Sporty's 350Z thread

[SVT666]

How about a 10 year old Mazda 6 or a Mazdaspeed 6? Those would be far more fun than an Accord.

[12,000 RPM]

Have you considered a radar detector?

Yea, I think this is going to be mandatory regardless of what I do.

Re: Miatas.... 

If practicality & road noise are concerned.... seems pretty stupid to go from a Z something even more impractical and unrefined. Plus they are just as overpriced as Accords, and would get washed by a modded Accord in a straight line. I test drove an NB for the hell of it and while it was kind of fun, it was basically everything bad about the Z turned up a little bit with 1/2 the performance, for the same $$$. No, if I were to go the 2 seater route I'd go with something more obscure/cerebral like an MR-S or S2000. MR-Ss are also severely overpriced down here though.

I mean, you're basically saying you want to buy a worse car than the one you have.

I get that the Z is not doing it for you, but it seems like there are way more interesting and better cars that would suit your needs.

"Worse" how?

And for 8ish K what "way more interesting and better" legit 4 seater cars that get ~27 MPG combined on regular are there? I'm sure a Mazda 6 is marginally better but I doubt it comes close to even splitting the difference between an Accord and a Z. I will check them out but my expectations are low... it's still a ~3300lb FWD 4 banger sedan.

Anything like a 3 series or a Saab is out... well, I am still thinking about an E36 if the planets align for it... but for the most part, not much cheaper to run and potential for "character flares" I don't have time for. Even the TSX is borderline as it needs premium...

Remember... I drive ~500 miles a week. That's 26K miles a year. When I bought the Z I did not anticipate such a long commute. As fun as it is it's not the car for that kind of duty. If all I cared about was fun I probably would have got something else to be totally honest.

[Soup DeVille]

The idea behind the Miata is that it gives you the same thrills at lower speeds; the idea isn't that it'll get beaten by an Accord: but that it'll be more fun than one. There's some truth to this idea, but if it aint your thing, it aint your thing.

[AutobahnSHO]

Go buy a friggin buick if you want boring power....

It would be way faster and "refined" than your old honda.

[AutobahnSHO]

The idea behind the Miata is that it gives you the same thrills at lower speeds; the idea isn't that it'll get beaten by an Accord: but that it'll be more fun than one. There's some truth to this idea, but if it aint your thing, it aint your thing.

Exactly. Plus I drove mine full throttle up to 4th gear every light and never got under 28mpg.

[Tave]

I was surprised you got the Z in the first place since you already had a bike. What about the RSX-S instead? I'd go for the 4-door if I was buying an Accord.

[r0tor]

Your going to blow more money on mods trying to convince yourself you didn't make a mistake then save on gas.

[12,000 RPM]

The idea behind the Miata is that it gives you the same thrills at lower speeds; the idea isn't that it'll get beaten by an Accord: but that it'll be more fun than one. There's some truth to this idea, but if it aint your thing, it aint your thing.

I get it. If I were looking for my first track car I'd consider it. But it's not a car I would want to drive 500 miles a week, or a car I would want to take on road trips or go out in.

Go buy a friggin buick if you want boring power....

It would be way faster and "refined" than your old honda.

I'm looking at 160HP 3100lb cars.... "power" is not a factor here.

I was surprised you got the Z in the first place since you already had a bike. What about the RSX-S instead? I'd go for the 4-door if I was buying an Accord.

They don't make a 4 door RSX. I wish they did. They have a tarted up Civic in Canada called the CSX. I would do one of those in a heartbeat. The TSX could work though.

Your going to blow more money on mods trying to convince yourself you didn't make a mistake then save on gas.

Doubtful. I'm going to save $1700/yr in gas alone... I won't spend that much on mods.

[12,000 RPM]

How about a 10 year old Mazda 6 or a Mazdaspeed 6? Those would be far more fun than an Accord.

That engine is crap and unless you nuke the clutch that car isn't that fast. 5-60 from a roll is about 7 seconds. Accord is about 8. And it guzzles premium gas like my car. For that money I'd rather get a 330i.

[SJ_GTI]

I actually kind of understand where 12,000 is coming from. If I had a commute like that I probably wouldn't want to drive a sports car back and forth.

That being said, I personally wouldn't go with an Accord. I think I'd prefer something newer like a Fusion or Malibu (will be able to get a newer model for about the same price), or maybe go smaller and look at a Civic, Focus, or Mazda 3 (particularly with a hatchback).

[Tave]

They don't make a 4 door RSX. I wish they did. They have a tarted up Civic in Canada called the CSX. I would do one of those in a heartbeat. The TSX could work though.

Oh I meant go with the RSX if you preferred a coupe.

[12,000 RPM]

I actually kind of understand where 12,000 is coming from. If I had a commute like that I probably wouldn't want to drive a sports car back and forth.

That being said, I personally wouldn't go with an Accord. I think I'd prefer something newer like a Fusion or Malibu (will be able to get a newer model for about the same price), or maybe go smaller and look at a Civic, Focus, or Mazda 3 (particularly with a hatchback).

I have always had mixed feelings about the 2006-2011 Civic. On one hand, this isn't well known, but weight aside it's Honda's best Civic chassis ever by a decent margin. They fixed the geometry issues they had on the 2002-2005 and got the struts to work phenomentally. On the other hand... that interior is ghastly. That said, initially I wrote it off because I figured it would be too slow... but performance wise it's only about 2 ticks off of the Accord in non Si form. I could maybe do one of those in EX-L trim. I have always liked the exteriors of those.

Oh I meant go with the RSX if you preferred a coupe.

Girl I knew in high school had one. The back seat sucked. Good cars otherwise though. I do really like the TSX. Just wish it didn't need premium

[FlatBlackCaddy]

What's the difference between a modded accord and a modded taurus?

I'm having a hard to trying to see the appeal, I guess it's just different strokes.

Aren't Jetta's pretty damn cheap? You could probably find a 1.8T or an older VR6 GLI for that kind of cash.

Don't get me wrong, it's just moving from one form of mainstream midsize douchery to another(though slightly more premium). Premium douchery.

[12,000 RPM]

What's the difference between a modded accord and a modded taurus?

I'm having a hard to trying to see the appeal, I guess it's just different strokes.

Aren't Jetta's pretty damn cheap? You could probably find a 1.8T or an older VR6 GLI for that kind of cash.

Don't get me wrong, it's just moving from one form of mainstream midsize douchery to another(though slightly more premium). Premium douchery.

Well, for starters, about 500 lbs. And the Taurus doesn't come in stickshift. And the Taurus has zero aftermarket support. So a lot actually.

And it's not about "appeal". I'm not trying to replace the Z with something as fun to drive... I need a practical daily driver that's good on gas and comfy for long daily drives that won't bore me to death.

Old Jettas are cheap for a reason. As much as I love the VR6 engine and how MKIVs look, all VWs from that era are terrible cars to own. Every last one of them. You couldn't pay me to drive one for any trip where I need to get where I'm going.

And again............................................ this is not an "enthusiast" move. If it were up to me I would probably get a 1G CTS-V or E39 M5. But I can't do those gas bills. $150 a month in my pocket and a comfier more usable daily driver seems worth losing the Z for. And besides, I still have the bike which is paid off, gets 40 MPG and costs like $250 a year to insure. So I'm pretty much covered

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Well, for starters, about 500 lbs. And the Taurus doesn't come in stickshift. And the Taurus has zero aftermarket support. So a lot actually.

And it's not about "appeal". I'm not trying to replace the Z with something as fun to drive... I need a practical daily driver that's good on gas and comfy for long daily drives that won't bore me to death.

Old Jettas are cheap for a reason. As much as I love the VR6 engine and how MKIVs look, all VWs from that era are terrible cars to own. Every last one of them. You couldn't pay me to drive one for any trip where I need to get where I'm going.

And again............................................ this is not an "enthusiast" move. If it were up to me I would probably get a 1G CTS-V or E39 M5. But I can't do those gas bills. $150 a month in my pocket and a comfier more usable daily driver seems worth losing the Z for. And besides, I still have the bike which is paid off, gets 40 MPG and costs like $250 a year to insure. So I'm pretty much covered

I understand what you are saying, I guess to me personally their just seems to be better options(even from honda) in the psudo sporty catagory than such a mainstream bore like the accord.

I really am surprised you aren't TSX hunting, it's a bit smaller and tighter than an accord but gives back in the dynamics department.

[Tave]

Girl I knew in high school had one. The back seat sucked. Good cars otherwise though. I do really like the TSX. Just wish it didn't need premium

It's a little tight back there but not very far off from the Accord coupe. That's why I was saying, if you want the Accord get a 4-door.

[SVT666]

That engine is crap and unless you nuke the clutch that car isn't that fast. 5-60 from a roll is about 7 seconds. Accord is about 8. And it guzzles premium gas like my car. For that money I'd rather get a 330i.

The regular first generation Mazda6 with a manual is a hoot to drive, nevermind the Mazdaspeed6.  Even a regular Mazda6 would most definitely bridge the gap in terms of fun. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

A manual V6 Mazda 6 Hatch would be the shizzy snap.

[MX793]

Only real negative I could say about the 1st generation 6 is that the Duratec 3.0 is a little thirsty compared to some others in that class.  But they are a nice driving car.  Light by midsizer standards and taught without being punishing.

[Rich]

4 door civic si (you could get one with an LSD right?) /thread

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm looking at 160HP 3100lb cars.... "power" is not a factor here.

eh, we suggested Miata because you want more fun but less tickets. You shot down the Miata based on refinement and being smoked by an Accord.
Boring sedan would be more refined and smoke the 4banger Accord.

You want a ricer, got it.     really nothing wrong with it, just throwing out alternatives.
(I'm totally excluding Subies from cars I'd recommend- not the best gas mileage, you don't seem to need the awd...)

In MY perfect garage I'd have
-Miata for fun/weekends/commuting
-Jetta sportwagon for longer driving/grocery getting
-Flex or similar for cramming everyone in and/or towing
-Subie for winter funz

Plus a car for my wife.

[12,000 RPM]

I will def check out the 6. V6 is no go, damn near same gas mileage as the Z with like 60% of the performance. Mazdas guzzle gas. 1st gen 6 2.3 sedan is doable though.

My perfect garage would probably be something like a Fiesta ST for DD, a weird track car (Z3M shoe, 2ZZ MR-S, V6 MR2, VQ35 E36 etc), 9-5 Aero wagon and a Volt for wifey

Thats a dream garage for what I could realistically afford to run, I think.

[SVT666]

In MY perfect garage I'd have
-Miata for fun/weekends/commuting
-Jetta sportwagon for longer driving/grocery getting
-Flex or similar for cramming everyone in and/or towing
-Subie for winter funz

Plus a car for my wife.

My perfect "affordable" garage would be:

1. Mustang Boss 302 (fun, daily commute)
2. Dodge Durango (towing, winter, family trips)
3. BMW Z4 (wife's car, trips for just the two of us)

That covers every need.

[Rupert]

"Worse" how?

You just said that a) the Z can't really be improved upon for reasonable bucks, and b) you would do a lot of cheap things to improve a hypothetical Honda. Sounds like the Z is a better car, ergo the Honda is worse.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I've always wanted a 5th gen prelude, I bet those are getting pretty cheap. Not as practical but a nice car no doubt.

[12,000 RPM]

You just said that a) the Z can't really be improved upon for reasonable bucks, and b) you would do a lot of cheap things to improve a hypothetical Honda. Sounds like the Z is a better car, ergo the Honda is worse.

Performance wise, yea. But I can't reduce the road noise, or add a back seat, or add 5-10 MPG to the Z. So from a total ownership POV in the context of how I use the car, at best it's a wash, but really something more practical and economical than the Z is a better fit. Modding the Accord wouldn't be to try and get it up to the Z's level- that's idiotic. It would just be to make it a little more fun and satisfy my inner ricer.

I've always wanted a 5th gen prelude, I bet those are getting pretty cheap. Not as practical but a nice car no doubt.

Yea I am seriously considering those too. If I can sit behind myself in relative comfort that might be a go. The premium gas thing sucks but they are cheaper and more fun than the Accord/TSX. I test drove one when I was shopping for the Z and wasn't crazy about it, but the guy had a stupid exhaust on it and it was loaded up with me, him, and my wife with the A/C on so that wasn't a fair assessment. There are a lot of them out there but they are starting to die off from rice cancer.

[Eye of the Tiger]

KeepZ

[2o6]

A cheese wedge Civic sedan is about that price.



I'm having a hard time choosing between that and an EP3, RSX and MK1 Fit.

[Raza]

I've always wanted a 5th gen prelude, I bet those are getting pretty cheap. Not as practical but a nice car no doubt.

If that's the one I think it is, I've liked those for a long time too.

[Raza]

A cheese wedge Civic sedan is about that price.



I'm having a hard time choosing between that and an EP3, RSX and MK1 Fit.

Not having driven any, I'd say RSX > EP3 > Fit. But that's mostly on looks. All things considered, the EP3 is probably the best overall choice, the Fit the most practical, and the RSX the least logical.