S2000 or 350Z?
Discussion
Evening all 
Well, I've got to a point where I can finally dump the current car in favour of an S2000 or a 350Z. I've test driven an S2000, and whilst nice it didn't feel as fast as it is on paper - possibly down to the lack of torque? I could quite happlily own one though, and it seems £14,000 or so would get a revision 2 model.
On the other hand, for an extra 3k or so I could be in a 350Z, and not have to think about slapping on sun cream every time I went out for a drive in the sun... Not sure it's worth the extra, although I've yet to test drive one (hoping to rectify that soon).
Anyway, I'm basically here for advice and opinions on the costs of the two, and the relative merits of them. Is one significantly more expensive to run than the other? The 350Z can be insured for about half the cost of the S2000, but what about servicing? Petrol? Discs and other stuff that needs replacing from time to time? Will I begrudge the extra outlay in finance to get into a 350Z, and what do the residuals of both look like?
Cheers for any thoughts!
Dan
Well, I've got to a point where I can finally dump the current car in favour of an S2000 or a 350Z. I've test driven an S2000, and whilst nice it didn't feel as fast as it is on paper - possibly down to the lack of torque? I could quite happlily own one though, and it seems £14,000 or so would get a revision 2 model.
On the other hand, for an extra 3k or so I could be in a 350Z, and not have to think about slapping on sun cream every time I went out for a drive in the sun... Not sure it's worth the extra, although I've yet to test drive one (hoping to rectify that soon).
Anyway, I'm basically here for advice and opinions on the costs of the two, and the relative merits of them. Is one significantly more expensive to run than the other? The 350Z can be insured for about half the cost of the S2000, but what about servicing? Petrol? Discs and other stuff that needs replacing from time to time? Will I begrudge the extra outlay in finance to get into a 350Z, and what do the residuals of both look like?
Cheers for any thoughts!
Dan
They'll be very different cars to drive - S2000 is more a focussed sportscar, lighter nimbler and needs to be revved hard to get the best out of it whereas the the 350Z is more of a GT car, bigger, heavier, softer, much more low-down torque so you don't have to rev it the same but all up probably not as quick as the S2000.
Drive both and you'll probably find a clear preference one way or the other as to which suits you best.
Drive both and you'll probably find a clear preference one way or the other as to which suits you best.
GravelBen said:
They'll be very different cars to drive - S2000 is more a focussed sportscar, lighter nimbler and needs to be revved hard to get the best out of it whereas the the 350Z is more of a GT car, bigger, heavier, softer, much more low-down torque so you don't have to rev it the same but all up probably not as quick as the S2000.
Drive both and you'll probably find a clear preference one way or the other as to which suits you best.
Drive both and you'll probably find a clear preference one way or the other as to which suits you best.
I owned an 'S' and now have 'Z'. I agree about the 'S' being more nimble, but its definitely not quicker. In a straight line there wont be much in it, the 'Z' may shade it up to 100, and pull away thereafter, but on a road you dont know, its a bit different. I often found myself in the wrong gear, either too close to the red zone or out of the power band in the S2000. In the Nissan, you can use the torque - the wrong gear or fluffed change matters much less....and the noise...
As the man said, try both. the Honda may feel more "right" from the start as its lighter and easier to drive. The Nissan is more of a GT - more comfortable, quieter, more space...no drop top unless you buy the convertible which I wouldn't as its even more lardy arsed.
have a look at... www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=363453
...and my profile for S2000 costs (very cheap apart from insurance)
Thanks for the info. I've driven an S2000, and I've got to say it didn't blow me away. There wasn't a perceptable increase in speed as the revs entered the VTEC zone (or none that I noticed) - the car just didn't run out of puff... Not to say that it's a bad car - far from it, but I've sort of got used to the torque in the current bus, and the S2000 lacked the shove in the back I'm after. I'll have to find a 350Z to test drive, and I'm sure that'll make my mind up one way or the other. If the 350Z doesn't stun me, I expect I'll plump for the S2000.
Dan
I've driven an S2000, and I've got to say it didn't blow me away. There wasn't a perceptable increase in speed as the revs entered the VTEC zone (or none that I noticed) - the car just didn't run out of puff... Not to say that it's a bad car - far from it, but I've sort of got used to the torque in the current bus, and the S2000 lacked the shove in the back I'm after. I'll have to find a 350Z to test drive, and I'm sure that'll make my mind up one way or the other. If the 350Z doesn't stun me, I expect I'll plump for the S2000. Dan
Hi
I test drove both recently. Both are excellent cars, but so different. You have to drive to see which is for you.
The 350z has a lot more torque, but to me was disappointing at the top end of the rev range (it felt like it REALLY wanted to go but lacked the kick you get from the S2000). It also lacked the fun of the S2000, as it seemed much bigger and heavier. More like a GT than a sports car, and I wanted a sports car.
The S2000 was like two different cars in one. You could pootle around town at low revs comfortably, and then once you hit the country roads, open it up, and it's a different car altogether. It's that fun factor that would keep me coming back for more.
To me, the S2000 was far superior for what I wanted. I can, however, see why many would prefer the 350z. It's more torquey (is that even a word?), and as has been mentioned, you don't need to worry so much about being in the right gear at the right time.
As far as running costs go, I've never owned either, but from the research I've done so far, the S2000 costs a fair bit more to insure (I was getting £850 quotes vs. £650 for the 350z... 29yo full no-claims), but should be a bit cheaper to run. Having said that, the servicing costs of both are reasonable compared to the alternatives (Boxsters etc). To be honest, I get the impression that there's not a lot in it cost-wise. So drive both and see which one appeals
I test drove both recently. Both are excellent cars, but so different. You have to drive to see which is for you.
The 350z has a lot more torque, but to me was disappointing at the top end of the rev range (it felt like it REALLY wanted to go but lacked the kick you get from the S2000). It also lacked the fun of the S2000, as it seemed much bigger and heavier. More like a GT than a sports car, and I wanted a sports car.
The S2000 was like two different cars in one. You could pootle around town at low revs comfortably, and then once you hit the country roads, open it up, and it's a different car altogether. It's that fun factor that would keep me coming back for more.
To me, the S2000 was far superior for what I wanted. I can, however, see why many would prefer the 350z. It's more torquey (is that even a word?), and as has been mentioned, you don't need to worry so much about being in the right gear at the right time.
As far as running costs go, I've never owned either, but from the research I've done so far, the S2000 costs a fair bit more to insure (I was getting £850 quotes vs. £650 for the 350z... 29yo full no-claims), but should be a bit cheaper to run. Having said that, the servicing costs of both are reasonable compared to the alternatives (Boxsters etc). To be honest, I get the impression that there's not a lot in it cost-wise. So drive both and see which one appeals
Edited by matt28 on Tuesday 8th May 09:24
Mr. Fibbles has just bought an S2K, have a chat with him. He might be able to put you off or turn you on to one of these. How many S2K's do you see on the roads compared to the 350Z and more importantly another thing to bare in mind is come resale time which one has depreciated less and is easier to sell on.
Good luck
Good luck
scoobiewrx said:
Mr. Fibbles has just bought an S2K, have a chat with him. He might be able to put you off or turn you on to one of these. How many S2K's do you see on the roads compared to the 350Z and more importantly another thing to bare in mind is come resale time which one has depreciated less and is easier to sell on.
Good luck
I see significantly more S2000s on the roads - I take your point that this means they sell better, but I'm not too concerned about that. This is a car I'll be keeping for a few years, rather than one I'm planning to play with then dump after a year or so, so I'm not too fussed. Come resale in three year's time, the S2000 will have been replaced by a new model I'd guess, whereas the 350Z will probably still be in it's current shape (even if it's getting long in the tooth). Good luck
Dan
Edited by DanL on Wednesday 9th May 15:46
Actually....i'd rather have a Murtaya than either the S2K or the 350Z. For the money there is a lot more bang for your buck and what a nice looker too. Scooby powered with 4x4 in a sexy 2 seater shell...LOVERRRRRRLY!! 
and WITH A DECENT SIZE BOOT!!!!!!!!
Edited by scoobiewrx on Wednesday 9th May 16:06
and WITH A DECENT SIZE BOOT!!!!!!!!
Edited by scoobiewrx on Wednesday 9th May 16:07
From personal experience. The Datsun is cheap to run, service, insure etc. Petrol is about 25ish mpg. Not to bad really. It doesn't feel half as heavy as I expected and is suprisingly nimble and firm. Only grumble is as mentioned by someone else it gets to about 6.5k and then stops, it aught to rev more.
Good car though.
Good car though.
crook said:
From personal experience. The Datsun is cheap to run, service, insure etc. Petrol is about 25ish mpg. Not to bad really. It doesn't feel half as heavy as I expected and is suprisingly nimble and firm. Only grumble is as mentioned by someone else it gets to about 6.5k and then stops, it aught to rev more.
Good car though.
Good car though.
I think this is absolutely spot on, I own one, really great car, really does not feel as heavy as it is, engine note is great, fantastic well balanced chassis, I get around 24mpg on average of all types of driving, had it for a while now and it could do with a few more ponies, but it's still great. Has started first time everytime.
S2000 just feels a little too 'synthetic' for my liking. I don't like the Playstation steering feel nor the reedy torque. I feel a prat when ragging it to 7,000rpm in order to get anywhere. Love the gerachnage and brakes. It's an interesting car but the 350Z is a great car.
All IMHO of course.
All IMHO of course.
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