928 vs. 350Z - what to do with $15,000
10-25-2010, 09:51 PM
#17
Three Wheelin'
My son has a 2004 350Z since new. Only problem so far was a replacement throttle body. You did state that cargo space is important. In that case DO NOT BUY a Z. It has that stupid bar across the back and even a wheel/tire combo wouldn't fit there. It gets in the way of everything. Trust me on this one. That bar is part of the structure and welded at both ends (not removable)
10-25-2010, 09:57 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
My son has a 2004 350Z since new. Only problem so far was a replacement throttle body. You did state that cargo space is important. In that case DO NOT BUY a Z. It has that stupid bar across the back and even a wheel/tire combo wouldn't fit there. It gets in the way of everything. Trust me on this one. That bar is part of the structure and welded at both ends (not removable)
10-25-2010, 10:05 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
FWIW I use $1.5K for 5M and $500 for LSD.
Anyway you cut it, it may be difficult to draw any correlation btw auto vs manual & high vs. better-than-average maintenance.
10-25-2010, 10:06 PM
#20
Advanced
I pondered over the same thing once...and only once.
My neighbor has a 350 and there is one in the parking lot at work. There is only one 928, and its all mine
Don't worry about the numbers too much. My ownership has been pure bliss thanks to the people here. The only time I think of a 350 is when I see one fade away in my rear view mirror
My neighbor has a 350 and there is one in the parking lot at work. There is only one 928, and its all mine
Don't worry about the numbers too much. My ownership has been pure bliss thanks to the people here. The only time I think of a 350 is when I see one fade away in my rear view mirror
10-25-2010, 10:13 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
I see you guys posting that the Japanese cars have "no soul"...please elaborate...you guys all sound like Jeremy Clarkson...LOL..
Does a 238hp Mercedes Benz 560SEC have soul? What about the 180hp BMW 635CSi?
I have driven 3 or 4 928S4 Automatics and they did not impress me with their mediocre performance, braking, poor build quality and really were dogs, sadly they were all neglected cars, which makes up the majority % of used 928 cars out there. Many of you guys on this board have nice cars, that you have spent a good amount of $$$ making right and fastidious with maintenance. I really think a 5sp S4 that has been maintained well would be a good car..it might have "soul" (whatever that is).
Tilac999 mentions British and Itialian cars...which do you have in mind from the Brits and Italians for $15K that could compete with a 350Z or S4 (300hp / 5sp). Certainly nothing from Alfa Romeo...definitely not a XJ-S or any Jag for that matter, so what is left?
While I am not a fan of the 350Z (but have owned several first generation Datsun Zs even a Datsun Roadster, and still have a '83 ZX Turbo), the '80s was a tough time for all car manufacturers as they were forced to meet bumper and crash laws coupled with strict emissions all manufacturers struggled as they experimented with EFI, new materials, different suspension set-ups, braking etc and even 15" wheels was a big thing back then....so many cars whether from Japan, Europe or the U.S might be lacking this "soul"?
One thing I know is my man James Brown had "soul"
Yasin
Does a 238hp Mercedes Benz 560SEC have soul? What about the 180hp BMW 635CSi?
I have driven 3 or 4 928S4 Automatics and they did not impress me with their mediocre performance, braking, poor build quality and really were dogs, sadly they were all neglected cars, which makes up the majority % of used 928 cars out there. Many of you guys on this board have nice cars, that you have spent a good amount of $$$ making right and fastidious with maintenance. I really think a 5sp S4 that has been maintained well would be a good car..it might have "soul" (whatever that is).
Tilac999 mentions British and Itialian cars...which do you have in mind from the Brits and Italians for $15K that could compete with a 350Z or S4 (300hp / 5sp). Certainly nothing from Alfa Romeo...definitely not a XJ-S or any Jag for that matter, so what is left?
While I am not a fan of the 350Z (but have owned several first generation Datsun Zs even a Datsun Roadster, and still have a '83 ZX Turbo), the '80s was a tough time for all car manufacturers as they were forced to meet bumper and crash laws coupled with strict emissions all manufacturers struggled as they experimented with EFI, new materials, different suspension set-ups, braking etc and even 15" wheels was a big thing back then....so many cars whether from Japan, Europe or the U.S might be lacking this "soul"?
One thing I know is my man James Brown had "soul"
Yasin
10-25-2010, 10:24 PM
#22
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OK, this is an invitation to a scrum, but here goes.
Suppose you wanted a sports car with a hatchback (cargo space is important), and you have $15K burning a hole in your pocket. Do you buy a 928 or a 350Z?
In the 928 world, it seems like $15K might get a decent S4 that needs very little catch-up, but of course such a car will be hard to find (ask me how I know) and will entail the usual Porsche stuff over the years.
In the 350Z world, $15K will get a 5-year old car with perhaps 50K miles in excellent condition. These are a little easier to come by. How's the maintenance? Don't know. I've heard that they are very reliable but chew through expensive sets of tires like hotcakes at a company breakfast.
Suppose you wanted a sports car with a hatchback (cargo space is important), and you have $15K burning a hole in your pocket. Do you buy a 928 or a 350Z?
In the 928 world, it seems like $15K might get a decent S4 that needs very little catch-up, but of course such a car will be hard to find (ask me how I know) and will entail the usual Porsche stuff over the years.
In the 350Z world, $15K will get a 5-year old car with perhaps 50K miles in excellent condition. These are a little easier to come by. How's the maintenance? Don't know. I've heard that they are very reliable but chew through expensive sets of tires like hotcakes at a company breakfast.
928 has far better looks, and far better exclusivity. 350z pass each other every day. Even in areas where P cars are commonplace, you'll be lucky if you see another 928 once a month.
Also, the 928 might also win the total cost of ownership. A 350z from that era is still depreciating. Most 928s have reached their floor. Maintenance is higher for the 928, but if you buy a sorted car, it may be a wash between 928 maintenance costs and depreciation for the Z.
10-25-2010, 10:36 PM
#23
Nordschleife Master
350Z Vs 928
No question buy the 928, learn how to work on it and you'll be happy.
Those 350Z's are piles of crap, they are tin cans with 4 wheels with a tupperware showroom for an interior.
Speaking of interiors, anyone remember when Top Gear set out to make a more interesting interior in a Mercedes S Class. It had a high back chair, a stone covered fireplace, and hardwood floors and a lamp in the back. I think it also weighed 8,000lbs when they were done with it because of the cement floor that they put in it.
So i guess compared to THAT ABOVE, tupperwear isnt so bad.
No question buy the 928, learn how to work on it and you'll be happy.
Those 350Z's are piles of crap, they are tin cans with 4 wheels with a tupperware showroom for an interior.
Speaking of interiors, anyone remember when Top Gear set out to make a more interesting interior in a Mercedes S Class. It had a high back chair, a stone covered fireplace, and hardwood floors and a lamp in the back. I think it also weighed 8,000lbs when they were done with it because of the cement floor that they put in it.
So i guess compared to THAT ABOVE, tupperwear isnt so bad.
10-25-2010, 10:44 PM
#24
Nordschleife Master
A GREAT S4 auto in San Antonio, TX at $15k with your name on it. Don't even know the owner (as far as I know anyway) but from a second source who knows the car it is PRISTINE! It is an auto...but driven properly (and with a nice one) watch out!!!
Yasin, whatever car that is in your avatar, bring it to any track in TX and I'll bring my S4 auto and spank you all day long bro! Maybe the S4's you drove are real dogs, or maybe you just weren't driving them hard enough, but I can't count the 911's I have put a smack down on at the race track. I was an instructor (been invited back a few time, but don't have the time to play these days) and these were other instructors out there with me.
Your comment about the braking is laughable too considering 911 Turbo owners were UPGRADING to S4 brakes for YEARS and then what we now call "big reds" came out FIRST on 928 GTS's as "Big Blacks"!
Yasin, whatever car that is in your avatar, bring it to any track in TX and I'll bring my S4 auto and spank you all day long bro! Maybe the S4's you drove are real dogs, or maybe you just weren't driving them hard enough, but I can't count the 911's I have put a smack down on at the race track. I was an instructor (been invited back a few time, but don't have the time to play these days) and these were other instructors out there with me.
Your comment about the braking is laughable too considering 911 Turbo owners were UPGRADING to S4 brakes for YEARS and then what we now call "big reds" came out FIRST on 928 GTS's as "Big Blacks"!
10-25-2010, 10:47 PM
#25
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
My Dad has a 2004 G35 6 speed. It drives nice, "peaky" engine and his car is friggin cherry. Basically the same car as a 350Z, but a whole lot nicer on the inside.
I like it, but there is nothing like a 928. Really depends on what you want.
"I aint gonna lie to ya", You are going to get a very biased oppinion on this Forum!!
Alby in San Antonio has a Beautiful 88 5-speed for for $15k right now!!
I like it, but there is nothing like a 928. Really depends on what you want.
"I aint gonna lie to ya", You are going to get a very biased oppinion on this Forum!!
Alby in San Antonio has a Beautiful 88 5-speed for for $15k right now!!
10-25-2010, 10:55 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
Who wants 350Z anyway Now if I would have to choose between 928 and 300ZX TT... hmm... well I've been in that position not so long ago and went for 928... still, I think late model 300ZX TTs are very appealing.
Cheers!
Now if I would have to choose between 928 and 300ZX TT... hmm... well I've been in that position not so long ago and went for 928... still, I think late model 300ZX TTs are very appealing.Cheers!
10-25-2010, 10:57 PM
#28
Nordschleife Master
Alby's is a 5spd that is right!! DANG, that is THE CAR MAN!!!
I also agree w/ Alexei above, the 350Z and 370Z cars are JUST NOT ATTRACTIVE, but the 90+ 300ZX TT's are SWEET! Thought about one of those before getting my 928's....SOOOOO glad I am in the 928 world btw!
I also agree w/ Alexei above, the 350Z and 370Z cars are JUST NOT ATTRACTIVE, but the 90+ 300ZX TT's are SWEET! Thought about one of those before getting my 928's....SOOOOO glad I am in the 928 world btw!
10-25-2010, 11:00 PM
#29
Advanced
James Brown did have soul. He also had a few Mercedes-Benz. The last time I saw him, he was in an aqua color 1990 190E in Virginia Beach.
The term "soul" is subjective. But I think it means engineering...in my humble opinion.
The term "soul" is subjective. But I think it means engineering...in my humble opinion.
10-25-2010, 11:06 PM
#30
Nordschleife Master
Katacus, just read your sig line... MISS my Spitfire like you can't believe...well, you probably would understand, but most probably wouldn't! I had an '80 1500...very last of them. Pagent Blue was the color (probably spelled that wrong). Loved that car!
Topic at hand and back to Chuck, I like the G35 better than ALL of the cars that share that platform. I put the G37 at the bottom and I put the 370 over the 350 right in the middle of the line up...at least on looks alone. I am sure the newer cars are superior to the older ones, but that G35 is quite attractive! Often think I might add a pearl white one to the collection some day...
Topic at hand and back to Chuck, I like the G35 better than ALL of the cars that share that platform. I put the G37 at the bottom and I put the 370 over the 350 right in the middle of the line up...at least on looks alone. I am sure the newer cars are superior to the older ones, but that G35 is quite attractive! Often think I might add a pearl white one to the collection some day...