This is my first post on this board, so go easy on me . I'm going to be buying a 350z within the next couple months and I have some questions. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.

I'm just graduating from college and moving across the country. The job is in an urban area (Seattle) and my college is in very rural upstate NY.

* Is it worth it to buy the car in upstate NY where I can get a better price than Seattle? My new employer will either pay to ship the car or pay me to drive it across the country. Honestly, driving it across the country sounds like a lot of fun.

* If I do delay the purchase to Seattle, I would be buying in August sometime. The 2004 models should be out by then, is it worth holding off for one of them? Maybe it's a better idea to see if I can get a good deal on any 2003 models they have left at that time instead.

* I'll be using the Z as my everyday car, not a weekend car like some people on here. I won't have to deal with snow much, but are there any other issues I should be aware of?

* I haven't had car insurance my last 4 years of college (didn't have a car), so my insurance payments are going to be pretty high. Any recommended insurance companies? Geico is the best I've found so far.

Like I said, any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

piser

 

see what prices you can get, not sure what your question really is, 2004 so far doesnt hold many changes, but we dont know much yet. there will be a new silver, and most likely wont be a brickyard, that might help you decide if you wanted brickyard, or another shade of silver... also there will be the roadster version for 2004, if you want that.

as for driving across the country and daily driver, the car is very comfortable, and spacious, but at about 2-3 hours it stops being too comfortable, making if perfectly fine for a daily driver, but not so great for long trips. but you can make it just the same. back might be a bit sore by the end tho.

 

I am not sure if 21st Century Insurance is offered on the east coast, but they have really competitive rates out here on the left coast and have about the best customer service you can possibly get through an insurance company. Worth taking a look. Oh and if you need a car and don't mind waiting that long, get a 2003 when the 2004 models are about to come out. Most likely you will get a good deal that way.

Good luck on your trip and I hope you like rain!

 

I would say some good times for you. Driving it cross country would be fun, only if you can afford to take some time and are not in a rush. However, I don't know if you want to consider the much-debated break-in period. If you follow the Nissan recommendation, you will be keeping it in the lower rpm range. In my opinion, driving would still be fun, especially since you don't have to wind it up like a Honda to get it to go. So overall, I would drive it cross-country like in the Madonna "Justify My Love" song if I were in your situation.

Also, I would not expect to get a deal on late 2003 models. I remember 2001 Honda Preludes still priced at MSRP early in 2002, and you will still have lower miles than most 2003s (depending upon how many trips you take across the country).

I'm in Canada and am not familiar with insurance companies. I have a group rate for a professional association, clean record for almost 10 years, and am paying only a few hundred per year more than my old 91 Honda Civic. Cannot complain.

 

for me geico was really high, but american express credit card has great rates and has for a few years . about traveling i don't know, may become too uncomfortable after a few hours. finally, since this will be your everyday car...get the clear bra b-4 you get too many paint-chips....they come from nowhere!! enjoy and after 1200 miles drive it like you stole it

 

My guess you will be able to get a better deal in NY than Seattle, so price wise your probably better off buying now. Shop around though; you should not pay more than MSRP and can probably get a grand or so below if you shop.

I'm 60 & think the Z makes a fine daily car. If I had the time I'd love to drive mine cross country. Sounds like a great trip to me.

I've been pleasantly surprised how good the ergonomics have been for me. I'm 6'2'' and about 220 lbs and "fit" in the car just find.

Having said the above, you should go test drive one yourself to see how it feels to you.

Not much helpwith insurance; I've been with AAA for 30+ years.

Have fun, congrats on the new job (and getting out of snow country), & keep us posted.

 

Be careful if you choose to ship the car. If they don't use a closed container your car will get scratched with the dust, bugs, etc. My friend's oil pan was also ruined (hole put in it) when his car was shipped.

Driving for long periods of time at a constant speed is also not recommended in the driver's manual.