Potential future Z owner (questions)...
07-30-2007, 02:34 PM
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Potential future Z owner (questions)...
Hey guys, so i dont have a Z (yet) and this is my first post, but i have been lurking around this forum for the last 4-5 months or so...
... I would LOVE to get a Z and I have some questions...
A little bit of info on me first:
-I just graduated college and got a job that pays a little under 4k a month
-I have about 20k of student loans i got to pay back
-I commute to work on the freeway everyday (about 50 miles/day). My current ride, a 2000 tacoma truck (16.5 mpg), is not that practical for this. I have read that the Z gets good gas millage (one guy posted he got 30mpg!!!) I will however be keeping the truck.
-I have no kids, and i dont really care about the lack of back seats in the Z.
-I dont pay rent.
-I love to go fast(in a safe manner) and love cars and modifying them(as long as i have money), and i LOVE the Z (i recently test drove one).
-I will be making monthly payments on the Z.
-I dream about the Z and literally painfully twist my neck when one drives by me. lol.
My questions:
1. Is the Z the right car for me or should i just drive my truck and save? I think I can pull off the payments and not get into too much debt.
2. Which are the best models to look at? 2005, 2006, 2007??? I realize of course that the latter will be progressively more expensive... Are there some years that I should stay away from?
3. Which year is the fastest, most "punchiest" Z(besides of course the 2007)?
4. Should i buy from dealer and make payments? Should i buy from private party and take out a loan? Should i buy a brand new 07?
5. Should i lease a brand new 07? I did however want to lower it and get new wheels and tires right off the bat and im not sure i am allowed to do this with a lease? Am I?
6. SHOULD I BUY A Z(based on all that i mentioned)?
Thats it for now i guess... I realize there is no right/wrong answer to some of these and this is MY decision only and no one elses, but OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS are most welcome. I would love to hear from everyone, especially people that used to be in my situation that pulled the trigger and got a Z or the people that waited...
Anyways thanks alot in advance, and hopefully i can join all of you soon as a fellow Z owner...
P.S. So i didnt mean to start a million threads, but i rushed and started the same thread in a different section thats not getting any responses so ill start one here too (this seems like the place it should have been in). Any mods, feel free to erase the thread i started in the "New Owners" section
... I would LOVE to get a Z and I have some questions...
A little bit of info on me first:
-I just graduated college and got a job that pays a little under 4k a month
-I have about 20k of student loans i got to pay back
-I commute to work on the freeway everyday (about 50 miles/day). My current ride, a 2000 tacoma truck (16.5 mpg), is not that practical for this. I have read that the Z gets good gas millage (one guy posted he got 30mpg!!!) I will however be keeping the truck.
-I have no kids, and i dont really care about the lack of back seats in the Z.
-I dont pay rent.
-I love to go fast(in a safe manner) and love cars and modifying them(as long as i have money), and i LOVE the Z (i recently test drove one).
-I will be making monthly payments on the Z.
-I dream about the Z and literally painfully twist my neck when one drives by me. lol.
My questions:
1. Is the Z the right car for me or should i just drive my truck and save? I think I can pull off the payments and not get into too much debt.
2. Which are the best models to look at? 2005, 2006, 2007??? I realize of course that the latter will be progressively more expensive... Are there some years that I should stay away from?
3. Which year is the fastest, most "punchiest" Z(besides of course the 2007)?
4. Should i buy from dealer and make payments? Should i buy from private party and take out a loan? Should i buy a brand new 07?
5. Should i lease a brand new 07? I did however want to lower it and get new wheels and tires right off the bat and im not sure i am allowed to do this with a lease? Am I?
6. SHOULD I BUY A Z(based on all that i mentioned)?
Thats it for now i guess... I realize there is no right/wrong answer to some of these and this is MY decision only and no one elses, but OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS are most welcome. I would love to hear from everyone, especially people that used to be in my situation that pulled the trigger and got a Z or the people that waited...
Anyways thanks alot in advance, and hopefully i can join all of you soon as a fellow Z owner...
P.S. So i didnt mean to start a million threads, but i rushed and started the same thread in a different section thats not getting any responses so ill start one here too (this seems like the place it should have been in). Any mods, feel free to erase the thread i started in the "New Owners" section
07-30-2007, 02:38 PM
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most of what yourv asked can be searched for.. e.g.. leasing etc... moding leased cars etc etc...
your the only one who knows your finacial situation.. if you can afford it then go for it..
your the only one who knows your finacial situation.. if you can afford it then go for it..
07-30-2007, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by fast kiwi
most of what yourv asked can be searched for.. e.g.. leasing etc... moding leased cars etc etc...
your the only one who knows your finacial situation.. if you can afford it then go for it..
your the only one who knows your finacial situation.. if you can afford it then go for it..
07-30-2007, 03:11 PM
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thanks guys... yeah i realize that all of these questions have been asked before, probably twice... and i have been reading a lot, and learned alot (for example, i know that the first mod ill do is the clear bra)... i guess what im looking for is not answers necessarily, but suggestions and opinions, (EX: "Its stupid to buy a Z now, pay off the loans first!" or "Yeah get the 07 Z, dont settle for the older models, you wont regret it..."), stuff like that... but i will continue searching and reading...
07-30-2007, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by NGZ
+1. Looks like most of your questions are financial. So I'm thinking first priority is to figure out if you can really afford making the payments.
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07-30-2007, 03:27 PM
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Welcome to my350Z.com If you've been lurking for for 4-5 months, you should have realized you are about to be flamed for a noobie that doesn't use the search button and wants everyone to repeat for the thousandth time the same myriad of opinions they give to these questions again and again. You can see how trying that could get, no?
Don't go away with your tail between your legs, this is the right door you knocked on. Your questions were thought out and well written. Most will be readily found by doing a search and then, if still confused or left with just a couple opinions, ask away in the best sub-forum.
To head you in the right direction:
1. only you can answer this question
2. Any bugs that occurred in the original year(s) by now, have had their fixes or can easily be dealt with. There are definite differences in what the different models come with. Learn them. Quick source: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Models/200...escription.htm
Click on the different years. This knowledge will help greatly in your decision and probably negotiation. Most dealers don't know squat.
3. Punchiest? Except for 2007, and maybe the '06 rev-ups in some situations, the difference is negligible. Mods are more likely to make a difference.
4. Do your search.
5. Do your search
6. If after the above you still ask, buy a crystal ball.
Don't go away with your tail between your legs, this is the right door you knocked on. Your questions were thought out and well written. Most will be readily found by doing a search and then, if still confused or left with just a couple opinions, ask away in the best sub-forum.
To head you in the right direction:
1. only you can answer this question
2. Any bugs that occurred in the original year(s) by now, have had their fixes or can easily be dealt with. There are definite differences in what the different models come with. Learn them. Quick source: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Models/200...escription.htm
Click on the different years. This knowledge will help greatly in your decision and probably negotiation. Most dealers don't know squat.
3. Punchiest? Except for 2007, and maybe the '06 rev-ups in some situations, the difference is negligible. Mods are more likely to make a difference.
4. Do your search.
5. Do your search
6. If after the above you still ask, buy a crystal ball.
07-30-2007, 03:43 PM
#9
Originally Posted by ginobetterfly
thanks guys... yeah i realize that all of these questions have been asked before, probably twice... and i have been reading a lot, and learned alot (for example, i know that the first mod ill do is the clear bra)... i guess what im looking for is not answers necessarily, but suggestions and opinions, (EX: "Its stupid to buy a Z now, pay off the loans first!" or "Yeah get the 07 Z, dont settle for the older models, you wont regret it..."), stuff like that... but i will continue searching and reading...
Rent a 350Z for the weekend. If the car blows you away, get one. If not, then the Z is not for you.
07-30-2007, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by davidv
Welcome. This forum is a great place for 350Z information. Others have asked the same questions. Stay awhile. Read. Learn.
just so great.. soundz even better coming from some one with the range of 18,000 + posts...
07-30-2007, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by I1DER
Welcome to my350Z.com If you've been lurking for for 4-5 months, you should have realized you are about to be flamed for a noobie that doesn't use the search button and wants everyone to repeat for the thousandth time the same myriad of opinions they give to these questions again and again. You can see how trying that could get, no?
Don't go away with your tail between your legs, this is the right door you knocked on. Your questions were thought out and well written. Most will be readily found by doing a search and then, if still confused or left with just a couple opinions, ask away in the best sub-forum.
To head you in the right direction:
1. only you can answer this question
2. Any bugs that occurred in the original year(s) by now, have had their fixes or can easily be dealt with. There are definite differences in what the different models come with. Learn them. Quick source: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Models/200...escription.htm
Click on the different years. This knowledge will help greatly in your decision and probably negotiation. Most dealers don't know squat.
3. Punchiest? Except for 2007, and maybe the '06 rev-ups in some situations, the difference is negligible. Mods are more likely to make a difference.
4. Do your search.
5. Do your search
6. If after the above you still ask, buy a crystal ball.
Don't go away with your tail between your legs, this is the right door you knocked on. Your questions were thought out and well written. Most will be readily found by doing a search and then, if still confused or left with just a couple opinions, ask away in the best sub-forum.
To head you in the right direction:
1. only you can answer this question
2. Any bugs that occurred in the original year(s) by now, have had their fixes or can easily be dealt with. There are definite differences in what the different models come with. Learn them. Quick source: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Models/200...escription.htm
Click on the different years. This knowledge will help greatly in your decision and probably negotiation. Most dealers don't know squat.
3. Punchiest? Except for 2007, and maybe the '06 rev-ups in some situations, the difference is negligible. Mods are more likely to make a difference.
4. Do your search.
5. Do your search
6. If after the above you still ask, buy a crystal ball.
thanks istan, thats the type of stuff i wanted to hear...
07-30-2007, 04:56 PM
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i would get the student loans out the way now while you're living rent free and can save up some quick money. With that off the table, you'll be in a much better better position to judge your financial stability.
im making about what you are and as long as you aren't a big spender you should be able to save a good deal not paying rent. My rent is pretty cheap, but it's still $400 a month and I'm still able to save some.
i commute the same distance, about 50 miles and the Z is a good cruiser but i hit traffic and average about 21mpg. the Z also takes premium whereas your tacoma im assuming takes regular, so the difference may be negligible.
fastest year? just find the best deal, it's pretty negligible. 05 was a pretty good year and would be getting pretty cheap at this point.
and you're keeping the truck?
im making about what you are and as long as you aren't a big spender you should be able to save a good deal not paying rent. My rent is pretty cheap, but it's still $400 a month and I'm still able to save some.
i commute the same distance, about 50 miles and the Z is a good cruiser but i hit traffic and average about 21mpg. the Z also takes premium whereas your tacoma im assuming takes regular, so the difference may be negligible.
fastest year? just find the best deal, it's pretty negligible. 05 was a pretty good year and would be getting pretty cheap at this point.
and you're keeping the truck?
07-30-2007, 05:00 PM
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^ I agree, pay off your debts before up-grading... unless you do the math and the Tacoma's gas milage really makes the difference (which I highly doubt)
07-31-2007, 02:03 AM
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It's true that there's a lot of good information here and even more opinions.. Obviously, nobody should tell you if you should buy a Z or not. I started looking in '06 and I got an '07 a few weeks ago. Just hang around as Dave suggested, and have some fun and get your questions answered.
As far as 30 mpg goes, maybe downhill with a good tail wind!
Obviously, nobody should tell you if you should buy a Z or not. I started looking in '06 and I got an '07 a few weeks ago. Just hang around as Dave suggested, and have some fun and get your questions answered.As far as 30 mpg goes, maybe downhill with a good tail wind!
07-31-2007, 03:53 AM
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Paying off the student loans before you buy a new car probably sounds like the best path to take. I have a bit more than you, so I feel the pain! But really? Do you want to work for 3 or 4 years just paying off your loans before you buy anything at all? No one I know does that, most people have student loans they are paying on while also moving up/on in life.
You make about the same as me, have a little less in loans than me, so you should be paying less a month than me. I don't know your other expenses, but with no rent, thats even better. Careful though, think about if you can afford a car note when you do have to pay rent/utilities and all that.
I give you a 100% "Buy The Z" vote. You just worked your *** off for 4 years, and now you can afford it, so go for it!
You make about the same as me, have a little less in loans than me, so you should be paying less a month than me. I don't know your other expenses, but with no rent, thats even better. Careful though, think about if you can afford a car note when you do have to pay rent/utilities and all that.
I give you a 100% "Buy The Z" vote. You just worked your *** off for 4 years, and now you can afford it, so go for it!
07-31-2007, 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by KManZ
Paying off the student loans before you buy a new car probably sounds like the best path to take. I have a bit more than you, so I feel the pain! But really? Do you want to work for 3 or 4 years just paying off your loans before you buy anything at all? No one I know does that, most people have student loans they are paying on while also moving up/on in life.
You make about the same as me, have a little less in loans than me, so you should be paying less a month than me. I don't know your other expenses, but with no rent, thats even better. Careful though, think about if you can afford a car note when you do have to pay rent/utilities and all that.
I give you a 100% "Buy The Z" vote. You just worked your *** off for 4 years, and now you can afford it, so go for it!
You make about the same as me, have a little less in loans than me, so you should be paying less a month than me. I don't know your other expenses, but with no rent, thats even better. Careful though, think about if you can afford a car note when you do have to pay rent/utilities and all that.
I give you a 100% "Buy The Z" vote. You just worked your *** off for 4 years, and now you can afford it, so go for it!
07-31-2007, 10:29 AM
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if you are trying to get a practical daily driver where you drive a lot also think about your tire budget. Most people say they only get 10-12k out of a set of tires and they are pretty pricey to replace.
How much money you have in loans matters little.. its your debt to income ratio you have to consider and thats hard to determine without knowing how much you make.
How much money you have in loans matters little.. its your debt to income ratio you have to consider and thats hard to determine without knowing how much you make.
07-31-2007, 10:39 AM
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if you are trying to get a practical daily driver where you drive a lot also think about your tire budget. Most people say they only get 10-12k out of a set of tires and they are pretty pricey to replace.
That is a great point, i never considered the tires getting only 10-12k...
How much money you have in loans matters little.. its your debt to income ratio you have to consider and thats hard to determine without knowing how much you make.
i have 22k in loans and i make a little under 70Gs a years (before taxes of course)
That is a great point, i never considered the tires getting only 10-12k...
How much money you have in loans matters little.. its your debt to income ratio you have to consider and thats hard to determine without knowing how much you make.
i have 22k in loans and i make a little under 70Gs a years (before taxes of course)