Just moved to cambridge and notice a lot of cars here are old or econoboxes. The income level in boston is pretty high and the cost of living is lower than San Fran so can't be because people are poor here. Over the last 2 months I've only seen the Z 8 times. I guess it's a good thing since it'll stand out even more than usual, but does anyone have any theories?

 

The weather/snow....same as here in MN...

 

Exactly...combined with the fact that parking in Boston absolutely sucks.

 

yup.. just try and drive your Z in the snow and horrible weather for one winter and you'll see a lot of new damage come the spring.. scratches/knicks/dings and we use A LOT of salt on our roads.. Then, during the spring huge potholes open up to destroy your wheels and suspension.. Once you get through that, in late spring when the weather starts getting real nice, BAM: pollen .. your car will be covered in yellow the second after it is washed.. not to mention if you park under the wrong tree you'll have tree sap and crap almost permanently stuck to your car..

Oh and the way most idiots parallel park here is to slam the car in front and back of you until you fit.

A little depressing but welcome to new england..

--mike

 

well I work in NH and have a drive way so have avoided the parking issue thus far. If I go some where I just take the T.

But not looking forward to the snow and salt though, even if I do have the 3M Clear bra. Still isn't that what a winter beater is for?

 

Not everyone makes enough money to have a home, eat and have a nice car. I have some friends in that situation and it sucks.

And yes, the snowy weather doesn't help either.

Since some don't have a driveway or garage in which to store their car for the winter, that's another factor. And perhaps they can't afford a winter beater + the Z. Everyone's situation is different. I guess because I have friends in this situation I'm a little more sympathetic/understanding.

 

LOL you just answered your own question of why there are very few nice cars driving around in new england..

 

but it's not winter yet, the nice car should be out and running and beater hiding in the garage

well, there are poor people every where, I didn't expect everyone to drive a ferrari (even in south beach), but Boston is way better off than most places.

 

One other thing that might also be a factor is that cars don't seem to be as important here as they are in California, present company excluded.

It seems out there, probably even more so in So. Cal, cars are considered a "status symbol", for lack of a better phrase. I might see a total of ~5 Ferraris driving down the road in any given year here and I have no doubt I would see that number in one day there. In addition I couldn't believe the number of car washes/boutiques, auto specialty shops, etc all over the place. Amazing.

BTW, we are having a mini meet next Saturday (Nov. 13th) just west of Boston so you can verify that there are some nice Zs here. Matter of fact, everyone that has posted in this thread should be there. This will probably be our last meet this year so hopefully you can make it. Here is a link to the thread for more information: Thread on Mt Wachusett Meet on Nov. 13th (M3Z)

Again, hopefully you can make it.

Roger

 

Boston may be considered "better off" then most places but not everyone in the Boston area has a high-paying job. They make enough to get by and can't afford a nice car or a huge home, etc.
I have a nice car but I've sacrificed other things in order to get the car (ie. my own home/apartment, vacations, etc.)

If we're all so beneath you with our shitboxes, then maybe you should go back to South Beach. Sorry, but your comments seem awful shallow to me.

 

i guess you havent been here in the summertime?

 

You're in the wrong area of Boston then. Try Newbury or somewhere that's more populated at night. Alot of people drive their cars over to show off and cruise.

It's also getting cold and crappy with snow coming =(
Most people start putting their babies to sleep =(

 

My opinion; the visual majority could perhaps be the controlling factor here, as far as perception is concerned.

Considering that Boston is largely populated by students, it would obviously reflect the budget of the majority of cars that you see on the road. The Zee is not the most practical automobile on the market; moreover, how many chicks could it accommodate?

G

 

You have to get out of Cambridge and really get into the heart of Boston. Hit downtown, Govn't center, Newbury st., the Common, drive through some of the popular clubs at night, etc. You will see an endless array of BMWs and Mercedes, Infinitys and Porsches, with the occasional Ferrari here and there. Of course, like others have said, not all can afford this. There are a few Zs, but not every other guy owns one. And now for the winter, you will see more SUVs vs. cars, but don't forget, the "norm" SUV tags well north of $30k. Still many nice SUVs too like Hummers, Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac, etc. Bottom line, who cares? Just enjoy the city. It's as great in the winter as is in the summer, minus the blizzards and parking, lol.

 

winters suck!!!

 

so how did you guys like the snow a few days ago. looks like this year is coming on early..

oh HELLO EVERYONE, i am new to this forum. i went to test drive a 350z and loving it. However, after reading all of the tire feathering/tranny problem. I will probably hold out on getting one until later. But I am pretty sure I will.

 

I don't think that all Zees are affected by the issues you’ve identified. My tires are not feathering and my tyranny works fine. Got mine June 2003, and already 20,000 miles; and I am still waiting for the tyranny to go, so I could get a new 6-speed

G

 

350Zzzz,

you are right. i take that back. it's all random when it comes to defective parts. anyway. is there a GTG around the Boston area before the real winter comes?

 

You should be all set with an 05. Most problems were with the 03's and early 04's.

 

ZPower,
Yea man, thats what I am thinking too. I will probably wait until after the winter.