What would you do?

ZBro16

Let's say you've got to sell your Z due to financial conservation, but want to keep a fun car to mod and play with, etc.

Do you trade your Z for a new BRZ (tons of aftermarket support, hype has died down some, so they can be had for reasonable prices now, parts are overall cheaper than the Z, and you get new car smell)?

Do you sell your Z and buy an earlier model Z (Z purist, through and through! plus, earlier 350Zs are easier to boost wrt parts availability, have less issues such as the VVEL bottleneck, oil temperature issues, etc - but, since you'd be buying used, you might smell the previously absorbed farts of prior owner - no new car smell)? If so, which Z do you get (300ZX or earlier, or 350Z)?

Do you sell your Z and wait, save money, and see what the future brings (new Z, new Mustang, new Camaro, new Genesis, possibly revival of the S-Chassis in the Nissan lineup)?

Do you move on from the coupe life and get a versatile car (STi, Evo) that can be both a daily and a weekend autocrosser?

Remember - to each his own here. No right or wrong answers.

Phuck Phace

Sell Z, buy used Mustang 5.0 ;-)

USAF_troop

I guess sell the Z and wait for better days without compromising. I wouldn't downgrade, regardless of what downgrading is to you.

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ZBro16

My only argument there is that it wouldn't be all that much cheaper to meet the financial piece of the scenario. They are super nice cars though. Unless you're talking about the old 5.0s of the 90s, then you could make the financial part work easily. You just wouldn't be as pretty in either case, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway.

Phuck Phace

True, how much are you looking to spend? I had a buddy sell a brembo 12 5.0 for 19K.
I wouldn't mind picking up a 350z or a cheap C5 either.

ZBro16

This is all arbitrary really. Had no idea you could get into a '12 5.0 for 19K. That makes it a valid argument.

That also means that there is no way in hell I'd buy one of those cars new if it loses half its value after one model year. That is atrocious.

Phuck Phace

Most aren't that cheap, he HAD to let it go though.

Have you driven a BRZ? They are pretty fun.

ImportConvert

Sell the 370Z, buy a C5Z 2003-2004. Much more capable car, not as nice, will be a fun ride and offer a much better track experience as well as better mileage on the street at the expense of interior quality. They have also hit "rock bottom" on depreciation, so resale is there in later years when you dump it without too much loss to you.

ZBro16

Have not yet, but have been curious. Haven't seen one in a stick around here to just drop by and try out.

speedfreek

Haven't you moved on from the coupe life already with the Mazdaspeed 3? Don't think you want another hatch unless you trade the Mazda in on something to get AWD.

If you are considering a BRZ that would not help you financially. So I believe that is out. Better off keeping the Z in that scenario.

You can get a Z33 but depending how much you have to play with right off the bat would dictate how much modding you get done with boost etc. You could go Z32 or Z31 if you can find one clean enough in your price range to begin a build on.

I think your best option if you can't keep the current Z is to sell it and wait and save up for something new. Next gen Mustang/Camaro. Wait and see what Nissan does with the next Z. My

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ZBro16

Honestly man, I'm keeping the Z posted up for sale, but I've had some things come through to where I may keep it anyway.

I will be honest here, and this is weird for me to say, but the 370Z is the first car I've owned that I absolutely love unconditionally. It just does it for me in a way nothing else I have ever driven has. The 40th is pretty, but I have this stigma about keeping miles down on it and being all conscious about the paint. Truth of the matter is, I may very well get a 2013/2014 model. A few reasons behind this -

1) I want to start fresh, and I really like the idea of a factory oil cooler and not having to mess with that aspect.

2) Midnight blue is my absolute favorite color in the world on a car, and they made it happen for this model year. I would also be able to get navigation from the factory and get streaming bluetooth (after having it in my Mazda, it is a must-have option in any car from here on out until tech evolves)

3) I love the 09-12 front end more, but I won't be able to find one new by the time I'm ready to make a move.

4) The woman is likely getting the Mazda for her daily, which means I can daily my Z. I would rather daily a car that I've had from day one because it will be taken care of by my standards. I will also have the option to borrow it should I need it for drum transport.

Nissan has not instilled much confidence in me for the next generation Z. At all. I think the 370 may be the last of the old guard, and that's fine. Give me a new one and let me baby it until it falls apart on me.

As far as the BRZ - if I'm going to have a fun car, it is cheaper than a Z in every aspect. Maintenance is cheaper, it is far better on gas (this matters on a work commute on the interstate, I can get one for nearly $10K less than what I spent on my Z when I bought it. Now, does it look better or go faster? Absolutely not. It is a more practical option, but only to a point.

speedfreek

Well I was addressing the current financial situation of getting a BRZ and selling the Z would make you no better off today in terms of cost. I am not touching the BRZ's pros or cons.

Here is my take. Keep your Z. With any new car you will be worried about the paint and not wanting to run up the miles. But in my case where I have to be dictates the mileage since it is my DD. The factory oil cooler isn't anything to write home about. It helps out a bit in stop and go traffic but needs to be upgraded for any serious tracking. At the end of the day it is your choice. Give up the 40th and the quartz paint to get into a midnight blue with a redesigned front end, albeit new. You could always get an 09-12 front end and paint it midnight blue to give it its fangs back while shaving the emblem in the process. If it was my money I would get the Amuse or Zele kit and continue with your current one you have now but I like the quartz paint better.

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