g35_white

I am in a big dilemma. Hope you guys can throw some light on which one to go for.

I have ~$35k to spend on a sports car. Some options i have are below

- Brand new 370z touring or something.
- Pre-owned 370z (2010-2011 models)
- Pre-owned Cayman (2008)
- Pre-owned 2008-2009 BMW 335i
- Pre-owned Corvette
- Pre-owned S5/M3 if available.
- Pre-owned/Brand new Camaro/Mustang GT. I am not keen on this option since these are not much fun on twisties compared to above options.


Which is a good buy?. My requirements in order.

- Used for daily drive to work.
- Fun to drive. Obvious since its a sportscar.
- Performance (power/handling) though it may not see a track in near future
- A little lighter on pocket is appreciated.
- A little fuel efficient would be great.
- 2-seater or 4-seater doesn't matter.

The weirdest requirement which even i can't believe is, it has to be automatic transmission.

I know, i know its sacrilege to think sports car and auto together, but can't help it. It will be a daily driver for my wife and fun for me on weekends. I have rowed gears all my life but not my wife. So this situation.

I stay in CA and there is no snow all year round. Already have a 2005 g35. I have tried 350z that i like. Will be trying 370z soon. if its a good option to pair with G

pss350z

iTrader: (6)

Teach the wife to drive stick, she'll become a better and safer driver in the process... You can use this argument to your advantage.... Then go out and buy the used vette. Best performance per dollar within your list and possibly all around sports car for the money.

g35_white

She knows how to drive stick. She learned, got license on stick. But now she only wants an auto. Nothing would change her mind.

Do you still think corvette is a good option with auto? How is 370z's auto? Say i do 15 miles one way for work with 7 miles of freeway and rest in a 40 mph zone with a good traffic. how much FE should i expect from 370z?

JERZ350

iTrader: (2)

Auto 370z have those paddle shifters, which can be pretty fun even being an auto. Plus you'd be getting a new car for your wife to drive in rather than a used one. Sometimes brand new cars come with 0% financing deals, you wouldn't have to dump the whole $35k at once. Just a few thoughts

User 42426

iTrader: (29)

i would chose m3

Zombie-Z

I would say get a low mileage nismo 370. I am partial to Z-cars but it will be less money to maintain.

JCITY

iTrader: (2)

The cars you are looking at are all over the place.
I can relate to your wife&AT.I have the same deal.However,
I have several other vehicles.
To keep piece and from your rather broad selection(can't determine
any trend on the way you are going),I'd have your wife be the selector.
I'm a Z guy,so my choice would be a Z.However,the 370 just does not
excite me compared to what I've done with my 350.With the new platform coming in
2014?,I may get excited.But,from your list,I'd go with the Cayman since its different,
mid-engine,never owned one.I guess they have auto/triptronic?

JCITY

iTrader: (2)

Obviously you are not married.
NOT THAT EASY.Ladies in general
have too much stuff goin on to be
bothered with shiftin gears.

arsey51

iTrader: (5)

come on get the wife to man-up to a manual - even my wife feels every sports car should be a manual. Good luck with your choice.......keep us posted.

User 42426

iTrader: (29)

actually go test drive all of them then decide

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Well at least you have narrowed it down.

g35_white

I know it may seem broad selection of vehicles. Some i have thrown in as after thought considering they are indeed available in same price range.

I do find 370z appealing. I think i may find it good in performance because it has more power, less weight than my 05 g35 which will be current comparing tool for me. Cayman is at top of my list. But i am worried about maintaining it where 370z scores.

I have driven most of them. Only ones left are 370z, corvette and cayman. Those will be done this week or by next week at the latest.

M3 excited me, but being a BMW makes me vary of the same.

I know. Some of them have been thrown in for fun. Top priority is cayman, 370z, corvette and m3. Others are just there as a back up. Like if nothing falls in place, i can get a new 370z or new camaro. Something like a safe option if i may say so.

Someone mentioned Nismo 370z. Too bad its only available in manual and no auto.

g35_white

I agree. Its hard to convince them especially same can be had in auto with a little fuel penalty and performance penalty. The option of not rowing gears seems much better to them than losing those two options.

It is very hard to convince my wife. While your wife feels that way is good to hear, its not so good with mine. I wonder if your wife will let you get a manual for her if its gonna be daily drive for her with 30 miles of commute in dense traffic. Do ask but don't get .

Thanks for the wishes. I sure will keep you all posted. For now, cayman or 370z is most likely to come into my garage.

Please provide reason and enlighten me.

pss350z

iTrader: (6)

I am married and she drives a 5spd. And exactly why stick is better for broads as they always have **** going on. My ex was a horrible driver before she switched to stick, she was alot more aware of stuff happening around her on the road.

I just figured you could try playing the "i'm worried about your safety" card. I personally can't stand paddle shifters but that was after 15min of driving. I pulled over and told my buddy to take over cause i hated it. Nothing imo beats rowing thru the gears on your own.

dkmesa350z

iTrader: (41)

ooooh wee S5. Fiance just got a 335i though and its been fantastic.

singh

iTrader: (2)

-1 to pre-owned caymans
+1 to pre-owned m3
+5 to 370z and 335i

g35_white

why no caymans?

Dallasmavs92

iTrader: (1)

id go with the 335, only if it's a m series though. the regular 335's are slow. look at audi s4 and s5. they're fast as hell.

Zredman

is the g auto? just woundering...y cant she just drive the g35 if its auto? if not trade with someone for a auto g35 even if u have to add some cash, and get a well kept 2005+ corvette 6 speed and ur all set. to me it would b corvette, the bmw(just for luxury and some fun still) or hell a 2012 mustang gt supposedly u can get for 30k most basic one.

I see you dont think they r that much fun in the twisties have you tried one, amazing how far they have come(mainly ford).

if u want it new, 2 b a beast and still some seats its the 5.0 i think, but i'm biased atm seeing as thats the last car i drove that blew my mind wasnt auto though...i did like the paddle shifters on my buddies 370z which is always nice...

.....oo 1 last thought from my scatter brain, 370z 6-speed with the auto rev match might b a good middle ground for u and your wife.....just saying.

B-Mackin

E46 M3 MTMFW!!! I would say the Cayman but maintenance is so damn expencive.