Mulling selling the Z for a used GTR....thoughts?

Niche79

So let me start off by saying I know this is going to open a can of worms just by suggesting this.....I am prepared

Backlog: I used to be pretty active in the Z community, always wanted one of these. Bought mine in January of '13 and quickly put the typical bolt on mods and such to it. Since then I have got into sport bikes and was riding that every single day to work that I could but on rainy days, in those days I took one of my Hondas. Then came the new baby, I have 3 cars so selling my Z was out of the question, no need. However, the wife tells me I can't take him in the 370z as it has no backseats. First off I said ok I'll go buy a 4 door luxury sedan which I was OK with. Then I sat back and said....wait just a minute, I could sell my Z, toss in some cash, and buy a used GTR!!! She was actually like uhh that's no family car. Then I said it's a HUGE car and has a backseat. After driving up to the Nissan dealer today, he let us actually put the baby seat in the back and let him sleep back there while we went over the car. My wife was impressed by the car overall with its room and the fact that SHE can drive it being an auto! (She doesn't know how to drive stick.)

So, my thoughts are now, sell the Z which collects more dust than mileage, part out my Fast intentions exhaust, test pipes, and wheels etc and toss in some cash and buy a used GTR, or buy a luxury 4 door cruiser and keep my Z? The wife could care less, just said it's your car, you decide. My wife has an SUV so before you say I need a family car...just know that she has an SUV already for trips, the Z is nothing more than a garage queen anymore.

Please, be respectful and let me know your thoughts, coming to fellow Z owners is a better sounding board than some random guys at work or what not.
Thank you!

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2009 370z Solid Red Touring/Sport/Navigation/Illuminated sills/LED interior lights Red/LED plate lights White/ Evo R fog light in Red/Stillen G3 intakes/ Fast Intentions Exhaust with 18" Resonators/ Rays Gramlights 57fxx/ Swift Springs/ Fast Intentions Resonated Test Pipes. NST SUCKS DONT ORDER

jchammond

The GTR is Nissan's High $$$$$$ Flagship Sports Coupe & a ~Z~ is a unique 2 seater sports car w/bolt on's that can propel it to the Exotic Sports Car Category.
I got rid of my old 406ci/built 81' Z28 camaro when my twins came along-so i know what you're going through......If the money is no object; Go for the GTR,,,,,if you love your ~Z~ & want to keep it as a playtoy,,,consider a slightly used Q50 sedan...same powerplant/7sp.Auto & RWD as the Z w/excellent performance,ride quality,fuel milage & roomy.
I like you putting your Family First,while making this decision...while i'm 49now & my kids are 21; I'm keeping my ~Z~ and enjoying all the moment's i spend w/it...I have just scratched the surface w/bolt on's & the immediate response has been very noticeable.
Good Luck & Choose Wisely....No rock's thrown from me

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nis350

Sounds like a perfect plan as the GTR would meet your family needs and a very nice upgrade to the Z. Just make sure the GTR is in good shape and won't turn into a 'money pit' down the road.

Life is short and if that makes you and your family happy, do it.

JDubya

I'm not trying to start a fight, or derail the thread, but you and I must have very different definitions of bolt-ons and "exotic sports car category." Nothing short of FI is putting the Z into that category.

I do agree with this suggestion though, the Q50 is a nice platform and a comfortable car. Can always pick a nice used one up for a lot less than the difference between the Z and GTR. A+ idea here, in my opinion. I especially agree with it if you really do love the way the Z drives.

The GTR is a bit more refined than the Z, stupid fast, and an attention getter. I will stress that it is not the most tolerable car on the road, from a ride comfort perspective. I'd test drive it significantly to ensure you and your wife are comfortable with the ride comfort, for each of you and with respect to your baby. Otherwise, from a raw performance perspective, not much needs to be said in the point that the GTR is superior in every way. There's also the feeling of owning a car like a GTR. I know it's not *that* expensive with respect to what it is, but it's kind of a unicorn in ways to many of us. I'd be lying if I said one of the reasons I'm considering the same as you wasn't the fact that I just want the feeling of having it parked in my garage.

Do you still love the feeling of driving the Z? More than a GTR? The Z is less refined, more mechanical, and lets you row through the gears. You'll always have more to do in the Z from a driving experience perspective. It's so unique in what it offers you on the road. It's a true enthusiast car and I'm not sure anything drives quite like it. I personally think the GTR is boring to drive compared to the Z. I feel like this should be your biggest consideration when switching (other than the family stuff, but I'm assuming you get a sedan for them if you keep the Z). You can always pick up a used sedan and keep the Z. If the power of the Z is the problem, you can push it to levels similar (but not as functional) as the GTR's power if you're willing to go FI. And you keep that feeling and fun (subjective) that the Z gives you.

Lastly, check out GT-R LIFE - NAGTROC - MEGTROC - SGGTROC - GT-R Life. A lot of folks over there who I'm sure could also share some perspective with you.

cv129

I've been on there (and 6speedonline) reading threads where "370z" is mentioned. There was a thread asking if GTR is really worth the double/triple/quadruple price of a 370z. I think the consensus is there is no comparison, and some owners flat out said it's worth it, especially after driving both back to back. Some gave credit to the Z as the rawer machine, but it's too much of a apple vs orange.

Nothing matters until Niche79 test drive a GTR. I say test drive a few of them and he'll know the answer for sure.

If he likes it, and is willing and able to handle maintenance cost, I say go for it. I'm on the same boat as niche79, I am just too cheap to fork out the level of maintenance/repair costs a GTR requires.

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Chuck33079

This. It's not the entry price into the GTR that'll get you, it's the upkeep. Even if you DIY, it's pretty nuts. There's one hell of a "GTR Tax" that seems to get applied.

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kenchan

meh, its red.. just sell it.

PearlyladyZ

If get the GTR


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Darwins Child

I think the Z is the best-looking, most-stylish vehicle on the market. Period. I get a big smile just looking at it sitting there. The smile only gets bigger when I drive it.

As much as I'd like to, I don't get anywhere near the same feeling looking at the new GT-R, but I understand that the GT-R is a fantastic performance vehicle, as nowadays many other vehicles produced by a variety of manufacturers also are.

You know your situation better than anyone on this forum. Just do what you think is best for your family but keep in mind that, as Joni Mitchell sang so many years ago, sometimes "you don't know what you've got til it's gone".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWwUJH70ubM

Raidernation

If it was me I would go the sedan route and keep the z for now. Wait a few years before you get your super car.

Duc_Z09

Ask yourself if you want your wife driving your toy. Also ask yourself if you want your toy pressed into DD/family hauler service. Then ask yourself if the GT-R makes you happier to drive than your Z does (faster isn't always "happier").

Those are the real issues IMO.

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2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

barncobob

lotta horsepower, don't know where you would use without getting popped by a cop

Niche79

I honestly don't mind my wife driving my cars at all, I trust her with them and have taught her to park a mile away next to a curb even with her car!

I only have to have him in the car to drop him off at her job before I head to mine each day. I also think, imagine being a kid today with a dad who picks you up in a GTR! I have even thought of letting him drive it one day as I usually keep cars for years on end (except this circumstance). I do love my Z but I honestly rarely even touch it anymore, I bet I have driven it maybe 10 times or 20 times this entire year!!! I am ALWAYS on my sport bike as it's just so much faster and more fun. The wife even knows it has been a dream car since 09 when we saw the first GTR's ever sold in Atlanta when she was doing her medical school clinicals there! The fact that she can drive it is just a bonus.

Thanks a ton guys for the feedback, I am reading each and every response and am thinking about it. First thing is first, I want to have around 10k cash to put down on top of what my Z sells for, the bigger the down payment the better and that will give me a few months to really contemplate my decision.

Thanks!
-Niche79

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2009 370z Solid Red Touring/Sport/Navigation/Illuminated sills/LED interior lights Red/LED plate lights White/ Evo R fog light in Red/Stillen G3 intakes/ Fast Intentions Exhaust with 18" Resonators/ Rays Gramlights 57fxx/ Swift Springs/ Fast Intentions Resonated Test Pipes. NST SUCKS DONT ORDER

Duc_Z09

Sounds like you have your answer then. Shop around a LOT when buying and be prepared to pass up on a lot of ragged-out GT-Rs. As others have said find one that hasn't been beaten into the ground. Good luck.

My personal: For that kind of $$ with comparable acceleration and 4 seats I'd be thinking GT350. Sure it's just a Ford, but HOLY GOD have you seen what it can do? Plus you'll keep the raw RWD feel and actually increase your redline to 8250 PLUS have a real transmission. You'll also be buying it new and won't have to worry about how it was taken care of.

I hear you on the sport bikes; I ride a Ducati 848... less frequently now that MD drivers seem to be getting worse. What do you ride?

__________________
2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot)
2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc)
2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

Niche79

Kawasaki ZX6R. I was out all evening on it today, it's just more fun than my Z sitting in traffic light after light. I can get between the cars and beat those pesky red lights and keep going at speed instead of crawling through traffic.

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2009 370z Solid Red Touring/Sport/Navigation/Illuminated sills/LED interior lights Red/LED plate lights White/ Evo R fog light in Red/Stillen G3 intakes/ Fast Intentions Exhaust with 18" Resonators/ Rays Gramlights 57fxx/ Swift Springs/ Fast Intentions Resonated Test Pipes. NST SUCKS DONT ORDER