Should I get a Z?

davidyan · 11-24-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmyride

i never own a Z. I'm looking to buy a 2009. I always love the Z's since the 280Z. Now please help me decide if i should get one or not.

1. This one dealership is willing to give me a 09 Z black base model with sports package for $32K. Is this a good deal? You think they would lower to $30K?
2. How's the gas mileage? I read a few research and they say it gets pretty bad mileage like 18MPG combined. Is this true? How many gallons do you fill up each time?
3. It will not be my weekend car. I will drive and commute with it, about 20 miles one way each day. Is it a good idea to get a Z with that bad mileage for commuting?
4. How much do you pay for insurance?
5. How reliable is the Z? You think it would last 100,000 without any major problems? I can live with paying for regular maintenance and stuff, but I don't expect major problem before it hits 100K miles.

Response to 1: I think anything between $30K - $31.5K would be a great deal assuming its an MT. If auto, add the invoice price of the auto.

Response to 2: I get approximately 20 - 22 MPG under moderate driving. To fill up at nearly empty, you will need anywhere between 16.5 - 17.5 gallons of 91 + octane. The tank capacity, I believe is around 19 gallons.

Response to 3: I do the same and have had no issues. Only that sometimes I need to have more than 2 seats.

Response to 5: The maintenance schedule is like most other regular cars. If you use a dealer for oil changes its a tad higher, given that they will likely recommend the Ester oil. There are numerous threads on this elsewhere. Many just chose a good synthetic and DIY instead. As far as long-term reliability, its too soon to tell.

Re, quest 4, sorry- I don't recall.

zmyride · 11-24-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidyan

Response to 1: I think anything between $30K - $31.5K would be a great deal assuming its an MT. If auto, add the invoice price of the auto.

Response to 2: I get approximately 20 - 22 MPG under moderate driving. To fill up at nearly empty, you will need anywhere between 16.5 - 17.5 gallons of 91 + octane. The tank capacity, I believe is around 19 gallons.

Response to 3: I do the same and have had no issues. Only that sometimes I need to have more than 2 seats.

Response to 5: The maintenance schedule is like most other regular cars. If you use a dealer for oil changes its a tad higher, given that they will likely recommend the Ester oil. There are numerous threads on this elsewhere. Many just chose a good synthetic and DIY instead. As far as long-term reliability, its too soon to tell.

Re, quest 4, sorry- I don't recall.

Thanks. As much as i like the Z, i think i'm going to stick with a BMW. I think at $4/gal x 17 gallon tank, that would cost me about $70 per fillup.

22MPG x 17 gal = 374 miles.

I would buy it as a weekend car, but not for everyday commuting.

Matt · 11-25-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmyride

Thanks. As much as i like the Z, i think i'm going to stick with a BMW. I think at $4/gal x 17 gallon tank, that would cost me about $70 per fillup.

22MPG x 17 gal = 374 miles.

I would buy it as a weekend car, but not for everyday commuting.

The BMW 128i (18/26) and 135i (17/25) get nearly the same MPG that the Z (18/26) gets, so I'm not sure why you would value those above the Z. Someone else mentioned the Altima/Maxima...unless you get the 2.5L engine, the mpg only goes up 1 mpg (18/27 and 19/26, respectively) for those cars, so no real benefit in that department.

My Z is my daily driver. Because most of my driving is done at less than 40mph with plenty of stopping, I average about 16-17 mpg. Do I care? Not one bit. I stopped caring after the first tank of gas when I realized I was driving like my grandpa just to keep the mpg meter above 20.

I don't like the styling of either the 1 series BMWs or the Miata. The Z, to me, stands out in it's class...both in terms of performance and styling.

I'm sure the 1 series are nice, but unless I had the bank for at least the 3 series, I would be looking at the Z exclusively in this price range.

As far as price, invoice is a little less than what you were quoted. I would start negotiations at around 30,500 and don't accept anything higher than 31,500.

As far as reliability, as someone pointed out, there's no concrete data on the vehicle yet. I assume, based on Nissan's recent history, that if you take care of the car it'll last well beyond 100k miles with few issues.

zmyride · 11-25-2009, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

The BMW 128i (18/26) and 135i (17/25) get nearly the same MPG that the Z (18/26) gets, so I'm not sure why you would value those above the Z. Someone else mentioned the Altima/Maxima...unless you get the 2.5L engine, the mpg only goes up 1 mpg (18/27 and 19/26, respectively) for those cars, so no real benefit in that department.

My Z is my daily driver. Because most of my driving is done at less than 40mph with plenty of stopping, I average about 16-17 mpg. Do I care? Not one bit. I stopped caring after the first tank of gas when I realized I was driving like my grandpa just to keep the mpg meter above 20.

I don't like the styling of either the 1 series BMWs or the Miata. The Z, to me, stands out in it's class...both in terms of performance and styling.

I'm sure the 1 series are nice, but unless I had the bank for at least the 3 series, I would be looking at the Z exclusively in this price range.

As far as price, invoice is a little less than what you were quoted. I would start negotiations at around 30,500 and don't accept anything higher than 31,500.

As far as reliability, as someone pointed out, there's no concrete data on the vehicle yet. I assume, based on Nissan's recent history, that if you take care of the car it'll last well beyond 100k miles with few issues.

Thanks Matt. great feedback.

Z definitely stands out, and doesn't look as wimpy as BMW 128. I haven't sold on the BMW yet. kinda 50/50.

I don't understand why the BMW 128 has 200hp and get (18/26) mpg which is the same as the Z. With almost 120 less horsepower than the Z, i thought the 1 would get better mileage. uhm..

280z/300zx · 11-25-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmyride

Thanks Matt. great feedback.

Z definitely stands out, and doesn't look as wimpy as BMW 128. I haven't sold on the BMW yet. kinda 50/50.

I don't understand why the BMW 128 has 200hp and get (18/26) mpg which is the same as the Z. With almost 120 less horsepower than the Z, i thought the 1 would get better mileage. uhm..

Horsepower alone does not go hand in hand with gas mileage. It's a combination of HP, torque, weight, drivetrain, width tires, etc. You have much to learn and much to research.

zmyride · 11-25-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280z/300zx

Horsepower alone does not go hand in hand with gas mileage. It's a combination of HP, torque, weight, drivetrain, width tires, etc. You have much to learn and much to research.

Are you talking about me or the general public?

ho6950 · 11-25-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmyride

Are you talking about me or the general public?

That was definitly aimed towards you buddy

ricky bobby · 11-25-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmyride

Thanks. As much as i like the Z, i think i'm going to stick with a BMW. I think at $4/gal x 17 gallon tank, that would cost me about $70 per fillup.

22MPG x 17 gal = 374 miles.

I would buy it as a weekend car, but not for everyday commuting.

As worried as you sound about gas mileage you are better off with the BMW. Good Luck and thanks for stopping by. That leaves more Zs for people that WANNA GO FAST!

Matt · 11-25-2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricky bobby

As worried as you sound about gas mileage you are better off with the BMW. Good Luck and thanks for stopping by. That leaves more Zs for people that WANNA GO FAST!

After spending about 10 minutes on google, I was unable to find any BMW with more than a 1 mpg advantage on the Z. Hell, most of them were 17/25, 1 mpg LESS than the Z.

ricky bobby · 11-25-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

After spending about 10 minutes on google, I was unable to find any BMW with more than a 1 mpg advantage on the Z. Hell, most of them were 17/25, 1 mpg LESS than the Z.

Didn't really look into it that far, just never was concerned about gas mileage when looking at the Z. I just wanted to know how it handled in a corner with the throttle wide open. So far no one on street has beat me through curves yet, including a miata(it was close at first but the Z just walked away). SHAKE AND BAKE!