Unlike many of the “I’ve decided to buy a 350Z” threads, I thought you guys might like to see my impressions from test driving the 4 other cars that I was interested in.

Basically, the lease on my 2003 BMW Z4 3.0 is ending in June. Since I’m going to be buying a house in the near future (tired of apartment living), I was looking to get something that is a good deal less expensive than that car.

Obviously, as I am on a 350Z forum, I ended up deciding on the 350Z, but here’s what I thought of all the cars I test drove (in reverse order from where I ranked them):

5) 2006 Pontiac GTO – Loved the sound of the LS2 V8 – a big rumble that only a V8 can make. Obviously, straight line acceleration was really fast. One area I was surprised at – it actually handled better than I expected for a 3700 lb car. You could still FEEL the weight of the car, but it stuck pretty good. Interior was actually very nice, though I wasn’t too big on the Blaupunkt audio system. The big reason it ended up last was that the 6-speed manual on it really wasn’t that great. It has very long throws and feels like the shifter from my brother’s Toyota Echo (not good).

4) 2006 Mazda MX5 Miata – This car reminded me a lot of the Z4 (minus the power). Nice tight handling, very tight short throw shifter. Nice two-tone interior (the one I test drove had the saddle tan / black combo), and a pretty good stock sound system (though I’ve never been a big fan of BOSE, this one was actually pretty good). The new one has more power than the previous models (mid 6 second 0-60), but was still a good deal slower than my Z4. That and it would be my THIRD 2 seater roadster in a row (so I could see myself get tired of it faster).

3) 2006 Ford Mustang GT – As with the GTO, loved the low rumble of the V8 engine. Straight line acceleration was very good, as to be expected. Handling was on par with the GTO – I could still feel that the car was much heavier than my Z4, but it still handled better than I expected, even with the solid rear axle. The Shaker stereo system on this car was probably one of the best systems out of all the cars I tested. I’ve heard a lot of people rag on the interior of this car, but the one I drove (it had the satin aluminum trim) was actually a pretty nice interior IMO. In the end, the seats and the shifter probably did this car in. The seats were comfortable, but seemed more “laid back” than the seats I’m used to. And the shifter was only slightly better than the one in the GTO (not to mention that it was only a 5 speed manual).

2) 2005 Mazda RX8 (2006s weren’t out yet) – The rotary engine was very interesting. It sounded really cool, and you could rev it to 9,000 RPMs and it would hardly vibrate at all at that speed. Shifter was similar to the MX5, very tight / short throws. Struck a good balance between handling and ride – handled almost as well as the 500 lb lighter MX5. The interior was very nice as well, and the BOSE sound system on this car seemed to be of the better variety from what I could tell. Was a close call between this and the Z, but in the end the extra power from the Z is what made up my mind. Not to mention the completely dumb *** location of the oil dipstick (in a car that consumes oil BY DESIGN).

1) 2006 Nissan 350Z Coupe – Overall this was just the best balance of all of the cars. Still get quick acceleration pretty close to the Mustang GT and only a little behind the LS2 GTO. But instead of those cars clunky, long throw shifters, instead it has a nice tight 6 speed manual similar to the RX8s (though sometimes it seemed to be a bit notchy). Although some car magazines have complained about the interior, I think it’s actually pretty nice. And I love the seats – whether they are the cloth ones or the leather (I test drove a Touring and a Base). That and it still handled very well – even though it is a heavier car, it doesn’t FEEL heavy like the GTO or Mustang. As for disadvantages – this car had the worst BOSE system of all (not bad, but is making me question whether I want to spend extra for the Touring). Ride was about as stiff as my Z4 (I lived with that car for 3 years, so no problems there). And rear visibility kind of sucks, but once again, I’m used to that from my Z4 with the convertible top up.

Wow, sorry for the long post!

 

u test drove the miata, rx8, 350z...
u gotta test drive the Honda S2000!
Also the mustang is junk... GTO is only legitimate domestic sports for under 50,000 dollars!
now, test drive the S2000.. then test drive an E46 M3...

 

Actually, the S2000 WAS on my list. But I couldn't find a dealership in my area that had a new one.

 

well nothign was changed for 2006
...
try anything above a 2003 and it will all be the same thing
...
but what you WANT to buy is the 2000-2003 AP1 version of the S2000...
which has the 9000rpm redline and the frisky handling ...
AP2s are tuned down and handles less pure

 

LMAO at calling the GTO the only legitimate domestic sports car, i would call it more of a muscle car, and I would give this title to the C6 IMHO. Since GM has pulled the plug after low sales since its release, i guess you are seriously in the minority... . The good thing is that you can pick one up for mid to upper 20's since dealers just want to get rid of them.

The mustang is a great bang for the buck, especially now that you can actually deal on the cars. I wouldn't turn down either a mustang or GTO because of the shifter, since thats very easy to change to an aftermarket piece. The T56 that is in the GTO is a great tranny but is known for being somewhat "clunky" feeling, and usually high effort with short throws. The mustang's shifter is sloppy compared to past mustangs because of the use of a shift linkage, but atleast its in a good driving position now.

S2000 handles like a gocart but is very small, very little storage, and like the Rx8 demands revs to be fun (this gets annoying around town)

 

C6 is like 48000 + tax its more than 50000 dollars total and on top you dont want the base C6 anyway... add options and you'll be over 50000 dollars...
Now ... based on Topgear reviews and a brief testdrive myself...
I can say that the GTO (Holden Monaro) is a very good car to drive

 

Hmm... Yeah, that is true about being able to install an aftermarket short shifter kit. I hadn't thought of that. I guess I'm so used to leasing I forget that you CAN actually modify cars

That was the other thing that was kind of in the back of my mind with the S2000. I drove around in a '98 Integra GS-R for about 4 years, and although VTEC sounds really awsome, it does get tiring revving the crap out of an engine to get it to go anywhere. Which was also another reason why the RX8 ended up second. If I even slightly screwed up the launch in my Integra, I'd have Hyundai Excel's beating me off the line Now, I would assume the S2000 is much faster than the Integra was, but I just wasn't sure if I wanted another VTEC motor.

 

I like the GTO as well, the drivetrain is great, the LSx series of motors are probally the best SB pushrod motors ever made for the street. Great interior, definitely well above par for GM, and its a wonderfull cruiser on the highway.

I wish GM had, and i think that alot of others agree that they should have come up with a new design instead of pulling a car from a subsidiary and badging it GTO.

that is what actually turned me off of the S, absolutely no torque ... the S other wise was a blast to drive, but I couldn't see my self driving it every day and having as much fun as i do with the Z...

 

It looks like the GTO will be reborn when the new Camaro comes out in 2008 or 09. Both will use the same platform.

 

Jvanquish,

Please don't talk out of your *** The GTO is not the only legitimate domestic sports car for under 50 grand -- the mustang GT is not that far behind the GTO performance-wise, and the C6 vette is much better than the GTO, and it's a domestic under 50 grand ($44,490 to be exact). As for test driving the M3, the man is on a budget!

I do have to agree that the S2000 should also be driven before making a final purchase. It's a very fun and light car, but practicality suffers a bit more than the Z -- small storage space, low torque, a bit noiser than the Z on rought roads. I've driven the '03, with the stiffer suspension and 9,000rpm, as well as the '05 with softer springs, 2.2L engine, and a little more torque, and I like the latter better. It's still a fun car, but it's just more civilized for everyday use.

 

WOW! You should be a car tester and writer for a car magizine.

 

so why did you get the base instead of the enthusiast?

and as far as the stock Bose being good on the RX8, Ive had my 05 rx8 for about 10 months now, and the speakers honestly dont bump like they used to. sounds like **** now..

 

im sorry i dont go and research domestic cars lol
but if i were to get a C6 i'd not buy the base, i'd load it up a bit with options such as the heads up display, G meter, optional sport pack etc etc

 

the S having no torque?
sure its low on figures, but this past friday, i just saw this guy lighting up the rears in his AP1(first gen with the least torque) doing donuts with ease, it was an eye opener...
throttle control and understanding of Vtec (revs) is more than enough to make up the differ
its not the car, its the driver

 

its not hard to spin the tires and do donuts in any car... rev it up and drop the clutch once you get it going go to second to put on a show...

 

davidv - Thanks. I was actually amazed I was able to test drive them all in one day. Most of the dealerships were pretty cool about it (although it was a Monday), even though I told them right up front that I'm not buying today (which I'm sure they never like to hear).

6swhite350z - The dealership I went to had a bunch of Zs, but they didn't have an Enthusiast with a manual. And the rest of them seemed to be Base, Touring and Grand Touring. They actually had 2 Track models, too (which I was surprised about). About the RX8 - yeah I've never been a big fan of BOSE. I was thinking of getting an Enthusiast Z and then upgrading the sound system.

 

That's 'coz the Z's interior was upgraded for this year and all reviews out there are for the 03-05 Zs

Good reviews! I've throughly enjoyed reading this thread.

 

06 Z's interior actually looks like a sports coupe interior...
the dials actually feel like real dials and the cubby doesnt rattle anymore, it has a weight to it...
i mean... what do u not expect from trial/error and evolution?