Need some opinions: G35 for 350z

[etschell]

Ok so I have a 04 g35 with nearly 49k. I have 16k left on my loan and can probably get about 3k out of a sale on the private market. My car is in excellent condition, never touched stock.

I can get an 03-04 z with 30-37k miles for about 15k negotiated, maybe less. This would save me about 100-110 a month in payments on the loan, not to mention id get 3k right now in cash.

The only reason i am considering this is because of 100x60 = 6000+3000 = 9000 and I know for a fact the g wont be worth 9k more than the z. I am not in any financial hardship, quite frankly i could afford a much larger payment than my 417 per month on the g. however, if i am going to save the additional 100 a month instead of spend it doesnt this seem like a smart move.

I do love the g, but i really love the performance more than the luxury aspect. I wont lose any performance with a switch to a z, and it looks like i will actually gain equity in the long term.

[rn79870]

If the only reason you're looking to trade is financial (IE, no problems, mechanical issues, etc) then your logic doesn't hold water. Keep your G.

Here's another way to look at what you said. If you sell the G and buy a 4 year old Hyundai, you'll save another 12 to 14 thousand too. So the better way to go is to sell the G and buy the Hyundai and be 100x60+13,000 or $19,000 ahead. You're obviously not doing that so why do the same thing with a Z?

[Slider4105]

Insurance rates might go up depending on your situation what with the no back seats.

[G_whizz]

I had test driven both. I drove the G for 30mins and the Z for 5minutes. I MUCH prefer the G.

I say stick with the G

[Jacko3]

etschell:

I do see your point. The amount you owe and payments is suggestively similar to mine. And I have actually thought about the same idea, as I feel the Z might have a slightly better response than the G in terms of performance. Two things have discouraged me from doing so.

1. Insurance rates---having a backseat or not, can make a difference in insurance rates--sounds crazy but it is true.

2. You have an invaluable record of the maintenance history of your G, which you may be able to live with when something goes wrong, when compared to a car you have no idea how it has earlier been maintained.

3. Many Zs don't have leather seats---why trade leather for non-leather?

4. While the Z is handsome, the G is beautiful.

5. Since you are mere mortal, how are you sure you won't meet the love of your life tomorrow (that is if you don't have one now), who might have been happier with the back seat of the G compared to the no-backseat in the Z?

6. When kids come, a Z is a certain goner. But a case could be made to keep the G.

Most of all, if all these factors don't apply to you, and you want a no-frills performance based car, I would seriously be eyeing a Z. Sometimes, we all have to live out our bliss. Just my 2 cents.

[eZg001]

I'm going to tell you what I told my brother, who is in the market for a Z. Don't even consider anything older than an 06. I had an 03 and it was pitiful.

I just saw an 06 350z with 15k miles no accidents/problems on ebay for $20,500. It went fast but there will be others.

I did install leather myself in my 03. it was cheap, easy, and looked great!

If you are going to do it I would sell the G yourself and find a 350Z from a private party.

just my .02

[etschell]

luckily jacko i have a great girlfriend who loves my g,

[joe603]

Well said Jacko! Most of those reasons made my decision to by a G instead of a Vette.

[Sentientbydesign]

I'd put the G on a diet a mod it a little, then you'd have the (better looking) performance car you want.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

Keep the G or you will have to leave the G35 Forums!!!

LOL

If you really think the Z is that much faster than do it.. I don't see how it is much faster than the G35 but what ever lol

The Z is fast but the G is SeX

DJ

[badutahboy]

Your logic is inherently flawed... You didn't say how many payments you have left on the G, but doing some quick math (divided your payoff by your payment and added a couple payments for interest), I'm assuming you have around 40 months left on the loan.

So, your math shouldn't have been $100 savings * 60 months, because you aren't saving $100 for 60 months.. you're saving $100 for 40 months, then LOSING $320 for 20 months, because if you didn't make the deal, you'd be done paying your car off sooner.

The math you should have shown is this:

$3000 cash now + $4000 ($100/mo savings * 40 months) - 6400 (320 * 20 extra payments) = a net savings of 600 by switching to the Z...

Now, in 5 years, do you think the difference in value between the two cars is going to be more than $600?

Another way to look at it is this: The total amount of your remaining payments on the G is probably around $18k... Total payments on a Z @ $320 * 60 months is 19200..

So you're already upside down in the Z... and that's not factoring in the fact that you'll have to pay sales tax again, plus title and registration, plus added insurance for a sports car, plus any unexpected maintenance from an unknown car.

Add in the reasons everyone else mentioned, and it's not a fiscally sound idea, so unless you are just trying to justify making a change you emotionally want, I wouldn't change cars.

Why didn't telcoman beat me to the 401k math?

One other factor not mentioned yet... The G has a 4 year 60k mile warranty.. presumably you've got another year and 11k miles under warranty... The z's warranty is 3years/36,000 miles... meaning it has no warranty left. Buy an extended warranty, expect to spend $2,000 on it, making the deal even uglier.

Modified by badutahboy at 11:06 AM 6/12/2008
Modified by badutahboy at 11:08 AM 6/12/2008

[joe603]

Hard to argue with that!!! Well put

[Jacko3]

luckily jacko i have a great girlfriend who loves my g,

Keep the back seat---serves more than one function to include reduced insurance rates and increased chance of becoming a potent baby making station.

[badutahboy]

LMAO.. I'd actually consider that one a plus for getting the Z... new baby = no more money for modding/upgrading the Z...

Besides, who gets busy in the back seat of a coupe? They're hard enough to sit in, let alone Bow chicka wow wow...

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

I'd put the G on a diet a mod it a little, then you'd have the (better looking) performance car you want.

Or you on a Diet

DJ

[Jacko3]

I have sized up the backseat of the coupe---seems like a great place to sweat it out, if need be.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

No offense - but several conditions have to exist in order to get busy in the back seat of a G35 Coupe

1. You must be desperate - and be with a woman as desperate as you are.2. You must be a midget or under 5'3.3. You must live with your parents - because if you had your own place you would take shortie there instead of your back seat.4. You must be broke - because you cant afford a hotel

I laugh every time someone mentions this notion.

[etschell]

there will be no baby making with my girlfriend, shes on the pill. secondly, i dont think miss infiniti would like it much.

[telcoman]

Your logic is inherently flawed...

Why didn't telcoman beat me to the 401k math?

One other factor not mentioned yet... The G has a 4 year 60k mile warranty.. presumably you've got another year and 11k miles under warranty... The z's warranty is 3years/36,000 miles... meaning it has no warranty left. Buy an extended warranty, expect to spend $2,000 on it, making the deal even uglier.

Keep the G

INMHO If one can afford it, buy the G new, don't lease, keep it for 10 years 100k miles while you save for your next vehicle. Sales tax, reg fees, interest payments, high insurance payments all help to keep you poor.Most automobiles are what Sal on the Howard Stern show refers to as negative equity

Telcoman

[Sentientbydesign]

Or you on a Diet

DJ

I'm 6'3" I can lose about 40lbs and then things start getting ugly. A normal BMI for me means I have to have little to no muscle and no fat

No offense - but several conditions have to exist in order to get busy in the back seat of a G35 Coupe

1. You must be desperate - and be with a woman as desperate as you are.2. You must be a midget or under 5'3.3. You must live with your parents - because if you had your own place you would take shortie there instead of your back seat.4. You must be broke - because you cant afford a hotel

I laugh every time someone mentions this notion.

I must have one of those "perfect" wifes then lol.

We've devirginized my coupe, but I don't think I'd do it again. That center console thing in the back makes things quite ackward and the tiny opening to the trunk isn't much help either.

[Jacko3]