Extremely hard decision....need your help!

[Burtonboarder950]

If you guys remember, I convinced my parents to allow me to buy myself a used 350z. They are paying half of whatever car i get, as long as i run the car by them and they accept. Anyway, I've been looking for a used 350z for $15,000 or less, under 50,000 miles. Extremely hard, but possible. If I don't find it for the right price and in the right condition, I plan to get a 2.5 a/c when the 09s come out. The dealer said the price drop should be AT LEAST $2,000, meaning I can pull $3,000 out of them. Still, the car will cost me around 20,000 with taxes and all that junk included..although more costly than the used Z, its a brand new car without millage. The 09's should be around august...says the dealer. (By the way, anyone hear any signs of pics or info on the 09's? Thanks).Now, my question is what is a better buy: A used 350Z for $15 with under 50K miles, or a brand new $20 2.5 a/c. Im a senior in high school, and my car will be daily driven to school/work. I currently work, and will be able to afford half of either car I buy. Both will be manual and modified for sure.

VS click here for huge picture

[dasoupdude]

Think of it as this way, if you get the a.c. your basically getting a fwd G25.This car is fresh and not that many parts are out for it so you might take a while before you can start having any fun, where on the other hand the Zee has a wealth of parts you can start getting for it right off the bat.

Not to mention the depreciation of a new vehicle off the lot, you would save alot more getting a used car.

I say aim for the 350z. although its a win/win situation both are great cars.

[xjmxstac]

i agree with soup... I also have a strong feeling that the z33 is gonna be a classic one day because the 370z is not looking very sharp.

[Burtonboarder950]

everyone who has a 350z as a daily driver...give me some imput. Good, bad...better to get as a second car? help

[simplewon]

04 roadster, most for the dollar, wouldnt be afraid of miles either provided the previous owner hasnt killed it. Get it put on a rack and inspect underneath anything abused. Good luck.

[rmezz13]

half of 20 is 10, half of 15 is 7.5 ....... see my point. The Z is a very able daily driver, but both cars are very nice. If i had in mind of a daily and winter weather then i would get a FWD, but i have the luxury of garaging the Z all bad weather. Including rain. Or you could save up like $500 and buy a beater for the winter. Put the Z under storage insurance all winter. Just start it at least once a week & winterize the gas tank (STA-bil). Or if you have the money to pay half of the A/C then use the extra $2500 to buy like a 99 dodge intrepid - 29 mpg and FWD.

[Beancooker]

If you want a sports car, get the Z. It's RWD.

If you want a "sporty" car get the Altima. It's wrong wheel drive. Also, if you get an Altima with a 2.5 you will be really dissapointed. The 2.5l engine is weak. It's a rental car engine.

As well, there are and always will be many more aftermarket parts for the G35/350z than the Altima, simply because they are RWD, and are more common as a track/modified car.

[snwbrdr435]

So your going for an altima coupe 2.5 instead of the 3.5 and the Z............hmmmmm get the z buy a cheap *** winter car and leave it at that.

[BlackSmoke]

If you are not crying about money and mods like others in here, then get the Z. If not get the Altima, wait a while, and get a Z when you are a little older.

Daily driver Z is fine I do it and love it.

[R350Zz33]

Z.

[R350Zz33]

Your LUcky if my parents doubled my money i could get a new gt z. Its take a few years but i have managed to save $19,000 if i dident buy this laptop i would have $22,500 oh and 7 more days the one i think im buying 04 53 000 miles touring silver $14,995 from a dealer i can probly get them down to 14 or 13 ,5. if i buy a different one ill give u the # to the place if u want.

[Burtonboarder950]

that would be awesome. Even if you buy it, give me the dealers number incase they get another one. thanks bro

[Slider4105]

Have you looked into insurance yet? Might be more considering the Z is a 2 seater.

[snwbrdr435]

^ If your using all your money on your car what are you going to do about taxes, insurance etc after the purchase.

[Burtonboarder950]

Im financing the car, so ill have some money sitting in the bank, making withdrawals once a month for the payment. I have discussed insurance with my parents yet, im hoping they will cover it since im under my dad's insurance. Not sure good question.

[snwbrdr435]

Yea its always a good idea to look at the bigger picture, my friend recently bought i bike without thinking about the money that is need for gear, insurance and different taxes.

[Slider4105]

Yeah not to be a debbie downer but you have to figure you've got your car payment, insurance payment, gas, and upkeep ( tires, brakes, oil stuff, etc.)

I would say don't worry too much about the miles, my last car before my mom totaled it had about 145,xxx miles on the clock and I only needed to replace the water pump....once......that's it. It's all in how the person before you takes care of the car, look at all the 240 guys with like 2xx,xxx miles on em.

Before making the purchase I'd make a list of everything and see if it gives you enough money left over for other stuff. If you make say $1000.00 a month and $950.00 of it is going to car payments/insurance/gas do you think you can live on $50.00 for the rest of the month for things like movies, eating out, video games, that sort of thing.

[potential]

Before making the purchase I'd make a list of everything and see if it gives you enough money left over for other stuff. If you make say $1000.00 a month and $950.00 of it is going to car payments/insurance/gas do you think you can live on $50.00 for the rest of the month for things like movies, eating out, video games, that sort of thing.

his p's are paying for half. at a 15k car hes going to be financing 7.5 lets say a 4 yr loan and i'm going to put it as a worst case scenario of $200/month for car payment. even being a kid with the worst driving record he'l prolly be looking anywhere between 100-200/month for insurance and since it will be on his p's insurance policy i'm going to assume its not even that much. so i don't know where you got the figure for $950

go with the z kid. you'l have more fun, its still reliable, its cheaper in the long run, and you'l get wayyy more pu$$y than the altima. o- and about the dd think, use some extra cash to buy a set of nice snow tires and your golden. thats what i did with my z and i'm keepin up with the rest of them.

[Soravia]

If you can afford the gas money, get the Z.

If you can't afford the gas money, get the Z with 6 Speed and change the wheels into smaller and lighter ones.

If you can't afford the insurance, get the Altima.

For insurance, get progressive FIRST, then ask for a quote from Geico and tell them you're switching from Progressive after 6 months or so. They'll give you even better deal.

[bmike818]

everyone who has a 350z as a daily driver...give me some imput. Good, bad...better to get as a second car? help

The Z is my daily driver. I drive 55 miles per day for work alone. If you can afford the gas, I would go for the Z. If you can live with two seats then you can't go wrong. The Altima wont even come close to giving you the same driving satisfaction a Z can. Sit in both cars and decide. I like putting on my car. I like that the inside does not have much unused space, it's very tight- which is the reason I bought one. If you like performance the Z is the winner.

350Z>A/C 2.5 anyday anytime...more power in this case means more fun.

[Soravia]

Altima doesn't get that great of a gas mileage. I have the Spec V with the same engine + 6 Speed and lighter body. It gets around 25MPG or so on highway. I do have smaller wheels to get about the same mileage in city.

[Slider4105]

I was just throwing out those numbers for the sake of a tangible number. Will it be better put as he makes 500 a month and 450 goes to payments? I was just saying that if you can JUST barely afford it, maybe its not the right thing.

Also, insurance depends on your area and company you go with. I am under my dads state farm policy and when I was 17-21 with a PERFECT driving record and every deductable I could get (good student, no tickets, all that shibang) I was paying a little over 200 a month for my 2000 v6 Camaro. Even now at 22 my G is at like 160 or so a month, so it all depends on your carrier and your area.

I say go for the Z if you can afford the car payment, insurance, and gas. It's a much cooler car, much more fun to drive, and legs will spread at the mere thought of your car.

[R350Zz33]

z. ill help u find it