My choice of purchase?

victorofhavoc

18 and getting a new Z from the parents? you lucky dog you....

I lived in the SC area before, and if you're 18 and getting a manual for the first time (and no one is available to teach you) be ready to burn up some clutches...they are a pretty hefty maintenance cost as well.

things to note about the sport models:

more expensive tires, and depending on where you go the mounting and balance is also more expensive. It comes with summer tires which are very soft, and the 19" size doesn't have any true winter tires, so if you're in the part of SC which sees snow you're gonna have some trouble. 18s do have true winter tires and cost less to maintain.

The big difference between the sport and non sport is the LSD. unless you actually race it (spirited driving doesn't count) then you're better off getting the '15 non sport with the 18" wheels. Much easier on the wallet, a bit more comfortable because of the taller side wall, and it's newer so resell down the road would be a bit better.

All this being said, I have a Z sport for my fun car, and as much as I love it for fun, I don't know how anyone here deals with it on a daily basis, during cold/snowy/slushy winters or with crappy roads associated with colder areas. I've got quite a few friends that deal year round, and they either LOVE to deal with it or they complain.


This isn't to dissuade you in any way, just throwing some un/biased information out there to help out.

Would I buy my Z for all year driving where I currently live? NO
Would I buy it again? Oh yeah, for sure

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Had a 2010 WRX- boy was it quick in a straight line, got a 2014 Z- man is she grippy in the corners-- then left the Z and later got a GTI, now back in an 09 racecar Z!