Why don't you consider the Infiniti G37x? It has the hp of the Z, AWD, and the reliability.

Save up some coin and get the Q50 Eau Rouge, if they ever release it. GTR in Infiniti guise? Yes please!

It also has more weight -before- AWD. But you're right...better than the sedans he was looking at. Might be a good compromise.

Are you a dentist? :icon17: J/K dentist members :tiphat:

Thank you so much for all of the posts!! I am definitely leaning towards the Z no doubt...

Another question: I am planning on flying somewhere out of state and picking a car up and driving it back home (Something i've always wanted to do). How does the Z do on road trips? I am planning on getting the touring package, and those seats look pretty comfortable, so I don't think that will be an issue at all.

It is awesome to know there is a Z community all the way in snowy cold dismal Minnesota!! :rofl2:

I dont' think either of these meet the OP's $19,000-$23,000 price range. Jus' sayin'

OP:

If you list three 4 seat German cars and are afraid of repair bills (as am I) then give one two seat asian car choice, that we all drive, do not expect too much diversity of opinion.

The Z is a stellar choice if you want a two seater and all it's limitations.

They could have called it a 370 GTO. Gas,Tires and Oil. I would not want it any other way.

You make a very valid point. I am 22 years old at the moment with no kids (thank god) so having 4 seats really isn't a deal breaker for me. I have also looked at 2009-2012 Ford mustang GT's.. although I don't find them extremely attractive. I was also looking at the BRZ.. but I find the Z to be a much better car. Heck I was even considering a Dodge Challenger.. but I heard that those cars are very heavy?? Plus the interior is so ugly I can barely stand it.

2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, $19,663 - Cars.com

This one seems like such a good deal for the prics/miles. I LOVE the color too. That blue is amazing. Yeah yeah yeah yeah I know it is an automatic.. but that really isn't a big deal to me. I like cars with paddle shifters.. just my preference.

Get the Z.

At 22 your car can be about you and a girl vs being able to lug a bunch of buddies around. Take their car to the beach and you'll drive a sports car now before you have kids and can not ever have a two seater again.

You may always be able to have the two seat option in life, but now is a sure thing.

All the cars you have mentioned have redeeming points but I chose the 370Z. The GTR, M3, Corvette were also viable options for me, but still I chose the Z for ease of life. I do not spend endless hours waiting to have my car repaired because a Gremlin appeared in the night, like some cars I've owned.

Winning in a $100K car is not as pleasureable as winning in the $33K car.

Good luck.

:tiphat:

FWIW OP, I drove an 06 Mustang GT until I traded it in for a 2011 Mustang California Special (1st 5.0 mustang produced in long time, couldn't pass it up), which I drove off the lot July 3rd, 2010. Hailstorm in April 2011 resulted in 7k in repairs, and all sheet metal replaced but trunk. In Feb this year, was stolen, but recovered without any apparent damage. As my four year new car bug was taking hold, I started researching the Z. Never drove one, but read lots here and reviews around the net. Stopped by Nissan on way home from work one night to talk various possibilities and left without my GT/CS, driving a loaner, while they sent someone to get my car from another dealer. I just topped 1k on break in today and have had more fun driving this Z in the last 34 days than either of the mustangs for the last 8 years (and they were no slouches in power or quality)! It is my DD as well, I don't have a garage, and I will be driving it summer and winter alike. I will also say the fitment on the Z seems more solid than the mustangs, though I can't quite put my finger on why. In the end, only you can decide, but I thought some input from a long time mustang owner might be of use to you.

You mentioned reading about 2009 audis burning oil, you should probably look more into 09 Z's as well :stirthepot: it's the main reason i opted to pay a little more for a later year. I'm not saying all 2009 Z's will have this issue, but I was not comfortable taking the risk. Good luck with your decision bud.

Honestly, if I lived in some place with winters like Minnesota has and I could only have one car, I would want AWD. Have you considered a WRX STI? It's a boxy sedan, but I drove one before I bought my Z and they're pretty cool. There's the hatchback one too. If you decide on the Z you will need winter tires for sure. The stock tires don't drive well even on frosty roads. When it's cold out, I leave the Z in the garage and take the 4WD pickup and I live in the PNW where it doesn't snow much.

This!! If I could only have one car and I lived where it snowed it would be a subaru WRX or STI.

Sorry, that was definitely a joke post. Nissan has already said that the Eau Rouge, if released, will be unobtanium. Only oil barons will be able to acquire one, just like the Juke R.