Cross shopping other cars with the Z?

darkphantom

Hello all, looking to purchase a 370Z but now I am not so sure anymore

I have been looking for the last two weeks and I have narrowed it down to 2010-2012 370z with Sport/touring in 6MT Coupe.

Problem is, hard to find local dealers that will give me a good price. Anyways, long story short, I was cross-shopping the 370z with a Subaru BRZ and a used WRX if I could find one.

I then mistakenly walked into a VW dealership to look at a used 370z they had and then saw the other VWs...they had a used Golf R that I ended up testing driving

I can't believe the amount of difference in the interior quality of the VW to the nissan! I mean, I know German cars are better built, bla bla, but it was just worlds apart! I used to drive a '07 335i before so I know how good german cars they can be. However, the transmission was BUTTERY smooth in the golf, I was pushing it into gears with 1 finger! The other thing is, since it is a 2.0L Turbo, I just drop a tune in there and I am easily over 300whp and over 350whp of torque!

So basically now, I am sad that the interior of the 370z isn't as nice, more road noise in the Z and I can't afford the Golf because it is almost 5k more than the Z.

My budget is $25k and the Golf R was $30k used.

So here is my question, what other cars did you all cross shop before choosing the Z and why did you pick it?

I know people will say I am comparing apples to oranges but here are some things I am looking for:

-RWD/AWD
-6MT
-good handling/feel
-around ~$25k

Anyways, thanks for listening and helping out!

EDIT: if I end up going with the Z, anything I should be looking out for? Go 2011+ over 2010?

Zoren 370

Since you havent mentioned did you already test drive a 370Z?

I drove a golf R and a BMW Z4 prior to driving the Z. Guess what I ended buying?

With regards to the interior design in my opinoion the Z looks better than the golf, the qulity of materials I give it to golf. You can't beat Germn quality.

In terms of driviability/ handling the Golf R was boring compared to the Z. The BRZ i felt like WTF I wish it had more power.

For your budget a decent 2011 -12 sports package Z is good. I know a friend for a 25k he got a 12th Nismo. Do your search it doest matter if you drive a 200mile radius. A 40th Anniversary is another good option.

darkphantom

I've driven a few different Zs, the first I drove had CAIs with some aftermarket exhaust...was very loud.

Second I drove was all stock, 2011 with Sport/touring. Very quiet, tamed. I honestly felt the handling was better on the golf, might have been because it was AWD and I hadn't driven that before. The BRZ - definitely wish it was F/I'd! Would've been easy to pick. Sadly, super under powered.

What about the road noise on the Z and comfort levels? I hate that the back window is useless and there is a HUGE blindspot. I adjust the mirrors out so I guess not a deal breaker.

I just want to make sure it is a car I love and not one I can learn to love.

jpkirk

I bought mine because it performed very well, had syncro-rev-match, and is absolutely stunning to look at. Looks and syncro-rev-match were my selling points. I can get past the rest with some minor mods. I got a reasonable price for a 2014. The Z has plenty of power, a huge aftermarket for parts and handles very well.

Not so sure you'll break 300whp with just a tune on that Golf R.

All that said, I'm sure the Germans have prettied up the interior and have many additional options over the Z. This horse has been well beaten on the forum. Those options cost money which is likely why you have said you can't afford a Golf R.

I looked at BRZ, Mustang, Camaro, and dreamed of a C7 Corvette. BRZ was slow, the Mustang GT (track package)/Camaro (1LE) big/heavy and the C7, out of my price range. None but the C7 had syncro rev match either. That was a huge selling point for me. Audi TTS was in their as well, but the Audi reliability question put it out of the running.

Oh ... and a Porsche ... Cayman S ... yea, if I thought the C7 was out of my price range, $90K for a Cayman S spec'd the way I wanted it was ... well. No.

TCO on the Cayman S and TTS also put them out reach. Too expensive to maintain.

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Z_ealot

did somebody miss the fact that the golf R hasn't even been released here in the states yet?

Zoren 370

Road noise and engine noise is not the best quality of the Z. Made it worst by the OEM Bridegestone tires.

The build quality of the Golf is top notch than the Z. Just by looking at the door hinges of the Golf you can see the German engineering.

The fun part about the Z that I enjoined the most is driving it hard through the curves. Amazing!

I bought the Z as a weekend fun car. It fit my purpose for buying a sports car.

The Golf R might be better of as DD vs the Z. The fact it can haul 4 people.

You just won't have as many compliments driving around with the Golf unlike the Z! Lol (seriously) I even get compliments from elderly people.

mayday813

German (over) engineering = very expensive parts.

Zoren 370

^ thats definitely true.

P's_Z

I had a 2004 WRX which was tons of fun with some bolt ons. Now have a 2013 Z and couldnt be happier... Unless i upgraded to an M3 or GTR

I believe that 2011 Z's had some things worked on like steering lock issue, oil cooler, etc. so choose it over the 2010. Quick search in google and/or here on the forums will help you

Golfs looks nice too, never driven one. I guess it all comes down with what your priorities are and what your willing to sacrifice. Good luck!

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kynseon

I thought about the 335i but there have too much problems... GTI i decided that it wasnt worth the time.. WRX sti was fun but I bought my Z and never looked back.

Duc_Z09

Volkswagens are for wankers. Case closed.

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2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
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DavidZ370

couldn't agree more!

DavidZ370

only car id see myself driving for around the price range of the Z would be EVO X hands down, toyobarus are slow and wrxs are just not my style (quick cars though)

kenchan

isnt golf-r like a family station wagon?

yah, i want to drive family station wagon now! never mind minivans

mishuko

german engineering... great until it fails.

when will it fail? between now and when it fails.

like our csc