Moving on from the Z? :(

T-Rex57

I know this is a bit of an odd topic but after 6 great years of ownership, things have changed and it's time to move on.

Basically I only get to drive mine once every two months which means registration cost alone is about $120 each time I drive it, and my daily is a POS.

Looking for input from Z fans who have upgraded to other cars or are in a similar situation. I'm after daily 4-door practicality but with some sporting feel.

I had thought to look at the Infiniti stable, but I didn't like the Q50 RedSport interior or steering feel when I test drove it (I think it's drive by wire or something?). Had great torque though.

Since I'm in Australia, my shortlist is currently:

- KIA Stinger GT RWD (TT V6 and enough space, but ... don't know about KIA)
- Holden Commodore VF2 SSV Redline Wagon (Big roomy LS3 V8 wagon, but model is no longer made)
- Volkswagen Arteon (4cyl turbo :/)

What do you think?

370zBoyz

Dodge Charger RT scat pack

Do they sell those over there? If not that sucks then...Plenty of power and room for 4 in that thing

T-Rex57

Unfortunately not. We don't get any of the good ****

The Weapon

Boost the Z buy another daily.

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T-Rex57

As I said above, I don't get time to drive it. Why would I drop another AU$30k on boosting a car I won't get to drive for the foreseeable future and still have to pay registration on?

FL 4Motion

Audi rs3, or s4. Rs5 sportback is really nice too.

Golf r

cv129

T-Rex, just curious and also to put things in context....in Australia, do you have to pay a significant federal tax when buying a new car? And I heard of an additional Luxury Car Tax?

Registration fee...so around $500 usd per year?

If you like how he Z drives, but want to consolidate 2 cars into 1, how about a used G37 sedan?

T-Rex57

G37 isn't a bad idea at all, though after 6 years with the VQ, it would be nice to try a different motor especially one already boosted.

You're right about the taxes, however, the Stinger and Golf R are both just under the luxury car tax threshold. The Audi's aren't. That might trim the list a bit.

Quicksilvers

If you are set on selling your Z then I wish you the best of luck with the sale. You will miss your Z it is a reliable,dependable,and enjoyable to drive Japanese sports car to own. The Infiniti Q50 RedSport and the G37 are both solid vehicles to own I know people that were happy driving and owning them Nissan/Infiniti makes a quality vehicle for what you pay for. In my opinion I would never purchase a Kia Stinger GT due to having poor resale value in the first five years of ownership, unreliability reported by owners, and Kia vehicles being produced to South Korea as I don’t care to support them or their products. Volkswagen makes some of the most unreliable vehicles in the vehicle market my Volkswagen Jetta I owned was one of the worst vehicles I ever owned right next to the Hyundai Azera that was just as worse. I am in a similar situation I am considering purchasing a 2020 Subaru Impreza STI. Having owned a Subaru Impreza WRX before and know multiple people that have owned the Subaru WRX and STI I can tell you they are great vehicles to own and there is a big demand for Subaru’s in the vehicle market in turn they have excellent resale value. The only known issue in the 2019 and 2020 Subaru Impreza STI would be the factory tune and needing to get them tuned other than that they are great vehicles to own and they are turbocharged if you are looking for a boosted application.

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Mr. Clean

T-Rex57

Fair points. I'm definitely looking at VW and KIA reliability at the moment.

The 2020 Impreza WRX would be the ideal pick. I used to own a GC8 many, many moons ago. However, I have mild physical nerve damage in my feet and left arm after an accident years ago, so I can't choose a manual car (heavy clutch = pain time). I feel it would be wrong to buy an Impreza with the CVT they've got in the domestic model WRX.

Another option is a BMW 135i/140i (B58 engine), which can be had locally for Golf R price or less, but does only have 3 years warranty.

Inspector71

You do what you have to do. Back in 2014, mad at my 2009 red 370Z for clutch slave cylinder failure leaving me stranded 3 times after the dealer "fixed" it, I impetuously sold it. Traded it for a 2010 low mileage Dodge Challenger Hemi R/T with low mileages. Within a month, very time I saw a Z, I was sick. I heard the Chrysler dealer sold it to the Nissan dealer who sold it to the Volkswagen Dealership. I went looking for it and was glad not to find it. The Challenger was fast but huge as a barge. It was more a redneck hot rod and that's not me. I thought I'd get over it but didn't. In December of 2015, I found a white 370Z at another Chrysler dealer. It had 3000 miles on the odometer. The previous owner drove it from March to August and then traded it for a Jeep Cherokee. It sat on the lot until I bought it in December. I have never looked back. I love the car so much and will never make this mistake again. All I'm saying is, if you have no choice, then do what needs done. But be sure of that else you will pine for that car. Who makes a two-door, two-seat, rear drive, sports car with a 6-cylinder engine in the price range of a Nissan 370Z, used or new? No one.

T-Rex57

I know, I am going to miss it. I still miss my first Z, a '96 JDM 2-seater twin turbo 300zx - these cars have a tonne of character and a lot of memories.

But I have to let it go from a financial and family perspective.

Falconquey

Stinger GT all the way.... KIA is fine, especially with that awesome warranty.

Ventruck

I'm in the same-ish (emphasis on "-ish") boat. I've looked at the Lexus F Sport line. Test drove the GS F and RC F before in an autocross demo event.

I feel like if I'm dropping the money on refinement, reliability, and still some performance, it's hard to look elsewhere. It is a big jump in price from a Stinger, though, unless you go used.

I've test driven the I4 Genesis G70. It's a nice car. Really, it is. For the money it's good, but part of me would just lean to a used Lexus F model.

T-Rex57

Didn't think about the S4. The RS3/RS5 are way out of my budget though.

At 7 years, it's pretty compelling

I hadn't considered a used Lexus. Thanks for that.

The G70 has just been released here and I like it, but the price is astronomical for some reason. For instance, the base 2.0l turbo G70 on road is about 15k more expensive (BMW 340i territory) than the top-trim Stinger GT, which gives you the 3.3T for about $AU58k on road.