Which 370Z to get?
 

Hey guys I am going to be in the market for a used 370Z in the next few weeks. I have already looked at a few on carsales.com.au (I am in Australia) and have found a few that I like.

My budget here is max $40000 AUD. Now there is a 2010 manual 370Z with some mods done to it and 33000 KM on the odometre. There is also a 2012 manual model that is stock, has no mods with aruond 35000 KMs on it. Now what would you guys reccomend to me?

Should I look at getting a 2010 with mods or 2012 model with no mods, they are all around the same price here. Is there any reason not to get a 2010 model and go for a 2012 (max for my budget, 2013 is over $40K here).

Thanks, would appreciate any input.

I would get the un modded 2012. I pretty much only buy 1 owner non modified cars

You never know how a previous owner ragged a car out, or if they did, but if the car is modded you can certianly assume it was, at least ran pretty hard. Id rather not.

Sadly (depending on how you look at it) automatic base models are the fastest of the group... and you don't have the CSC issue to worry about.

:iagree: Why inherit someone else's styling & possible problems as mods don't always go as planned

$.02 YMMV

Unmoded


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What are the trim levels of each?

I don't know what trim level is but here is a link to a few zeds I saved:

2010 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in SA - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in WA - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2010 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2013 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile
2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile

What would you go for out of these ones?

I would go for the 2012. Then you can mod as you like. ��

Coming from an the Evo world... Do not buy a modified car unless you know the owner. Even then be cautious.

Other than a Cobb AP flash or similar, which is extremely reputable product, but not available for NA engines generally. Hell, even then, buy a stock one and be the first person who flashes it.

You are probably buying someone else's problem. After dumping nearly 20K into my Evo X and having everything installed and tuned by a reputable shop I brought it to be traded in praying it didn't blow up (as it had 3 times before) until I signed it over.

The problem with modified cars is you have to stay on top of them constantly and know what to look for. I started with the basic plumbing (intake, upper intercooler pipe, downpipe, and full exhaust and tune for about $5K). A short while later with spirited driving the ceramic around the spark plug broke and went into my engine.

$12K later I had a new engine with forged pistons and the car was awesome for the next 5,000 miles. Then the car wouldn't turn on. Apparently the timing chain stretched.

The car was one problem after another. After that whole experience I'm convinced (especially if you live in an area like New England with variable temperatures) don't buy a modified car unless you know what you are doing.

In my case, my peace of mind was gone. Driving a modified car wrecked the enjoyment because I never knew when something was going to go wrong.

The only thing i would say would be reasonable is a cat back exhaust only. Generally these require no additional tune and don't screw with the air fuel ratio going into the engine. It's just a nice noise without a tune. (Maybe minimal HP gains)

Sorry for the rant, hope this helps.

Why are the auto's faster? I was under the impression that manuals are slightly faster like most other cars?

And I just read up on the csc issues. Is this common for all 370Z's, even 2012-2013 models?

I would try and find one with the sports package, it makes a lot of difference.

Auto may be faster but manual is more fun to drive imo.

Manuals not that fun in traffic gridlock like Los Angeles. I believe the csc issue is with all the manuals right?

Auto have always been faster, especially in competive motorsports
There was a time when manuals were better for avg consumers but only because auto tech hadnt caught up. Needless to say it didnt take much and now autos are killing it everywhere.

damn... I didn't even think about this scenario. This actually makes a lot of sense.

fyi... i'm still looking for a Z so I guess that explains that.

Automatics are almost always going to be faster in newer cars. Even without dual clutches, transmissions and the programming has come so far.

Bottom line - it is very difficult to shift quicker manually than what an automatic can do. Back in the day automatic transmissions had rev hang, were slow to respond and did not have the same programming they do today. Manuals used to allow the user to optimize shift points better but now the computer does that for you. It's also why automatics generally get better mpg's than manuals today too.

With that said...unless you're looking for 10ths of a second on a track I would go with your personal preference. I like having a third peddle because it gives me something to do and it makes the whole driving experience more analog for me.

Frankly, I think the 370z is more about the driving experience than statistics. Yes, it's painful to admit but the manual is going the way of the dinosaur from a competitive standpoint. I think the "fun factor" is a whole other argument.

FP in disguise? :ugh:

Asking which model car you should buy is like asking which man/woman you should marry. I prefer an auto trans but some people will have nothing but a manual. &c, &c, &c, ad nauseum.

I agree with the be-very-careful-if-the-car-has-been-modded crowd. I wouldn't necessarily cross a modded car off the list (especially if it's just CAI/exhaust/tune) but it gets a minus and the more mods, the more minuses I'd give it.

Looks like you like black.

I like

2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile

and

2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in WA - Carsales Mobile

Both 2012, both with the 6MT, both with sports package (well worth it)

If you intend to drag race it, get an auto trans. If you going to drive stop and go traffic alot, get an auto. Otherwise the 6MT is way fun. That is my opinion. Whenever I am in stop and go traffic I find myself wishing for the auto. That is rare though since mine is not a daily driver, just a toy.

I like

2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in VIC - Carsales Mobile

and

2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in WA - Carsales Mobile

Both 2012, both with the 6MT, both with sports package (well worth it)

If you intend to drag race it, get an auto trans. If you going to drive stop and go traffic alot, get an auto. Otherwise the 6MT is way fun. That is my opinion. Whenever I am in stop and go traffic I find myself wishing for the auto. That is rare though since mine is not a daily driver, just a toy.

Lol yes. Also guys, are these cars good for being your main daily driver? Im not looking at taking it to a track either.

And lastly I have to install a breathaliser interlock device on it before I am allowed to drive, laws here in South Australia as I am having my license returned after being disqualified from drink driving lol. Not sure if they have a similar device in the US.

And thanks people for the info about autos, I had imagined autos getting better over the years. Ill try and look for an auto but I actually don't mind if I get a manual.

So the cool thing about the Z with the sports package is that it has syncro rev-matching. So down shifts are easy. It blips the throttle for you so heel-toe is not required. But if you are in stop and go traffic ... actual stopping ... then it is sometimes a pain. There are many folks who daily drive, some even during snow if you get that where you are. Just need tires that can handle it. Some of those modded ones you were looking at (aka lowered) will be a problem if your roads are not well plowed.

just to chime into the auto vs manual thing as well... before the auto's were not as efficient at delivering the power to the wheels but technology has advanced so that the loss in power is a lot closer to maunal's.

i believe it was 15-20% drop off for manuals and 25+ for auto's. if you look at some of the tunes and dyno sheets here you can see that the manual's and auto's run statistically insignificant differences for like to like cars.

i occasionally drive in stop-n-go traffic (from DT toronto out to suburbia) and i'll just say it has its moments. it actually keeps me awake since driving an auto i get bored so constantly having to shift keeps me aware of the surroundings.

Which 370Z to get?
 

No problem daily driving it. Having said that, I kept my other car (an automatic) for daily driving and got the Z as a weekend toy with manual. I test drove the automatic Z and wasn't impressed with it. Other automatic cars seemed better if I was going automatic. But the manual Z is a totally different beast, feels very different to drive. Loads of fun.

Don't decide this manual vs automatic question based of information on this forum or anywhere on the Internet. You will get different answers depending on who you ask. Test drive both yourself and see how they feel. When I did that, I found only the manual Z had that fun factor, the auto didn't have it. Your mileage may vary depending on what you find fun. So don't decide that and go shopping; instead, go shopping, test drive and decide.


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I daily drive a manual without any issues. No track here to go to.

:iagree:

Some truth here. Always test it out yourself.

Touring

Auto, or you might spill your beer.

I kid, I kid.:roflpuke2:

Lol well no, the point of the breatherliser interlock device is to prevent the car from starting if you blow anything over 0% alcohol. Damm I hope these devices are compatoble to a 370Z or I will have to purchase an entirly different car :(

Duc never said anything about drinking before starting the car.

Ok fair enough. But they have designed the device so that it will beep randomly whilst driving at idle stops, and gives you 3 minutes to blow in the device or the engine will shut off.

Haha so either way i'd be screwed. :P

i think as long as it's relatively modern and has an OBD port it should be compatible. why not check with the constables?

:iagree: 70K miles on ours and still going strong.

The nicest track in North America (COTA) is 20 miles away from me, and I've only been once :(
I can't really afford $900 track days. I think it's $50K for one day track rental for up to 30 cars or something.

Wow $900 USD for a day on the track, that's equivelant to something like $1450 AUD, insane!!

Ouch.

Hey guys I found a 2009 and 2012 Z that I find appealing here:

2009 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in NSW - Carsales Mobile

Or

2012 Nissan 370Z (No Badge) Z34 Cars for sale in ACT - Carsales Mobile


Which I can afford rite now, otherwise I would have to wait a few more weeks to be able to afford the other Zs listed in the first page. What do you guys think, go for one of those in the above links or wait till I can afford the other models in the first page?