What I like about the Z the most is the feeling of driving it. The car is not particularly fast, but it does give you sense of power when you drive it. The car just has a presence you can feel.

My advice is to save up for a single turbo. The extra power makes the 350Z one of the best cars to drive in the world. Because when you have the turbo, you have the power along with the presence.

 

Where does the 350z Really Shine? One word: Satisfying

 

+1.
and the feeling of sitting inside your Z, a sporty car feell.

 

i love it, it just hugs the curbs.

 

You probably meant curves. I wouldnt want my Z to hug the curbs.

 

Yeah, that would get a bit expensive on your rims & tires

 

Getting on the highway in third and punching it at 5,000 rpms is fun too. The exhaust note is intoxicating and eggs you on to do the same with the other 3 gears waiting patiently for their turn. It is just a fun fun car to drive. Even if the Z had 180 HP, I would still buy it. It handles incredibly well. SOLID

 

Yeah, I wouldn't say the Z is the fastest thing in the world (straight-line acceleration at least) , but it is an overall solid performance car for its price. Handling is very decent.. but what I love about the Z is its sex appeal! The Z turns so many heads and just looks like a decently expensive sports car when it really isn't. I remember getting pulled over by a cop and he asked, "How much was this car? $45,000?"

 

Points well taken. If it were all about speed believe me there are many other less presentable cars to buy to beat the shiagot out of, BUT, I do care about driving experience overall, seems like it should do the trick.

 

Right. Its an all around performer as far as sports cars go. Im sure that appeals to many and turns others off.

 

I was in the same boat as you... I drove a 93' 5.0 coupe with some bolt-ons and a lil juice to keep the LS1's in their place This car was my daily and I was driving alot so i decided it was time for something more civil. My brother just got a C5 vette and was i was sick of having a car that handled like a boat and had no stopping power...

I actually owned a FWD car for a few months...all i can say is never again FWD=

I knew i wanted a "true" sports car, not another "muscle" car. It had to be newer (warranty ect.)
Something with decent MPG
RWD with a manual

I started by looking at s2000's, but after driving them, i found it to impractical for a daily. (still one of the best handling cars I've ever driven)

RX8's just don't do it for me in the looks department.

I came down to a used Z and a C5 vette... after driving a Z i fell in love, the C5 would have been a nice ride but because of my budget i would of been looking at a 99' 00' Vette at best and for the same price i got my 03' touring with a 100K factory warranty.

If i had to do it over and could spend a little more i would probally go for 6spd G35 coupe, my friend is about to buy one and that is a slick ride. I truely like the G better than the Z now and it combines great looks, performance of the z, and a much nicer interior...

 

Hey man, let me say this, this post right here ends in a very confusing way. I was reading it feeling good that someone was in the same exact situation I am in, and especially a 5.0 person at that, (plus, I too once owned a FWD and yes it does SUCK) and then while I get all amped about the Z and think your going to say, The Z, man is the way to go. Instead I see get a G35 LOL This is funny to me because I have beens seeing them around and they are hot.

But I have noticed there are like 2 different versions, theres one that sort of looks like the Z, and the other a ****tier rendition of itself. But how much do they go for and for what year and mileage?

Always did say if I didnt get my dream car I would settle for a G35 in all black or all white with tints.

 

The Z shines at higher speeds.

 

Err... to say the G35 has the performance of the Z is, well, misguided. You are fooling yourself and others. Please stop.

 

nicer interior is some what objective too, the G's interior screamed older mid life crisis look while the Z has the sportier younger feel. I still not 30 yet so I'd rather have the younger sportier feel for a bit longer.

 

personally I think the interior of the G35 is a bit bland for the exterior of the car.

 

my 350z shines under the sun

 

ok let me elaborate why i posted this... I love my Z and i wouldn't trade it. And no the G doesn't have quite the same level of performance in a straight line or on the track mainly due to the extra weight but the difference is in tenths of a second. How ever on the street the G35 performs just as well as the Z IMO.

Pro's of 6spd G35
Brembo Brakes standard (only in the track Z)
While interior styling is subjective, the materials in the G are better to the touch and in there use.
The leather seats in the G are more supple but still have the bolstering of the Z
You can see out of the back of the G
You have a back seat (i'm single, in my 20's and don't have a need for a rear seat. But there are times that it is missed)
A usable trunk instead of a hatch with a bar across it.
More usable space through out the interior (storage ect.)

Cons' of the G
Ugly bland gauge cluster
Exterior styling can be a little bland, but has a better *** end IMO
slightly less performance when it come down to the numbers

Still it should mean something that i chose the right family of cars out of the choice that i had...

BTW If your buying a car just for the image that it makes for you, i think you need to rethink whats important. Drive what makes you happy, and don't give **** what "Image" or label it may place on you...

 

ALSO the Z has more useful informational gauges liek the trip computer, and ALL gauges not just fuel and temp.

i like the G's digial heating guages and compass tho hehe both have same controls for HVAC but g uses buttons z has everything combined to 3 dials.. (less clutter)

i also liek the backl end better.. but i prefer the stability / solid feeling at all speeds, lower insurance,

Z is the Swiss army knife of sports cars, ( i had three 350's auto And manual)

 

I sold my M coupe for the Z.
the ride in the Z is very civil but you still feel like you are in a sports car.
I miss my M`s torque especially when my girlfriend reaches for the stereo and i can stick her to the seat, but i honestly like the ride better in the Z and the open feel in the interior. Ill work on the torque thing after the Z is done being broken in!