I have a 2012 Sports/Touring/Nav, the car looks, feels, and handles great. I personally would not buy a basic Z as it looks way too cheap for me. I think the Nismo is amazing looking, but the interior is from the base package, which is why I did not get it.
The car has small issues as others described, noisy shifting at times (not always), low quality of the paint and some of the plastics and materials, little noisy inside, and a few minor things you can upgrade or fix with aftermarket options.
I recommend a Certified Z, if you buy new you lose your A55. You can buy used and put a 5-year full warranty. I don't think there is a better car for the money than a Z, to me the other Japanese cars are made by Fisher-Price, unless you buy an Infiniti which is not as sporty as I like, I like Lexus but they are all 4-door.
I absolutely love BMWs, but they don't make a car that is as sporty as the Z, the M3 is a hell of a car, but it's a cow. The M235i is an awesome car, but still a sports coupe and not a sports car. Audi does not make a sports car except the TT-S or TT-R, the TT-R is fast as hell, but they are up there in price. I didn't mention the R8 for obvious reasons. A Boxter-S is freaking incredible, but the new body just came out, it's big bucks. There are the Lotus Elise and Exige, if that is something you could live with, still it would not be your primary car.
Still, the Z is by far the best buy, if you want something fast, high quality build, quiet an smooth ride, and top service centers, buy German, only that you will be making several trips to the Dealership, though every one of them offer loaner cars, unlike Nissan.
Take your time and drive every car you can until you find what you like, good luck
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