Sell the G and buy a Z?

[Imported]

I'm getting more and more into autocross and track days.. and I feel my G35 might be a little too luxurious/heavy/not competitive enough for it. It's also modified a bit.. swaybars, brakes, coilovers, exhaust, separate set of track wheels/tires and a pretty awesome audio setup.

Am I crazy for thinking about putting it back to stock, selling it, and buying a 350Z and a beater? The best part about the 350Z is all the parts on my G35 would work on the 350Z outside of the exhaust (I'd have to get it cut about 6" shorter I believe) and the audio (which I'd either sell off or use in another car). I'd strip the interior, add a cage, seats, etc. to the Z and use the beater as my daily.

Alternatively, I was thinking of getting a Miata to go along side the G35.. but I'm afraid I'd miss the power from the Z/G.. not to mention I'd have to put in another $3-4k for a set of coilovers, track wheels/tires, and other mods.

Any thoughts or comments?

 

[Tristicus]

Yes.

 

[PricklyPete]

That's a toss up for me. I think I'd go with the Miata and keep the G as your DD if you are really getting into Auto-cross. Sell your components over ebay/forums...might get back 1/3 the value that can go toward your Miata upgrades.

That being said...I don't think you can go wrong with either decision.

 

[exar333]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Is your G35 the coupe or the sedan?

 

[Imported]

The coupe.

If I got a Miata, I'd keep my G35 as is for my DD.. no need to sell anything off of it. It'd just cost a bit more since I'd need to get new stuff.

 

[PricklyPete]

The coupe.

If I got a Miata, I'd keep my G35 as is for my DD.. no need to sell anything off of it. It'd just cost a bit more since I'd need to get new stuff.

This might be the more expensive route...but it does let you get a little crazy with the Miata without having to worry about it compromising your DD usage (or wearing out various parts using it as a DD).

 

[allthatisman]

I say S2000 and a beater. Although I really like the Z(my best bud has one), for a "fun" car, the S2000 has it beat hands down. If you want more of a cruiser or GT car, just keep the G35 and get a miata.

I have an S2000 and for a daily driver, it sometimes gets long in the tooth... this is where I give the nod to a Z or G35. But in terms of quality, driver engagement, and overall fun-to-drive... S2000. Don't get me wrong, I almost bought a 350z Track Ed., but in the end if I was going to buy a "fun" car, I need something that doesn't feel so vanilla.

 

[exdeath]

Don't bother unless you're going to a 370Z. There is just not a substantial performance difference between a G35 and 350Z; it will be marginal and incremential at best and not the difference you're looking for.

 

[StageLeft]

The coupe.

If I got a Miata, I'd keep my G35 as is for my DD.. no need to sell anything off of it. It'd just cost a bit more since I'd need to get new stuff.

This approach is substantial win, your original post was pure fail. Would you actually ENJOY autocross anymore in a z? You may be a touch faster but who cares, get a miata, then you have a very fun autocrosser and a convertible. At the very least take one for a test drive and see what you think. If you think your G feels heavy now I bet you'll hate it after driving the miata

 

[fbrdphreak]

Don't bother unless you're going to a 370Z. There is just not a substantial performance difference between a G35 and 350Z; it will be marginal and incremential at best and not the difference you're looking for.

+1

+1 to Skoorb - a track Z or 370Z would be better than a G35, but those are better on short road courses than auto-x.

I'd start with the Miata. If you buy everything used, which should be no problem, you won't take much of a hit if you decide in a year or two to move on to something else.

Plus you could always put a turbo motor in the Miata, for a hella lot cheaper than the Z/G.

 

[StageLeft]

Plus if you have two cars and one is being worked on sometimes you are not going to encounter that incredibly annoying state of having a car on jacks and you need to go somewhere and have no way to do it.

 

[punjabiplaya]

look at that other thread about the new Miata. 2200 lbs, 50 mpg, etc... Lotus said they're going luxury/high end. With the new Miata and 2, looks like Mazda's taking up the "simplify and add lightness" philosophy.

 

[Silex]

I say S2000 and a beater. Although I really like the Z(my best bud has one), for a "fun" car, the S2000 has it beat hands down. If you want more of a cruiser or GT car, just keep the G35 and get a miata.

I have an S2000 and for a daily driver, it sometimes gets long in the tooth... this is where I give the nod to a Z or G35. But in terms of quality, driver engagement, and overall fun-to-drive... S2000. Don't get me wrong, I almost bought a 350z Track Ed., but in the end if I was going to buy a "fun" car, I need something that doesn't feel so vanilla.

I think I'm in love. S2000 FTW!!

But okay, in all seriousness I voice the same opinions. If you want a Z then 370Z because the 350Z and G35 just are not different enough to warrant the change. Just be different and race the G35 and show everybody what's up! Get another car as a beater and keep the G35 otherwise go your other route and get a Miata as the track car and then keep the G35 the way it is and make that your daily car.

 

[zerocool84]

A 350 or 370 is too fat of a pig for auto-x. More for road courses. The Miata would be great for auto-x. If you really are serious about auto-x, you'll definitely not want it to be your DD as it can be really hard on your car.

 

[amdhunter]

04 -08 RX-8 w/turbo + good tune.
Cheap, good fun.

 

[Throckmorton]

Having a separate track day car seems so decadent. There is something really appealing about having one car for all purposes. A racer is more impressive if it also functions as a daily driver. Same goes for offroad vehicles.

 

[jlee]

Having a separate track day car seems so decadent. There is something really appealing about having one car for all purposes. A racer is more impressive if it also functions as a daily driver. Same goes for offroad vehicles.

There's nothing saying he can't daily a Miata or S2000 either. The major difference is WHEN something breaks, you're not without transportation.

 

[MJinZ]

Having a separate track day car seems so decadent. There is something really appealing about having one car for all purposes. A racer is more impressive if it also functions as a daily driver. Same goes for offroad vehicles.

GT-R

BMW M3

Lexus LF-A

Lotus Evora

Mercedes CLK63 AMG

Audi R8 V10

He doesn't have that many choices unfortunately.

 

[MJinZ]

+1

+1 to Skoorb - a track Z or 370Z would be better than a G35, but those are better on short road courses than auto-x.

I'd start with the Miata. If you buy everything used, which should be no problem, you won't take much of a hit if you decide in a year or two to move on to something else.

Plus you could always put a turbo motor in the Miata, for a hella lot cheaper than the Z/G.

A track 370Z would also crash and burn.

:awe:

 

[jlee]

Also, what's going to be worse - wrecking a 370Z at a track day, or wrecking a $3000 Miata?

 

[Silex]

04 -08 RX-8 w/turbo + good tune.
Cheap, good fun.

I apologize ahead of time, but S2000 > RX-8.

 

[Imported]

Think I may just go with a '94-'95 Miata.. You get the 1.8 motor and don't have to deal with OBD II.

The only reason I was considering the Z is because I'd have no problem gutting it and putting in a cage, and I have quite a few parts already that I could easily swap onto it which would save me quite a bit of money. I don't think I'd want to gut and cage my G35. Outside of getting a cage put in, I'd be breaking even probably.

As for a Z not being a good autox car.. a friend of mine is consistently in the top 10 of overall (150+ drivers usually) with his in the group I autox with. It may not be competitive in nationals, but I'm not at that level. It makes one hell of a track car as well when properly setup.

No on the 370Z - Wouldn't want to convert a brand new car unless I had a ton of spare money.. and for the price of the 370Z, I'd rather get a used Cayman S.

The S2000 is another option I may have to consider.. just sucks that I'd have to sell all the aftermarket stuff I already have if I went this route.

Thanks for the comments and feedback!

 

[Imported]

Also, what's going to be worse - wrecking a 370Z at a track day, or wrecking a $3000 Miata?

This too.

 

[Silex]

A million Miata owners who track their cars can't be wrong

 

[Tristicus]

A million Miata owners who track their cars can't be wrong

How many Nazis were there again?



:sneaky: