apsilon

Sold it last night (or at least I really hope I did and that the cheque doesn't get cancelled).

Sort of sad to see it go but at the same time sort of not.

And just to prove how amazing blue is, the buyer flew all the way from Melbourne rather than buy another colour.

Hope he looks after it as well as I did.

Now all I have to figure out is what to replace it with.

teh215

iTrader: (8)

Why?

apsilon

Just wasn't exactly what I was after. Great car but biased too much towards GT than pure sports for my tastes. Hard to describe as it's a personal feeling rather than any actual issue if that makes sense.

I could've spent another AUD$30k on turbos and other mods and maybe gotten it to a level of performance that I'd have been happy with but I can achieve the same goal for a lot less elsewhere and there was still the chance that it still wouldn't have have been "right" for me so this was the safer decision.

I'll be staying around for the foreseeable future though. I still think the 350Z is a fantastic car and I'm a car freak in general so hanging around and talking cars is fine by me.

Flasher

This will happen to all of us one day, selling our Z's that is.
Just some people sell sooner than others.
Stick around for as long as you can, as your knowledge and opinion is always appreciated

apsilon

That's true. I knew the week I got it I wouldn't keep it as long as I had the MX-5 but I didn't realise at that time it would turn out to be only 14 months.

scathing

The problem is that its near impossible to find a good, affordable, "pure sports" RWD car these days.

The Integra Type-R is pure sports, and undoubtedly quick, but I like having RWD.

The WRX isn't a sports car in the pure sense. Its a sports model of a compact sedan.

You could get a new MX5 Turbo, which would have the grunt you want (or be easier to liberate the power you're after).

Its a shame the 200SX has been discontinued. It seems much more like the kind of car you want.

apsilon

Currently the plan is just to put money away and wait and see. There are lots of options. I'm not necessarily after something new, in fact there's a good chance I'll go for something old.

The Integra has never grabbed me, the WRX wouldn't do it (although I always thought a WRX wagon would make a nice second car), the MX-5 turbo is a marketing ploy IMO to clear stocks of the current model, and the 200SX could be interesting but it would take some convincing.

Possibilities include a Clubman kit car, a 240Z with something like an RB26DETT conversion, the next model MX-5, the rumoured upcoming RX7, a Lotus Elise and the list goes on...

scathing

It depends on how practical you want to get, I suppose.

If you're willing to buy a Lotus Elise or Clubman kit car, I'd get one. They're quick, and you'd be hard pressed to find a road legal car that's any more "pure sports" than those two.

If I needed something with a lid, I'd get a 200SX. Lightish (sub 1300kg), well balanced, an engine that can make good power if its freed up, and a wealth of aftermarket parts and know-how. And newish, which is good for refinement etc.

If I was just after a shape and was going to gut the interior / driveline, an old school Z (240 or 260) with an RB25 or RB26 conversion would be the business.

apsilon

Well one thing I'm sure I won't be doing is trying to make any compromises on what I want this time so practicality isn't even going to be considered.

scathing

One thing that a friend and I had considered was getting a Clubman kit car with an EJ20T out of a WRX.

The boxer would keep the centre of gravity nice, low and central(having the heads poking out behind the wheel arches shouldn't be a problem) and the engine can develop good power. Once again, its a popular engine so performance mods are there.

It'd cost a bit to develop, and it would be anything but practical, but it could be quite a fun package.

apsilon

Biggest issue with the Clubmans is the emissions requirements. Makes engine choice very difficult.

Z350Lover

iTrader: (2)

I would say Lotus Elise will be the great choice of yours, it will definitely remind you your past mx-5 and will give you a different level of experience!

Good luck apsilon!

cheers,

richie

scathing

How much are first generation Exiges going for? Its more "practical" than an Elise (ie it has a roof) and its supposed to be one of the most stupendous road-legal cars available.

apsilon

If you can find one here they're still around $90k+ used.

Z350Lover

iTrader: (2)

I think Exige is around 80K to 90K mark now still (the first generation).... and it looks HOT!!!!! and the latest version needs somewhere around 100K+...

I thought Elise has a roof too.... just a targa roof that you can take it off if you want!


Exige for sale...


http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/lo...&pg=1&pp=2&d=0

cheers,

richie

apsilon

The Exige has been a favourite since I first saw it but I can't justify the price tag given I can build something that will out perform it for less than half the price.

ypwpat

Apsilon hope you don't mind for me to ask this.

What in your Opinion is the "Pure Sport Car" mean to you?

Cheers

PS: Can i recommend you a Lotus Espirit?



http://www.drive.com.au/used_cars/lo...pg=1&pp=16&d=0

apsilon

I'm not sure it's something I can put into words, it's a feeling more than anything else.

I've never drive an Espirit before so I don't know. I have a friend who loves them but they've never really grabbed my attention.

Having owned a British car in the past I must admit owning anything British again scares me a bit

ypwpat

i think the Espirit i found it's a good Buy. I hope :P for less than AU$50000

What about RX7 (used) or Honda NSX (used)?

apsilon

NSX, I don't know. Series 6 RX-7 perhaps but I'm not sure it'd be easy to find a good one.