I say you test drive both and get the one that puts the big smile on your face. Personally i just bought a s2000 over a 350z because it was a lower price, and I really don't like the drive of the 350z (dad had one).

 

Buy the Z.

 

First off...thank you for being honest in your first post, about high school and present and everything. Second I don't think that this car should be given as a present, even a down payment.

Now, just FYI, I'm 20. I bought this car for myself just before I graduated highschool...the only help from my parents being that they cosigned for me. But with the loan in my name at least I'm building some good credit.

My question to you would have to do with, what kind of driving experience do you have? By 17 I started taking my previous 99 Eclipse GST to autox's and REALLY learned a lot about driving. Not making me a good driver...but much more experienced then many others on the road. While I was jumping into my first RWD car as the S2k...I had some limit control experience in A car. While the S2k was VERY different I had an idea. If you have had NO real experience and you jump into this car IT WILL bite you in the ass. It almost got me a couple times...but RIGHT after I got it I was already taking it to Autox's learning the car and figuring out how to control it and how to get IN and OUT of spins so that you can understand when it is coming and how to control it on the edge. Now after almost 2 years of ownership I will occasionally go to autox's, but I mainly go to HPDE (track) events. I've learned a lot about this car.

I would wholeheartedly suggest the S2000 if you were paying for 95%+ of the car (meaning on a $25000 dollar car your parents don't pay for more then 1250 of it...on a $20000 dollar car your parents don't pay for more then 1000). This will really make you appreciate the car the way you should and the way it deserves...this goes for any car you happen to get. Then the second condition would be that you AT LEAST take it to some autox events and learn the car before you go try and show off to your friends or some girl. Trust me, I've been there...I'm not some old guy just telling you this...I'm guessing I'm only 3-4 years older then you and over that 3-4 year period I've done the stupid stuff. You'll be much happier with yourself as well if you learn how to control the car.

Anyway...thats my opinion. The Z is a nice car...a friend of mine is about to get one because he is too big to fit comfortably driving and S2000. It is torquier, but to me it almost feels numb compared to an S2k. But YOU need to decide what fits you better...and also another FYI...the S2000 has been my only car for the past 2 years and I'm at school 600 miles away from home so ya...only car...and it is perfectly daily driveable. And when packed right can also fit ALL my junk in it (minus furniture)

Eric

 

Go with the S and then do some Auto-X, HPDE. Learn your car.

 

I really like your advice, and respect your opinion. However, just b/c he is or isn't paying for his car, shouldn't really bear any weight on which car he gets. Sure he'll apperciate it more if he purchased it rather then having his parents help, but circumstances don't always play out like that.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind having my parents buy me a new car at 16! I had to buy my first car off them for $800 haha. I guess that's why I still have it as my beater

The rest of your advice is spot on though -- esp. about getting it out to an autocross at the very least to really understand how this car handles at the limit. It is much faster then what it feels like and can get you in trouble really fast.

 

For me there was no choice, I loved the S2000 and wasn't crazy about the 350Z. Given your situation (liking the cars equally, going to college), I'd go for the 350Z. You're likely to be moving in and out of dorms and apartments every few months, the extra room of a Z will be very nice. Also after 4 years of sitting outside the S's convertible top would take quite a beating.

 

I'll keep it short and simple: S2K FTW!

 

Ya...I guess I just really appreciate that my parents DIDN'T buy me my car. Because sadly the majority of the time that somebody else does the majority of the funding for somebody, the person just doesn't take as good of care of it because they don't know what it took to get there.

That really is opinion though...and only my opinion based on my experiences. And honestly, if the 04 Accord is his he should have no problem doing it on his own. The 99 Eclipse was mine, I sold that for 9000...had and extra 4000 saved up (a lot from parting out mods), then I got a $9500 loan from a local Credit Union only needing the signiture of my mom. The car was something like $21500 and on a $9500 dollar loan 4.25% fixed interest 60month I'm paying $176 a month, which is cheap AND doable for a college student like myself, on top of $250 a month insurance (soon to drop to something like 180).

Anyway, rant off your right if his parents are helping they are helping and they will help regardless of the car so in his situation it isn't really a player in his choice.

 

it'll take a lot with the way things have been around here lately

 

i drove both the Z and the S last year when i was shopping for a replacement for my hybrid civic-R...

350 does have more room inside and more storage space for your everyday need.. s2k does not

350 does have more torque and power cuz of it's 3.5L engine.. s2k only has 2.0L in it, so of course it wont be as strong 'on paper'

i drove the Z first.. then I drove the S.. then i drove the Z again..

believe me when i tell you this - as soon as i drove the S for the first time, THEN i drove the Z again, i knew that my ass, feet, and hands belonged on that S2000. just from the shift and handling feel alone, it was hands down...

some ppl will say that the s2k has no room for a golf bag like the Z does.. show me a ferarri or porsche sports car that can fit a golf bag in it too. (porsche suv dont count! hehe)

ppl will say that the S doesnt have much torque and hp as the Z has.. well cmon now, 2.0/2.2 L vs 3.5L engines.. but who has 120 hp per liter? the most power EVER produced on an NA mass produced stock engine in automotive history?

honestly, if you care about having space to drive around with to put a lot of your stuff in, get the Z. if you want a beefy and fast car with lots of hp and tq, get the Z

but if you really wanna experience what driving is all about - 9000 redline. the racing heritage that comes from the R&D and it's company history. and that's faster overall than the NSX in the Nurburg course. (#### my spelling) get the S.

but dont take it from any of us. we're biased. in short - TEST DRIVE BOTH CARS.