Well we ordered my wife a new car on January 1 ('08 fully loaded manual 328i wagon ):


and now it's time for me to start thinking about what to buy. For the price of an M3 or a Skyline I can kill two birds with one stone. My current mindset has me thinking of buying a new Z4M Roadster and buying a CPO'd 350Z. I've test driven a 350 and quite enjoyed it, plus I feel like it has the right dynamics for the type of cars I typically buy (front engine, rwd). I've owned an E30 M3 and thought about going back down that road, but I think the 350Z is likely a better choice for me at this time.

So, I've been researching packages and it looks like I want a Touring as I want the LSD and the Brembos. Is there anything else I should be thinking about? My budget is $20k for the car. I prefer white but really the color isn't super important. It will be street legal and driven every once in awhile on the street but mostly will be used at AutoX and HPDEs over the next couple of years.

Open to advice and suggestions. Thanks in advance, I lurk here often.

 

uhhh.... 240?

 

I've also owned...
E46 convertible:

an E30 M3:

a '00 Civic Si (engine grenaded, piece of ****)...

 

What? I want a 350Z.

 

00 civic si sucks? hahaha....I agree

 

Touring doesnt come with Brembos

 

if yorue really making a track car, id suggest getting a base. The vlsd that comes in the higher trim levels isnt that great, so if youre really serious about tracking, there are alot of better aftermarket options. Also, you could go one step above the factory brembos and buy a real BBK to replace the stockers. The base trim is also the lightest.

 

+1 these are some good points.

 

I say put some competition tires on the station wagon and go for it!

 

Ah, I didn't realize that the base model was the lightest (should have realized that). Yeah, I think base + Quiafe + BBK is probably cheaper or roughly the same. Thanks!

 

06 got the slightly beefier engine, right? I'll be sure to journal the stripping and build process on this forum just like I did my E30 on s14...

 

06 has 300hp and the 07's have 306hp I beleive

 

i have an 06 and i think its lil over 300hp, but i got full exhuast, headers, pulley's, rods, pistons, nismo full CAI, and a 30k HID system! =D ....

but as for you, i would deffenetaly get the 350z, its a fun car to drive! =D i got mine for 21k!! =D 06 with only 6k miles!

 

if you want a 350z then defenetly get a base.... its 500lb lighter and your going to replace most of the stuff you get in the higher models

 

but you might get a nice indash DVD and navigation with a higher base model!

 

There's not nearly 500# difference between the base model and the rest of the Z lineup. A '06 base weighs 3,339 (Nissan figures), while an enthusiast model is up only SEVEN pounds (while adding traction control, HIDs, etc) and a track model is a whopping 61 pounds heavier (but with VDC, Brembos, etc.).

For a used Z, I'd suggest that a track model is the most cost-effective way to go. The Brembos were designed around the Z and the electronic controls come in handy when the track gets slick. I also like the HIDs and things like cruise control for getting back and forth from the track.

I say this having owned a pre-order '03 track model that's seen plenty of track miles over the last five years and 60K+ miles. That package was worth every penny and I've been very happy with it as a dual street/track car!

 

Lord, half of the people on this board have no clue. If your looking for a cost effective track/street car go with the track package and change the pads and tires. The base is not lighter, you could have a smaller lunch (or a bigger crap) and it would weigh the same as the track with you in it so who cares.

 

you all sound like a bunch of noobs on this topic...none of your cars have 300 hp...thats the rated number at the engine...not at the wheels...

search

 

I suggest this thread be moved to the Autocross section so you can get much more educated and informative responses . . .

 

One of the guys in NASA Rocky Mountain does TTC in his 350Z, and his wife does HPDE 3 in her Volvo Wagon. She regulary passes faster cars (slower drivers)