safulop

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.

Marine Blue

Curious, did you put up a similar post in the 350Z forums and can you post a link?

Personally I have yet to drive a Japanese car or any asian car that has anywhere near the same personality as a German car. Yeah the Nissan will probably be more reliable and cost less to maintain, insure and own but the 928 has serious personality and the perfect capabilities for the roads in your area.

I would expect a $15K S4 to need about $3K worth of maintenance to make it really nice. This assumes cosmetics are acceptable.

ZW 944

My bro has a 350Z, the engine has been good, but its not without problems. the sound system was giving him trouble, and the CD player sucked. Some of the gears don't like being shifted in the cold (6-speed) and it has a clunk in the suspension. but it is wicked fast if you can get over the somewhat harsh ride. Just because its new, I wouldn't assume it wont need some maintainence/care. I cant really speak for the 928, as I'm a 944 owner.

safulop

Well, to put one answer to my own question,

a huge advantage of the 928 is simply the back seat.

I can't believe that a $15K S4 would still need some major maintenance? If so my budget is blown. Maybe I should look at 968s (which are even more rare than 928s if you hate convertibles).

Landseer

You've got a whole lot of choices in this economy with $15,000.

The number of BMW's, RX7 cars, etc, being fire-sale sold is not letting-up.

tilac999

Agreed!

tilac999

Japanese sports car do nearly everything well but usually have an uncompromising ride/very harsh. They lack the 'soul' of a German, British or Italian car.

EspritS4s

$15K should buy you a very nice S4. Any '87 or '88 with more than about 60K miles should be in excellent and fully maintained condition for that price. The problem is that you may have to wait a while to find one. Most of the 928s available have been neglected to some degree. Ideally, you would find a car from a real enthusiast looking to sell. You didn't say if you want an auto or manual transmission. If you want a manual transmission in a fully sorted car, it could be a while.
BTW, I don't think that 968s are much if any cheaper than an early S4.

As for 350s, I owned one for a couple of years when they first came out. It's one of the few cars that I've purchased new. It was fun, and I've regretted selling it at times. However I would never trade my 928 for one unless I needed the car to be my daily driver.

Bill51sdr

Cargo space-wise, no comparison. 928 hands down. The older Z's have that shock tower brace under the rear hatch that really compromises space. That and the rear seats in the 928 can be made to hold a lot of stuff.

jpNcos

I played around with the Infinity version the G37 it was a 2011 with a sticker of 50k
I was not that impressed power was not what I expected and overall feel was of a cheaper car.

Jadz928

My 928 buddy, Stan has been threatening for YEARS to sell his '84 Euro 5 speed and replace it w/a 350Z. Guess what? The 928 is still around and he continues to improve it. I think he has over 15 years of ownership.
It's hard to go back once you've had the taste of German engineering and 928 teutonic.

Speedtoys

True story..

Drove down to Watsonville from SCruz to settle the suspension after the rack guy made that fatal mistake by accident..he raised it.


On the way back north on 1...a 370z kid came screamin up the highway at about State Park..slowed wayyy down, drove by on the right side slowly.

-I- got a ..then he continued _slowly_ on his way ahead of me. Rahspect.

I dont dislike 350/70 Z's...but..hey, just sayin.

IcemanG17

For $15k you can get a nice well sorted 928 S4....or an exceptional early car....

Since you are looking for a sports car with some cargo room, the 928 is worlds better than the Z....the early Z's have that stupid rear strut brace that gets in the way and severely limits cargo room...also don't forget the Z only has two seats

In terms of performance they are close, but the 928 has a higher top speed and will pull away up top, I would imagine the Z is better down low due to its better gearing.... Handling is similar, but the Z rides more rough...the 928 might be a touch louder inside...

The build quality of the Z is far worse than a 928....plastic everywhere without a quality feel like the 928....

SeanR

My neighbor is on his 2nd engine in his 350. It looks good but is cheaply made. He really wants a 928.

Marine Blue

Sorry I should have noted in my earlier post that my pricing was based on a 5spd. A nice Auto can be purchased fully sorted for $15K.