Quote:
Originally Posted by Zaggeron
The Boxster S starts at 20K above the base Z roadster, but add similar option packages and the Porsche starts to skyrocket in price. I priced similarly equipped Z roadsters and Boxster Ss and the difference ended up being around 30k. A better comparison is the non-S version of the Boxster.
The aesthetics of the Z roadster are a subject of controversy ... But like all aesthetic choices it's rather subjective. That said, anyone who thinks the Z4 is better looking than the 370ZR need their eyes checked  What clinched the Z for me over the Porsche was the sheer uniqueness of the Z roadster. It's rare in my area (even the coupe is relatively rare compared to the Mustangs and Camaros). I can sometimes see at least 4 Boxsters and a couple of TT coupes a day, but I have yet to see another Z roadster on the road and I live in the middle of a metro area with over 1 million people. |
I've seen two other Z roadsters and fewer than 10 coupes in my metro area of 6 million people and 55+ mile commute (round trip), so our numbers are bearing out, I suppose. I agree that Boxsters and really all styles of Porsches seem to be a dime a dozen around here. Most TTs I see are hardtops and I've only seen one new Z4 on the road since they came out.
That said, I never expected this car to be rare. Nor did I buy it because it was all I could afford. I craved this car. I've owned an MZ3 and a 330CiC -- both "higher end" cars than the 370ZR -- and have never felt this way about a car. I get nothing but thumbs-up everywhere I goand the power, performance and style of the car are in a league apart from the rest.
The Bimmer in this test looks great and I can vouch for the powertrain, but the retract hardtop kills the roadster feel to me. The Porsche is an excellent car all around and probably the clear winner, but is a bit dated and bland in styling and way overpriced. The Audi would probably get my nod for most intriguing offering of this bunch -- in the true spirit of a roadster, I like a light, tossable car -- but again, the value proposition isn't quite there for me. That's where the 370Z makes such a statement.
This is truly a step-up, no-compromises car that presents an amazing value proposition relative to the other cars tested. I know that's not supposed to factor in and I understand the allure of suckling at the German design teet. However, if all cars tested were within $2000 or so of one another, I'd put the Nissan second in this competition.
As it is, I'd give it first.