350Z vs STi

[MasterAndCommander]

STI = fast, fugly, and practical
350Z = fast, sexy, and impractical

choose what's more important to you.

 

[CraigRT]

practicality and performance, STi.

coolness, good looks, Z.

It's a tough call even for a guy my age.. (24) I love the 350Z, I've always been a Nissan and Z fan, but the STi is a great car too.. I think I'd rather have the Z in the end myself... but that's just me.

 

[phreakah]

Originally posted by: Vic

but I fail to see how a 30-something would buy a car that doesn't at least hold 2 golf bags in the trunk (for those who don't get the reference, original 240Z marketing in 1970 advertised it as the practical sports car with a glove box that could hold 2 golf bags in the trunk -- not so the 350Z). .

def not true. have you even looked in the hatch of the Z? there is a sticker that comes with the car showing you how to store 2 golf bags. i've also been able to put 2 of my gf's suitcases (not small) in the hatch. it's a small hatch with a strut in the way, but dont make it out to be nonexistent.

the 350Z also has 2 cubby mailbox type storage areas behind each seat as well as a huge glove box behind the passenger seat.

as far as the age groups, around here all i see is high school/college kids driving sti's.. maybe that's just around here, but honestly, dont you think it's a little ridiculous when you see a 40 year old driving an sti? Where I used to live, i'd see a guy 50-60 riding around in his STi... it was just weird (my opinion, of course)

i think the Z is more appropriate for a broader age group than the sti

 

[Reckoner]

I think the 350Z is one of the most overrated cars on the market.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I wasn't impressed with Nissan's 350z a year after it debuted. I thought they could have done a lot of things better with it. I truly believe the 300z was a better car.

If you can possibly buy something with a lower sticker price, you're probably going to be happier. Plus remember that job turnover in your industry is very common. You're a cost center and not a profit center, so when they get ready to trim fat, you may be replaced with someone who will work for less money. Prepare by saving your money rather than buying cars.

 

[Baked]

STi > Z w/o a doubt.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: phreakah
as far as the age groups, around here all i see is high school/college kids driving sti's.. maybe that's just around here, but honestly, dont you think it's a little ridiculous when you see a 40 year old driving an sti? Where I used to live, i'd see a guy 50-60 riding around in his STi... it was just weird (my opinion, of course)

i think the Z is more appropriate for a broader age group than the sti

Then you must live an affluent area where parents have more money than brains. Lucky you.

Is it wierd for a 40 year old to be driving an STi? Absolutely not. I know several of them, most whom are avid racers down at the track on a regular basis. And yes, I've seen gramps in his STi, and grandma in her WRX wagon. I think that's cool, not wierd. Here's a newsflash: your grandparents probably still have sex! :Q :roll:

I think what you think is or is not appropriate isn't relevant to this discussion. Adults can buy whatever car they feel like, there doesn't have to be any test of "appropriateness" based solely on the external appearance of the car or what group of people you think drive it in your area.
Customer at the table at the dealership: "Sir, your application to purchase a new STi has been turned by our cultural underwriter for inadequate maturity-to-age ratio... can we interest you in a 350Z or a Chrysler Crossfire?" :roll:

 

[DaveCSparty]

I actually love my 350Z a lot. Great power and looks at an affordable price.

Nothing against the STi at all, that's a great car too.

All depends on what you want out of the car. The only thing against the Z is the 2 seats, but it is a sports car! As for visibility concerns, someone doesn't know how to use their mirrors ha.

Anyone that says the STi will give you a more forgiving ride on the freeway is out of their mind as well. Sports suspension is gonna be rough no matter what. Drive a minivan if you want a nice soft ride. The sports tires is what gives you all the road noise. You want to be able to feel the road, and hear the road.

Feathering and tranny problems are long gone w/ the 2005 models. Being in Michigan, it does suck having to put the car in storage for 5 months though during the winter.

Sorry if the post is kind of incoherent, I'm typing this at work

 

[Imyourzero]

Well, obviously the best thing to do is to go out and test drive the cars in question. I just came home from looking at several dealerships and didn't run across a single 350Z or STi. PLENTY of trucks and SUVs, though. Maybe I'll have to wait until winter is over to do any test drives... Since quite a few people suggested it, I'm going to look into the Legacy GT as well. I'd really like to have leather and a sunroof, and AFAIK the STi offers neither.

Another option that has been suggested to me is the S2000, but talk about impractical! I once owned a supercharged Miata, and talk about not being able to carry a bag of golf clubs around... :Q

As for the concerns about my job, don't worry: in all honesty I could afford to buy a car before I got this job. It's just that this will make it easier to handle when those unexpected expenses arise. I will be bringing home roughly twice what I did at my old job, so there will be plenty of extra money to throw toward investments/entertainment/etc. I know the "smart" thing to do would be to buy an old beater and invest or save every last penny, but hey you only live once, right? Besides, my girlfriend is a nurse and we plan to get married within the next 12-14 months...at which time a car payment won't be a big concern at all.

I do appreciate the comments and input, though. If anyone has any additional suggestions, keep them coming and keep it civil!

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Vic
Heh. I like the WRX/STi image. It's not rice, more like modern muscle car.

I wouldn't call it modern muscle. Modern muscle is Vette, GTO, Mustang. V8 (or larger, heh), RWD, tire smoking TORQUE. Not dissing four banger turbo's (drive an NA 97 Legacy GT myself, yay boxer power!), but its not muscle.

Originally posted by: Vic
Rice annoys other drivers. When you go to pass, they speed up and otherwise d!ck with you. OTOH, a modded WRX/STi scares other drivers. A little boxer snarl and quick hiss of turbo spool, and they get the hell out of the way and leave you alone.

This I whole heartedly agree with. WRX/STi isn't rice if its done right. Ditch the stupid STi wing, tune some sh!t up, and don't make the exhaust sound like a damn fart can. I knew a guy who had a WRX with 3" cat back on stock headers with no cats & a gutted muffler. :Q:Q:Q:Q That biotch sounded MEAN

That said, I'd go for an STi over a Z. Z's are nice, but small & RWD makes it a little less desirable as a primary vehicle. That and Subbie's last forever, nothing against Nissan but they're no Subaru in the reliability dept.

Check out http://forums.nasioc.com for a great Subbie resource :thumbsup:

Can't wait till I have a real job out of college & can drop a tweaked out turbo 2.5L into my Legacy GT

 

[Ronin]

2k6 350 fixed what was wrong (in most cases) with the 350, and didn't screw with what was right about the car. The sex appeal the 350 has over the STi is mind boggling (I'm talking pure looks here).

 

[James3shin]

i voted for the STi, the 350z to me has always been a hog to me.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Ronin
2k6 350 fixed what was wrong (in most cases) with the 350, and didn't screw with what was right about the car. The sex appeal the 350 has over the STi is mind boggling (I'm talking pure looks here).

do they still put that ugly ass rubber ducky antenna on 350s?

 

[TomKazansky]

I will not spend my money on a Z nor a STi

but if i were to get them for free then why not?

 

How about don't buy a new car until you're firmly implanted into your new job.
Or you can buy the car and end up a stereotypical case.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Ronin
2k6 350 fixed what was wrong (in most cases) with the 350, and didn't screw with what was right about the car. The sex appeal the 350 has over the STi is mind boggling (I'm talking pure looks here).

Sex appeal? You see a dime a dozen of that car in So Cal. What ever sex appeal it has, it lost it when half of the city drives one, the other half drives BMW 325s.

 

[Ronin]

Really? I see more G35's than I do 350Z's, so I suppose it matters what you're looking for, eh?

Sorry to tell ya, but I don't know where in SoCal you live, but what YOU are seeing isn't the same thing *I* am seeing. I guess people where I live can afford something more than a 28-35k car *shrugs*.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
plus the STi, while having awesome performance, reeks of ricer to me

And the 350Z is not? :roll:

I think a lot people have lost context on exactly what "ricer" is. Hint: if it actually goes fast, looks tasteful, and any questionable exterior modifications are actually there for performance (and not just for looks), then it ain't rice.

Ding ding ding!! You just answered your own question, to the majority, the Z looks smooth and tasteful, more upscale while the STi looks like a tarted up econo car

 

[RiDE]

Originally posted by: Ronin
Really? I see more G35's than I do 350Z's, so I suppose it matters what you're looking for, eh?

Sorry to tell ya, but I don't know where in SoCal you live, but what YOU are seeing isn't the same thing *I* am seeing. I guess people where I live can afford something more than a 28-35k car *shrugs*.

WOW :roll: *shrugs*

 

[Ronin]

Yeah, my comment was stupid, but was intended to compliment his blanket statement about something that's not even close to being true.

BTW, I'd probably take the G35 over the 350Z, if I had a choice.

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Ronin
2k6 350 fixed what was wrong (in most cases) with the 350, and didn't screw with what was right about the car. The sex appeal the 350 has over the STi is mind boggling (I'm talking pure looks here).

Sex appeal? You see a dime a dozen of that car in So Cal. What ever sex appeal it has, it lost it when half of the city drives one, the other half drives BMW 325s.

And people talk about Mustangs being a dime a dozen :disgust: I swear I see more fvcking Tahoes, Chrysler 300s and Grand Cherokees than anything these days. Gotta love trends (although those are nice vehicles in their own right...)

So you guys have been talking about rice. What do you all think of this 350Z? Not that I'm thinking of buying it, I just want to know if the majority thinks it is tasefully done or if it's just another ricemobile. That first pic vaguely reminds me of a Porsche, heh.

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: geno
...the STi looks like a tarted up econo car

I dunno, I personally would have no problem driving this... Or even this.

At the end of the day though, STi is still no Z or Supra in terms of styling.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Ronin
2k6 350 fixed what was wrong (in most cases) with the 350, and didn't screw with what was right about the car. The sex appeal the 350 has over the STi is mind boggling (I'm talking pure looks here).

Sex appeal? You see a dime a dozen of that car in So Cal. What ever sex appeal it has, it lost it when half of the city drives one, the other half drives BMW 325s.

And people talk about Mustangs being a dime a dozen :disgust: I swear I see more fvcking Tahoes, Chrysler 300s and Grand Cherokees than anything these days. Gotta love trends (although those are nice vehicles in their own right...)

So you guys have been talking about rice. What do you all think of this 350Z? Not that I'm thinking of buying it, I just want to know if the majority thinks it is tasefully done or if it's just another ricemobile. That first pic vaguely reminds me of a Porsche, heh.

obviously that's rice, but that's not stock. an STi stock looks like a ricer, while a stock 350z doesn't.

 

[johnnqq]

two completely different cars man. it depends what you want. the sti (i rode in one and it was really uncomfortable...at least a day to day drive) is a raw awd 4 banger. the 350z is a true sports car. i hope you test drove them at least (if not go do that now. your decision could be easier than you thought). if it were me? 350z. i can get more power with less money out of a 350z vs an already forced induction 4 banger sti. i didn't read your thread but if you're looking for 4 seats, get the g35. same drivetrain. just ask if you have questions and that 350z is not only rice, but it could be a scam. that's a DAMN good price for a 350z without all the riced bodywork (which also costs more).

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: johnnqq
two completely different cars man. it depends what you want. the sti (i rode in one and it was really uncomfortable...at least a day to day drive) is a raw awd 4 banger. the 350z is a true sports car. i hope you test drove them at least (if not go do that now. your decision could be easier than you thought). if it were me? 350z. i can get more power with less money out of a 350z vs an already forced induction 4 banger sti. i didn't read your thread but if you're looking for 4 seats, get the g35. same drivetrain. just ask if you have questions and that 350z is not only rice, but it could be a scam. that's a DAMN good price for a 350z without all the riced bodywork (which also costs more).

Yes, I definitely plan on driving them both. By then I should be firmly settled into my new job. I'm not in a huge hurry to buy a car; I wasn't going to go buy a car after my first paycheck. It's nice to be w/o a car payment for now...

I really wish I could wait for a used IS350 in my price range. 307 horsepower, Toyota quality, and Lexus style. And if you bolted on a turbo... :shocked:

I'd freakin' love to have an 04 Cobra but I don't want my insurance premium to be more than my house payment. :disgust: