Howdy, bit of intro. I'm George, 40 and currently drive this 2003 E39 steptronic (aka. fancy bimmer word for automatic) supercharged (at the engine: HP=330, Torque=275) "boat",







So just turned 40, and i'm in a mid-life crisis (DOH!!!) looking for a two seater to replace my 2001 Suzuki GSX-R600. Can't hang on to this crouch rocket any longer with my wife breathing down my neck and with 2 little ones. So i need to compromise. The Mrs. can continue to ride in her Odyssey (even a "boat"-er ride) but i would like something to replace my Gixxer ride. And yep, still hanging on to the sedan for now. So my requirements are at the moment,

a) Gotta be a 2 seater coupe (but roadster isn't out yet).
b) Gotta be a great drift car. I would like to learn doing this someday.
c) Must be aftermarket performance mod-friendly (probably looking to do supercharer or twin turbo) and availability of few great body kits.
d) Good return on investment in terms of resell value, HP and Torque for $$$ and quality/reliability/maintainability.
e) Oh and lastly, but most important, great on-line community around the car. And i think i found My350Z.com to be just that.

At the moment i have my eye on a new 350Z coupe, preferrably 2006 year Grand Touring model. I've considered S2000 for few mins then it got dropped off the list very quickly. And since i'm not too crazy on Euro 2 seater coupe or roadster, i think i'm pretty much stuck with 350Z, which is exactly where i want to be.

So i have lots of work ahead of me, to scour this board for any information useful in getting my dream coupe.

But first few quick questions:

a) Has anyone purchased their 350Z through Nissan's VPP program from your employer? And if so was it worth it, in terms of $$$ you saved?

b) I've been hearing about Nissan soon to come out with factory equiped twin-turbo version of 350Z. If soon i could wait out for that model. Anyone know anything about this?

c) Do most folks went for Side Airbags/Head Curtains?

Thanks much, and wish me luck!

 

Welcome aboard, George!


I'm in my mid-life crisis too, and just got my '03 last week. Sorry I can't be very helpful about most of your questions, but sounds like you are rich enough to go with a new Touring model! *lol*

The "Z" car is really great, and I understand that it doesn't depreciate quite a quickly as other cars, so I was able to get a lot of car for my money. I don't know how reliable they are yet. That remains to be seen.

You are in the right place here, though!


Good luck

 

You can buy my Z.

 

dude george, get a camry, it has almost as much HP as a Z!!!

 

Nice looking BMW.

Several members have mentioned the VPP program in the buyers forum, and their comments are positive. I think that you can do just as well or better on your own.

You could wait for a 350Z turbo. It might be a year or 10 or never.

 

+1

But your Z isn't recommended for children, anyone with heart issues or pregnant women.




BTW...Nice BMW...

 

Welcome George

 

Im gonna get flamed for this but the new BMW M coupe comes out this summer, its a two seater.... if it would be in your price range (50k) thats what Id go with. dont get me wrong, My 03 touring 350z is GREAT, I like it more every day

 

get the BMW m3 roadster....

its a much better car than a 350z, given it is more expensive, but still better.

 

I think from what youre requirements stated either the Z GT or ZR would be superb choices for you. Also youd definatley have the most beautiful exhaust note on your block!
and Welcome to the boards!

 

hey George just wanted to say the 350z is nice i myself have a 06 750li and i love the 350 but when the weekend comes or i just feel like going out for a nice drive i do it in the Z as for mods there is so much out there for this car its not even funny body kits turbos supercharger everything. i am sure money is no issue with you but if your going to really mod the crap out the car do not get the touring model get a base you get everything the same but no leather no bose and no navi this way you can hook it up the way u want it; and im sure you can do it for less and it will look 10 times better. performance wise the car is a monster stock with a turbo your looking at almost or over 500hp good luck

 

hey george, be sure to check out the s2000 because it'll be much easier to mod and is faster in the straight line, and the mitusbishi eclipse v6 since it has a 3.8 liter engine is is better in the twisties.

 

You do know youre your comments are rediculous right??? Why the hell are you on this board if every OTHER car is better than the 350Z? Do you even have a car? (and no, the chevy aveo doesnt count) BAN!!!!!!

 

 

THANK YOU David, I didnt know that function existed.

I did a search for all of his posts. About 100 of his 128 to date are horridly stupid. Such beauties as " hey guy, add blocks of cheese to your wheels" (in response to a leaky tire question). It is pollution on our board!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

or you can just report him as a troll and let the admins/mods do their jobs.

 

I gotta put my two cents in. If you are going to do your midlife crisis right, you have to get the roadster!

I debated between the coupe and the roadster and all I can say is thank God I went with the roadster. Top down is about 80% of the fun for me. You can do 90 down the interstate with the top down and still talk comfortably with a friend, the airflow is that good.

Top down the exhaust note is unbeleivable, driving through a tunnel or close to a retaining wall and you won't be able to stand up for 20 minutes.

Whatever you decide welcome to the Z community.

 

ARGH!!! You are killing me... Yes, the roadster looks HOT too...

 

It's settled then, get the roadster! I honestly feel bad everytime I see a coupe. I almost didn't get the roadster because money was a little tight, I would have had to shoot myself if I didn't get it now. I get really bent out of shape when the weather is bad and I can't put the top down.

Not too often in life you can have the lack of utility of a 2 seater sports car, so you might as well go all out and make it a covertible too!

 

You know, looking at the spec the curb weight on the 350Z Grand Touring Roadster is 3602 lbs whereas the coupe is 3404 lbs. Dang, the roadster seems heavier (on paper) than my bimmer (~3500 lbs)... Hmmm...

So what does that do to my 1/4 miles and 0-60 times...