Hey guys,

So I'm new to this forum, kinda been creepin on here for awhile, and I'm looking to pick up a new car sometime within the next two months and one of the cars I've been considering is a Z. And I know by posting on here most of the responses will be a bit biased (it is a Z forum after all) but I'm just looking for some opinions.

Some of the cars I've been considering are (I know I've gotta narrow it down lol):

350Z, G35, S2000, Audi S4, M3, 330ci, WRX, Legacy 2.5GT, Genesis Coupe (2.0T and 3.8), 05+ Mustang GT (not really liking the way I hear those handle... Not looking for a "straight line" car).

Looking for "fun to drive", manual, and either RWD or AWD, any advice?

 

Best advice: go test drive all the cars you're interested in and more than 1 of each to get a feel for them.

And yes, your selection is all over the place. Figure out what best suits your needs, what you're willing to sacrifice, etc.

 

Only problem is there aren't that many Z's in my area, no G35's, only Genesis Coupe is an automatic which wouldn't be too bad for a test drive but I wanna feel it's gearbox and stuff like that. I've kinda ruled out the Audi and Beemers, repairs and maintenance on those would cost more, WRX is a ***** to insure, the Mustang is so generic, the Legacy isn't really "sporty" enough.

So really I'm left looking at the Z, G35, and S2000

Oh, and I've got a "beater" Corolla that I'm hanging onto so I've got my "bad weather" car that gets me 32+ MPG so I'm not looking at something like it's gotta be a daily, but it'll be driven as much as possible.

 

See, that's much better.

The Z is a pretty good car overall -- strong, sporty, great looks, etc -- but it's not the most practical car. The G's pretty much same, except for the increase in room and "luxury." The S is a much more nimble car and is actually one of my favorite cars. It's far too small, though, and even less practical than a Z. Either way, you're still going to have to drive them as these replies you'll get are biased and subjective, at best. You got plenty of time it sounds like, so I'm sure you'll find a few you can test drive.

There are several Z/G owners in Michigan that's on the forums. Maybe you could hit up one of their meets and check out the cars in person (probably not drive, but at least you'll get a more in depth answer than what you'll get online).

 

The 350Z isn't a new car, the 370 version is, but my 350 was a really reliable car. It's an almost 10 year old version of the body style so if that is the car you want, you'll be able to get one very reasonably; like in the $6000 range.

Audi is always my choice, but I'm partial to the brand.

 

Why a 330 over a 335?

 

Love Audi's used to have fun in the Bi-Turbo A6, about as much fun as you can have in a stock auto Audi, but only problem I see there is any repairs or maintenance will be considerably higher.


And between the Z and S, the Z would probably be easier to live with as a daily for summertime, but the S has the hard and soft top that the Z doesn't, and where I live it would be nice to drop the top. The S2K is more of a one purpose car, and it excels at what it does. That's been my biggest debate while I'm looking for a new car for me: Do I want a Z or an S?

 

Try looking at the 350z Roadster. It has the softtop and you can always buy the smoothlines aftermarket hard top if you decide you like the hard top look for the winters. Also, a big seller for me was the Z roadster has an actual trunk compared to hatch. I've always loved Z since I was a young kid and when I finished school and out in the real world I never thought twice about another car.

Overall they're both nice cars, just decide what style you prefer better. My advice would be go to a dealership without the intention of buying anything and see if you can take both for a drive.

 

Son you better get off the internets and finish your homework!

 

i wanted a z a s2k sti or evo i researched for 3 years (the de platform) decided the z was what i really wanted then i ended up buying a new 08 throwing out pretty much all my research cause of the hr but i couldent be happier. side note the gen coupes are crap.
i beat on my 300whp car every day for 3 years has never let me down kid around the corner has a gen coupe 2.0 he droped the clutch and it ****ed his diff up and broke lots of **** they made him pay for the repair car still under warranty cars been in for the things now no dealer will touch it cause its" abused" also its way to heavy

 

I've loved the Z ever since I saw it, and I've looked at the roadster, but it just doesn't do it for me. I like how it looks with the top down, but with the soft top up it just doesn't look the same. Part of what drew me to the Z was the lines and the way it looks, and with the soft top it's just the same, for the Z I'm a hard top kinda guy, and The smoothlines hard top doesn't have the same look either, plus at $1799 it's more expensive then just buying a hard top in the first place. But thanks for the idea! It is something I've thought about before, just can't get over how much better I think the hard top looks, it's all personal opinion though

 

Couldn't agree more.

The Roadster Z's are absolutely gorgeous on a sunny spring day with the top down, hair blowing in the wind.. but, otherwise, I think it looks a bit mismatched with the curvature of the vehicle.

If you buy the Z, go hardtop. S2k, go soft (friend of mine has a 2004: yellow w/ black soft top. Thing is absolutely gorgeous and handles like a dream).

 

It just doesn't look right the roof line ends way too early and the trunk looks much too big then. But hardtop? Ohhhh that's sexy haha.
I'm just not sure though between Z or S2k They're both easy on the eyes, both 2 seats, you've gotta thrash the hell outta the S2K for peak hp, but then again who doesn't love screaming up to 9k rpms? But it's literally torqueless, mess up a shift and you've either gotta correct it super fast or wait to climb back up Z makes power pretty much all the way through it's rpms, more hp and way more torque, but the S2K handles like it's on rails and has one of the best gearboxes made... Tough choices

 

never considered anything but my Vert.. never look back and won't sell until I get a GTR or they make another Turbo "400ZT"

 

GTR I'd give my left nut for one of those

 

I'd say get an STI, S4, or M3..if you can afford

 

I don't really wanna have to insure an STI, one of like the top three most expensive cars to insure I believe, and an S4 or M3 would be do able, only problem there is repairs and maintenance. But preventative maintenance seems to be great at keeping major issues from happening with German cars, and if you know what you're doing they seem quite reliable.

 

If you think people on this forum are douchebags (hint: we are) you should not buy the Z.

I test-drove a few Audis before I got my Z. Steering is too loose for my liking. Didn't feel like a sports car..

 

Haha you guys seem alright! What kinda Audis did you test? I've found that BMWs seem to have a better steering feel.

 

2003 A6 4.0 and 2005 A4 2.0T; however, they were both automatics, soooo....... I'm a scrub.

Never driven a Beemer personally.