At a crossroads
 

Hello All.

I am currently owner of a 2009 Cadillac CTS that I am planning on selling in the near future. I am at a crossroads between a few vehicles for my next car and I cannot decide.

Cars I am looking at: (looking to spend between $19,000-$23,000

2009 Nissan 370z - I am in love with this car, and this is why I am posting on this forum. I owned a 350z before and loved it. The only issues I have with this car is that I live in Minnesota, and we can have some terrible winters. I know the Z won't stand a chance, and this is what worries me. I can only afford to have one car, so this is something that will be a major issue. I have options to possibly use a different car if there is a major snow storm, but it would still be a bummer to get salt on the car

2011 BMW 328 X drive coupe - I find this car very attractive, and there are a lot of things I like about it. The main thing that worries me is just repairs. I know that BMW can cost a ton to fix and that is what scares me.

2009 ish Audi A5 - Another very attractive car, but I have read a lot about these cars burning oil, so that scares me a bit.

2012 Mercedes Benz C300 - Although I really want a coupe, I can't get over how good this car looks, but again, it is european so I feel like the repair bills will be through the roof..

Anyway, thanks for reading through this for whoever did. I know most of you will say that it is my personal choice, and I know this, I just wanted to get this friendly communities opinions on this choice.

I am leaning towards the Z and the BMW, but I feel I will need to do a bit more research before I make the final decision

Thanks

LM60's are your friend.

Welcome fellow Minnesota'er! Join us on the MN Z Owners thread.

There are plenty of Zs that survive midwest winters.

1. Don't lower it, or if you do unlower it in fall.
2. Get a set of Blizzaks for winter. You'll want to go narrower than stock width.
3. Put some plastic down in the back and drop 2 bags of salt pellets or sand for extra weight.
4. Don't plan on powering through driveway snow piles!

I think of it this way...are you going to buy a car to 'get you through winter' or are you going to buy a car for non-winter months?

wait you guys have a Z club in MN? :icon08:

then why does mr.onzedge NEVER see any of you when he visits MN on a weekly basis? :ugh2:

Your selection of the 370Z is a wise one. From a Cadillac CTS.. it will be like
going from a snow sled to a Ferrari... Than again I'm not a real doctor..GL

We have several MNNI (Minnesota Nissan and Infiniti) as well as several guys on this forum like Lance, Scott, Dave, and myself. There is also the MN G Crew.

dang, sounds high tech.. i will let mr.onzedge know..

From your other choices, go with the Z. Current German cars are not known for their reliability. Plus, those are some really weak offerings. a 328 only has 230 HP. If you don't want to get into M territory, 335i or bust! that turbo motor can make some power with a few mods.

I agree. The 335 would be the way to go but if you make it an xi you add the weight of awd which sucks.

I drove a 335 coupe at Nissan of Wayzata a few months ago. Damn fast and can corner like crazy but coupe or not it was still a sedan.

I like my cars how I like my women; asian and boosted. Haha...ok ok, I have no idea what the second part means but it was funny!

just get a Z and get a beater. done.

Once you get inside a Z a Z will get inside of you..... Than again I'm not
a real doctor....

creepy... :ugh2:

:tiphat:

My parents got a 2008, 335xi in 2012. Between then and now we put about 70,000km. It's at 135000km now. Atleast once a quarter it has something mess up. Intercooler + thermostat broke and engine shutoff on highway during rush hour. Engine top cracked, plugs died, misfires, bunch of less serious things. In the 2 years we had it, probably spent ~3weeks in the shop outside of regular maintenence. Oh nit to mention the service at the dealership we go to have a very arrogant and condescending attitudes. (town and country bmw)

Yea it performs like a bauce but you better be a bauce to keep up with the maintanence.

:icon18: :tup: :bowrofl: :iagree:

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.

I like this, good advice. I think the Z is going to be the winner, I will just tough it out when it snows out. If the winters cooperate there really isn't any snow from between March through November.

I guess once the kid's and the wife come's for most guys a 2 seater is out of the question.. for most. i'm sure there are some lucky ones out there who keep the Z :rofl2:

If you get the Z, don't bother winter driving it as maintenance or mods become a pain in the *** since everything corrodes and seizes. You could easily buy a winter beater with the money saved on insurance when storing the Z and the cost of 18/19" winter tires. When I stored my G, my premium went down 80% for just fire, theft and vandalism.


Otherwise get something awd.

Speaking of WRX or STI, how about a Mitsu Evo? I have a Evo IX and love it. IMHO, they are more reliable and handle mods better than the Subi does. You can find an IX or even an early model X in your price range. Problem is, the prices are going up since it looks like they are killing it at the end of this year.

Aren't the trans week especially the 6MT models on the Evo 8/9's?

Anyone here own a a 2011 and up BMW 3 series??

My beater is a 2001 BMW 530i and I have seen the repair shop more times than I have seen the car itself. Go with the Z and put some snow tires. You'll be fine.

Yup. I bought my first car back in 1976. Almost bought a Roadrunner. Instead I bought a 1968 MGB. That car at 19 years old (me, not the car) was a game changer. Fun, looked cool with the top down and that roll bar sticking up in the air. Yea, in the summer, it was instant cool. The girls did like it a lot.

My first car was bought in 1978 senior year in high school, 1968 GT 500 KR
roll bar, side scoops top and bottom, radical vented hood, rear spoiler built
into the trunk lid, 428 Super Cobra Jet.. Not a game changer but a Heart Breaker.......Bought it in the gas wars for 4000.00 including a serious paint
color of Lime Snake Green.....I had more smiles and stares than any car
owned as of today.................Cheers...................... .......

cool stories guys! I am beyond excited to get my Z..

I want to put a Stillen exhaust on it.. anyone have that on theirs?

Put you head phones on a blast your ears.......................

Best Nissan 370Z exhaust sounds - YouTube