I love my Z, but i'm struggling to afford its up-keep. I've been thinking about selling it and Buying a 350z, i want the Z look and experience but without the expensive and constant repairs that pop up. I find my Z reliable but Living in London without a drive i find it difficult to work on it.

 

Was looking at a 350Z for around 15,000. Are there any similar choices of performance / looks for that money ??

s2000

Sorry, forgot to say HAS to be a semi-auto / tiptronic gearbox as i can't use a clutch due to disability and hate auto's (although forced to use it in the z ;))

350Z is a nice solid car, i would have one, however for £15,000 you have a lot of choice really, just shop around for a while :)

You're finding it tough to afford a 300zx but you want to shell out £15k on a 350z? I know there maybe method in your madness.... ;) but I wouldn't buy a 350Z let alone exchange it for a stunning 300zx such as yours.

 

I find the 350z has no appeal to me what so ever. I don't mind it, but I never really stare at one and go 'look, a 350z'. I'd pay more attention to a Z31! But that's my feeling toward them. Half the appeal to me...infact more than half is the way the 300 loks.

 

Personally don't believe the 350z has any substitute for the looks of the 300zx. The 300zx just has immense road presence, an amazing cockpit and fantastic ride. The 350z has good ride, but doesn't have half the road presence of the 300 nor the cockpit. Nor even the t-tops and the cabrio 350 is really unattractive.

I like 350z just cant afford one. Not keen ont the s2000 i find it looks like a vidal sasoon car.

 

350 is a nice step up from a 300!

I find the 350 at the very most, a 'sidestep'. :(

I love my Z but i can't see the longevity of owning it, never have really, its always been something i wanted and i have never made a sensible financial decision when it comes to that car. I spend all my money on after market parts and general up-keep. The £15k would cost me about the same per month as the z on finance and there would hopefully be no surprises.

Have you not thought about buying a cheap daily driver? I think half the fun of owning the 300 is the fiddling around with it and getting exactly how you like it. Little upgrades here and there etc. I like the maintenance as if feels like you're preserving something a little special and a little unique.

As Si says....

And you wont find anything as satisfying as the Z for less than sht loads and im not talking 15k either !!

Have you not thought about buying a cheap daily driver? I think half the fun of owning the 300 is the fiddling around with it and getting exactly how you like it. Little upgrades here and there etc. I like the maintenance as if feels like you're preserving something a little special and a little unique.

 

 

That would be ideal, but again. It's sat on a hill on the road all the time and tinkering isn't much of an option here. I love working on cars b ut am struggling for time as well as space.

 

Plus with a 2nd car i'd have to pay parking permet, tax, insurance, mot, and buy the thing too.

 

I'm very unsure as i'm not keen on other cars. I just wish i was in a better position to work on / afford the Z

Thought about an N/A? Stick on an LPG conversion. :)

I am considering one of these as a daily driver, I can't have the 350Z as I have a child so need the back seat. Same engine & chassis as the 350Z, lots of them are tiptronic (though I'd be after a manual), and more are starting to be available now. Known as the Skyline 350GT (or Infiniti G35 in the USA).

 

I prefer the G35 over the Z33. Looks much better from the back too and a little more elegant. Less like the Audi-TT-esque Z33. MUCH much nicer dash too!

what makes you think a 350Z is more affordable?

 

If you want affordable then get a ford deisle.

My boss in the US has a G35, it's ok and it does have the funky semi-auto box. A 350Z does not, so don't see how it meets your criteria.

My boss in the US has a G35, it's ok and it does have the funky semi-auto box. A 350Z does not, so don't see how it meets your criteria.

 

I thought the 350 did have tiptronic?? Or is it more of an auto box with a shift at will ??

I love my Z, but i'm struggling to afford its up-keep. I've been thinking about selling it and Buying a 350z, i want the Z look and experience but without the expensive and constant repairs that pop up. I find my Z reliable but Living in London without a drive i find it difficult to work on it.

 

Was looking at a 350Z for around 15,000. Are there any similar choices of performance / looks for that money ??

 

If I told you that my Z32 N/A can beat a modded 350 upto 100mph, would that change your mind;). They are french plastic cr*p and are very over rated. Like the Audi TTs they are becoming very common. If you like the shape of your 32 then consider a modded 32 N/A as there relibility is second to none. I spent 16.5k on my 32 TT until I decided to throw in the towel, since I had the N/A approx 3 years now I have had the cambelt tensioner break and 3 clutches:D. Bang for Buck they are hard to beat

wow, thats good!! Very reliable!!

 

I like the look of the Skyline G35 too, and they seem reasonably priced!

350z IS available with Tiptronic but only as an import. The UK spec ones are all manwell.

ok, thanks.

If you are struggling to afford your 300zx TT, then spending £15k (on finance)to buy a 350z will not leave you any better off. Assuming your ZX is "paid for" then apart from fuel you should have no major outgoings on it. Sure a 15 year old car has the chance of going wrong, but if you have already spent a fortune on the ZX, there can be very little else to break. plus you will not recover any of those costs if you sold it now......

 

Insurance will probably be similar and fuel consumption of the 350z will not be much better than 23mpg in London.

 

All above is just my opinion though.............

 

Richard:cool:

get a mustang, thats my next car in years to come.

I had a £15k Subaru before my Zed, but I got fed up as I was always worried about leaving it parked somewhere and someone keying it.

I did'nt want to do any mods to it as I was worried about the expence if something went wrong and and the warrenty got voided.

The servicing costs were terrible as well, the last one was £960, but had to be done to keep the FSH.

Sold the Subaru bought the Zed and I am enjoying having the Zed 100x more.

Even though its not been as reliable, its more fun, both driving and looking at parts, working on it etc to make it better.

Keep the Zed!

Thats a good point Alex. I need to get some bits fixed in the near future and i'll decide what to do then but i'll be selling it for something, whatever that may be. I'd just like to enjoy it without doing maintanance work for a bit!!!

 

Or move to a house with a drive and keep it, lol

If you are struggling to afford your 300zx TT, then spending £15k (on finance)to buy a 350z will not leave you any better off. Assuming your ZX is "paid for" then apart from fuel you should have no major outgoings on it. Sure a 15 year old car has the chance of going wrong, but if you have already spent a fortune on the ZX, there can be very little else to break. plus you will not recover any of those costs if you sold it now......

 

Insurance will probably be similar and fuel consumption of the 350z will not be much better than 23mpg in London.

 

All above is just my opinion though.............

 

Richard:cool:

 

I completely understand where you are coming from James.

 

I worked out I could afford a 350z for £200 a month and I spend a hell of a lot more than that (when you average it out) for the 300. Which makes me disagree with the above.

Also, I am confident that insurance would be cheaper too.

 

However, as mentioned previously, if you want an auto 350z you have to get an import which means more expensive insurance and you don't get the great exhaust note.

 

The 350z has a different exhaust for the UKDM because us brits prefer a good burble!

 

there is my two pence worth...