370Z GT Roadster
Discussion
Om said:
Hope the sun is out and you have a good drive it day!
Thanks Om. 
I did get out in it earlier and I still really enjoyed driving/listening to it. The exhaust still makes me smile loads, which is the main thing I reckon.
I've just given it a quick wash and popped it back in the garage now.
My missus suggested swapping it for something different and spending a bit more money, but I think that defeats the object to have something more expensive just sat there not being used much though.
The 370 is losing money in depreciation don't get me wrong, but it doesn't lose much though, whereas if I spend more on something else more expensive, then the depreciation will hit much harder I reckon. We'll see what happens, but she knows how much I love it anyway.
Alias218 said:
The way I handle this now is to buy a full year’s tax, and get the refund when I SORN after 6 months. Works out cheaper! Not by much, but every little helps 
Om said:
I have started paying monthly by DD. You pay a bit more but it spreads it out, and having 3 cars to tax it makes it simpler. This way I SORNed mine over winter for 5mth and will DD it for the next 7mth at £59 a month, which comes out at about £414 for the year which isn't too outrageous. This way it is trivial to start and stop without messing around waiting for refunds etc.
Both those are good ideas thanks, and I hadn't thought of doing it that way before cheers. 
Tango13 said:
I looked at 370's when they first came out and but the ridiculous road tax rates put me off, then the later ones dropped to £180pa and the dealers were knocking £10k off pre-registered Nismos so it would've been rude not to!
I've always been a massive fan of the Nismo, and I love the extra styling details and the Recaro seats. 
It is mad how the tax changed on stuff like these on the later cars isn't it? I think the 5.0 V8 Mustang is similar on some of the later cars as well.
cerb4.5lee said:
Om said:
Hope the sun is out and you have a good drive it day!
Thanks Om. I did get out in it earlier and I still really enjoyed driving/listening to it. The exhaust still makes me smile loads, which is the main thing I reckon.
I've just given it a quick wash and popped it back in the garage now.
My missus suggested swapping it for something different and spending a bit more money, but I think that defeats the object to have something more expensive just sat there not being used much though.
The 370 is losing money in depreciation don't get me wrong, but it doesn't lose much though, whereas if I spend more on something else more expensive, then the depreciation will hit much harder I reckon. We'll see what happens, but she knows how much I love it anyway.
Coupes equivalent to mine are still asking the same/more than what I paid over 4 years ago - but 4 years older and with higher mileage which seems pretty good these days.
That is encouraging then thanks Om. I paid £13.5k for mine with 44.5k miles on it 5 years ago, and it now has 52k miles on it. So looking at those it hasn't changed in price much at all, so that is a nice bonus I reckon.
Historically...I'm usually an expert at buying cars that lose money in comparison! Then the minute I sell them...they shoot up in value.
Historically...I'm usually an expert at buying cars that lose money in comparison! Then the minute I sell them...they shoot up in value.
Thanks Sam.
I don't quite know what it is about the 370, but it has really got under my skin for sure. In some ways I thought that I might start to want to move it on really after 5 years, but I still love it though. So why change just for the sake of it?
As you say...the tax always hurts at the time that you need to renew it, however the car isn't all that expensive to run though overall I reckon, especially in comparison to some performance cars I think.
Obviously if I was using it everyday, then fuel could become an issue, but because it isn't used all that often, I don't even really notice the 22mpg that it is currently showing on the fuel computer in fairness either.
I don't quite know what it is about the 370, but it has really got under my skin for sure. In some ways I thought that I might start to want to move it on really after 5 years, but I still love it though. So why change just for the sake of it?
As you say...the tax always hurts at the time that you need to renew it, however the car isn't all that expensive to run though overall I reckon, especially in comparison to some performance cars I think.
Obviously if I was using it everyday, then fuel could become an issue, but because it isn't used all that often, I don't even really notice the 22mpg that it is currently showing on the fuel computer in fairness either.
Om said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Om said:
Hope the sun is out and you have a good drive it day!
Thanks Om. I did get out in it earlier and I still really enjoyed driving/listening to it. The exhaust still makes me smile loads, which is the main thing I reckon.
I've just given it a quick wash and popped it back in the garage now.
My missus suggested swapping it for something different and spending a bit more money, but I think that defeats the object to have something more expensive just sat there not being used much though.
The 370 is losing money in depreciation don't get me wrong, but it doesn't lose much though, whereas if I spend more on something else more expensive, then the depreciation will hit much harder I reckon. We'll see what happens, but she knows how much I love it anyway.
Coupes equivalent to mine are still asking the same/more than what I paid over 4 years ago - but 4 years older and with higher mileage which seems pretty good these days.
Look on eBay at completed listings, 0 bids in most cases, or look at the AutoTrader using the price plugin, there for months in a lot of cases with numerous price drops, not unique to 350Zs and 370Zs but people advertising a 2012 for 15 grand are a long way off, it would probably sell if it were half that or not much more.
We have a 350Z convertible, 2006, 80k, reckon its 3 to 4 grands worth realistically.
Try a WBAC/Motorway quote, add £1500, thats the private price ball park.
cerb4.5lee said:
Thanks Sam.
I don't quite know what it is about the 370, but it has really got under my skin for sure. In some ways I thought that I might start to want to move it on really after 5 years, but I still love it though. So why change just for the sake of it?
As you say...the tax always hurts at the time that you need to renew it, however the car isn't all that expensive to run though overall I reckon, especially in comparison to some performance cars I think.
Obviously if I was using it everyday, then fuel could become an issue, but because it isn't used all that often, I don't even really notice the 22mpg that it is currently showing on the fuel computer in fairness either.
None of that really matters if it’s such an occasional car especially if it’s one that you still really enjoy. There’s a lot to be said about not chasing performance and enjoying the noise, roof down etc. Let’s face it, if all you wanted was ballistic acceleration and cheap running costs, you’d buy a Tesla (other EV’s also available.I don't quite know what it is about the 370, but it has really got under my skin for sure. In some ways I thought that I might start to want to move it on really after 5 years, but I still love it though. So why change just for the sake of it?
As you say...the tax always hurts at the time that you need to renew it, however the car isn't all that expensive to run though overall I reckon, especially in comparison to some performance cars I think.
Obviously if I was using it everyday, then fuel could become an issue, but because it isn't used all that often, I don't even really notice the 22mpg that it is currently showing on the fuel computer in fairness either.
The 370Z is such a great car; great engine and noise too 
TBH it's high road tax; but if you had a similar car that you only really used at the weekend, if at all; you'd still be out of pocket to have it on the road etc
Just name of the game unfortunately
Might as well enjoy it whilst you can; can't take it with you as they say!
TBH it's high road tax; but if you had a similar car that you only really used at the weekend, if at all; you'd still be out of pocket to have it on the road etc
Just name of the game unfortunately
Might as well enjoy it whilst you can; can't take it with you as they say!
cerb4.5lee said:
My missus suggested swapping it for something different and spending a bit more money, but I think that defeats the object to have something more expensive just sat there not being used much though.
The 370 is losing money in depreciation don't get me wrong, but it doesn't lose much though, whereas if I spend more on something else more expensive, then the depreciation will hit much harder I reckon. We'll see what happens, but she knows how much I love it anyway.
Minimal depreciation is one of the benefits of an older car, and if you still enjoy it why spend more on something you may not like as much? The 370 is losing money in depreciation don't get me wrong, but it doesn't lose much though, whereas if I spend more on something else more expensive, then the depreciation will hit much harder I reckon. We'll see what happens, but she knows how much I love it anyway.
I'm into my 5th year with my Z4MC and in a similar situation. There is nothing I could realistically afford that I would rather have and it still makes me smile every time I drive it.
Sure the Road Tax hurts, but at least at 27mpg it's more economical than your 370Z!
How do you find the gearbox?
I have a manual 370 and the gearbox is my main bugbear - mine whines at higher speeds, shift is clunky and notchy and it generally feels like there is slack in it - so much so that it’s hard to drive smoothly at lower speeds as it jerks around. I’m contemplating taking the box out over the winter and having it rebuilt along with a new clutch and flywheel in the hope it solves my problems, but I’m not sure if that’s just what they’re like!
I have a manual 370 and the gearbox is my main bugbear - mine whines at higher speeds, shift is clunky and notchy and it generally feels like there is slack in it - so much so that it’s hard to drive smoothly at lower speeds as it jerks around. I’m contemplating taking the box out over the winter and having it rebuilt along with a new clutch and flywheel in the hope it solves my problems, but I’m not sure if that’s just what they’re like!
Poseidon said:
How do you find the gearbox?
I have a manual 370 and the gearbox is my main bugbear - mine whines at higher speeds, shift is clunky and notchy and it generally feels like there is slack in it - so much so that it’s hard to drive smoothly at lower speeds as it jerks around. I’m contemplating taking the box out over the winter and having it rebuilt along with a new clutch and flywheel in the hope it solves my problems, but I’m not sure if that’s just what they’re like!
I don't mind it to be honest. I like that it feels quite hefty to use, and I think that it adds to the character of the car really. However it certainly doesn't like to be rushed very much though, and I have missed third gear a few times coming out of second and quickly trying to shift to third though. I have a manual 370 and the gearbox is my main bugbear - mine whines at higher speeds, shift is clunky and notchy and it generally feels like there is slack in it - so much so that it’s hard to drive smoothly at lower speeds as it jerks around. I’m contemplating taking the box out over the winter and having it rebuilt along with a new clutch and flywheel in the hope it solves my problems, but I’m not sure if that’s just what they’re like!
I haven't noticed any whine with mine either, although I probably wouldn't hear it anyway...because the exhaust would drown it out I reckon!
The gearbox can feel a bit reluctant when it is cold at slow speeds, but once it warms up a bit, it then feels much better I think.
coldel said:
I had a 350z and the manual gearbox in that was much the same - agricultural - I think the most apt description of the gearboxes
See it as a 'feature' of the car lol
Yeah, they are a bit, especially when cold but ok when warmed through.See it as a 'feature' of the car lol
I put molyslip in mine and am pretty sure that made it a bit slicker.
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