Quote:
Originally Posted by fxroar
I purchased my first 370z (bare bones - no options) when I was 19. After a few years, I traded it in for the 40th anniversary. Both MT. Aside from the Z, the only other manual car I've driven was a long bed '99 Dodge Dakota pick up. I had 2 jobs at the time. One was paying $15/hr while the other $9/hr. I was also paying for college fees, books and rent. I had barely any money to spare for food as I had cell phone bills and car insurance to pay.
I understand that you will be supported by your parents, but please do understand there's a lot more to just paying the monthly on a sports car. Gas and maintenance will be expensive. I wouldn't want for you to suffer through what I have gone through (although circumstances are different). Theoritacally speaking, with current income I can purchase a Porsche Turbo 911. Can I afford to keep it? Absolutely not. Why? Because maintenance will be hell and it would be highly impractical for what I need daily. Do I enjoy driving my Z? Hell yes. It's what my budget can comfortably afford without getting myself in a hole incase of an emergency. You'll be going to college. Honestly, as much as I would like to tell you "HELL YES GET Z ITS KICKAZZ".. Get a more practical car for your purpose. Maybe a 4 seater (good on carrying books, dirty clothes and all other crap you'll have while in hs/college)and very good on gas?
Anyways.. back to topic
If you pay attention to the engagement point of your clutch everytime while taking off (that's where it matters anyways since manual cars are harder to stall while already in motion), you shouldn't have any problem. This car has a very "savage" clutch engagement point. It's never on the same spot. There will be times where its pretty darn high, then there will be times where engagement point is very close to the floor.
Remember to use your hand brake if moving from a stop going uphill. Our cars do not have hill assist like others. Hell.. even my girls prius has hill assist. lol. Anyways, keep the hand brake engaged until you feel the car starts moving forwards then you can just immediately disengage it. Does no hard if done properly.
Soon you won't need any of these little tricks because you'll be good enough to drive a manual car and think you're a pro. 
I apologize for the long write up but whichever path you may choose to go, please do understand what you're in for.
Best of luck and appreciate what you have. |
FX i totally relate to your story. I purchased a dodge charger new in february of 2008 when i was 19 and making $13 an hour it was $30k out the door 7 year loan(I was young, greedy and doing it alone so I was taken advantage of) So as we all know, the economy crashed later that year and I was literally starving trying to keep the payments going. My parents were in the same boat so I was on my own. I finally got through that and after a year of saving a "in case ****" fund from a new career that pays very well and is safe, I purchased my 40th. Which was only a month ago. Sometimes kids have to learn the hard way like you and I did. It was a struggle and I was so pissed but I definitely learned my lesson.
I know this is the very last thing he wants to hear but it had to be said to at least say we tried to help this kid. Who knows if Mom will need help with that GI bill money in the next few years. He is at least 4 years away from making any money as an xray technologist.
Anyway, I have a 40th which is a touring with sports package, have to say its sooo fun to drive and I don't see it getting old any time soon. that rev matching downshift is sweeeeet
oh and I also average 18MPG which is not so sweeeeeet.