To get rid of the S or not to?
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: South FL
Hey man it's good to see my post was helpful to someone! I actually went to test drive the 370z sports and NISMO recently again to make sure I made the right decision. At first, I thought I would have seemed to prefer the 370z since I had gotten used to the S2000. It wasn't necessarily the case as I found myself jumping from an s2000 to a compact boat; it may have been the cockpit feel of the s2000 that made me feel that way.
On the roads, it was easy to move around in the 370z because of the torque and it made the car feel faster. As soon as I got into taking some turns, that's the difference that became night and day; the 370z felt a lot more sluggish in turns compared to the S. Overall, now that I rethink my opinions... I'd go for the 370z if I wanted something with a nice console, luxurious look, and touring feel. I wasn't into getting something like that and that's why the S is something I still feel is the best purchase I've made.
The money I saved by purchasing a slightly used s2000 compared to buying a 370z gave me enough play money to buy a nice coilover system, exhaust, soon-to-be wheel, HT, and soon-to-be boost. Even in your situation the money you kept instead of losing to trading in for the Z can be used for those. If your going boost like you said, you're already at the performance of a Z with an extremely responsive and well developed suspension. The reliability of the new Z engine has to be questioned also, with Nissan not developing an oil cooler for their already popular problem on the engine, along with needing Esther oil ($$$), I don't see the point in getting something you don't expect to have for more than 4 years.
Go boost, keep the car for another 3-4 yrs and then rethink about getting another car when there are platforms made to fill in the RWD sports car for under $30k instead of a "wannabe" sports coupe made to look like a sports car.
On the roads, it was easy to move around in the 370z because of the torque and it made the car feel faster. As soon as I got into taking some turns, that's the difference that became night and day; the 370z felt a lot more sluggish in turns compared to the S. Overall, now that I rethink my opinions... I'd go for the 370z if I wanted something with a nice console, luxurious look, and touring feel. I wasn't into getting something like that and that's why the S is something I still feel is the best purchase I've made.
The money I saved by purchasing a slightly used s2000 compared to buying a 370z gave me enough play money to buy a nice coilover system, exhaust, soon-to-be wheel, HT, and soon-to-be boost. Even in your situation the money you kept instead of losing to trading in for the Z can be used for those. If your going boost like you said, you're already at the performance of a Z with an extremely responsive and well developed suspension. The reliability of the new Z engine has to be questioned also, with Nissan not developing an oil cooler for their already popular problem on the engine, along with needing Esther oil ($$$), I don't see the point in getting something you don't expect to have for more than 4 years.
Go boost, keep the car for another 3-4 yrs and then rethink about getting another car when there are platforms made to fill in the RWD sports car for under $30k instead of a "wannabe" sports coupe made to look like a sports car.
new clutch at 55k??? Mine has over 100k on it and its still like new 
what do you use your car for? Just daily driving, stoplight dragracing?
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: NJ shore
I'll tackle it from a more practical standpoint.
If you've owned the car for 4 years that means you should be close to paying it off or have it paid off. Why would you want to start all over on car payments? If you can't afford a turbo or supercharger why assume so much new debt on a 370z? It's not like your S is going to turn into a pumpkin at 60k miles
Keep the S, pay it off, save the cash, then buy a turbo
If you've owned the car for 4 years that means you should be close to paying it off or have it paid off. Why would you want to start all over on car payments? If you can't afford a turbo or supercharger why assume so much new debt on a 370z? It's not like your S is going to turn into a pumpkin at 60k miles
Keep the S, pay it off, save the cash, then buy a turbo
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 928
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From: las vegas, nv.
Does any place around you rent sportscars? Maybe you should rent a 370z for the weekend to see if it fits you. It can be hard to tell in the 2-3 miles the dealer wants you to stay within on a test drive.
Last year I made the decision to get rid of my '02 Z06 because of the impending up-keep I'd have to do (clutch, rear-end whine, fluids, coolant flush, oil pressure sensor, tires etc.)
Sometimes you just don't want to fool with it & it may be time for something new. good luck with your decision!
Last year I made the decision to get rid of my '02 Z06 because of the impending up-keep I'd have to do (clutch, rear-end whine, fluids, coolant flush, oil pressure sensor, tires etc.)
Sometimes you just don't want to fool with it & it may be time for something new. good luck with your decision!
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Mooresville, NC
Originally Posted by gabster,Mar 30 2010, 12:10 PM
i actually have most of my new clutch put together need a disk and FW and would just have to slap it on after that...
supercharger sounds so tempting.... but just might be out of my budget right now.
and then again there is the Z option...
supercharger sounds so tempting.... but just might be out of my budget right now.
and then again there is the Z option...
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 260
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From: Arlington, Texas
I'm with the "have you paid it off" crowd and the "why incur new debt or more debt" crowd. Depending on your answers to those questions, would determine my responses.
If you have paid it off, you should now be gaining "profit" by not paying a monthly payment. Save that us, get 5-10k saved and see where you want to go. in other words, mill it over for the time it takes you to save that much money. When you get to that point you will have a better idea of what you want to do.
If you have not paid it off, your just trading one car payment for another. I would just pay it off, and then do the above. More money + less monthly payments = more fun.
I would also do what alex_s said, find a sports car rental place. See if you really like the 370, or even try another sports car and see if you like that one better. Never know, you may end up liking something entirely different.
If you have paid it off, you should now be gaining "profit" by not paying a monthly payment. Save that us, get 5-10k saved and see where you want to go. in other words, mill it over for the time it takes you to save that much money. When you get to that point you will have a better idea of what you want to do.
If you have not paid it off, your just trading one car payment for another. I would just pay it off, and then do the above. More money + less monthly payments = more fun.
I would also do what alex_s said, find a sports car rental place. See if you really like the 370, or even try another sports car and see if you like that one better. Never know, you may end up liking something entirely different.
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by Moddiction,Mar 30 2010, 12:17 PM
How would the supercharger be out of your budget but a 370Z isn't? just curious as obviously the 370Z will set you back A LOT more than buying a supercharger for your S will..
the S is almost paid off only own about $4k ( purchased it used), the difference will be a down payment for a (most likely used) 09 Z which can be had for just about 27k or maybe a bit less, payments would be very close to my current payments for the S with that said i don't have to take any money out of my pocket for the transition....
again this is only if decide to go with the Z
