I am debating on which car to get next and I like the way the 350 drove. A dealership around here has an 05 Touring, I think, since it has leather seats, traction control, xenons, power and heated seats, no GPS. It has around 8k miles and they want $28k for it. Seems like a reasonable deal to me.

Other car is the Z4, which I haven't test driven yet. I do know I want the 3.0i.

Main drawbacks to the 350:
Insurance is $400/yr more than the Z4.
Gas mileage appears to be a lot better on the Z4.
350 weighs about 4-500 pounds more than the Z4.
350 eats tires.

Benefits
Much more power than the Z4
Spare tire(Z4 originally came with run flats or a can of fix a flat)
Will be cheaper or newer than the Z4.

Any opinions one way or the other? Does the price sound good to you guys?

Thanks.

 

I Hate The Z4. It's just too uncomfortable. The power wasn't that great either. Creature comforts for sure though. I love my ZR

 

Prior to deciding on 350ZR, I test drove S2000, Z4, and 350Z. My impressions were as follows.

Honda S2000 -
Pros:
- comfortable fit
- cockpit feeling, with all controls within easy reach
- power top opens very quickly
Cons:
- a little tight on interior space (and I am not a large guy)
- have to keep rpms up to get reasonable power out of it
- will probably be somewhat uncomfortable on extended freeway drives
- silly vinyl convertible top cover is a hassle to put on
- digital instrument panel can be hard to see in direct sunlight
- subdued exterior styling

BMW Z4 -
Pros:
- nice exhaust sound
- BMW brand?
Cons:
- questionable ergonomics
- uncomfortably low sitting position
- somewhat bumpy ride on imperfect payment
- strange styling takes a little getting used to

Nissan 350Z Roadster -
Pros:
- plenty of power in every gear
- best compromise between handling and comfortable ride
- great exhaust sound
- comfortable fit in a relatively roomy interior
- best overall styling (in my opinion) and available colors variety
- lots of standard features (best bang-for-the-buck quotient)
- nicely integrated automatic convertible top cover
- lots of available aftermarket accessories
Cons:
- armrest and cup holders positioned a little too far back
- blind spot with the top up, have to rely primarily on mirrors

 

Only Z's that had a problem with eating tires was the 03's and some of the 04's, but it was fixed for the most part with new alignment specs..

I think most Z owners are averaging around 20k-25k miles out of there stock tires.. IMO that's pretty good considering this is a sports car and not a Family sedan... But a lot of it also depends on how you drive... If you do lots of burnouts and drift around corners then ya your tires are not going to last long..

 

Kinda funny, I have the same test drive list.
S2000
350z
Z4
was contemplating the Solstice GXP, but my brother has a friend that owns a GM dealer and he had nothing good to say about the base solstice as far as build quality.

I have never owned a japanese car. Have had a Porsche, Saab, and now an Audi and Ford Escape.

I am kind of convincing myself to get the 350zr but if it were the blue I would be all over it. It is a pleasant dark silver(I think you guys call it silverstone?) and does look very nice.

Will be test driving the Z4 here in a little bit.

 

The 350Z seems like it will eat tires because it is all to easy to get the back end loose, which brings a smile every time.

 

Chicks dig Z's. Everone else will want to race you.



07 ZR silver alloy/black 6 spd.

 

My test drive list: In order of preference. Seems to be the normal gambit for our market
Z4
S2000-330Ci
350Z

 

neither...buy a vette!

 

Soooooo True



For the money and over all satisfaction, the Z is the choice

 

Didn't get to test the Z4 today since it is raining pretty hard. Tomorrow I will try it out, but still suspect the 350Z is what I will end up with.

Any thoughts on the price? $28k for a MY2005, found out it was built 10/9/2004.
First registered 7/17/06, so I suspect that is when the warranty began?
It has about 9k miles on it.

 

This is a 350Z forum. If I wanted to drive a BMW, I would have bought one don't you think.

 

If your a car nut like most or all of us, then you will probably want to modify your car to give it your own personal indentity. Mods on BMWs is very expensive on the parts as well as labor than the Z.

 

This is it. It is now my new play toy.

 

congrats

 

Welcome to the ZR club. Enjoy!

 

WElcome to the ZR Family

 

Yay Paul, congrats on your Z!

I know you will love it - nice choice. I think you will find that the "drawbacks" are really not drawbacks at all:
1. Dunno why you're insurace is so expensive, but you know how custom and uncomparible it is. Supposedly the Z is expensive to insure, but I live in a city and don't pay that much, like $900/yr...so I dunno.
2. Gas milage: who cares. I like Earth and all, but if you are driving a performance car/V6, assume that its not going to be the best mpg.
3. 350 eats tires only if you don't do your research and start messing with aftermarket wheels/special tires - stock setup is fine for most people/casual drivers.
4. Most people ditch the spare. AAA/roadside svc , the spare just adds extra weight plus its only 16 inches, so if you put 19's or even 20's on your car, you really shouldn't use the spare anyways.

so welcome, happy to have you, and enjoy your Z!

 

I had to use my spare when my Rim broke

 

Oh no! ouch! well I guess that is a good reason to keep it in then