When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Talk me into Keeping a 15 year old Brickyard Touring
Getting the itch...
Wanting something more luxurious
Looking at Used Infiniti Q50 Sport, AWD ( It snows here )
In the Mid $20,000 price range with 25,000 to 30,000 miles.
Here's the trade in... 89,000 miles - hatch struts tired, passenger window temperamental, CD player skips, and a few speakers on fritz...
No dealer has offered more than $5,000 for it, in fact, $4,000 to $4,500 is it so far....
I have zero patience to curb it and sell myself, just won't do it.
The Z runs great, is a blast to drive, I'm in my mid 50's, so, is it time to move on ?
Convince me what to do Z Community, Thanks, Be Honest, I'm really on the fence here..
Will coughing up $20K to go into a 12 year newer sedan really make feel better ?
Last edited by AX8; Aug 24, 2018 at 02:58 PM.
Reason: Really want all opinions
Nothing is better than having no car payment. Keep the z and enjoy it for years to come. Each month put $300 away that you would’ve spent on the Infiniti. Then you can pay cash in a couple years for something and have a large down payment.
Those issues you stated are fixed for under $200. You can buy improved hatch struts from z1. Your speaker is problably cutting out bc of the bose amp, this is fixed for free with some time and paper. Install and aftermarket head unit with Bluetooth and updated oem window motor.
Last edited by philliesfan1992; Aug 24, 2018 at 03:08 PM.
Agreed, nothing like a paid off car. I'd be tapping into home equity to pay the difference.
It makes little sense to me to put even a penny into the Z since its value is so sadly low, and going lower fast.
December through March, basically a third of the year, the Z just clutters the Driveway.
I have a 45 minute commute, 32 miles one way, 75% Highway, Z does not get driven in snow or ice conditions, have a Wrangler for Winter and soft top down Summer fun in the Sand.
Nothing is better than having no car payment. Keep the z and enjoy it for years to come. Each month put $300 away that you would’ve spent on the Infiniti. Then you can pay cash in a couple years for something and have a large down payment.
Those issues you stated are fixed for under $200. You can buy improved hatch struts from z1. Your speaker is problably cutting out bc of the bose amp, this is fixed for free with some time and paper. Install and aftermarket head unit with Bluetooth and updated oem window motor.
This statement is so,so true keep the Z fix the minor hiccups and enjoy, save the car payment money maybe invest it and gain some return over a few years then decide if you really want the Q50 It's good though your keeping it in the same family I'd even test drive one to see if it even meets my expectations, if I still want one once I saved up a good amount of money I would sit back and let the deal come to me and wait for a steal!!
The young me says get the newer car, the older me says keep driving.
Z is paid off, Jeep is paid off and only a few more months on the minivan. I plan to driver everything till the wheels fall off. I did have a hub sheer on the Z, pretty close, fixed and kept driving.
I did want another car, turn the Z to track only without plates, and get a hybrid as a 3rd daily driver.
I am facing the same dilemma you describe, but with slightly more complexity:
My care has more mileage (129K).
I have a couple of small rust spots (below driver door key and corner of driver side rear quarter panel).
I need to replace the clutch assembly.
If it weren’t for the rust on my car, I would definitely do the other repairs and keep the car. However, because the car is showing some rust points, I assume there are others coming.
I would say you should keep your car. You have an unusual and rare paint and the 350z is a universal design that will look good 20 years from now.
Hell i toy with idea of getting rid of the vette, it was always a dream to own one ...had it 3.5 years now and that is around the time i dump cars and move one to something different
How's your back? Is it a pain to get in and out of the Z? Sometimes I find it annoying to get in and out of my "sporty" cars especially after a long day at work, where I want to just step into something more comfy instead of a noisy, low to the ground, somewhat stiff ride with a cheap interior.
You make a good point mr. sparco, you really do...
My back is fine, but yes, on some less refined roads my kidneys do get slapped around quite a bit while experiencing every road undulation, pot hole patch, and frost heave....
How's your back? Is it a pain to get in and out of the Z? Sometimes I find it annoying to get in and out of my "sporty" cars especially after a long day at work, where I want to just step into something more comfy instead of a noisy, low to the ground, somewhat stiff ride with a cheap interior.
You nailed it. No way to describe my feeling about the Z than what you just posted.
The young me says get the newer car, the older me says keep driving.
Z is paid off, Jeep is paid off and only a few more months on the minivan. I plan to driver everything till the wheels fall off.
Same here, xyz paid off, a few more payments on the van. The younger me psychologically needs the sporty cars to stay sane, the wife on the other hand, "you will drive your cars to the ground."
Gee whiz guys..... I don't ever want to hear you guys makin' fun of my age again!!! "Owwwwwww, it hurts to get into a small sporty car wahhhhhhhh...boohooooo" Wow, you guys need to go join the Chrysler Cordoba Rich Corinthian Leather forums....
Coincidentally, I have a Z33 and my father has a Q50S. Completely different experiences, but the Q50 is sporty enough to not miss the Z if you're starting to get second thoughts about it. We have the RWD variant so I can't really tell you how the AWD handles.
I'd do it, but I'd get the 3.7 over the 2.0T. Sure fuel economy will take a hit, but it's a gem of a motor (that you're already somewhat familiar with).
OK, here’s the thing.... Q50S is a great car. I even considered one recently; a Red Sport (scoots right along) but more likely, the couple year old CPO (lease return) Q50S Hybrid (also scoots right along faster than my Zs except for Z34N, and gets good mileage).
But....
It’s not the same as a Z.
Consider...
Where you “wear” a Z like a track suit, you merely drive a Q while wearing shorts and a polo shirt. Comfy yes.... exciting and ready to do an American Ninja Warror run, not so much.
Where you late brake, turn in, and punch out of a corner with your right foot just short of or slightly breaking the rear tires loose (assuming you’ve turned off TCS) and then they grab asphalt and you shoot out of the corner looking at the next corner entry, is now merely a computer controlled ho hum turning experience. Competent? Sure! Emotional and fun? Only so so.
Where people take notice of you in your Z and think “nice car” (because you don’t see a lot of them on a daily basis), in a Q50, people that do notice you think/say, “nice car... so where to for lunch, guys?”
My $.02.... Only you can decide yourself between what’s slowly going away as a truly fun driving experience with a little less convenience and function and trading off for a competent but not quite soul stirring mode of transport. I decided to do BOTH when/if I ever free up some space for a “practical” car that I don’t need to wear.
And after the short couple of modestly paced but fun parade laos (no challenge) on the track yesterday, not a chance I’m gonna get rid of my 33! (Something I gave thought to as I ground 3rd gear the other day in stop/go traffic on the way to Laguna Seca.)
Talk me into Keeping a 15 year old Brickyard Touring
