After riding my lightly-modified 2k3 Honda 954 RR for the last 5 years, I've found that riding in California is getting to the point where it is no longer fun to have a motorcycle as my daily-driver, especially compared to riding in Arizona. I've found southern CA to have a far higher incidence of drivers who either don't see motorcycles, or who hate motorcycle riders for lane-splitting in traffic (and then do something crazy with their car like swerving at you, etc). I began researching cars that I thought would be a fun replacement, and looked at (and test drove) the following:

Honda Civic Si – uninspiring acceleration
Mazda RX-8 – driving feel is not a like a true sports car, didn't like the suicide-door configuration
Honda S2000 – don't like convertibles
Nissan 350z – strong tendency to over-steer when cornering
BMW 135i 2dr Coupe – drives like a 4-door sedan
Ford Shelby GT500 – pathetic handling
Chevrolet Corvette – driving balance didn't feel dialed-in for the price-point
Lotus Exige – extreme price-point

...and decided to go with an '08 NISMO . I found a local dealer that has 4 of them, and I wanted to ask the following: given that Nissan is no longer making 350's, how easy have recent buyers found talking-down the price-point on a new car? I think paying MSRP for example would be pathetic, to say the least.

Also, after reading around the forums a bit, I'm thinking of making the following changes immediately after purchase:

clear bra
window tint
pirelli pzero tires
an audio system upgrade by 16psibrick/Bing/Simplicity In Sound

 

I've seen some lightly used '07 NISMOs on the market. I'd go that route.

 

Work from invoice. Check Edmunds.com and see what others are paying.

 

Corvette not dialed in? Maybe you should learn how to drive then.

Anyone that passes on a C6 for a nismo is a moron.

 

 

If I wanted a Vette I'd drive one.

 

Only if it looks like this....KingBaby agrees

 

I have this odd notion that driving involves more that going really fast in a straight line....



...while the vette isn't nearly as bad as the mustang - still seems to have been strongly influenced by the american-muscle-car philosophy.

 

clear bra isnt a terrible idea, lots of rock shots are bound to happen, but even a clear bra will be kind of ugly =/

 

thats some list of cars you have there

 

If you're like me and prefer to buy cars new, then go for the Nismo. They're more distinctive than our normal Z's, any is good, doesn't matter which model Z. Happy choosing. Keep us posted.

 

+1

 

No, a clear bra is not ugly... you can barely notice it. The only reason you can see it is if you wax over the edges, which causes it to show up. I have had mine for over a year, and the front of my car is nearly perfect. If you leave bug guts on too long though, it sort of warps it and causes a bubble like appearance, though it is still clear. Between rock chips or a faint line and perfect bumper, I would take the latter.

(mine is installed on a Daytona Blue, not sure how the clear bra would blend with other colors)

 

my dad bought a c6 3 weeks ago. last weekend when i went home, i drove it... ***** weak. for 436 hp and 75k price tag... i was expecting a lot more. buying an 08 z and putting 20 grand into it would've been a wayyyyy better route.

 

Update: so far I have obtained 4 dealer quotes, with an overall average price of $36,434 - given that according to Edmunds the MSRP is $39,635 and others are paying $36,722 in my area, this is shaping up rather nicely.

 

offer them 35500 and if they say no, walk. best way to do it... lowball the **** out of them. thats what i did and i got my car for cheapp

 

Your dad is getting a major rip off for a 436hp car for $75K. As a Vette and Z driver, the former gets a lot more respect on the road while the latter gets more teeny attention. No one cuts in front of me while driving the American machine (like vehicles turning signals in front of me), but when I drive the Japanese machine, there are a lot of unruly drivers (like vehicles cutting me off and not turning their signals). The Z is way more practical car, and I just don't understand why Vette's put their gas lid right next to the car door.

OP, you should find Nismos at pretty good price. The longer they stay on the lot, the more discount you possibly can get. I've seen my dealer's Nismo stay on the lot for over 4 months, usually they want their cars gone by at least a month (according to my friend's former job at a Honda dealership).

 

thats what i said. its all luxury $$$... i told him before he bought it.

 

The vette can't turn now?

Maybe you should do some research about them or is it that torque scares you? I imagine it's the latter if you're considering the nismo.

Pulled directly from motor trend.. 2008 Corvette was one of car and driver's 10 best but it can't corner for ****...

0-30 1.7 sec
0-40 2.4
0-50 3.3
0-60 4.1
0-70 5.3
0-80 6.5
0-90 7.9
0-100 9.5
Passing, 45-65 mph 1.8 sec
Quarter mile 12.5 sec @ 115.0 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 110 ft
Lateral acceleration 0.97 g
Top-gear revs @ 60 mph 1800 rpm

But i implore you to buy the nismo

 

Maybe you should stop dreaming, and researching the vette, and just buy one instead.