Is the Z the best sports car for around $30k?
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Double the money? ? Not exactly... a base C6 is a very formidable car on any kind of track that would tear apart a 350Z (mid 12s in the 1/4 and handling is great) and I've seen people on here bragging about paying near 40K for a 350Z while a C6 can be bought new for ~45K... The new Z06 might be double the money but it also runs low 11s on factory rubber and high 10s now with a set of Drag Radials under it.. not really in the same league. Combine that with rediculous handling and it's worth much more than double the money IMHO.
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I've had many Z cars over the years and this car is no different when it comes to a few things.
1) It handles really well.
2) It has a very good ride stock for a sports car.
3)They are reliable.
4)Gas mileage vs performance is very good. V8's use a lot of gas around town.
Not so true anymore on the freeway though. My 400HP V8 Firebird gets about the same as my Z there. A new Vette would get good mileage too on the freeway. However, that's more than I want to pay.
5) They look great.
6) Plenty of power for weekend car.
For racing there are better choices. For a weekend racer ... lots of parts out there and they hold their own in their class. V6 remember. Two wheel drive. Against V8 you'll get beat a bunch .... not always - So for a V6 pretty nice.
7) Interior design - rattles ... Mine doesn't rattle and I love the modern styling.
8) Independent rear .... Well, drag racing it does OK and that's a surprise... In the corners, it's super nice. You can throw it around a lot. You can't do that as much in a Firebird or a Stang say.
9) Small turning radius ... can whip a U-turn anywhere. Mustangs Y-turn on my street. Don't get me wrong I've owned many mustangs. The Z is just a cut above in most things. Power Ford has it..... but, look at the rest of the car. Have to admit I like that new Shelby ... but, I'd trade in my Firebird for that not the Z.
10) Did I mention they look great !!!
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/Mt%20Hamilton%20Meet/DSC09091.jpg)
1) It handles really well.
2) It has a very good ride stock for a sports car.
3)They are reliable.
4)Gas mileage vs performance is very good. V8's use a lot of gas around town.
Not so true anymore on the freeway though. My 400HP V8 Firebird gets about the same as my Z there. A new Vette would get good mileage too on the freeway. However, that's more than I want to pay.
5) They look great.
6) Plenty of power for weekend car.
For racing there are better choices. For a weekend racer ... lots of parts out there and they hold their own in their class. V6 remember. Two wheel drive. Against V8 you'll get beat a bunch .... not always - So for a V6 pretty nice.
7) Interior design - rattles ... Mine doesn't rattle and I love the modern styling.
8) Independent rear .... Well, drag racing it does OK and that's a surprise... In the corners, it's super nice. You can throw it around a lot. You can't do that as much in a Firebird or a Stang say.
9) Small turning radius ... can whip a U-turn anywhere. Mustangs Y-turn on my street. Don't get me wrong I've owned many mustangs. The Z is just a cut above in most things. Power Ford has it..... but, look at the rest of the car. Have to admit I like that new Shelby ... but, I'd trade in my Firebird for that not the Z.
10) Did I mention they look great !!!
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/Mt%20Hamilton%20Meet/DSC09091.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/Firebird/DSC01038m.jpg)
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Originally Posted by S8ER95Z
Double the money? ? Not exactly... a base C6 is a very formidable car on any kind of track that would tear apart a 350Z (mid 12s in the 1/4 and handling is great) and I've seen people on here bragging about paying near 40K for a 350Z while a C6 can be bought new for ~45K... The new Z06 might be double the money but it also runs low 11s on factory rubber and high 10s now with a set of Drag Radials under it.. not really in the same league. Combine that with rediculous handling and it's worth much more than double the money IMHO. ![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Yes you can get a Z for $40K ... and yes you can get a Z06 for $80K with all the bells and whistles ... Not sure what the point is?
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Most Corvettes are not ragged out. Average Corvette drivers are 50+ and drive them very conservatively. Buy used and you can talk to the previous owner and see if they drove it hard.
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Originally Posted by TurboTrey
Most Corvettes are not ragged out. Average Corvette drivers are 50+ and drive them very conservatively. Buy used and you can talk to the previous owner and see if they drove it hard.
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Originally Posted by Z_Driver
I've had many Z cars over the years and this car is no different when it comes to a few things.
1) It handles really well.
2) It has a very good ride stock for a sports car.
3)They are reliable.
4)Gas mileage vs performance is very good. V8's use a lot of gas around town.
Not so true anymore on the freeway though. My 400HP V8 Firebird gets about the same as my Z there. A new Vette would get good mileage too on the freeway. However, that's more than I want to pay.
5) They look great.
6) Plenty of power for weekend car.
For racing there are better choices. For a weekend racer ... lots of parts out there and they hold their own in their class. V6 remember. Two wheel drive. Against V8 you'll get beat a bunch .... not always - So for a V6 pretty nice.
7) Interior design - rattles ... Mine doesn't rattle and I love the modern styling.
8) Independent rear .... Well, drag racing it does OK and that's a surprise... In the corners, it's super nice. You can throw it around a lot. You can't do that as much in a Firebird or a Stang say.
9) Small turning radius ... can whip a U-turn anywhere. Mustangs Y-turn on my street. Don't get me wrong I've owned many mustangs. The Z is just a cut above in most things. Power Ford has it..... but, look at the rest of the car. Have to admit I like that new Shelby ... but, I'd trade in my Firebird for that not the Z.
10) Did I mention they look great !!!
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/Mt%20Hamilton%20Meet/DSC09091.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/Firebird/DSC01038m.jpg)
1) It handles really well.
2) It has a very good ride stock for a sports car.
3)They are reliable.
4)Gas mileage vs performance is very good. V8's use a lot of gas around town.
Not so true anymore on the freeway though. My 400HP V8 Firebird gets about the same as my Z there. A new Vette would get good mileage too on the freeway. However, that's more than I want to pay.
5) They look great.
6) Plenty of power for weekend car.
For racing there are better choices. For a weekend racer ... lots of parts out there and they hold their own in their class. V6 remember. Two wheel drive. Against V8 you'll get beat a bunch .... not always - So for a V6 pretty nice.
7) Interior design - rattles ... Mine doesn't rattle and I love the modern styling.
8) Independent rear .... Well, drag racing it does OK and that's a surprise... In the corners, it's super nice. You can throw it around a lot. You can't do that as much in a Firebird or a Stang say.
9) Small turning radius ... can whip a U-turn anywhere. Mustangs Y-turn on my street. Don't get me wrong I've owned many mustangs. The Z is just a cut above in most things. Power Ford has it..... but, look at the rest of the car. Have to admit I like that new Shelby ... but, I'd trade in my Firebird for that not the Z.
10) Did I mention they look great !!!
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/Mt%20Hamilton%20Meet/DSC09091.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/Firebird/DSC01038m.jpg)
![Smilie](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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Originally Posted by TurboTrey
Most Corvettes are not ragged out. Average Corvette drivers are 50+ and drive them very conservatively. Buy used and you can talk to the previous owner and see if they drove it hard.
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Originally Posted by gothchick
I've heard that the 6MT Z's go through clutches @ every 50k miles, and brakes @ every 40k miles. .
bill
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Originally Posted by Kolia
Get a used Lotus Elise...
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Off topic - But since I was asked ... a couple more picture of the G35 Spoiler:
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC05585.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC04028.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC04999.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC03855withoutwiper.jpg)
It took a dremel and about an hour to hollow out under the spoiler for fitment.
Just use a lot of masking tape to protect your deck lid while you are modifying it ... Go slow take a 1/2 inch strip off at at time. I bought the spoiler off ebay for $65 dollars and $10 of paint later and a couple of spacers to give it that pedistal support look .... wala ...
I could have used the built in brake light as it would have fit but, I liked the look without it and it would have been redundant with the window brake light.
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC05585.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC04028.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC04999.jpg)
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC03855withoutwiper.jpg)
It took a dremel and about an hour to hollow out under the spoiler for fitment.
Just use a lot of masking tape to protect your deck lid while you are modifying it ... Go slow take a 1/2 inch strip off at at time. I bought the spoiler off ebay for $65 dollars and $10 of paint later and a couple of spacers to give it that pedistal support look .... wala ...
![Big Grin](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I could have used the built in brake light as it would have fit but, I liked the look without it and it would have been redundant with the window brake light.
![](http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/mecinoid/Cars/2004%20350Z/DSC01824.jpg)
Last edited by Z_Driver; 03-29-2007 at 07:39 PM.
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Originally Posted by Kolia
Get a used Lotus Elise...
But, on the track... yah boy !!!
I'd rather spend the money on a Vette.
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Edited for clarity ...
Last edited by Z_Driver; 03-29-2007 at 07:51 PM.
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Originally Posted by Kolia
I thought we had a daily driver?
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Originally Posted by Kolia
Get a used Lotus Elise...
Kevin
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Originally Posted by Z_Driver
Please note - I was quoting the Elise suggestion.... Yep Z is a good daily driver if you can get over dings you'll get.
Boy do I hate dings. ![](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/icon20.gif)
![](https://my350z.com/forum/images/smilies/icon20.gif)
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I was refering to the OP of the topic who's looking for a weekend sport car since he had a daily driver.
The "We" refered to the context of the original discussion. "We" have a truck for the week. What sport car around 30k can we get in addition to that?
An Elise !
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Originally Posted by Cabinetman
I'm 6'2" and climbing in and out of the Elise is no fun (I've tried). If i was a hardcore club racer it would make sense, but for a weekend car it might be a little too raw.
Kevin
Kevin
Still, for the price its pretty much the ultimate driving experience.
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I've had serious wheel time with every car you mentioned...get the Z! As far as reliability goes, I have an 03 Touring Edition and have never had a single problem.
Four years later and I still wake up smiling knowing what's in my driveway. It's fast and it's gorgeous. As far as I'm concerned there's nothing else I'd rather be driving.
Four years later and I still wake up smiling knowing what's in my driveway. It's fast and it's gorgeous. As far as I'm concerned there's nothing else I'd rather be driving.
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Originally Posted by Z_Driver
This is true ...But we are talking a under 30K car. I bought mine new for $25K.
Yes you can get a Z for $40K ... and yes you can get a Z06 for $80K with all the bells and whistles ... Not sure what the point is?
Yes you can get a Z for $40K ... and yes you can get a Z06 for $80K with all the bells and whistles ... Not sure what the point is?
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Originally Posted by Elohite
Dont eliminate the RSX (Make sure it has a Type-S Badge)
"In my price range I can get the 350z Enthusiast, RX-8, Honda S2k and Mustang GT."
All have ups and downs.
350z and s2k 2 Seaters.
Mustang and rx-8 4 seats
IMO: if you like speed, mustang
Tracking and twisties : rx-8, s2k, z
looks: z
z wins 2/3
"In my price range I can get the 350z Enthusiast, RX-8, Honda S2k and Mustang GT."
All have ups and downs.
350z and s2k 2 Seaters.
Mustang and rx-8 4 seats
IMO: if you like speed, mustang
Tracking and twisties : rx-8, s2k, z
looks: z
z wins 2/3
the Z is the best car for the $ period, looks, style, handling, speed. you cant beat it.