Argh it is eating away at my conscience so much now. I purchased MY05 S back in September which is on a lease and payments are at around $500 a month. I want a Z so much and I haven't even driven one. The car just seems to have it all: longer wheelbase, larger wheels (people are tucking 20s now ) and that added comfort of luxury. If I get a used Z will my payments most likely be under $500? I'm shooting for a enthusiast model.

The S is a great car for what it is but today I was on the uphill cruising in 3rd gear at around 25mph and at 3k I put the pedal to the floor and the revs just slowly climb up to 5k by the time I'm going 40mph. Thats when It started to hit me and my Z hunger still stirs and boils my brain.

 

yeah, the S has no torque and is too damn small. Torque is very convient, when I drove my Z up the appalachian mtns. it pulled 6th no problem. You could definately get payments under 500 a month, I have a 03 and have no problems with it.

 

It sounds to me like you didn't do much research on the S before you bought it. I would highly suggest at least taking the Z for a test drive to make sure you will enjoy this purchase too.

 

don't blame the car blame yourself for buying a four banger...

but damn those S's are the bomb on track days!

 

my evaluation when I drove both of them...the s2k is a drivers car. So much more fun driving that car and taking corners with it. The Z...no. But I still love the Z so much more. Its a heavy piece of metal that is power happy which makes me happy. Imo it looks alot better than the s2k aswell. I never liked the nose of the s2k much. I dont yet have a Z but I will by this June god willing. I was actually contemplating between the Z and the s2k but in the end it proved to be quite an easy pick.

Your monthly payments would depend on how much you put down and what year the car is. But it should be safe to say that your Z monthly payments will be more or less than that of your s2k payments.

 

Here's my take. Long wheelbase = larger turning radius = bad. Why do you need to fit 20's... The only thing I didn't like about the S2K was the lack of torque. I wouldn't recommend getting the Z for any kind of "luxuries" because I think it's pretty horrid on the inside in terms of creature comforts. I think with $35K they could have made it a bit nicer on the inside. I'd say don't take the huge hit on trading in the car so soon.

 

the z is not a drivers car?

 

s2k is a screwdriver..

 

My payments are $315/month for Touring @ $26,995 sticker price (used). But I put $15,000 down, so it depends how much you put down weather or not your payments will be under $500 or not. Good Luck.

 

shouldn't you have been in second or maybe even first gear. I mean, the s2k is a high-reving motor.

 

i agree u should have been in 2nd gear bro. well im on my 2nd s2000. love the car. tight ride around the canyons. but im still gonna be picking up a 06 Z very soon power potential is much greater with the Z obviously

 

I had a 2000 S and loved it! I test drove the Z and fell in love!

 

My brother has a 2005 S2K and I have a 2006 Z, here are my thoughts.

As most Honda's do, they lack the low to mid power that the Z's have but have high reving motors that go nuts when the V-Tech kicks in. The S2K, IMO, was designed to be a canyon hungry carving machine that has awesome handling abilities on the track as well, especially with the change in suspension geometry in the 2004 and up models. The Z on the other hand may not be as agile but can still keep up with the S2K simply with the brute power provided out of the box and great suspension set up. The Z comes stock with a great suspension set up with a lot of added chasis stiffening components that the S2K lacks.

I've driven both cars up in the canyons and both have totally different driving characteristics. I think someone mentioned before, the S2K is damn fun to drive, almost like a go-cart where as the Z you're dealing with understeer and have to put a little more driver input while driving aggressively. Driving the Z makes me feel like I am driving more of a sports car/race car while driving the S2K is like again driving a go-cart.

Price wise, I think the S2K is a little over priced for what you get but that damn 4 banger of a motor is freakin bullet proof as the VQ is as well. I'm fortunate enough to have both in my family. To sum things up, if you're looking for a car that you carve around in the canyons and tear up at the track but don't plan on daily driving it, get the S2K. If you're looking for something with power, great handling and can drive daily at the same time, go for the Z. As a lot of things do, it all comes down to driver preference so I bid you good luck in your decision making.

 

Before i purchased my Z, i was in the same predicament. I have always loved Hondas and when the S came out, i told myself that it would be my next car. But when the time came and i drove the Z, i was hooked!! Too me, the Z felt like pure muscle and thats what i wanted. Im a 1st time Nissan buyer and LOVE IT!!

You know what you need to do. good luck

G

 

My wife has a 2005 S2000. I have a 2003 Z. Let me tell you the S2000 is just oakay, nothing compared to the Z. There is no room. She ends up driving my Z alot. You have to push the engine very hard just to get any power. Plus the steering wheel does not adjust up. I am 6'3". The rims are 17". The seats are nice. Also if you try to fill it up and no one has shown you where the pull for the gas door, good luck, it is in the drivers door jam.

 

I bought a used 04 350z roadster enthusiast, put nothing down and my payments are right at $500 per month

 

As far as comparing s2k to a Z they are truthfully in a "different class" The s2k is a "track car". Lightweight and small. The Z is bigger, heavy, and roomy, but has more power. I had a 03 Miata that I traded in for my Z. I love the Z compared to the Miata, because it can still handle and has alot more power. Plus, I was tired of convertibles.

Now, as far as the payments go, there are alot of factors in that. You said you just got the S2k in Sept. and its on a lease. I am leasing my Z, but I now if I turn in the car early, I am hit with some pretty hefty "fines". This might be something to consider. I mean they can "roll" those fines into a new loan/lease, but TRUST me, I rolled some negative equity into a car before, and its NOT a good idea. Most likely you would have to get a older Z, which would not have a warranty, so this is another thing to consider.

My advice, which is just that, is hold onto the S2K, for a whle longer, and maybe find someone that "knows" how to drive a S2K, and could teach you how to drive it. The S2K is a fast car, BUT you do have to REV it to get to the power. Once again, this is just my opinion

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm a college student and yes, the S is my daily driver. The S2000 fits me like a glove cabin wise and thats what I'm worried about a little. I can't really stretch out my legs in the car, my left knee is always slightly bent. It's not painfull any but their is no way around it. Even in my aunts Z32TT the legroom is so much better. I try to slump down in my seat sometimes but it doesn't really help much. I'm 5'10, my brother is around 6'1, and my dad is 6'3. I just figure that maybe as I get older this will just work against me. Headroom isn't a issue.

I don't plan to put 20s on the Z, but it just seems like the car is more versatile. TV screens in the cubby, safer car with its size, trip odometer, all that good stuff. But yes, I will just have to see for myself.

 

Satan can get you one quicker...

 

I've noticed a lot of people switching from the Z to the S2K, good to see it goes both ways