car advice

[hummerman88]

I have had a black ser spec-v for ten monthes now, i really enjoy driving around in it...i have a catback exhaust with header as well. Im in love with the new 350z's. Of course i cant afford the high model. But i was interested in buying the baseline 350z. Do you guys think i should make the jump from the spec-v to the Z? it will be alot more difficult for me to make the payments, but i guess im willing considering ill be cruising around in such a sweet car. What is your guys advice?

[05GT]

TAKE THE 350 TAKE THE 350.

In fact, if you don't, I might just have to meet up with you just so I can
b1tch slap you lmao.

Really though, the Zs are sweet man...DO IT.

[olsookie]

350's are junk!!

i don't much about them, but I drove one and it's a drop dead sexy ride, but i didn't even look back on attempting to get one.

first you need to worry about is if you buy one w/ the camber issue... you'll go through tires like nutz and nissan will fix this problem in no way shape or form, they sort of ignore the issue instead of fixing it. from what i understand there is not too many companies out there that have a solution to this problem. correct me if i'm wrong 350z owners.

second off... get yourself a sweet azz sti or evo man... or if you've got the money go w/ the money! G35 COUPE BABY!!! those cars are f'n incredible!!! I know, I know, they are the 350z, but it's more sexy than the 350.

just my two cents dog!!

[cravej]

[voice of reason] You don't want to be struggling with the payments for years. Compare what the dealer will give you on a trade in vs. what you owe on the SER. You definately don't want to be rolling negative equity into the next loan. After one year of payments on my car, I definately owed more than it was worth. If money's an issue, you don't want to trade up to something that is depreciating faster. Think about how your priorities might change over the length of the loan.

[] The 350Z is gorgeous and they sound awesome.

[LSHatch]

Seriously, if the payments are going to be hard for you, don't do it. You will regret it one month when you having a bad month.

Just wait until you know the payment is comfortable for you.

Also, a base 350z really isn't too cool. No LSD, little wheels, etc.

[ketchup!]

Originally Posted by olsookie

350's are junk!!
second off... get yourself a sweet azz sti or evo man... or if you've got the money go w/ the money! G35 COUPE BABY!!! those cars are f'n incredible!!! I know, I know, they are the 350z, but it's more sexy than the 350.

just my two cents dog!!

I agree the g35 coupe is so sexy and would own that any day over a 350

[03tarmacblack]

Keep what you have until you got enough money to get what you want, go big or go home, dont settle for baseline.

[MuddyREX]

If you can't afford it, don't buy it. There are too many people living beyond their means in society today.

[bastid]

This is something you'll need to think hard about.

First off, you'll want to make sure you can afford the payments and get a good interest rate if you weren't planning on trading in and paying the balance, plan on about $100/mo. per $5,000 financed. Another thing to consider is the insurance (moreso if you are in NJ, ouch!).

Secondly, while I know little about Nissans, it sounds like some people here are concerned about a few things on the base Z. A camber problem will eat through tires (when my camber is dialed for track, I can eat through a set of Michelin PS2s 245/275 in about 7-8,000 miles). They don't give high performance tires away for free unfortunately! I would say bypass this issue if you were planning on getting an adjustable suspension w/ camber plates anyway.

Lastly, you will want an LSD on an RWD car with that much power. Again, I'm not familiar with the traction control involved with the Z/G35 models but you will certainly want one. The reason for this is it gives you a "line of defense" from your traction control interfering vs. your LSD slipping. Traction control slows you down, so you'll want a way that it won't interfere yet you won't lose traction. Additionally, if you are looking at torque modding the car, you'll want something that will give you a buffer between having having traction control interfere and not having it engage.

My conclusion: pick up a used 04/05 with low miles and documented maintenance (I.E. no camber problem). You'll take someone else's depreciation which will also solve your monthly payment concern.

Good luck and let us know either way!

Patrick

[hummerman88]

hmm, I never knew that the Z's had a camber isssue. That is deff something that is making me think now, cuz lol I DEFF wont have the extra money for tires. I did want AWD too......Maybe i will join the STI club, lol...My final decision on this is to wait at least a few months to get some extra cash, then see where i stand. Thank you all for your help and advice!