Help an Ex-Z owner out :)

OnCallZ

Hello,

I don't post much on the forums but I originally came from a 645li convertible to a 370z, since then I switched to a cayman S.

My Cayman S lease just expired and I won't be buying it out since I put too many track miles on it to be worth it.

I am back in the market for a quick car again, this time I am avoiding german cars.

Price limit ~35,000, has to have a stick. I do a fair bit of auto crossing/tracking

Narrowed it down to:
2011-12 Evo X gsr or STi
2009-2012 370z (this time manual)
New mustang?
Other suggestions.

So far I am leaning heavily towards the 370z. The first time I owned my 7at I loved the car, I think I will enjoy it even more with a manual.

Pros for the Z:
lightest out of the three cars considered (3300lbs)
has nice performance out of the box so I don't have to mod it (aside from an oil cooler if it doesn't have one)
plus from what I've gathered the bolt on's and a tune will land me very close to 340-350whp, which is cayman s power to weight ratio.
Cons:
-Can't really think of any aside from the engine being a little rough at high rpm (which doesn't bother me, it's a sports car)


Pros for the Evo
-4 seats (don't care)
-mod friendly
-awd (winter road trip up north?)
Cons
-second heaviest out of the three
-awd (live in Florida year round)
-doesn't look as stunning as the Z
-interior from an econobox

Pros for the Mustang
-a lot of reserve power
-fastest out of the box
-mod friendly
Cons
-everyone has one
-car is a little big for my liking
-heaviest out of three
-interior is subpar compared to the Z
-at the end of the model cycle (possible high value loss upon next gen mustang release)

Open to any other car suggestions within my price range and criteria, I am also anxious to hear everyone's opinion since I know we have a good mix of evo/mustang/370z owners on the forums.

emx620

Just curious why you're avoiding German cars? High maintenance costs? How did you like the Cayman S -- worth the money?

What mods do you have planned for the 370Z? CBE and cats?

sfearl1

your pros/cons list looks accurate to me. i traded my Evo X for the Z and haven't looked back. i think you already have your answer, get the Z

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Scott

Sibze

Go test drive them. You're going to feel a big difference going from a Caymen S to a Z

OnCallZ

Cayman S was an outstanding car, maintenance was more then I'd like to pay but the primary reason was the huge markup on everything.

For the Z I would go with Cbe/cats/intakes/tune



Drove the evo a few days ago, still have to try a 6mt Z and a mustang.

Dark Sarcasm

i think your 350Whp is a little ambitious for a Z with boltons and a tune. But out of what you have it narrowed down to, Z all the way.

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wax

Brazilbro

I'd do the mustang unless you are planing on S/C or turboing the Z. If its going to be on the track a lot the X is great too.

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Juke AWD/240Z SR20
08 Evo 10(Stage 2) SOLD
Fastest Sport 6spd 370Z 11.8 @126.5SOLD

LakeShow

If you have a GTR you don't need any of these cars.

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|2013 Audi S4|Ibis White/Black|S-Tronic P+|
|2013 370z|PearlWhite/Persimmon|Touring/Sport/Nav|F.I. CBE 18" CF|
|Sold|2011 370z|Gun Metallic|Touring/Sport/Nav|

Dark Sarcasm

and if he waits a couple of years there will probably be some $35k GTRs floating around.

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wax

Dark Sarcasm

the GTR seems a little heavy for autocross, but i dont know much about autocross.

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wax

OnCallZ

gtr is perfect for autocross, I just don't like to autocross it, too expensive for track related damage.

LakeShow

Just stick with the Nissan family and you previuosly had one so Z seems to fit your needs. RWD and 6MT rev matching is fun. Plus looks better than any of it's competition.

__________________
|2013 Audi S4|Ibis White/Black|S-Tronic P+|
|2013 370z|PearlWhite/Persimmon|Touring/Sport/Nav|F.I. CBE 18" CF|
|Sold|2011 370z|Gun Metallic|Touring/Sport/Nav|

CC_370z

Subie WRX STI, drop new turbo with E85 get you 400-500whp.

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Mods: Redline Synthetic Motor oil (5W30) - K&N Oil Filter HP - K&N Drop-Ins - Lumar CTX Tints - F.I. HFC - F.I. TDX CBE SS /w 18" Resonated.