350Z any good?
Discussion
..so my MX-5 may be on its way before too long, courtesy of the usual "rust" issues...thinking of a replacement, I would quite like something Japanese and RWD, as those are two of the best things about the reliable MX-5....the 350Z popped into my head as a more mature and powerful replacement..
what are they like to own? Any common pitfalls to look for?
what are they like to own? Any common pitfalls to look for?
Jaska said:
Considered an S2000? More powerful than the MX-5, RWD, certainly reliable! And the same sort of age range.
Probably if you wanted to buy one you'd have to do it right now though, before prices go up for summer...
Yes absolutely, the S2000 is on my radar, what puts me off is simply the fact that prices have risen a lot already (The 350Z, year for year, is much better value IMO) and the reputation for snappy wet weather handling, compared to my friendly in the wet MX-5. I do adore the S2000 however.Probably if you wanted to buy one you'd have to do it right now though, before prices go up for summer...
Another poster mentioned Boxster, yes I would love one, but the potential IMS etc issues terrify me!
Great feedback...I am drawn to Japanese cars on account of their general reliability and robustness and strangely the three on my short list are the S2000, RX-8 and 350Z. These are three absolutely different cars, but each share the virtue of being RWD, Japanese and just that bit individual as you cant really get anything else like them in their class!
The only thing putting me off the 350Z is the weight. I generally prefer "chuckable" cars, but the 350Z appeals a lot as a sort of poorish mans M3....I would love an E46 M3, but am sure the running costs would be a fair bit higher than a 350Z. The RX-8 would cost a packet in fuel, but they are so cheap to start with that its not an issue when the car in question is a toy, doing 3-4,000 miles a year....
One further question, does the earlier 276 BHP car use a lot of oil? I may just go and try one of those, it has the cheaper VED after all!
The only thing putting me off the 350Z is the weight. I generally prefer "chuckable" cars, but the 350Z appeals a lot as a sort of poorish mans M3....I would love an E46 M3, but am sure the running costs would be a fair bit higher than a 350Z. The RX-8 would cost a packet in fuel, but they are so cheap to start with that its not an issue when the car in question is a toy, doing 3-4,000 miles a year....
One further question, does the earlier 276 BHP car use a lot of oil? I may just go and try one of those, it has the cheaper VED after all!
Interesting comments....I think the MX-5 is loved because no other roadster is as easy to live with 365 days a year. Funny you mention your Elise, as I drove one when they came out and have always hankered after one, but I just don't think they are as usable all year round. The MX-5 isn't quick, but is a friendly car to chuck about even when its pouring with rain. My memory of my day with the mk1 Elise, is that it was a bit "edgy" in wet weather conditions. Also the roof leaked, badly! My MX-5 has leaked only twice this terrible winter, both times in very strong winds and rain which would test any soft top and even then it was just a few drops getting in...
However, the MX-5 does have its limitations. I have a mk2 and when you are really pushing on, there's too much pitch and dive and roll and its also not very quick really, which I guess is another reason why I am wondering about moving it on rather than spending money getting it sorted...
Unfortunately the 350Z I had my eye on locally has now sold, so I cant go and test drive it...poo !!
However, the MX-5 does have its limitations. I have a mk2 and when you are really pushing on, there's too much pitch and dive and roll and its also not very quick really, which I guess is another reason why I am wondering about moving it on rather than spending money getting it sorted...
Unfortunately the 350Z I had my eye on locally has now sold, so I cant go and test drive it...poo !!
Alias218 said:
I've had my '07 313ps GT (note: it's 313ps, 308bhp) for two years and 30,000 trouble free miles. Used as a daily it has been faultless. I find it's quick enough to be able to keep up with a lot of stuff (my friend has an E46 M3 and it's a dead heat, and I was stuck to the bumper of a RS Megane, which was presumably mapped judging by the black smoke on up-shifts) and while heavy it can hustle itself round some nice country B-roads quite well.
If you can stretch to it, get the 313. Interior quality is much improved, a bonnet bulge which I think looks great and of course that engine... Exhaust sounds great stock IMO. Residuals should be better on the 313, however that VED is a kick in the nuts every 12 months. Avg. 25-26 mpg.
You're the second person to say the performance is close to that of an E46 M3. Interesting because the original road test figures had the M3 in the 11-12sec bracket for 0-100, the 313PS 350Z 13 sec dead in the EVO road test. So perhaps the M3 loses more power with mileage relative to the 350Z, or those road test M3s were particularly fit specimens?!If you can stretch to it, get the 313. Interior quality is much improved, a bonnet bulge which I think looks great and of course that engine... Exhaust sounds great stock IMO. Residuals should be better on the 313, however that VED is a kick in the nuts every 12 months. Avg. 25-26 mpg.
The 313 is right at the top end of my budget. I think I would have to wait for the price to drop a little, as I am sure it will do, these cars are not 10 years old and therefore cant be at the bottom of their depreciation curve....
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