Weekend/play vehicle

[jrob]

Funny this thread should come up...

I have a 350z up for sale. It really kills me to let it go and I am likely to one day look back at it as a mistake but none the less at this point it is a "grown up" decision that I have to make.

2004 Enthusiast edition with just under 90k on the clock. I am the second owner, I bought it in 2010 with 75k. It was just that, a weekend toy.

Exterior
Volk TE 37s in bronze 19x9.5 front 19x10.5 rear
Tein Flex Coil overs lowered 1.25"
SPC rear camber arms. (it was lowered properly)
Injen true dual exhaust
Stock cats presently installed but I have test pipes. (not big on the sound)
JWT pop charger
Motordyne 5/16' plenum spacer.

Interior
Pioneer touch screen dvd/nav/bluetooth
alpine type X fronts
Alpine type R rear
2 JL W3 10" subs in stealth box
Rockford Fosgate amp
TWM short throw shifter
TWM 4" shift extender <---Favorite mod ever call me crazy.

Im asking $12,500



Also...this is available with it for an additional $4,000

Vortech SI trim supercharger tuner kit with everything you need except a fuel pump.
To clarify this was never installed on my car. I was about to, then some life happened and I moved back to Colorado.
The G35 it came off of was putting down 431whp/370tq.
As she sits it puts down 255whp.

I certainly don't mean to derail your thread, but you are in the market to buy and I am in the market to sell.
If you don't buy this one though, I have to give the 350 an extremely enthusiastic vote. This car is an absolute blast and brings a childish grin to my face every time I drive it. More info and pics if you actually are interested. Oh yea, the car is in Houston though...

Cheers,

Oh and I have been lurking around the 5th gen forum for the past few weeks for a reason. Be seeing yall with a thread soon.

 

[LI4runner]

You can get a really nice E36M3 for that price range, and one that someone likely already refreshed (cooling system overhaul, new bushings/control arms, etc...). I have a 95 M3 that satisfies the performance threshold in me, but it's nice to have no payments on it (given they can be had for $12k in great shape) since it's tucked away in the garage most of the time. It's a momentum car these days compared to the HP and torques of most modern sports cars, but it can really impress on tracks that are not high HP tracks.

 

[thebwlife]

Unless your a competent mechanic you need to stay away from old turbo cars. They just end up needing to be worked on a lot.

An all motor car like a older M3, 3.0 Z3, s2000, or 350z is probably the best bang for the buck. I'd chose a 350z with the peramiters of what you've described.

 

[brocktice]

Honda Prelude?

 

[PGRunner]

Thank you guys again. I agree with staying away from turbos and rotarys even though I like the RX8. I think I sorta have it narrowed it down, at least for now, to an e46, 350z, and a g35,

 

[joneseyyy]

Another vote for e36 or e46 M3

 

[Whiplash Willy]

The thing with 350z's is they are kind of big and heavy for a sports car. Their Drive By Wire lag and Dual Mass Flywheels can make for really annoying lag and drivetrain slop when transitioning on/off throttle.

Newer sports cars just aren't as fun to drive as the old ones, with all of their weight, and electronic nannies.

 

[1engineer]

You can buy a decent mountain bike for between $10-12K. Seriously. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/epic

 

[c2one]

I traded my 04 G35 coupe for my runner. It was my baby, until I had a baby. Bought it brand new with 13 miles and it was still running like new to the day I traded it in (no accidents, no major mechanical issues). The only thing wrong with it was the paint and window motors. I guess I didnt wax it enough and the motors went out every couple of years.

It was a heavy car but I never was racing in it... just liked to go fast every now and then.



.... reflecting on all my memories with that car now....
:hurt:

 

[Espresso]

I think I sorta have it narrowed it down, at least for now, to an e46, 350z, and a g35,

I think those are great choices you've narrowed it down to. The E46 M3 is a classic and simple cosmetic mods still makes them a head turner. The interior is still a little bland for my taste but looking at the compete package, this would be at the top of my list.

Between the 350Z and G35, both are nice but you'll have to choose between interior luxury items or a more "athletic feeling car". The fit and finish of a 350Z is okay but lots of plastic interior parts. It's a faster and more raw feeling car. A 2005+ G35's interior is much nicer and their leather seats are pretty comfortable however if you're looking for speed, the other two are ahead slightly.

Tough choice indeed. Best of luck.

 

[yotantexas]

Subaru WRX?

 

[Hellamatic]

I'd go with something much older - along the lines of a 1st gen Civic or a VW Golf GTI MK1. My buddy used to have a '79 Civic that he redid. He stripped the interior and all the heavy non-essential parts, stuffed in a more modern and tuned VTEC, and went with a full race suspension setup. Not super high horsepower, but it was an incredibly light little car and super fun to drive on the track or the streets.

 

[Stifler]

BMW? I thought you said easy and cheap to fix? lol

 

[J-BlickPhoto]

I had a Subaru WRX. 360HP 390ft lbs torque. It was, without a doubt, the best car I've ever owned. They're fun, AWD, they sound AMAZING, and freakishly quick.

Here's a vid.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=168656859942680&l=5223524187146083181

 

[W8kbrder]

 

[cbreze]

Mazda Miata is not a bad choice. it is Fun with a capital "F". I had one for a year before moving to snow country and getting a 4runner.

 

[jrob]

The thing with 350z's is they are kind of big and heavy for a sports car. Their Drive By Wire lag and Dual Mass Flywheels can make for really annoying lag and drivetrain slop when transitioning on/off throttle.

Newer sports cars just aren't as fun to drive as the old ones, with all of their weight, and electronic nannies.

3100 pounds and two seats is big and heavy? Though the dual mass fly isnt the fastest revving thing, it is very smooth and I noted none of this drive train "slop" you speak of. I mean it isn't a Porsche, but it doesn't cost Porsche money either.

 

[lilsid112]

Im a huge e46 M3 guy and would 100% recommend one. If you dont mind getting your hands dirty when it comes to maintenance then its doable. Paying a shop or dealer to do the work adds up quick. Im a huge believer of you get what you pay for. There alot of decent price e46s out there but Id 100% recommend getting a PPI from a dealer or shop that specializes in M cars. Check out the stickies over the m3forum, youll learn a lot from them. E46 M3 (2001-2006) - BMW M3 Forum.com (E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E92 M3 | F80/X)
[MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] I thought I saw your screen name before and just figured out you were on m3forum.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

3100 pounds and two seats is big and heavy? Though the dual mass fly isnt the fastest revving thing, it is very smooth and I noted none of this drive train "slop" you speak of. I mean it isn't a Porsche, but it doesn't cost Porsche money either.

We are so used to big and heavy (newer) cars, that I suppose most people probley don't consider that very heavy. It feels heavy to me, especially when compared to what I am used to.



Also, DMFs are horrible, they take the feeling out of the clutch, are prone to breaking, are very expensive, and feel sloppy to me. The "Smoothness" they provide is at the cost of crispness and feeling. I am sure alot of people out there aren't sensitive enough to notice these things.

There is nothing like driving an older sports car. The newer ones just feel numb.