Quote:
Originally Posted by Skorch
So I've come to realize that my Z is the most expensive thing in my life. I'm not saving much money with it, because the payments + insurance + gas easily put it over $1000/mo for me. Having owned a 350Z and this being my second 370Z, I've come to love the car quite a bit. But I think it's time to get something cheap and a little more practical. My thinking is a Lexus IS300 and here is why. My buddy is a mechanic at Toyota, and used to be a mechanic at a Lexus dealership prior to that. He knows the car inside and out, and he said it is very reliable, being one of the least common cars to be brought in for service when he worked there. Also, he can help me look for one in good shape and should I need to repair it, he can order parts at dealer cost for me.
The thing is, I don't know that much about these cars.. I've always liked the way they looked and know they have the same engine as the N/A Supras, so they should be pretty reliable. Does anyone here have any experience with them? Would you recommend the IS300 as a daily driver, considering they are 8-12 years old now?
I would like to find something for $13K or less. Do you guys have any other suggestions for cars to consider? I don't think I want a coupe anymore, and I'd like it to have semi-decent fuel economy. Thanks for all your input in advance!
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If I were going to get out of a 370Z and needed to get into something for $13K or less, it would be a C5 Corvette with highway miles.
Why?
300rwhp, great handling/dynamics, the LS1 is a VERY durable engine (mine had 150K miles and ran the same as it did when I bought it at 72K miles), the T56 is a very durable transmission (same story), and the C5 still looks "new" because the styling is very contemporary, even today. If not for the C6, people would think the C5 were current production.
That's the only $13K car I can see myself driving in the sports-car category, but you will have to stretch your budget a bit to get into one for that, or you will have to find one with highway miles on it or something. I recommend a 2001 or newer because they got the LS6 intake/PCV system, and that will give you 10whp and save you some headaches as well. The C5 gets better mileage than your 370Z, as well, btw. My LS1 car got better average and highway mpg than my 370Z, at least. It was a heavy brick of a Trans Am, too, compared to the lighter, sleeker (0.34CD vs. 0.29CD) C5.
The C5 is a pretty robust system. You might go through some wheel-bearings if you track the car hard, but that's about it. I was told T56's need a rebuild every 80K miles, but I got 150K miles out of mine with no problems except reverse was a touch hard to get into sometimes, which is a common ailment of the T56 (nothing crazy, just hold pressure on reverse and let the clutch out slow and it pops right in.) Anyway, over-all, the C5 is cheap to work on (except the transmission, sadly), and very simple, while retaining very very good performance and feel. It probably feels way better than a 370Z, I know I prefer how my C6Z felt compared to my 370Z, over bumps and in corners. Much better car, stability-wise.
Now, all this being said, I totally empathize with your wanting to cut cost. I am going to either refinance my 370Z, or move into something cheaper myself in the next 4 years when I build a house. Why? I would rather be able to afford more house and less car, and the 370Z will be a "has been" after 2015, anyway, what with all the new stuff coming out. I would love maybe a little BRZ if they can find a way to install a turbo...
Anyway, you might also consider an S2000 in your price range. I dunno, I am thinking sports-car to sports car.
PS: I would NEVER own a car with timing belts. F that. I never have, and never will. Go into any dealership that belongs to a brand that predominantly sells timing belt equipped cars and I promise you will find several mangle-valved heads sitting around. They pop. Simple as that. A timing belt is as much of a deal-breaker as if you told me that the car had a giant apparatus that plunged up through the driver's seat-cushion and randomly had its way with you. Because that's exactly what it does to your wallet.