Nothing.

I mean I was not in any market when I first learned about the new Z, which was a shock to me when I first learned about it. I learned late in the game. I read about my new Z in a mag on an airplane (Spring '01) and at the very moment I knew it would be reality I knew I would have one. If no Z33 and I had 50K I would get a decent 240 and make it cherry, custom and fast. I am, you see, a 240Z freak.

 

Definitely NOT an M3, unlike most people here. Just not my style. Not an all-out sports car, and even super fast still a 3-series. I don't care much about fancy or expensive looking interiors. Honda S2000 was my choice before the z came, but for 50k us maybe a porsche boxster s. Not too many choices for me, but I wish a new RX-7 and Supra were out. Can't justify that kind of money on a 6-8 year old car.

 

I can't justify 50k on too many cars.

 

corvette for sure...almost did this time!

EVO is UGLY! imho!

 

You guys are lucky. US$50k would get you a 350Z Track on road with a couple grand change. An M3 is about US$110k on road.

I looked at the M3 when shopping. If we could get them at the US price I have no doubt which I'd be driving.

 

All of you guys made great choices IMO, and i think i would certainly have follow.

If i felt like being different from you guys, an exotic alternative might be a Lotus Elise with $10k for mods.

 

Audi S4. 4.2L V8. AWD. 6 speed. 360hp. 0-60 5.0 secs. Same weight as the old bi-turbo model. Beat the new M3 in a Road and Track head to head. Cheaper than an M3 with a less dated looking interior. Sleeper looks. Would probably 'moke on anything on the road except for an E55 AMG or it's big brother the RS6.

 

maybe style? otherwise i can make the same argument between 350z and srt4.

 

1994 Porsche Turbo 3.6S

Kelly blue book value = Private Party Value $42,575

One of the hardest to drive badass turbos ever made! The newer turbos are faster and better in every way on paper, but i have driven the 1994 and you need some ***** to drive it.

My analogy would be the 1994 Turbo is the huge magnum 45 that Dirty Harry would use to blow your brains out.

And the newer 996 Turbo is the Gloc with laser scope and all the latest gadgets.

 

is this question "if there was no 350z" or "if you had 50k drop on a car" b/c these are two TOTALLY different question. if i had 50k to drop on a car it wouldn't matter if the 350z existed.

 

i don't know about "boy racers" but i can pretty much guarantee you the average "teenager" would take a 350z over either the evo or sti.

 

I would have to disagree, I have alot of teenagers that work for me and teenagers like to hang out together and drive/cruise around together usually the bigger the group the better. A 2 seater is not the best vehicle for this, the EVO or WRX are both 4 doors and can comfortably hold 4 people at the least. In addition the EVO and WRX STi are faster stock than the 350z, teenagers like fast as well.

And last but certainly not least the 350z was not featured in the super hyped made for teenagers flick 2 Fast 2 Furious, however the EVO was......

 

for $50k it'd be a tough decision between a Corvette Z06 or an M3.

for closer to the price of our car, I'd definitely be in an Evo.

 

0-60 5 secs? i guess it's probably a lot heavier than the sti and evo, but i know they have lower times with much less hp.

btw, it seems like the difference between 30k price range and 50k price range is for 20k more you get the performance you want AND the style you want (and maybe the luxury too). at 30k you can either have all of the performance of the 50k cars (evo, sti) or all of the style (z, g35, 330i).

 

If it wasn't for the Z I would either be in my 240SX (with a built up turbo motor) or a BMW 330Ci. I was looking at the 330Ci pretty seriously last year but I ordered the Z after I saw the final production version in a magazine.
If there was no Z and I would have stuck with my 240SX, there are a few cars that I would be looking at. The Crossfire has really grown on me, I really like the looks, especially in black and other than acceleration the performance is about the same as the Z with a smoother and quieter ride. After riding around in my brother's 65 Buick Electra I've sort of gotten a thing for big, powerful sedans, so I'd definitely take a look at the Infiniti M45 and the Chrysler Hemi 300C would be on the list as well. I love the brutish looks of the 300C and it will have great power with the Hemi. The new S4 would be on my list too, power, all weather capability, and awesome interior.