Test drove E92 M3, Audi S5, and 370Z. Likely trading in 350Z for 370Z.
11-01-2010, 07:21 AM
#21
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Im surprised that you say E92 M3 doesnt stand out among 335i or 328...
e92 M3 so far, among your choices, should be the pick of the day.
Maybe because you are a nissan fan after all and it is a good thing.
e92 M3 so far, among your choices, should be the pick of the day.
Maybe because you are a nissan fan after all and it is a good thing.
11-01-2010, 08:35 AM
#22
New Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Precipitation Nation
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting write-up. When you compare the Z to the likes of A5's and M3's you realize just what a performance bargain it is. Especially when you ponder the monthly car payment.
Last edited by Indyzed; 11-01-2010 at 09:58 AM.
11-01-2010, 04:39 PM
#24
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
youll love the 370z, i had one. i got mine last august after test drive a bunch of 350's and then seeing a 370z and how much nissan had improved overall on the whole car. unfortunately i was in an accident about a month a go and it got totaled. i would have got another one but i found a nice certified pre owned G37s in black (love black cars, hate cleaning them). Insurance cut me a nice check for my 370z with minimal depreciation ~5k from my out the door price when i bout it over a year ago. And Infiniti gave me a good deal on the G because it is certified pre owned, extended warranty up to 7 years/ 100k miles and 1.9% financing, which is a really good rate considering im 19. i put a nice down payment on the G and love it. Its nice having the sunroof, backseats and other comforts. I definitely miss my 370Z, it was sportier, quicker, more rare, and straight sexy. You gonna love the 370 it put a smile on my face everyday, those German cars are nice but the way the Z makes you feel connected to the road and for the price there is no better vehicle. Make your way over to t h e 3 7 0 Z.com and start over there, there is a lot of great people and information, thats where i am at most of the time. Good luck with the new Z and post some pics when you can!
Last edited by fairlady_Z34; 11-01-2010 at 04:40 PM.
11-01-2010, 09:57 PM
#25
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The M3's interior was overly plain, and the center console looked cheap. Knowing the quality of a BMW interior, I know it'll hardly have a rattle to it. But I simply cannot be bothered to drive a car that looks so bland on the inside. The 370Z's interior with the Navi feels and looks great and is made up of some very nice materials.
Also, I will likely never own a Mustang. I like them, but once again, it boils down to a number of crippling issues. The interior, while nice in quality, is ugly, bland, and the steering wheel sucks. The exterior looks aggressive up front, but lousy in the rear. And the lack of an IRS in the rear is a deal breaker.
And yes, S5s are crazy common in New York City/Long Island. I swear that I'm not making this up, but I once counted 12 of them (3 were A5s) in the span of a 1 hour drive.
Also, I will likely never own a Mustang. I like them, but once again, it boils down to a number of crippling issues. The interior, while nice in quality, is ugly, bland, and the steering wheel sucks. The exterior looks aggressive up front, but lousy in the rear. And the lack of an IRS in the rear is a deal breaker.
And yes, S5s are crazy common in New York City/Long Island. I swear that I'm not making this up, but I once counted 12 of them (3 were A5s) in the span of a 1 hour drive.
11-03-2010, 04:55 AM
#30
That's not a m3 interior, but a regular 3 series interior with a M steering wheel. Look at the M3 interior with the carbon leather trim.
I'm surprised the op calls the m3 interior "cheap". I can see an argument for simple or bland, but cheap? ummm no. The 370z interior may be "lively", but its material and craftmanship are a lot more "cheap" than the m3 and imho slightly cheesy. Everyone will have their personal preferences on these things tho...
I'm surprised the op calls the m3 interior "cheap". I can see an argument for simple or bland, but cheap? ummm no. The 370z interior may be "lively", but its material and craftmanship are a lot more "cheap" than the m3 and imho slightly cheesy. Everyone will have their personal preferences on these things tho...
Last edited by jonnylaw; 11-03-2010 at 05:06 AM.
11-03-2010, 11:54 AM
#33
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: West Long Branch, NJ
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i haven't test drove the 370 or m3, so keep that in mind when reading this. but i'm surprised on your review of the s5. one of the clients i detail for has an s5 and i love the throaty v8. i think it has plenty of power (including low end) and is put together quite well. the red leather interior, guages, everything just seem to flow well and look a good step up from the 370 interior. i think it's funny you say the doors close cheaply, because i found it to be the exact opposite (keeping in mind i jump back into my 06 350z after dropping the car off).
either way you go, they are all good choices imo and i'm sure you will be happy. can't go wrong stayin in the family though
either way you go, they are all good choices imo and i'm sure you will be happy. can't go wrong stayin in the family though
11-03-2010, 06:03 PM
#34
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have you considered a Z06? That kind of between the 370Z and M3 pricepoint. Less to be desired in the interior department, but more fun to drive than any of the choices.
11-03-2010, 11:11 PM
#35
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been complaining about interiors and cheapness here, buddy. Why would I want a Z06? It's extremely fast, but the interior is barely nicer than my Z. 
11-04-2010, 02:33 PM
#37
The M3's interior was overly plain, and the center console looked cheap. Knowing the quality of a BMW interior, I know it'll hardly have a rattle to it. But I simply cannot be bothered to drive a car that looks so bland on the inside. The 370Z's interior with the Navi feels and looks great and is made up of some very nice materials.
Also, I will likely never own a Mustang. I like them, but once again, it boils down to a number of crippling issues. The interior, while nice in quality, is ugly, bland, and the steering wheel sucks. The exterior looks aggressive up front, but lousy in the rear. And the lack of an IRS in the rear is a deal breaker.
And yes, S5s are crazy common in New York City/Long Island. I swear that I'm not making this up, but I once counted 12 of them (3 were A5s) in the span of a 1 hour drive.
Also, I will likely never own a Mustang. I like them, but once again, it boils down to a number of crippling issues. The interior, while nice in quality, is ugly, bland, and the steering wheel sucks. The exterior looks aggressive up front, but lousy in the rear. And the lack of an IRS in the rear is a deal breaker.
And yes, S5s are crazy common in New York City/Long Island. I swear that I'm not making this up, but I once counted 12 of them (3 were A5s) in the span of a 1 hour drive.
11-04-2010, 05:23 PM
#39
And because of that, you "know" BMW's will hardly ever rattle?
C'mon man. stop generalizing.
Factors such as owners and road conditions play a major role in the condition of the car, down to the rattle.
Also, did you purposely drive those cars just to listen for rattles? I have driven a lot of differents cars and one
thing I can tell you is, if it wasn't mine, it was rattle free.
At the end of the day, get what you like. No need to fish for other people's opinions.
11-04-2010, 05:57 PM
#40
If you care/are interested in major auto mag's reviews of nissans and bmw's for instance, you will find that one major plus for the nissan Z's and GTR's are value and performance. But one major critique is lack of overall refinement and issues with interior quality/rattles. A car and driver article mentioned the GTR would be a top choice for those that are primarily concerned with raw power (supercar power without supercar pricetag), but the reviewers complained of interior creaks/rattles and weird transmission sounds-the $84k GTR is still a Nissan after all (I'm not hating here, I'm a fan of Nissans and would love to own a GTR or a 370z). The M3, although without the raw power of the GTR, was described as more desirable long term for overall quality, feel, and drive.
That being said I am fairly sure you may find a rattle in almost every brand/make of car. However, some makes may offer superior packaging/quality/refinement over others. There are usually always compromises/sacrifices in various areas of particular cars. The question is which ones matter to you? and how much are you willing to spend? These are the consumers' choices to make.
These generalizations are for the most part worthless anyhow.
I do agree with the above poster in that you should get what you want. I would be happy with either one of the cars mentioned in the thread title.
Last edited by jonnylaw; 11-04-2010 at 06:00 PM.
