Help me decide please

ltzhao

Hi Folks,

I am about to jump into an used 2009 370z touring with 50K on it and upgraded Navi/sports package for $22K. I was hoping you people could help me decide whether this is a smart decision.

Is this a decent price for the car?

I work in Detroit, commute for about 80 miles a day, and I plan on driving it on a daily basis (yes, snowy winters as well). I suppose I should get winter tires and their own rims...

From the threads, I see that tires will be a big expense, as well as increased cost on premium gas.

I have a great driving record, but I suspect my insurance cost will go up as well.

CarProof tells me that there isn't any accidents (reported), but what else should I look for?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

L.T.

zaimer

The price isn't horrible, considering its a loaded Z. I think I paid around 22K for my Touring Sport this past January. That was a pretty great deal for a Z like that in my area (winter special ).

As far as commuting, I'm not sure I would buy a Z if a had to drive that many miles per day. People that buy/own Z's typically aren't looking for a commuter friendly car. As you know, the car also requires premium..which adds more to the fuel expense. I drove 200 miles just yesterday, nonstop. I drove like an old lady and kept the rpms below 3000, as I was curious to the best possible mileage. I calculated it out to be about 25.8 mpgs. Now that's all highway, and driving as easy as possible. That's decent mpg for a sports car with that kind of power but just know you can forget about gas mileage. Like I always tell people, when I'm in town driving, I'm driving a pickup.

Winter commute=absolutely no. My Z is stored for the winter. Instead of wasting money on snow tires and having to put the car through winter roads why not just buy a beater? I do this and it actually saves me on insurance because the Z isn't considered to be my primary (commuter) car.

Nearly everything will be more expensive than your typical car. Gas, insurance, tires as you mentioned (my rears are about $300 a piece), repairs.

Having said all that, the Z really is an excellent car. Just know what you're getting into. They are very reliable vehicles, especially the motors. I had a 350z before upgrading to my 370z. Once you get a feel for a Z, it is very difficult to switch to a different car. You have been warned.

ltzhao

Hi Zaimer,

I love the look of the Z, and can't seem to find anything else that would even come close to it.

Thanks for the tip about the beater, but does that not increase your overall insurance since you have to pay for an additional car? I guess I should talk to my insurance agent first.

I test drove it today, and had a huge smile on my face the entire time. I guess I need to figure out how much that's worth to me....

Any other tips?

Cheers,

L.T.

OldFart

With regards to insurance. Buying a beater you can get a multi-car discount, have another policy (home, renters) insurance - another discount. They also have lay down periods, for me December through March I don't drive the car, knocked $300 off my rate.

dkinghl

you should consider G37 Coupe. 370z is a true sport and it sit very low, rock chip entered rear wheel always annoy me.Also you should consider adding oil cooler. The engine will hot as F*K after that long distance

insurance ? it is 100$ more expensive than my 06 camry (6 months)

Dirk McGurck

I use my Z as a daily driver. Expect a certain amount of wear and learn to live with it. Cars are meant to be driven.

That said, my job responsibilities are changing and I'm looking at getting a second car with better mileage and that I'll care less about door dings and whatnot.

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2009 370Z Touring with Sport

kenchan

Cars are meant to be driven but a Z in 80 miles of congestion is no fun.

Get a different car unless you have a dd. Do it like you mean it.

Arrvaxx

Agreed. From November to April I pay a 'car in garage' rate for the Z. Get a beater with liability then during the summer make it 'car in garage'. You'll find very little of an increase.

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Arrvaxx

Before you tell him the Z is not a commute car you should ask him if he plans on getting an automatic and what his traffic is like. If you commute 80 miles how much is stop and go? A manual anything sucks in stop and go. But if 75 are open (and hopefully fun) then deal with the 5 miles.

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Amj2020

I love my Z... but to drive it 80 miles a day in traffic and have to do all my grocery and holiday shopping in it...eh, I'll pass. Its very cramped on space, really loud inside the cabin you hear everything on the road, and is completely not practical as a dd. That being said a lot of people do dd it and love it. If this is the car you have always wanted, I say live the dream hah.

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Arrvaxx

Really? I would kill for an 80 mile commute in my Z. I'm driving down to the end of the driveway just to get more seat time.

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Jayhovah

Price seems a little high? I bought my '11 Sport with 22k miles for $23k a couple of months ago. This one is Touring+Nav and I am sure that affects it, but...still seems kind of high.

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Riptide67

An 80 mile per day DD? NO thanks. Price seems pretty fair, just make sure all scheduled maintenance has been completed.

Insurance...I added a 93 honda civic and my rate changed from $135 to $90 per month. I drive it a few times per week and some pretty decent distances on weekends. I myself will most likely be putting the car up from December through March.

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Taylorcam11

I am 25 years old with a clean driving record. I have a Chevy Z71 that insurance was costing 415 every 6 months. I just purchased a 2014 370Z and was worried that my issuance would go up. Being i got the multi car discount my truck insurance went down to 315 and my new Z is now 415. Not nearly as bad as i thought it was going to be.

aszyd

I do a ~95 MI round trip every day. Some highway, some congested surface streets, some back roads (fun!). I have no issues with the Z during my commute. That being said, I have been commuting with a manual transmission for years now, so if I do run into major traffic, it's not that big of a deal. Even with my lightened flywheel, the Z is very easy to drive at low speeds. The car will idle around 1k with no issues, so slipping the clutch and just letting the car do it's thing will take some strain off of the left leg.

With regards to practicality, it's a wonderful car if you don't have children or large animals... I can do all the shopping that I need and I have fit several large items in the car. Cat back exhaust, still in boxes, no problem. Four tires, done!

I'm not sure that I would want to try to drive in snow.

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