ajbarnes1

Hey,
I've had an '05 base 6MT for seven years as a daily driver. However, its impracticality is starting to show and so is it's age and increasing wear and tear. I'm a recent first-time homeowner, children in the next year or two, and not a lot of time (or interest anymore) in spending the weekends repairing or upgrading a vehicle.

I'm looking to get a (new or slightly used) sedan or hatchback and I'm curious what other Z owners transition to (or recommend) when a practical daily driver becomes a necessity. For a new purchase, my limit is ​​​​​$35k. I plan to hold on to the Z for a little while, but I'd like the new vehicle to be something fun that I actually enjoy driving. I likely would not be modding the new vehicle, so that isn't a big factor.

FYI, thus far I've test driven a Veloster, Optima, Stinger, and WRX.

Thanks for any suggestions.

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

My wife's car is an '09 G37xS and it has much the same mechanical experience as the Z. The VQ37VHR is a bit more complex than the DE or HR, but it's been rock steady as far as durability over the past decade. Having four doors and AWD makes it more versatile and we've enjoyed some of the luxury features too.

It's the next (and final?) version of the FM chassis and is both practical, affordable and fun to drive. I wish it got better mileage, (average around 21 MPG in city driving), but that's the way it goes.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

the guy that bought my z, traded it on for a 2016 (i think) ats-v sedan.... i liked it so much i traded in my corvette for one. fun cars, still sporty, and has 4 doors if you need. might need to bump of your spending amount a little if you go that route

JTeeAre

iTrader: (1)

Ever considered a truck? I bought a 2016 Tacoma not too long ago, I still have my 350z no need to trade in as I still want to keep it. I got the Off-Road trim which has 4x4 a locking differential and a bunch of other off road goodies. I love it, two completely different vehicles and the truck is super practical being as it has a bed and all.

BluestreamDE

Got a Nissan Titan 14' to tow the Z if needed and also is shared between my wife and I (Paid $22k out the door with 47k miles) and i recently picked up a used Nissan Versa 13" for less that 5 grand with 105k miles. Its definitly a gas saver, if you arent used to CVT transmissions, driving will feel a bit weird. Still a neat little car.

mr. sparco

iTrader: (13)

Check the "your vehicles as they sit" thread. Pretty much shows the other cars that members own or have moved on to. Personally, I kept my Z and got an Evo X as a slightly more practical daily.

bealljk

iTrader: (13)

This...minus the whole toyota thing!! (LOL, just poking fun!)

yup...keeping it in the family!

I had a old old old chevy K1500 short bed back in the day for the bad weather (in colorado) and when the Z was down. It was hit and I traded it in (sent directly to salvage) on an '04 F150 Lariat Super Crew.

Similar to what JTee said ... It's big, slow, 4wd, tall, very comfortable, can put 5 adults in it, can tow/haul, has good presence on the road (people dont cut you off, they let you in, ect), great for taking dogs anywhere, and is almost exactly opposite of the z. And after driving the truck for days/weeks/months on end it makes driving the z a blast...and after a few days in the z it makes driving the truck relaxing and calming.

214k on it - a few sets of spark plugs, a alternator, a few batteries, regular oil/filter/air filter changes, and transmission (replaced under warranty), two window regulators, and tires over the past 8 years.

MicVelo

With the comment about "house and children", I would tend to side with the "truck people" (with a full cab for the children) but actually think an SUV is pretty practical. Before I met my wife six years ago, I'da gasped at myself for saying that but since we've been together with her Highlander, wow, don't know what I'd do without it. A few of our uses...

- Carrying anybody more than us lets out my four two seaters (duh)

- When I gotta schlep wheels and tires to the shop for M&B, "Honey, can we switch cars today?"

- And, going up to the cabin during winter, well, AWD and capacity for skis and a week's worth of food for a cabin fulla people, well....

- If you have or will have kids, well, the space gets used pretty easily for strollers, day beds, diaper accessories, you get the idea.

And ours is hybrid. Gets out of its own way pretty nicely and very smooth and quiet. When I want ruckus, my Z or Benz provides the rumble.

mybabyz000ms88

After?? What do you mean after?

Do people by other vehicles after one of these bad boys?

travlee

iTrader: (8)

2 years late to the party, and yeah people get other cars after these, because there are other bad boys