE 350Z!!

 

I have to agree with robbyn. I do alright, make more than what is being written as average, but I'm not sure I would pay more for this car. I have always wanted a Corvette, but would never pay the money they are asking for the car. I think this car is in the right price range for those they are marketing too.

 

As a daily driver, yes, I would pay more for the car if the money was spent on quality of materials. I'm more than happy with the driving dynamics and the drivetrain (except for the sticky shifter), so I wouldn't put money there.

I too make more than the "average Joe" figure, with a HHI far beyond that. If my wife weren't such a tightwad, I'd have an M5 in the garage w/a Civic daily driver.

 

I wouldnt, not because I couldnt afford it but because if that where the case I would rather get a ZO6 instead. I bought the 350Z because of the price and the tunability it will have (once that stupid ECU is cracked) and I believe you will be able to optain Z06 performance without the Z06 sticker price. Its all for the challange to me. But if it was going to be priced higher I dont think it'd be worth the hassle since it'd be almost at its competitors prices. Thats what makes the Z so great to me. Im sure I'll make some people frown but to me the GTR is a pointless car just like the NSX. Though atleast the GTR can be tuned much more then the NSX but the price is too high for what it is.

 

I think an "average" salary is 35-40k, and 60k is deifinitely ABOVE average. If I made up to 100k, I would buy a Z....

actually, the only other car I would buy over the Z would be a BMW Z8...but Id have to make half a million a year to buy that overpriced POS

 

>>would you buy a "nicer" Z for 35k base?

Yes
I guess you sort of describe me too. But I think they can make a nice car, as in better interior quality plastics, for the current price I dont want luxury crap either, just the better interior.

Jeff

 

I'm looking at an Enthusiast (5s-auto), at around $30T.
I thought it is a very good price, and I hope a bargain in
performance. Although the typical guy as you described in one
who makes 60K, my frugal self thinks if this is what I make
and have a wife and ave 2 kids, I would not be able to afford
a Z. As one said it here, a guy who should buy a Z should
have another car( a beater) and not worry about losing
that 30T completely. My honest opinion.If the price goes up to
35K base, it becomes a very hard decision, since we're getting
close in price to the German cars...

 

With all my options (performance, nav, mats, guards, kick plates) I paid about $34k for my Z and I thought I was getting a bargin. So far I haven't been disappointed with any of the materials or components except maybe the paint. I probably would have paid up to $40k for this car. Beyond that I would saved my money for a while to buy a Boxster or a used Boxster S or a used C5.

I don't have children and I don't like to travel much. For me the sports car is always in competition with the house for top priority.

 

Ditto. Another lawyer making quite a bit more than computer geek number in a low expense town, but 2 kids, nice house and penchant for fun (which costs bucks). When the kids are gone and the income doubles or hopefully triples one day way down the road, I'll have a new vette or Turbo Carrera, a Harley Fat Boy and mucho travel and charity. For now, the Z is wonderful, and I plan to keep it forever.

 

I am a computer guy (not a geek, but take it as you want to), and making +$60. I would've paid $35 for a base. I also would've paid $40 - $45 for this exact car + factory turbo.

 

Touring with Nav I bought gets close to 40k with tax, lic, etc. so a little more dough wouldn't have deterred me. Considering the amount of performance you are getting it still would be a gret bargain.

 

RobJames,

Funny my brother is the attorney and I'm the computer geek, and guess who makes the higher income....not my brother. Not sure why attorney's think they make more than everyone else.

Sorry but I had to defend my industry.

 

thats a tricky topic, because I think attorney income varies so widely. I think that @ max potential, an attorney AND a computer guy alike could easily be millionares.