Is $26k for a 2008 350Z a good deal?

[ballmode]

For 27k you can get a low mile E46 M3 which is a better performer than the 350z

if you can pony up for the 370z

 

[JulesMaximus]

BTW-They had two GT-R's in the showroom and I was stroking the dash. Nice interior for the most part (center console is kind of large and plasticy but the dash is pretty sweet with stitched padded leather. The seats are nice too. They were stickered at $84,000.

 

[thomsbrain]

Yikes! Anyone who thinks the engine and gearbox in a 350Z are "sublime" has been spending too much time driving semi trucks!

Don't get me wrong, we like our 350Z for plenty of other reasons, but Nissan are at least 25 years behind the competition in terms of engine and gearbox refinement. The Z has a long list of pluses, but those aren't on it.

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Yikes! Anyone who thinks the engine and gearbox in a 350Z are "sublime" has been spending too much time driving semi trucks!

Don't get me wrong, we like our 350Z for plenty of other reasons, but Nissan are at least 25 years behind the competition in terms of engine and gearbox refinement. The Z has a long list of pluses, but those aren't on it.

Definitely. The VQ engine series is pretty overrated and is so unrefined....

/sarcasm

 

[PricklyPete]

They were selling 2008 for 22K here when the 370z was coming out...I almost bit on one of those.

Nice car though and I think the coupe has some pretty classic styling if you can get over the lack of utility. The interior of the 370z is definitely nicer and the ride seems to be improved, but the engine in the 370 doesn't seem as smooth as the one in the 350Z...it might just be a result of the difference in sound playing a psycological mind game on me...but so it seemed. The ride of the 370 definitely felt better to me though.

I'd happily own either of those cars if I could justify the finances/practicality.

 

[stag3]

Originally posted by: Imported

Originally posted by: stag3

Originally posted by: Imported
Too much. Dealerships were clearing 2008 350Zs last year for like 21-23k new.

yea the dealer near me still has 08 nismo's for 10k off msrp + 0% making them in the 28 range

i am guessing leftover base Z's would have been in the ~23k range easily

Local dealership has a Nismo 370Z for 35k-36k.. oh so tempting.

damn that is a great price
i got quoted 31,420 for a base + sport package, 6spd, pearl white with mud guards and floor mats all around

but they tried to stiff me on trade in to make back the 2500 off msrp they gave me
lol oh well.

 

[hiromizu]

I think the Nismo is buttholejuice ugly but a 370z in red w/enthusiast looks nice.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: ExarKun333

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Yikes! Anyone who thinks the engine and gearbox in a 350Z are "sublime" has been spending too much time driving semi trucks!

Don't get me wrong, we like our 350Z for plenty of other reasons, but Nissan are at least 25 years behind the competition in terms of engine and gearbox refinement. The Z has a long list of pluses, but those aren't on it.

Definitely. The VQ engine series is pretty overrated and is so unrefined....

/sarcasm

Our old 4-banger 95 Accord had a much smoother engine, stick, and clutch than our 350Z.

Every review I've ever read of both the 350 and 370 criticizes the drivetrains for their excessive harshness, especially near redline. This may not be word for word, but it's a pretty common sentiment: "The shifter screams SHIFT ALREADY! SHIFT!" It buzzes like crazy at redline, the shifts are heavy and vague, and the clutch is non-linear. Despite the rock-solid chassis, you can feel the vibration coming through everything you touch, even through your feet and butt. It makes hitting a redline a teeth-grinding experience where you have to ignore your instincts that are shouting at you to shift because the engine is going to blow itself up.

I'm not arguing with the VQ's power or reliability. The engine has a great powerband and it's pretty solid. Despite the ass-poor NVH, you COULD run it at redline all day, even though it would give you a headache. It pulls strong in any gear and it's a good highway cruiser for that reason.

We love our 350Z for its responsive but predictable handling (mostly understeer, so it's good for the GF), wide powerband, solid chassis and relatively quiet and smooth ride, and daily-driveability. The GF prefers the 350Z over my S2000 for those reasons. But we agree that drivetrain refinement is a big minus for the Z. Revving the S2000 to redline is a joy. Revving the 350Z to redline is a chore.

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
The 350z isn't much more practical than a Lotus. Sure, it has a small trunk and a bit more luxury, but its still two seats. Do I use my small trunk... sure. Do I NEED it? Nah, I could go without. My wife has a car with a backseat and a trunk if we really needed one 😛

It's a HUGE difference though. I've literally only owned 2 door sports coupes/roadsters for the last decade and believe me, the 350z is vastly more livable. You should get some ride time in a Lotus.

 

[Eli]

SynchroRevMatch transmission? Why have I not heard of this before? Pretty badass. I would have to see how it operates to know if I would rather just do it myself though.