Sporty's 350Z thread

[12,000 RPM]

Guy in my building has a GTO. Too heavy for what it is. I wrote off the 540i but there are a few really close by. There's one just on the other side of the river, 6 spd of course, only $3300. I will give them a drive and see what that's about.

[2o6]

You're impossible.

[12,000 RPM]

You're impossible.

My zip code is 28031. $10K limit. Post some links, I have probably already called them.

[MrH]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=28031&endYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=54775638&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&transmissionCode=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=25&maxPrice=11000&mmt=%5BMAZDA%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=344342056&listingIndex=12&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=28031&endYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=54775638&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&transmissionCode=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=11000&mmt=%5BMAZDA%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=345334253&listingIndex=25&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=28031&endYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=100009788&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BMW&transmissionCode=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=11000&mmt=%5BBMW%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=350365864&listingIndex=1&Log=0


http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=28031&endYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=100009788&startYear=1981&makeCode1=BMW&firstRecord=26&transmissionCode=MAN&transmissionCodes=MAN&searchRadius=200&maxPrice=11000&mmt=%5BBMW%5B%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=345266349&listingIndex=21&Log=0

[CALL_911]

^All are too big and/or too heavy, dumbass

[12,000 RPM]

That 330Ci looks OK. I saw that before. Z3 & MSM are alright but I am just not crazy about convertibles. I might check out the Z3M though. Maybe I can talk them down. MS6 is bad news (look up Mazda carbon build up- same reason I passed on everything VW 2.0T related) and over 200 miles away..  @ a 13 year old $9000 MIATA. I don't care how many miles it has. Note the Miatas are the only cars in the budget as well cmon guys

[Raza]

I stand by my assertion that a Caddy is better to drive to the ghetto than a 2-seat roadster.

Nope.  When I'm stopped at a light next to an Escalade in the hood, who do you think is going to get carjacked?  The guy in the blinged out car that more than 10% of people know how to drive. 

[Raza]

Guy in my building has a GTO. Too heavy for what it is. I wrote off the 540i but there are a few really close by. There's one just on the other side of the river, 6 spd of course, only $3300. I will give them a drive and see what that's about.

Eh, viewed with its competition, the GTO weighs a little more than a contemporary Mustang, but less than a current Charger or Challenger. 

[MrH]

That 330Ci looks OK. I saw that before. Z3 & MSM are alright but I am just not crazy about convertibles. I might check out the Z3M though. Maybe I can talk them down. MS6 is bad news (look up Mazda carbon build up- same reason I passed on everything VW 2.0T related) and over 200 miles away..  @ a 13 year old $9000 MIATA. I don't care how many miles it has. Note the Miatas are the only cars in the budget as well cmon guys

You can't negotiate <$1k off what they're asking? 

I give up.

[12,000 RPM]

That 330Ci is a ZHP, it's already $2K under Blue Book, thanks for playing though, Jimmy tell him what he could have won.

Like I said I will check it out but lol @ you

[Madman]

Here's what you need......

[CALL_911]

That 330Ci is a ZHP, it's already $2K under Blue Book, thanks for playing though, Jimmy tell him what he could have won.

Like I said I will check it out but lol @ you

Something looks off about that 330Ci, I'd almost say it was involved in some sort of front end collision. Then again, I'm basing this solely off of pictures, so I could be dead wrong.

[CALL_911]

Also, hell yeah to that M roadster. It has the S52 instead of the S54, though.

[hotrodalex]

Something looks off about that 330Ci, I'd almost say it was involved in some sort of front end collision. Then again, I'm basing this solely off of pictures, so I could be dead wrong.

Either the hood or passenger side fender has been replaced.

[hotrodalex]

I don't know. I think the bike might also have ruined me. These cars weren't SLOW, but they felt closer to my wife's car than my bike. I can't imagine the Bimmers, especially the non-Ms, being much better. Even the E36 M3 is "only" a mid to low 14 second car, which is quick but not "wowowowie". Prob not much better than the Z in the shape it was.

You're not gonna find anything close to the bike.

That doesn't mean settle for a Maxima, though. 

[cawimmer430]

Not me. Unless you can't get a manual at all with the particular car. The only way I want an auto is if I've got a truck.

Everyone is different! 

[cawimmer430]

Think again!

[cawimmer430]

I'm a pretty die hard manual car guy, and I was shopping C55's and C32's for awhile. Probably would have ended up with one but didn't have much(if any) to choose from.

I'm waiting for that thread in 2032 when you say, "Bought a C55 AMG!" 

[12,000 RPM]

Something looks off about that 330Ci, I'd almost say it was involved in some sort of front end collision. Then again, I'm basing this solely off of pictures, so I could be dead wrong.

It is definitely lowered... judging by the difference in front and rear ride heights possibly poorly. Those wheels are not stock either. It might not be a ZHP, but it has the ZHP front bumper. Someone spent some money. I have had bad experiences buying other people's projects. Trade in projects (like the Z I drove) are even worse because often they trade in because they are in over their head. Still though I think it's the closest 330 so I will check it out just for that alone. Some new things popped up today so maybe something good will come up in the next few days.

[12,000 RPM]

I found it. 04 Z, Grand Touring, 1 owner, $9K. White w/soap film pearl on gray leather. It has some miles on it but it was definitely well taken care of. Drove a million times better than the other one I saw, had no mods, brand new tires too. Gonna go and just pay cash for it once I show it to wifey.

I don't get the hate for the Z. It's def not a Miata, but then a Miata is not a bike. Z is a decent GT car. It's nowhere near perfect- engine is coarse sounding, clutch still sucks, controls have unnatural heft- but it seems like it's in its element where I will realistically be driving it most- the highway. If I need more engagement I will jump on the bike. I don't even think I will mod it much. I would like a freer flowing exhaust but I would def want to quiet it down at the same time. I'll see how the stereo sounds. I would def like to get the 06+ lights too. And maybe the Nismo V2 front bumper. Other than that it's fine, at least off that first drive. Hopefully the search is over.

Someone in the lot had a notchback 99 C5. Bright red on black with C6 Z06 rims. I left a note and dude said he'd get back to me, but judging by the KBB ($14K from the dealer and too old to finance) it's probably not gonna happen. I do really like that notchback style though, prob the only Vette I would get aside from an actual C5 Z06. Seems like those have begun to bounce value wise too...

[SVT666]

Awesome man.  Congrats.

[GoCougs]

Z as in 350Z? Great cars. Looks great in white. The "hate" is relegated to so few it's a non discussion.

Man, the Nissan FM rules the 'SPIN!

[Raza]

I found it. 04 Z, Grand Touring, 1 owner, $9K. White w/soap film pearl on gray leather. It has some miles on it but it was definitely well taken care of. Drove a million times better than the other one I saw, had no mods, brand new tires too. Gonna go and just pay cash for it once I show it to wifey.

I don't get the hate for the Z. It's def not a Miata, but then a Miata is not a bike. Z is a decent GT car. It's nowhere near perfect- engine is coarse sounding, clutch still sucks, controls have unnatural heft- but it seems like it's in its element where I will realistically be driving it most- the highway. If I need more engagement I will jump on the bike. I don't even think I will mod it much. I would like a freer flowing exhaust but I would def want to quiet it down at the same time. I'll see how the stereo sounds. I would def like to get the 06+ lights too. And maybe the Nismo V2 front bumper. Other than that it's fine, at least off that first drive. Hopefully the search is over.

Someone in the lot had a notchback 99 C5. Bright red on black with C6 Z06 rims. I left a note and dude said he'd get back to me, but judging by the KBB ($14K from the dealer and too old to finance) it's probably not gonna happen. I do really like that notchback style though, prob the only Vette I would get aside from an actual C5 Z06. Seems like those have begun to bounce value wise too...

Miata's not a bike, that's true.  Bike's not a helicopter.  Helicopter's not a plane.  Plane's not a ship.  Ship's not a house.  House's not a sky fortress.  Sky fortress isn't a plantain.  Plantain's not a banana.  Banana's not an apple.  Apple's not a pear.  Pear's not a pineapple.  Pineapple's not a desk.  Desk's not a bottle.  Bottle's not a Z.  Z's not a driver's car.

[12,000 RPM]

Miata's not a bike, that's true.  Bike's not a helicopter.  Helicopter's not a plane.  Plane's not a ship.  Ship's not a house.  House's not a sky fortress.  Sky fortress isn't a plantain.  Plantain's not a banana.  Banana's not an apple.  Apple's not a pear.  Pear's not a pineapple.  Pineapple's not a desk.  Desk's not a bottle.  Bottle's not a Z.  Z's not a driver's car.

"Main things I want are RWD, ~mid 14 sec or less quarter mile, <3200lbs, <$10K price, and some level of long distance comfort"

If I feel the need to thread asphalt needles I have a much more precise tool. I get cars like the Miata or Ferberzers for folks who need everything in one package. Me personally though I like to have choice and not have to compromise. I have wifey's car to haul shit, hopefully this thing for long hauls, and then the bike for when I want to hit 60 in under 4 seconds. I think it's a good lineup and was my plan all along

Z as in 350Z? Great cars. Looks great in white. The "hate" is relegated to so few it's a non discussion.

Man, the Nissan FM rules the 'SPIN!

Different strokes for different folks. Believe me if I could afford a Z3M/Z4M hardtop I would have went that way. Maybe next go round. Z is good enough for right now and actually beat my expectations from how folks here talk about it. You could def do a lot worse than the FM platform.

Awesome man.  Congrats.

Thanks. Ink isn't dry yet but hopefully it will be soon. Waiting on wifey to get back so we can check it out and finalize everything....

[Raza]

"Main things I want are RWD, ~mid 14 sec or less quarter mile, <3200lbs, <$10K price, and some level of long distance comfort"

If I feel the need to thread asphalt needles I have a much more precise tool. I get cars like the Miata or Ferberzers for folks who need everything in one package. Me personally though I like to have choice and not have to compromise. I have wifey's car to haul shit, hopefully this thing for long hauls, and then the bike for when I want to hit 60 in under 4 seconds. I think it's a good lineup and was my plan all along

The 350Z's a spec sheet, not a car, unfortunately.  It's a car I always want to love, but never can.  As I recall, you were the one ridiculing me when I was considering one. 

If you're getting a car that's great on paper, why not a first generation TT 225?  Better looking inside and out, better quality interior, easily modified engine, and about as fun as a 350Z, though less capable.  Sure, it's not RWD, but neither is the Maxima or Prelude.

[12,000 RPM]

The 350Z's a spec sheet, not a car, unfortunately.  It's a car I always want to love, but never can.  As I recall, you were the one ridiculing me when I was considering one. 

If you're getting a car that's great on paper, why not a first generation TT 225?  Better looking inside and out, better quality interior, easily modified engine, and about as fun as a 350Z, though less capable.  Sure, it's not RWD, but neither is the Maxima or Prelude.

I made fun of you for looking into the Z because based on your history I knew you would hate it. Especially the heavier bubble butt roadster. It's not the kind of car you go mountain road dancing in at all, which I know is your M.O. I know I go on about weight and performance being overrated... but the Z doesn't feel that fast to me; its performance is well matched for the street. Admittedly again it's not very lively around town or at low speeds but again... bike.

Which brings me to the TT. I am not sure what it has going for it on paper. It's about as heavy as the Z, but more nose heavy (though they did add a counterweight in the rear to balance it out). It has a lot of serious design & reliability problems. And, on paper at least, it's even more dull than the Z, w/less power and less steering feel. The only thing it has going for it is its looks, which I'm personally not crazy about. If I were to go the VWAG route for my personal car it would have to be with an engine besides their turbo 4s. An R32 or the TT VR6. But those are trademark nose heavy VWAGs. I think I like VWAG's mainstream models more... if not for their relentless design issues I could buy in 100%.

Plus even if I wanted one, there aren't any within 100 miles of me. Probably because people down here don't give a shit about AWD

[MrH]

I made fun of you for looking into the Z because based on your history I knew you would hate it.

Oh, the irony...

[280Z Turbo]

"Main things I want are RWD, ~mid 14 sec or less quarter mile, <3200lbs, <$10K price, and some level of long distance comfort"

If I feel the need to thread asphalt needles I have a much more precise tool. I get cars like the Miata or Ferberzers for folks who need everything in one package. Me personally though I like to have choice and not have to compromise. I have wifey's car to haul shit, hopefully this thing for long hauls, and then the bike for when I want to hit 60 in under 4 seconds. I think it's a good lineup and was my plan all along
Different strokes for different folks. Believe me if I could afford a Z3M/Z4M hardtop I would have went that way. Maybe next go round. Z is good enough for right now and actually beat my expectations from how folks here talk about it. You could def do a lot worse than the FM platform.Thanks. Ink isn't dry yet but hopefully it will be soon. Waiting on wifey to get back so we can check it out and finalize everything....

Motorcycles suck for turning and braking.

[Xer0]

I don't know your situation, but, IMO, buying a relatively high performance, oldish, high mileage car on a budget when you have a family is dumb.  Get something cheap and reliable for the short term until you get nice and settled.  Then buy a money pit or a new Cayman or something.  Besides, wifeys turn into mommys pretty quick.

Another thing that sucks about buying on a budget and scouring used cars is that you'll never be happy with your choice.  If you had just waited one more month, if you had just spent an extra $1000, if you had just drove those extra 50 miles you would have gotten xyz better car, etc.  All stuff that would drive me crazy. 

[12,000 RPM]

Motorcycles suck for turning and braking.

On street tires it's a wash

I got the Z. I like it