Should I keep my Z?

Robert_Nash · 05-05-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chibbell

I've been really torn as of late. I want to love my Z. I really do. I love the style. I love the engineering. It's a magnificent beauty of a vehicle. I've wanted one since they first came out. A little over a month ago I finally picked up my baby. Monteray Blue. Touring. Sport. 6 speed.

Unfortunately as of late I've not wanted to drive her as much as she deserves. It's a simple matter really. I can't get comfortable. The beautifully shaped steering wheel makes my arms hurt. Those luscious leather seats put my legs to sleep in just a few minutes. Every little dip and nook in the road gets translated to movement in the steering wheel. I feel like I spend as much time trying to adjust my seat and get comfortable as I do driving. I feel like I have to manage the wheel far more than I should.

And the noise. Holy cow the noise. We have terribly crappy road surfaces in Portland. I mean...bad. I can barely hear myself think in the cabin it's so loud most of the time.

Now I don't expect it to be like a luxury car. I don't expect complete quiet and smoothness. I respect the attention to the road she demands. Still...I don't know if it's something I want to live with on a day to day basis. She deserves to be loved.

Am I the only one that feels this way? I fear that I am.

Worst of all...I fear the crap my friends and especially my wife will give me if I decide I want out of the car after pining over it for months.

Most of the issues you mention are pretty standard fare for a true car...they tend to be tilted toward performance (as opposed to comfort), improved handling, improved feedback, larger wheels (which usually means more road noise unless you use additional sound absorbing/insulating material which of course adds more weight), tight suspension (road noise and vibration and "road feel", etc. etc...as soon as you start compromising on those characteristics you start to loose the performance edge.

I'm not saying you are "wrong"; just pointing out that if all those things bother you as much as they seem to then you sort of bought not just the wrong car but the wrong kind of car.

I love the G37 but despite someone's suggestion you go that route, I would not recommend it...the G37 has less headroom than either a 350 or a 370 so if you are feeling cramped in a 370 you will probably feel more so in a G37 (unless you like to be almost laying down when you drive).

If you can swing it financially, I would recommend you look at the M45 or the FX50...they are nice blend of performance and comfort and will likely fit just about any person's frame.

Financially, you will take a bath to get rid of the car this soon...for your own financial health I'd recommend you hold onto it (unless you can find some kind soul to take it off you hands with a compassionate offer).

I speak from some experience here...I'm a big guy; about 5'9" and quite a lot overweight...it's a small car to be sure for someone my size but I get alone quite well whether on the autocross track or on 700 mile (each way) weekend trips...maybe you just need more seat time in the car to lean what seating positions/steering wheel heights, etc work for you?