Did anyone cross shop used cars as well?
 

The 30-40k price range is ripe for all sorts of cars. Did any of you consider a used car while shopping for the Z or only look at new cars? If I was only looking at new cars the Z would win hands down but when looking at cars in the same price range, the options make it quite confusing.

I looked at a used Cayman S and even some Z06s but ultimately concluded that i wanted a new car and the 370 fit the bill at the time.

I looked at the '09 Or '10 Audi TT quattro. But still didn't want a hand me down.

The problem with most of the nice cars that one might cross shop is they usually aren't the kind of car you want to buy used. If some guy is selling a two year old cayman, chances are good he wailed on it, or has had tons of problems
With it.

many people make the mistake of failing to consider hidden costs.

With a Z, you're paying to maintain a 35k car, and the aftermarket support pricing is in line with that.

With a GTR for example, even if you can buy one for 35k, you're going to be paying to maintain a 80k car, and the aftermarket support pricing is in line with that as well.

There's much more to consider cost-wise than the OTD price.

I understand that used cars give a sense of affordablity verses the same car new. This is part of my problem. I should be able to buy a car next May and narrowed the cars down to a Z06, E92 M3, Sti, and the Z. Two new, two used. It is just hard for me to justify some of the aftermarket crap for the M3, i.e. 3k mufflers, or the LS7 blowing up.

I recently purchased a 2011 370Z and in the beginning I was looking for a used one. The used choices were very slim, I had to have the sports pkg. Used prices were only about $2000-$2500 cheaper for a quality low mileage vehicle. In the end a new one made more sense, I mean who buy's a sports car and doesn't see how sporty it really is ??

No used cars for me.

What he said.
If I was between a similarly priced Z and a Cayman, I'd choose the Z for the lower long-term cost of ownership.

I bought a used Z 6 months ago. 2009 Touring with 4k miles. With 2 kids in college, the new models were not practical right now. I did not consider any other car, as I became obsessed with the Z's styling and performance. I also became obsessed with Carmen Electra, but she wouldn't return my calls.

I bought my Z used a couple of months ago...

I got a great deal so I can't complain.

have you considered shopping for a used z and take the extra money you saved and put it to some mods? about 15 grand and parts overnighted from japan this thing will desimate all.

True, or you could be buying from someone that just likes to switch cars often... You just need to thoroughly inspect the car before you buy.

I was not even looking at 370zs before I stumbled upon one by chance at a Mitsubishi dealer. After it became a consideration, I was cross shopping it with:

-2001/2 BMW E39 M5
-2005/6 Pontiac GTO
-used Evos and STIs

Those were the biggies, although I never realistically considered the Evo/STI option. For me, I would have loved an M5 but I could not afford upkeep even though I had found cars that already had the trouble areas fixed such as the weak clutch and VANOS. GTOs were really nice but in the end, I felt the Z had more character, styling, and was more driver focused which I liked and continue to enjoy today.

Yeah, those cars are just a lot more rare. Besides, it's pretty much impossible to give a car a thorough inspection pre-purchase. Too many issues only crop up in certain situations, or relatively infrequently, and things like oil consumption are only noticeable over the longer term.