and the MR2 was a poor man's ferrari... etc etc etc... don't pay any attention to what ingnorant people say. It's like the maxima forum i visit (i owned a 2003 6MT SE), people are constantly posting about how their maxima 'feels' faster... i guess to make them feel better about driving a sedan... people rag on the Z to make 'em feel better about what they drive or their decision. it happens all the time... they attack the z's handling, weight, power, interior, you name it... don't we have another one of those threads here? "s2k vs. 350z"... who cares... get what you like...

personally, my g/f gets jealous at times. the Z happens to be the "dream car" of most female friends of mine and im constantly getting looks or getting asked if they can drive it... i absolutely love my car...

 

Man, you're like the only person I know besides myself that hates the Porsche look. I've always hated the frog like front ends, flat sides, and especially the sloping backs. But put a high enough price tag and people think it's good looking. I think most people think a Porsche looks better than a Z because it costs more, that's all.

Now the Carrera GT, that's a different story. That's beautiful. Another nice looking Porsche was the concept version of the Boxter IMHO.

 

+1

I take that as a complement... When they say poor mans porsche they are saying the Z is a great value. You get great styling and performance for a great price, thats part of the Z's heritage.... wasn't the 240z the poor mans vette in the 70's?

 

I don't understand the insult... i have been calling my Z a "poor man's porsche" since i got it, obviously as a joke since i love the car but saying that isn't an insult, it's a compliment. having a $30k nissan that inspires the same amount of "ahhhh, cool, look at THAT car!" is a positive to me.

and here's the definitive answer.... while working at a middleschool earlier this year, i was stopped by some little kids and they said, "Mister, is that your porsche? It looks awesome! How can you afford that? I bet it was expensive!" haha, so it DOES resemble a porsche, the children have spoken.

 

As far as I remember, I had always heard the 240z referred to as the poor man's Porsche. It could run with the big boys and cost considerably less.

As far as taking offense, I guess it is on the way it is received. If someone is saying you cannot afford a Porsche so you got the closest thing to it, then that is praise for the Z. I know that I (and most people that own a 350Z) could purchase (not afford) a Porsche if they wanted to. If I gave up contributing to my 401(k), that would easily buy me one! We all have to make decisions and I choose to have a retirement and take the poor man’s Porsche.

I hope that makes sense. Too much caffeine as usual.

 

Wow... I think Porsche's are gorgeous... especially the new 997's...stunning in person... i really cant imagine how a person can love the Z, but hate the Porsche. Thats just me...

 

It comes down to "perceived value" versus actual value. People think Porsche is special because it is expensive and only rich people can afford it. If rich people buy it, it must be the best, right? Whatever. Even if I could afford a Porsche, I would probably still buy the Z, because it's a much better value. It's a great car that doesn't cost an arm-and-a-leg. But, because it is affordable, it will never be "exclusive" like the Porsche.

 

I never said I "hate" the porsche. "Hate" is a strong word, It's not like I cross to the other side of the street to avoid it. I stated that I prefer the Z over the porsche lines. That doesn't mean I "hate" the porsche.

When I was looking for a summer car, I reduced my list of cars to 4 as possible purchases. G35c, 350Z, 330ci, and a used 2002 porsche boxster(the only porsche lines I like). So you see, I don't hate porsches. I just prefer the Z lines over the Porsche's lines.

 

+1. Porsches are ugly except for the Carrera GT, Z on the other hand is very pretty.

 

Although I dont have a Z, I agree. I would feel insulted as well.

I don't like the looks of the 911 and Cayman.
The Boxster is ok. I think the Carrera GT looks best. If they made their whole lineup look like mini-CGTs they'd look a whole lot better in my opinion.

At least the GTR will look different

 

i went with a friend to a supra meet to be take pics and video. when we stopped for pics one of the guys kid, some 16 year old seemed upset he kept asking "what the hell is a porshe doing at a supra meet."

everyone really like the z even though it was parked a good distance from the supras, everyone still managed to go over and admire the Z.

 

Doesn't sound like a bargain to me. Then again, you're buying the new model year as soon as it's out. If you're looking for a good deal, buy last year's model. The terms "new model year," and "good deal," are mutually exclusive.

I paid $33.5 for my '04 Silverstone Touring Roadster last Dec., if that gives you some perspective.

 

I paid $500 over invoice at my dealership for an 06 GT 6MT coupe.

 

I had a chance to drive an 05 Boxster S & 05 911 Carerra last summer, along with 05 Z4 & 05 C6 Vette, they all failed in my book to be a better car then the 350Z. I was @ the VIR ( VA Int'l Raceway) for an all day class on the new 05 C6 Vette & SSR. We got to take all of the above cars on a track road course. I selected all 6Spd's, as my "Z" is a 6Spd & I drove it from Waynesville, NC to the VIR for the class. So, comparing all of them, including the "Z", reguardless of $$$'s, I would buy the "Z" The Vette was obviously faster in a straight line, but not fair comparison: V6 vs V8. The biggest problem I had with the Porsche's, is something that would be...for me, impossible to live w/o is...NO tilt steering column? The German's, according to the Prof Driver's @ the track, say that you only need telescoping & seat movement to get to the proper driving point? I beg to differ, very uncomfortable & a little truck like. Give me the 350Z any day !

 

DID YOU ASK HIM WHERE HIS PORSCHE WAS? CHANCES ARE HE DRIVES A CIVIC

 

thats what I always say... Porsche is a damn nice car, expensive, powerful, nice interior...but its look is definately not my cup of tea...its ugly.

 

I don't think we should take that man's comment so seriously. People make comments like that all the time, because they don't know how to describe cars. We obviously have a higher amount of car knowledge than the average person.

They may not know any better hehe.

 

really?

I dont know... from what i've been reading... im likely to take a Boxster S over a Z... mostly due to it's handling capabilities. I would never own a Vette myself... i dont know why... just weird like that. But... the 911 Carrera I would definately take...the car is just so damn sexy.

SSR = no competition... and Z4 is too ugly.

So outta all those cars...

1st = 911 Carrera
2nd = Boxster S
3rd = Z

That is... if the cars were like yousaid... equal price.

I would still buy a Z over the rest of the 2... mod the hell out of it... and (when compared to the 911...and MAYBE the boxster s) bank the money saved.

 

a Porsche is nothing but an overpriced VW.... in the 60's Actor Steve Mcqueen put a Porsche motor in a VW freaking people out...
just look at the similarities between the new Cayman and the new Bug and u'll see what i mean....my buddy's 911 twin turbo is costing him six to seven grand each time it's in shop. if you can't work on it yourself... stay away from it unless money is no object for you.... IMO

 

HAHA that guy is a joke, I have never lost to a porsche EVER... well carrera gt not included lol, but the point is the Z KILLS THE BOXERS, and close race between the base carrera. They are both good cars and there is no reason for him to be talking trash about a car which has well over 30 years of history in excellence.