A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Well I just wanted to get some opinions on a new car that will be a joint car for the wife and I. First off let me say we were looking for a specific type vehicle which is why some cars are not on this list as well as cars priced in a certain range. Lastly the sentra didn't make our list because while I wanted the SE-R I recently found out that the 2.5 engine had problems with the rings. Soooo
Mazda3 5-door manual or auto-stick
Subaru impreza (na) wagon manual
Subaru WRX (non-STI)
The WRX is more for me but she grudgingly said she could live with it. The wagons are more for her and are a good 4-6 grand cheaper than the WRX which makes buying either them that much easier. Both the mazda and suby wagon are in the same price range, same power range, same cargo room, etc. We like the auto-stick of the mazda but we also like the AWD of the suby. One thing we like about both Suby's is that they are made in Japan while the mazda isn't. Gas mileage is also a strong issue we were looking at. The mazda is slightly better than the suby and both are far better than the WRX. This will be our fourth car, I have my two Z's and she has her Maverick. This will be our first new car so we want to make sure we get something that is reliable. I've done research on the WRX tranny, as I heard it was a concern, but apparently Subaru beefed it up for the 06 version. So far no one with the 06 has had an issue that I've heard of on their forums. Honestly we are leaning toward the Mazda but I'm just a little iffy about them. The mazda3 is supposed to be the best selling car in it's class but how reliable is it. Just wanted to see what others had to say on the subaru or mazda. Yes we did look at toyota and honda. Toyota had nothing we liked and all the hondas we liked have to be ordered. The honda Fit was our #1 choice but they are back logged until December for the specific color and manual tranny we want. The civic 4-door was nothing great and the civic SI also has to be ordered and won't be here until November. So essentially after all our searching we are left with either Mazda or Subaru. Thanks for the input.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
I'd wait until Nov. for the Civic SI. It's a sharp family cruiser.
If you must pick one from the list, I vote for the Mazda.
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Pete1978z: "It's not that I think stupidity should be punishable by death, I just think we should take the warning labels off of everything and let the problem take care of itself."
A:
Why not a WRX wagon? The '06s get the same EJ257 engine as the STi (except detuned to 235 hp), but they have more torque now as well and is easier to drive around town than the EJ207 in previous model years.
I have an '05 STi and that is an adrenaline rush on wheels.
You could also look at the Mazdaspeed 6. It's now AWD with 274hp. And what about the Legacy or Legacy GT. A little bit bigger than the WRX with more room and the same 2.5l engine.
God must love stupid people, he made SOOOOO many of them!
A:
i know this aint on the list but have you looked into those acura TL's? very nice cars; look sharp, iam sorry but i just cant choose a car from your list :( the suburu would be fun as a daily cruiser i guess.....
73' 240z: F54 4.2L, OS Giken LY DOHC Crossflow head, 17:3comp.ratio, N33, Tripple SU's, T10 Hybrid Draw-Through TT @ 47pds, Roots&Centrifugal Type supercharger, 3-2-1 headers, Centerforce 4 clutch, 6oz flywheel, R300 differential, Super-Hicas
A:
Like I said we need to stay within our budget and all the cars you listed are way too expensive. The mazdaspeed 6 is kick ass but can't come close to affording it. Even if I could I would rather get the STI. Same goes for the legacy, not to mention we didn't really like the legacy look too much. As for the WRX wagon, it's complicated. See we are both in school finishing our Masters, both in the medical field. We'll be done in 2 years and both be making right under 6 figs as our starting salary; possibly 100k+ for me depending on what specialty I go into. The thing is that right now we can only afford to get one car. Which ever car we get will be a joint car for the next two years but will transfer to one of us as our permanent car after graduation. At that point we'll get a new car for the other person. So right now we were leaning towards getting a car that she liked more and that would eventually be her car becuase I already have my two Z's while she just has her one car. Thats why we were looking at the two wagons. The WRX is more to my liking so should we get that it would be my car. A WRX wagon, while cool, is not something I would want and she doesn't care for the turbo. It's also about 1000 more than a sedan WRX which is already at the very limit of our budge. So the WRX wagon isn't really someting we are looking at. The reason I'm not jumping on the WRX now is becuase I'm trying to fair to her AND I'm thinking if I'm patient and wait the two years after graduation I can get the GT-R that is coming. Her Maverick is all she really cares about as far as cars go where as I not only care about my Z's but I also want a kick ass new car. So I'm thinking maybe get her car now that she'll be happy with and then I can get the GT-R later on. Still, the WRX is tempting.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
Datto: the TL is way out of our price range. If I had that much I'd either get a STI or G35. It is a nice car though. My previous neighbor had one mildly fixed up and it was pretty nice.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
oh i didnt know it was a expensive car,ok i got your remedy: Ford Fusion or Five Hundred. i dont know how the Ford Fusion got best Midsize car but thats what J.D Power and Associates gave it. The Ford Fusion is a pretty classy looking car no? the front looks niiice.
73' 240z: F54 4.2L, OS Giken LY DOHC Crossflow head, 17:3comp.ratio, N33, Tripple SU's, T10 Hybrid Draw-Through TT @ 47pds, Roots&Centrifugal Type supercharger, 3-2-1 headers, Centerforce 4 clutch, 6oz flywheel, R300 differential, Super-Hicas
Post Edited (Jun 29, 10:51pm)
A:
Why not look a vehicle that is a year or two old? You can get a lot more vehicle and still have reliability, warranty and get more vehicle for your money. But if new is what you want, then get it. I personally like the Subarus and know a few people that have them or have had them and all have been very happy with them.
1981zx na..auto..t-top...midnight snack for rust monster
03 Montero Sport AWD
04 Buick Rendezvous CXL...Family's gotta ride in something...
A:
Mazdas are reliable. Mazda 3's are good cheap cars. They have a hatchback/wagon type model.
Can't think of anything better right now, in that price range.
A:
Thanks guys. Yeah, we want a new car. As I said this will be our first and if we are forking over this kind of money we would rather have something new. We are kind of leaning towards the mazda but I think at this point it may be which dealer can get us the car we want in the color we want for the best price. The Subaru dealers we have visited haven't really seemed like they are pushing to make deals like other dealerships. I wonder if thats becuase the WRX/Impreza is so popular they don't really have to worry about selling them? We'll see what develops over the next week. Thanks again.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
Where do you live? That would make the difference between AWD and FWD for me. AWD all the way if you're in a climate that would need it. The Impreza is what I would go with, fun enough for you but down to earth enough for her. Just because it's a wagon doesn't mean you can't have your own "spirited" driving in it. Hope this helps.
1972 240z w/L28, tokico shocks and springs, and a 5 speed waiting. Also running high performance ultra mega blinker fluid, that's at least an extra 50hp to the wheels.
1987 Toyota Supra Turbo 5-speed. Belongs to me until my friend get's back from Iraq.
A:
Mazda 3 wagon, all the way. We just got one for the wife last October, it's a GREAT car, a lot of fun to drive. We did cross-shop against the Impreza wagon, but the Mazda handled better (though the Impreza was quite good), looks better inside and out (subjective, but the Impreza's interior definitely looks cheap-O in comparison), and we decided we'd rather have leather than awd (leather 3 ~same $$ as cloth Impreza, which didn't have leather available).
I wanted to get the WRX wagon for her, but she wouldn't tolerate the "scoopy thing" on the hood. DAMN!
GET THE 5-SPEED!
A:
Well, since I've owned a WRX new since '03 I'm partial to that car. It comes in a wagon as someone mentioned.
I've put 60K on it so far and NO PROBLEMS! The tranny is only a problem with people who abuse the car, trust me!
It has been my daily driver since new, and the first three years I was living in Upstate NY and commuting to Providence RI, where I had to cross the Berkshire mountains (small mountains) every week in the winter where the roads were always icy. I love the car in all types of weather!
One of my friends has owned a Mazda 3 for at least two years now. He liked it at first, but is now bored of it and I think he said it makes some interior rattling noises now. The engine is excellent and reliable.
IF YOU WANT A CAR THAT YOU WILL NOT GET TIRED OF get the WRX! I believe they also HOLD THEIR VALUE better than a Mazda 3.
02/1976 280Z
An amateur trying to restore the Z. I should have taken the blue pill!
A:
I do not know where you got your information about the 2.5 engine in the Sentra SER because I have one and its a great car. I have 42000 on a 04 and never had to bring it back to the dealer for anything. It does not burn a drop of oil and has power to spare. It also averages 27 MPG for my over all driving.
1977 280Z Coupe
A:
I vote Mazda 3, you already have three really cool cars and the Mazda from what I've heard is just a great daily driver.
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1990 300zx NA
- Custom Exhaust
- JWT Pop Charger
A:
I vote for never buying new. Too much $$ immediately down the drain. Let someone else take the initial depreciation hit. Pay cash. Unless you're able & willing to write a single check, you can't afford it or the car isn't worth it to you.
Anyone can drive a new car.
A:
The world runs on debt and so do most people (However, I'm not one of them). Lots of people are willing to pay the extra money to have a reasonable monthly payment.
Wants outweigh needs in many situations.
Just because you can't write a single check, doesn't mean you can't "afford" it.
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1990 300zx NA
- Custom Exhaust
- JWT Pop Charger
A:
blackhawk: there was a post on this board about the SE-R not to long ago. I'm sure if you did a search you could find it. Anyway, after reading about it I talked to the dealer and they confirmed it. Also I did some searching on the sentra forums and from what I found some dealers haven't yet stopped sealing the 06's while some have. Also some report having problems while others haven't. From what I gather it's only certain batch of VIN's that have been affected but it's enough for me not to take the risk.
Again thanks guys. I think we may have to go check both cars out again before making our decision fully.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
Could be, I have an 04. Been a great car.
1977 280Z Coupe
A:
I used to be someone that could only buy new cars. After about two or three years, I had to have a new one.
I've since grown up and no longer have the need to impress the neighbors.
I will never buy another new car for the rest of my life.
My first 'used' car was a 2000 Outback that I bought in 2002 with 18k on the odometer. I saved close to $10k on the cost of that car vs. new and I've never looked back.
If I added up all the money I've wasted on new car prices, I could have bought a Pagani Zonda! (slightly used of course!)
So, you are a family of 2, you're both in medical school for the next two years and you already have THREE cars...
Why don't you just suck it up and wait the two years to get the car you want rather than stretch yourselves to the financial limit by buying a new car now...
The money you'll save on the insurance and payments should easily cover the cost of maintenance and minor repairs on your current 'fleet' of vehicles.
And with three, you already have something for backup when one of the others needs to go into the shop...
72 WooHoo!! In good shape too...
72 Rolling Chassis (RB or LS1?)
80 NA SCCA ST2/CP (Car + Tree = Dead)
82 NA 3.0L the rust monster got it
82 ZXT 3.1L, 25psi! Hit in the right rear. ;(
83 parts car
92 TT Sold! ;(
02 Looking for an '03 made in '02
A:
The reason we need a new car is due to the fact that while we have three cars, all three are old. I'm decent when it comes to repairs but I'm no mechanic. We just moved to a new state and area that we have no clue where reputable mechanics are. The other problem is that we don't have the time now to work on cars. Before when I was in my undergraduate studies I could make the time to take the car in if need be or work on it myself. Now with the programs we are in time is very limited. Basicly if one of our cars has an issue right now fixing it is going to be a problem. Also we now live right outside of Vegas where it's regularly 110+ degrees. Neither her Maverick or my 280z have AC. My 300zx has AC but in all the components are original from 84. So I don't want to test my luck running the A/C all the time. I know what you are saying about being patient. Trust me we have been. We've both wanted a new car for years now but have waited. The final straw was moving. Now being in this new area changes a lot of things for us. The other thing we have to consider is going to visit family and friends. Right now it's a pain in the ass becuase we have to schedual our trips around the heat. Either get up really early or leave really late. It's not fun driving my 280z through Baker when it's 120 out with no a/c and I keep hoping we don't get stuck in traffic because I'll over heat. It's just time for a new car.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
just get a enzo its a nice daily driver..lol jk if it were me id go for wrx even though im not to keen on its looks but for performance...wrx all the way. and besides...compared to all the cars you want i dont think any are really hot looking cars in my opinion so for me.......i need somthing that has a little pep...just my 2 cents
88 300zx shiro...11k miles
88 300zx shiro...48k miles
83 280zxt full restoration...blk and gold
97 hyundai accent gt..bought new. currently 130k and still running strong
A:
Ice, most people need Friday's pay check to cover next week's expenses. They also frequently plan on always having a car payment. Writing a check for the entire amount makes one feel the true cost. It's ok to finance a car ...if you're willing to stay broke.
Anyone can drive a new car.
A:
being a tech at a nissan dealer i can definitely confirm the prob with the 2.5 motor. some of the 06 model altimas were not aloud to be sold due to the ring prob and i've had them come in with 7.5K on the motors for the second service and be almost a quart low on oil. this is just an 06 problem, the 2.5 cars before that had the problem of the cat attached to the manifold coming apart (probably at very high revs) and getting pulled back into the engine and "eating" the rings. this was mainly a prob with the 02 cars though. they later moved the cat down the manifold several inches to help remedy the prob. i've noticed several cars having the cat very close to the head, dunno why it seems to have plagued the altima so much though. our dealership has only had 1 seR come through with the prob. its no surprise that 2.5 motors are on backorder from nissan right now, dealerships have been replacing them faster than they can turn them out, makes nissan look very bad having to replace motors with so few miles.
82 NA 5 spd
77 4 spd
A:
In that case, I'd get the cheapest thing you can find brand new with A/C and toss it when you guys graduate and get new jobs...
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/chevrolet/aveo/100701892/prices.html?action=1
Seriously, get the least expensive thing you can with a warranty and A/C and finance it for 3 years or less.
You'll get it for $310/month with a warranty and the insurance will be really cheap.
72 WooHoo!! In good shape too...
72 Rolling Chassis (RB or LS1?)
80 NA SCCA ST2/CP (Car + Tree = Dead)
82 NA 3.0L the rust monster got it
82 ZXT 3.1L, 25psi! Hit in the right rear. ;(
83 parts car
92 TT Sold! ;(
02 Looking for an '03 made in '02
A:
>the front looks niiice.
The front looks Nissan?
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
Well we got our new car. We almost did as WW said above and just went with something cheap to get by with for the next couple years. It was a Suzuki Reno. We had the deal set and everything and right before signing the papers my wife says lets just go with the WRX. She knew thats what I wanted from the begining but it wasn't the most practicle choice. After she said that I said screw it and we started the paper work all over again on the WRX. All I can say is I'm happy we changed to this car. It does what we need it to but at the same time has enough fun factor to it. We both love it! She already said she loves it enough to keep it as her car after graduation so that means if I still want to I can get the GT-R in two years when I'm done. So for me it's a win/win/win situation. I have a great wife, a new fun car to drive, and I still get to buy the GT-R later on down the road. Now I just need to stop driving the car so much and stop looking up things about it so I can review my notes for my Human Science class. I didn't realize that a turbo and AWD were so addicting.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR