Deciding what car to get

Andrew62

So I'm currently in a dilemma . I'm not sure which car I should get. Right now I'm looking at the Altima Coupe and the 370z. I'm about 19 years old and going into the military (coast guard) in October, I'm going to be stationed around the great lakes (most likely Michigan) and probably making frequent trips home to Chicagoland area. Which ever car i get will be my primary car. For the record i have no kids nor do i intend to have kids within the next 5 years.

Also i'm debating whether i should lease or buy. I'll be making around 2k a month that i have for things like car/insurance/entertainment/etc. (everything minus housing/food)

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Andrew

nogoodname

2 different cars, altima is fwd and Z is rwd
difference in power and size too.

if you like power and 2 seats, go for the Z
if you like fwd and 2+2 seats, go for the altima

Alexus

What you need to decide is whether you want FWD driveability or the sportiness of RWD. The FWD will help greatly in the winter but I don't think the 370Z has been around long enough for people to tell you how it performs in Great Lakes winter conditions.

Really depends on what your price range is, too. Both are nice cars, so in honesty you can't go wrong with either granted that you get the 3.5L Altima Coupe.

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Florida_GATOR

370 no doubt...dont worry about anything else, its all irrelevant...head to the dealership right now. Why are you still reading this?? hmmm hmmm hmmmmmm...waiting for you to go....hmmm hmmm, there yet?

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MK44 Creed- " Ive got a bullet here with your name on it, and im gonna keep firing till i find out which one it is "

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Johnnyquad17

Your young so why do you need the extra seats. Get the Z. Both cars are not going to be great in the winter with of course the Altima having the advantage. But still I would go with the Z.

xiven

you'll get bored with the altima, you know what the consensus on this board will be

Florida_GATOR

fo sho'

__________________
MK44 Creed- " Ive got a bullet here with your name on it, and im gonna keep firing till i find out which one it is "

Most badass job ever.

Andrew62

I figured I knew what the overall decision would be on this forum would be :P

I'm also wondering how it is to drive manual (compared to other sporty cars) e.g. is the clutch really finiky? i know some manual cars are very finiky to drive others are just very easy, very smooth.
I'll have to learn manual (on a different car not a brand new 370z don't worry) but i know thats essential to get the most out of a sporty car.

kdoske

Well whats up, I'm actually in the Coast Guard myself. I have one question. How in the world do you know that you are going to be stationed in Michigan and you haven't even been to bootcamp...???? Im not sure what lies the recruiter is telling you, but there is no way to guarantee where you will be stationed. Not to mention most places in Michigan, and trust me there arn't many, are small boat stations that have 20 or less people in them. I have been in for 6 years and have been transferred 4 times and I have NEVER been put in one place that I have requested. Unless you are in the reserves what you are saying is very unlikely.

Also, basic pay for an E2 out of boot camp is $1568.70. The basic pay chart is here: (This doesn't include your housing pay but if you are single you will be required to stay in the barracks and won't be entitled to housing pay anyway--unless you are in a really rural area)
http://www.defenselink.mil/militaryp...9%20capped.pdf

Im not saying all this to prove you wrong I'm just trying to give you the facts in what I feel you may have been seriously misled. If you have more questions send me a PM. I'll give you my work number and you can call me on Monday after 8am Central.

Just looking out. Good luck in bootcamp; it sucks, but the Coast Guard is awesome, I promise.

Oh and to answer your questions get the Altima. I wouldn't get something over 25K until you at least make E4 and nothing around 30k until you hit E5.

Namir

The Z is not going to work in the winter, others have already demonstrated that. Keep your taurus if you get the Z because a 330hp rwd coupe is going to be dangerous in the winter, especially if you can't drive stick and are relatively inexperienced at driving (indicated by your approximate age of 19).

It'll be way more fun in the dry than the Altima. If you can afford it, there is no question the Z is a more enjoyable car. The rest is up to you. Good luck.

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armensti

im 20 and i love my z


21 next month

Tim

z, im 19 and going to basic (army) in 2 weeks
and florida gator is going in the navy....

he got a z, im getting a z, you better get one

Florida_GATOR

thats whats up!

__________________
MK44 Creed- " Ive got a bullet here with your name on it, and im gonna keep firing till i find out which one it is "

Most badass job ever.

ninjawarrior

Florida Gator, Whats going to be your rate(Job) in the Navy