350Z

[OS]

Is MSRP still the going rate for these cars? Also, what competing models are there?

 

[freebee]

Its much cheaper now. I was thinking of getting one since the 2003 base was being sold for 25k, whereas I have been getting no luck at Honda dealerships for the 2004 S2000...I mention invoice and they laugh at me. And there is no way I'm paying 32k for a Honda anything not named Pilot.

However, the 350z is so bloated and the shifter sucks. I would get an automatic 350z if they had one and treat it as a grand tourer but as a sports car, its not that appealing.

 

[GTaudiophile]

According to Edmunds.com, MSRP is $26,910 - $37,730.

Competitors:

Infiniti G35
Mazda RX-8
Honda S2000

 

[dirtboy]

I felt that the 6sp was rough and not well mated to all the power of the engine, but I'm sure others will be happy with.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: freebee
Its much cheaper now. I was thinking of getting one since the 2003 base was being sold for 25k, whereas I have been getting no luck at Honda dealerships for the 2004 S2000...I mention invoice and they laugh at me. And there is no way I'm paying 32k for a Honda anything not named Pilot.

However, the 350z is so bloated and the shifter sucks. I would get an automatic 350z if they had one and treat it as a grand tourer but as a sports car, its not that appealing.

Yeah that's what I was thinking, for 25k it's a good deal. When it first came out, pricing was a joke when I asked at a dealership, they wanted almost 40k for one.

You test drove one right? Why do you say bloated and sucky shifter?

 

[KokomoGST]

I recall another ATOT member picking up a G35 coupe for around $28k but if it's MSRP, you can still get the enthusiast 350Z and slap on the track package Brembos as a dealer option or Nismo option. It certainly wouldn't void your powertrain warranty... and you can avoid that Bose stereo!

My impression of the 350Z is similar to the review at Autospeed.com... the car is hard to drive fast. The steering is communicative but quite heavy and I didn't like the way it transitioned to oversteer. Shifter is clunky but my car is notchy as well... that doesn't bother me at all. I drove an auto Z too, not my cup of tea and not really what the car was designed to be.

In the performance dept the Evo and STi are always in the mix... IMHO the S2000 isn't really practical if it gets cold. Softtops aren't meant for winter weather.

Other sport coupes out there are generally non-existent in that market range. Mitsubishi's current Eclipse is a joke... the GTO is just a tad out of the range... a Mustang GT is prolly an option... I'd even consider sedan/coupes like a BMW or an IS300. Mebbe a Saab/Volvo if you don't mind questionable reliability.

 

[freebee]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: freebee
Its much cheaper now. I was thinking of getting one since the 2003 base was being sold for 25k, whereas I have been getting no luck at Honda dealerships for the 2004 S2000...I mention invoice and they laugh at me. And there is no way I'm paying 32k for a Honda anything not named Pilot.

However, the 350z is so bloated and the shifter sucks. I would get an automatic 350z if they had one and treat it as a grand tourer but as a sports car, its not that appealing.

Yeah that's what I was thinking, for 25k it's a good deal. When it first came out, pricing was a joke when I asked at a dealership, they wanted almost 40k for one.

You test drove one right? Why do you say bloated and sucky shifter?

Negative. I am refering to how it looks and from what others have told me. My own experience with the 1st gen s2k (which I was able to drive several months ago was very positive) I was looking to buy the 2004 due to the improvements in the engine (supposed to be more usable torque). There are several forum members that own the s2k so they will probably be best equipped to give a comparison of the two.

Overall, cost-wise the 350z is very appealing and I think its much more suited for everyday use. Its just I've caught that s2k bug

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: freebee

Negative. I am refering to how it looks and from what others have told me. My own experience with the 1st gen s2k (which I was able to drive several months ago was very positive) I was looking to buy the 2004 due to the improvements in the engine (supposed to be more usable torque). There are several forum members that own the s2k so they will probably be best equipped to give a comparison of the two.

Overall, cost-wise the 350z is very appealing and I think its much more suited for everyday use. Its just I've caught that s2k bug

I guess I'll go test abuse one sometime.

The revised s2k is pretty interesting, vtec.net has some articles on it. The revised s2k motor is supposed have the same 240 hp rating as the old version, but it dynos 26 whp and 21 wheel tq more than the 2002 model. Unfortunately, the car costs a lot as you mentioned.