Extremely hard decision to make...need your opinion

[Burtonboarder950]

I hope you guys remember me, I've only been gone for a month or so. If you do 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

[packerjd04]

Z

[Ilvemynissan]

same topic different sections?

[FGFCacoupe]

Get the used Z homie, or see what price you can get an 08 3.5 6mt acoupe for since the 09's are coming out. Just a thought, its what I would do if in your situation

[LongBeachCoupe]

Get the 2.5 and still have a car when you get out of school!

[08coupedriver]

dude its all up to you

no one doubts that these two coupes are some of the sexiest ones on the road but it all depends on what you want

with a 350Z you will get amazing sports car with an award winning engine, addicting speed, and the car is rich in modsthe down side is at 50K miles the car is gonna need some maintenance alot sooner than a new car

with the 2.5 you will still have the style, a quick 4cyl, better gas, a back seat, and everythings under warranty( until the mods that is )

I had a chance to get a grand touring 2006 Z or a new 3.5SE altima coupe

I don't regret my decision

hope this helps , this is how i would look at it.But either way your getting an amazing so it doesn't matter

[Burtonboarder950]

the 3.5 was my first choice. However, i went to the dealer and the guy said there is no such thing as a used 3.5, and since they are pre order only, there will never be any older models sitting on the lot...they will simply stop the pre orders.

[Dr4gonCoupe]

i say live within your means.

i myself bought my first car in high school for $2700 with money i have been saving up since i was 14. i bought it from a teacher! then after i graduated and some 2.5 years later when i was making more money and working two jobs i was able to afford the whip i have now.

just using myself as an example.

there is nothing wrong with waiting. but then again, there is always a way around money. you just have to figure that out yourself.

[mcheddadi]

just bought a mazdaspeed6 2006 for 20k$.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK. and it's AWD.

[mhm1170]

This kid ............ asking all of us what car should his mommy and daddy buy him.

[Scandinavian Flick]

heres my opinion, leave the 350 alone,, its a sports car that has most likely had the crap ran out of it all of its life. if you can truely afford the 20K a/c. then buy the a/c, the warrenty alone should be enough alone to make this an easy decision, and the a/c will last you all through the college years too without ever breaking the bank on ya, so i vote a/c

[Dr4gonCoupe]

This kid ............ asking all of us what car should his mommy and daddy buy him.

yea i couldn't believe it myself. i just didn't want to seem rude.

[mcheddadi]

yea i couldn't believe it myself. i just didn't want to seem rude.

This kid ............ asking all of us what car should his mommy and daddy buy him.

@ you two

[mcheddadi]

thanks mcheddadi i appreciate the help. If you read the description...im paying for half of the car. A lot of parents meet the same amount their child plans to spend. When i was 15, my parents promised me that if i get straight As and a gpa over 3.7 throughout high school they would pay half of w/e i choose. If you ask me, you two, mhm1170 and dr4gon, are simply jealous you're parents don't have money to spend on you, or they simply don't find you worth it.

You don't need to explain or justify yourself over and over again for the people that make the same comments.

the important people are listening anyways

[Dr4gonCoupe]

If you ask me, you two, mhm1170 and dr4gon, are simply jealous you're parents don't have money to spend on you, or they simply don't find you worth it.

who's the one with a new car here, me or you?

i'm so jealous.

my life hasn't been the most fortunate compared to you or other people out there. my parents gave me what they could and thats enough. thats love.

try not to be so cold next time ok?

[ESP]

just bought a mazdaspeed6 2006 for 20k$.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK. and it's AWD.

Yeah, but...it's a Ford. Sorry bro, but Mazdas will never be the same for me again...

[Hussain]

This kid ............ asking all of us what car should his mommy and daddy buy him.

my dad bought my car for me cash, i didn't put 1 penny into it. if his parents want to buy him the car then that's there business and ONLY THERE BUSINESS. all the people who say stuff like that, guess what your not talking to there parents and you wont change anything and its none of your business. "If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all"

what about a G35 coupe? my dad was going to buy me a 2007 350z when i got my altima coupe but i said no i wanted the altima coupe instead. i just turned 20 a couple months ago and have no kids or anything but the 350z has no space at all, no back seat a barely a trunk if you even want to call it a trunk. the 350z is a great car but a horrible daily driver in my opinion. i like the altima coupe a lot and i'd say get the altima coupe BUT since you're into performance stuff theres no point in getting a 170 hp car over a 280+ HP car. G35 has similar looks but has a 350z motor in it and its RWD so you can drift it if you want lol

[dl_yeunuoc]

If you plan on having some mods on your future car. You should go for a Z or G. If I was you, I probably will get a G35 hehehe, my dream car, but I didnt have enough money to effort one.

[Burtonboarder950]

Yea im deff considering a g35 too. But wouldn't it be as bad a daily as a 350z? Same engine, rear wheel...

[rjdmmfl1]

If you ask me, you two, mhm1170 and dr4gon, are simply jealous you're parents don't have money to spend on you, or they simply don't find you worth it.

... hmmm, not necessary Bourbon... and yeah, my folks bought me my 1st car cash also, and I didn't pay for any of it (not even gas)... but I would never make a statement like that regarding what other folks parents can / can not afford or what they think their kids are worth.

Growing up privaleged, you must maintain a level of respect for everyone else that didn't grow up the same way... your folks sound like good people, surely they taught you that also.

OK, off the ... Honestly, I would actually say go for the brand new 2.5... it'll give you more years in the long run and has a better resale value... with gas prices, 4 cylinder resale (as a percentage of original price) will be higher in years to come than 6 cylinders... in 1991, a GEO sold for $7,000 ... a few weeks ago, on ebay, a 1991 Geo sold for $7200... not that that's normal, it just shows what people are willing to pay for 4 cylinder with good gas mileage.**edit it was a Geo**

Back to the cars... when i was 16, I absolutely wanted a brand new mustang 5.0 convertible... not getting that fast of a car was the best thing my folks could have done for me at that age... I didn't appreciate it then, but I definately did later on...

I say go slower first (2.5 A/C), starting off with a 287 HP car can be dangerous at 17... just my .03
Modified by rjdmmfl1 at 12:49 AM 7/16/2008

[dl_yeunuoc]

Yea im deff considering a g35 too. But wouldn't it be as bad a daily as a 350z? Same engine, rear wheel...

If you care more about performance than gas mileage then get a G. Here is my theory, if someone can effort an expensive car, they shouldn't complain about gas mileage anyhow. hehehe

[Dr4gonCoupe]

... hmmm, not necessary Bourbon... and yeah, my folks bought me my 1st car cash also, and I didn't pay for any of it (not even gas)... but I would never make a statement like that regarding what other folks parents can / can not afford or what they think their kids are worth.

Growing up privaleged, you must maintain a level of respect for everyone else that didn't grow up the same way... your folks sound like good people, surely they taught you that also.

thanks you took the words out of my head. but hey, spoiled kids don't know any better. j/k

OK, off the ... Honestly, I would actually say go for the brand new 2.5... it'll give you more years in the long run and has a better resale value... with gas prices, 4 cylinder resale (as a percentage of original price) will be higher in years to come than 6 cylinders... in 1991, a Ford Neo sold for $7,000 ... a few weeks ago, on ebay, a 1991 Neo sold for $7200... not that that's normal, it just shows what people are willing to pay for 4 cylinder with good gas mileage.

that was what i was trying to say about living within your means.

They are paying half of whatever car i get, as long as i run the car by them and they accept.

the boy said it himself. he has to run it by them and they have to approve on what they are investing in for their son.

you can't be picky and be tempted by a shiny 40k 280+ hp car when you know or more like your parents know how gas prices are these days and more importantly insurance for a sports car being driven by 17 yr old! even if they put you on their policy the price will still be outrageous! and they are going to put resale value into consideration, remember that.

you already have your decision. its not what you want, its whats best. that is what your parents are going to say. i guarantee it.

[Hussain]

... hmmm, not necessary Bourbon... and yeah, my folks bought me my 1st car cash also, and I didn't pay for any of it (not even gas)... but I would never make a statement like that regarding what other folks parents can / can not afford or what they think their kids are worth.

i agree its not good to say stuff like that BUT if people talk **** for no reason then i feel that you have the right to talk **** back.... they opened the door.

about the G35, it is considered a luxury coupe so you shouldn't have any issues with it as a daily driver unless you live in a area with lot of snow or rain and RWD would be an issue with spinning out and having the back end come around. if thats not the case then you should have no issues, i just called the 350z a bad daily driver because it has no back seat and pretty much no trunk and i'd assume the G35 would have a bit of a softer ride but i havent driven the two back to back.

also about what robert said about fast cars, it's sort of true for a lot of people. i learned a lot in the year i drove my mom's 2005 Nissan altima 2.5s stick shift...... pretty much, learn to drive the car before you race it. there will be plenty of people out there to race so if you get a G35 or 350z take it easy for a couple months and then you can ease into the whole racing thing and you should be fine in my opinion. but RWD cars with an insane amount of torque are bad cars to start off with (V8 cars basically)

[Burtonboarder950]

thats the thing, i cant afford an expensive car, although i wish i could. And i believe the same thing, if you can afford the car, you should be able to afford to maintain it as well. My max on a used car is 15,000. On a new 20,000. Both will be financed because my family is broke =/.

[Dr4gonCoupe]

good luck.

[Hussain]

maybe, maybe not. it all depends on there situation, not everyone is in the same financial situation. and even about the resale value, my parents bought me my car and said they wouldn't buy me another one. they got me a nice new car that would be very reliable plus nice and fun to drive and i would keep it till i complete med school and become a doctor, then ill have money and can buy what ever i want

never mind, i'm a slow typer

[Scandinavian Flick]

1st. the g35 isnt a bad daily driver, as long as you dont daily drive in the winter,

2nd. "afford"

3rd. just going to throw in my suggestion for a car, a late model audi tt quattro, good gas mileage, 225 horse turbocharged, and AWD. so good times

[Burtonboarder950]

i didn't want to mention "afford", but I love the way you put it. And let me check out the tt. After some research, ill get back to you on what prices i can find. Thanks bud

[rjdmmfl1]

maybe, maybe not. it all depends on there situation, not everyone is in the same financial situation. and even about the resale value, my parents bought me my car and said they wouldn't buy me another one. they got me a nice new car that would be very reliable plus nice and fun to drive and i would keep it till i complete med school and become a doctor, then ill have money and can buy what ever i want

never mind, i'm a slow typer

Hussain, you should get in contact with me... surely you are considering Johns Hopkins for medical school... I will most likely be on the admission committee when you are applying, and if I'm not, i will definately know a few people that will be! Oh yeah, I talk with the Dean of Admission at least once a week and can introduce you to her via telephone... start making these connections now, it'll pay off in the end..

Sorry for the thread jack fellas, especially you Bourton, ... but I thought this was important...

[fullvietFX]

350Z no doubt.