I've had it for over 2 years now. Next April will be 3. This isn't my first time contemplating on selling it. This isn't my second either. It's treated me with more respect than any other car I've ever owned. I've always had my eyes open for something else. Some other sort of BMW M3 or Porsche. Any Porsche would do.
It all started 3 years ago, when I drove my first ever 944. The 944 was by far the best car I had ever driven at the time. That test drive has remained in my memories for the longest time.
Since that day I went on to search for German performance/sports cars. I searched and finally found a decent car I could afford at the time. E36 M3 is exactly what I wanted.
At the time affording it was an issue. I was working at a gas station and the money was ehh. If I applied myself I could've done it. However realistically it wasn't going to happen.
Then I joined the military. M3 still on my mind. Throughout basic all I could think of was what color, year, mileage I could afford. I gave myself an excellent budget. However, like 99% of all things I do that plan failed miserably. I ended up finding a gorgeous red 2006 Nissan 350Z. Immediately fell in love. It wasn't the power but the striking features and looks of it. I absoloutely still to this day believe the 350Z is one of the most gorgeous sports cars ever.
However there are many design flaws. Interior pieces that are ridiculously cheap that chip. There are a few rattles. Cratch that, there are alot of rattles.
Anyway, I look constantly at new options. I have found some cars located in Sioux falls. One is a E46 M3 and the other is a E92 328i. I will miss the power but the refinement, luxury, and features should ( I hope) make up it in the 328. Both appear to be in excellent condition, however a PPI and thorough documentation inspection will show the truth about both.
My car has alot of documentation. It's been with me since 18k miles, been through 1 transmission, 1 set of tires, 1 set of brake pads, drag strip passes, cross country trips, 15 oil changes, 1 30k service, and 1 intake replacement. Great car but I always want more. It's a tough decision because me and my car have a lot of history together and I wanted to do more with it. 2011 AutoX, BBORR, and many other events I wanted to attend with it. But I don't think it's going to happen.
What do you think?
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

 

Keep you Z , its a great reliable car. So far 3.8 years, 85k miles, 1 autocross season, 1 year of trackdays and 1 year of time attack , 121k miles on the clock and still going strong. Interior , all cars get beat up (who cares) rattles can't be heard over my exhaust , suspension just gets better and better (thankyou SPL for the great bushings) and best of all NO PAYMENT.

New car, new mods, start again. Just buy a DD and turn the Z into a play toy.

 

Thanks for the reply man. I've got a dd. Its a celica and my wife has a G35 so it's every bit of a Z in some ways.

 

Forgive me for pointing this out then.. but if you already have a DD then why would a simple rattle on the interior effect your decision in a toy instead? I unno different people different opinions of course.

 

I am always curious about 350Z owners who say they want a BMW 3. If you wanted a BMW why did you buy a 350Z. Maybe BMW owners are saying the same thing

I paid $30,000 for a lame 220 horsepower when I could have got a 350Z.

 

my ***** rattle and I still love them ?

 

Everyone's bothered by these phantom rattles lately...i guess some of us tend to forget that we bought a sports car that sacrificed luxury for performance to keep it at a given price point. Translation: The Nissan 350z is not a Lexus LX470.

 

Maybe I should rephrase myself then. I don't mind the rattles. Most of them are because of the XP10/XP8 pads and rear hatch. They don't bother me. The reason I do want the 3 series is because I've always wanted a BMW. At this same dealership there is an M3. I should've provided the link but whoops.

DavidV, I wanted a 350Z because it was available. Power isn't everything. I love every bit of my 350Z and I've always wanted a 3 series. So now is my chance.

 

Those bimmers are slow. Take a lot of expensive modding to make fast. If your going to spend the money again, do it right or dont do it at all. If you dont do it right, youll be in the same situation youre in right now saying "I could have bought a 335 or an M3". WHATEVER YOU DO, do NOT buy a 944. They can be fun to drive, but their history of blowing engines is notorious.

 

dump it and get the bmw. no sense in taking another year worth of depreciation on a car that isnt worth much to begin with.

 

a bmw 328 is a downgrade IMO. if you want a bimmer that bad atleast get a 335.. you'll have the luxury and the ride quality and also have power....

 

i spent three years in germany with the army. i owned a bmw 328 and a bmw x3. i brought the x3 with me, and sold off the 328. wife bought me a 350z.

now, i know that everyone thinks that the bmw m3 is some sort of cream of the crop top of the line best of the best, but here's the lowdown from a guy who spent three years around nothing but bimmer's and audi's...

they break, they rattle, they can cause just as much heartache as any other car. it all comes down to how you take care of it.

my .02

 

And HPFP issues

 

Great idea, sell one depreciated asset to buy another. Only way to really save money is this would be to sell the Z and wait a year to buy the BMW.

 

haha, cant forget that^

 

I think what the "Colonel" sez sums this up pretty well.

 

my buddy has a 97 m3 which is a pile.he has done everything to take care of it, but always something wrong with it..bought it certified pre owned too..it now has some age on it and about 95k miles but for the longest time has always had issues

 

If you ask me most people these days are like children. They buy something then are real quick want something else. I can tell you 1st hand just by working on many vehicle due to owning a shop. All them cars that everyone wants due to its looks or performance specs is not worth the money spent to maintain them to be up to par with the specs. Specially BMW these days. GARBAGE!!!! German made vehicles have become crap. Due to mostly the cutting costs for down graded components. The worst things are all the electronics that they all have in them now. Its not like it used to be with just a nice motor tranny body and very few electronics. owning an 87 BMW was the BEST of the BEST. Still till this day that car has made me understand what it meant to be saying "ultimate driving machine". Now i just want to laugh at the BMW's still stating that.


Keep the Z if you want a reliable vehicle. Just take care of it. You won't regret that.

Even them guys who want Vettes......they rattle like no other.

No joke, best vehicles i recommend to customers who are looking are in this order
1. Toyota/lexus
2. Honda/acura
3. Nissan/infinite

THATS IT! Everything else is Garbage!!!!!!

 

+1 Dr.Venture!

 

I drove my buddies Boxster recently and was completely underwhelmed, but then again I have never been sold on the whole "geeerman caahs are bettaahh" thing. Mercs and BMWs in particular don't have the best reliability records. I find if you can look past the badge on the hood, the driving experience in a Z is pretty tough to beat for the price range. That 328 would look like every other little secretary's car--no match aesthetically for the lines of a Z, particularly in red. Just my opinion though.