To 350z owners....how 'practical' is it?
Discussion
This is going to sound like a dumb question, and it probably is.
Ever since I first saw one, I've dreamed of owning a Z. Well, now I've beaten the crunch and have come into a bit of cash and am seriously thinking about either a 350z or a 993.
Now, the 350z was the more practical car (less paranoid about parking on roads, can use it for daily commutes, and it's a lot of fun) and the 993 was the "poster on wall" dream car I always wanted before I hit my mid-thirties and people thought it was a mid-life crisis purchase!!
But recently I've started diving, and the size of the boot (and the fact it doesn't have two rear seats to load stuff onto as well) really bothers me. Is it true that the 350z actually has less storage space than a porker?
For dive weekends down to Weymouth, should I really choose a porker over a zed because "it was more practical than a zed"? How screwed up would that be?
I guess my question to zed owners is this: given it's a fairly big car, and doesn't have two rear seats taking up loads of space, are you ever bothered by the limited storage space you have with the car? Or did I miss a hidden compartment during my test drive?
Cheers
AG
Ever since I first saw one, I've dreamed of owning a Z. Well, now I've beaten the crunch and have come into a bit of cash and am seriously thinking about either a 350z or a 993.
Now, the 350z was the more practical car (less paranoid about parking on roads, can use it for daily commutes, and it's a lot of fun) and the 993 was the "poster on wall" dream car I always wanted before I hit my mid-thirties and people thought it was a mid-life crisis purchase!!
But recently I've started diving, and the size of the boot (and the fact it doesn't have two rear seats to load stuff onto as well) really bothers me. Is it true that the 350z actually has less storage space than a porker?
For dive weekends down to Weymouth, should I really choose a porker over a zed because "it was more practical than a zed"? How screwed up would that be?
I guess my question to zed owners is this: given it's a fairly big car, and doesn't have two rear seats taking up loads of space, are you ever bothered by the limited storage space you have with the car? Or did I miss a hidden compartment during my test drive?
Cheers
AG
I think its the shape rather than the size that may or may not be an issue - the 350 allegedly can fit 2 golf bags in - so in a sense its relatively big BUT if the shape is wrong it doesn't really matter what the size is. the Nissan boot will drawf the porker but the back seats are a big advantage for load carrying - but do you want everything on show?
I think you need to take a real look at both, possibly with your equipment.
I think you need to take a real look at both, possibly with your equipment.
I'm not considering the roadster, just the coupe vs the 993. I only had a brief look under the tailgate of the zed but with that plastic arch over the top, it looked like it would struggle to hold a large briefcase, let alone two golf bags or some dive kit. The other downside (again being Mr Practical here) is that at least with the 993 you can hide stuff under the bonnet, with the zed, all my precious gear would be on display to all with no parcel shelf.
I'm whingeing a little bit here...I guess my dream car turned out to be even more impractical than the porsche, but I think the advice to go for a test drive and just happen to have all my diving gear with me is the only way I'm going to resolve this, so thanks for that, I'll do it this weekend (and I have another excuse to go for some test drives!!).
AG
I'm whingeing a little bit here...I guess my dream car turned out to be even more impractical than the porsche, but I think the advice to go for a test drive and just happen to have all my diving gear with me is the only way I'm going to resolve this, so thanks for that, I'll do it this weekend (and I have another excuse to go for some test drives!!).
AG
As a 350Z owner buy the 993. It'll cost more mone to run but it will keep it's value better!
The Fatsuns okay, very practical, yes you can get two golf bags in if required, suitcases are a no, soft bags yes. Economy is 30ish on the daily commute for me (A roads / M25 / town) doddle to drive and goes well. Plus cheap as a bag of bank shares to run.
Buy the German car though.
The Fatsuns okay, very practical, yes you can get two golf bags in if required, suitcases are a no, soft bags yes. Economy is 30ish on the daily commute for me (A roads / M25 / town) doddle to drive and goes well. Plus cheap as a bag of bank shares to run.
Buy the German car though.
I own a 350Z and its not very practical. My previous S2000 was better for weekend trips. I have the load cover that sits under the strut brace, so that doesn't help, but its still a very shallow space. I would buy the 993 as you fulfill a dream and wont suffer the terrible depreciation that 350's are suffering at the moment which will only get worse when the new punitive tax regime kicks in (unless cheaper fuel offsets the increase, but I suspect OPEC will restrict supply again soon to bolster their revenue) 
Have you hade a look at the Nissan Skyline V35 (http://uk.cars.ign.com/articles/448/448355p1.html). Quite a few available from import companies and although its meant to be softer than the 350Z, probably a lot more practical.
Have you hade a look at the Nissan Skyline V35 (http://uk.cars.ign.com/articles/448/448355p1.html). Quite a few available from import companies and although its meant to be softer than the 350Z, probably a lot more practical.
Edited by douglasr on Sunday 19th October 18:51
douglasr said:
I own a 350Z and its not very practical. My previous S2000 was better for weekend trips. I have the load cover that sits under the strut brace, so that doesn't help, but its still a very shallow space. I would buy the 993 as you fulfill a dream and wont suffer the terrible depreciation that 350's are suffering at the moment which will only get worse when the new punitive tax regime kicks in (unless cheaper fuel offsets the increase, but I suspect OPEC will restrict spply again soon to bolster their revenue)
Have you have a look at the Nissan Skyline V35 (http://uk.cars.ign.com/articles/448/448355p1.html). Quite a few available from importe companies and although its meant to be softer than the 350Z, probably a lot more practicle.
Exactly what I was going to suggest. It is not a 350Z, nor a porker, but Infiniti will be releasing the G37 soon, and it's going to be a bit of a stonker apparently...Have you have a look at the Nissan Skyline V35 (http://uk.cars.ign.com/articles/448/448355p1.html). Quite a few available from importe companies and although its meant to be softer than the 350Z, probably a lot more practicle.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080226.006/infiniti-g...
Essentially a 4 seater 350Z. There will be a coupe version, I believe, but if current models are anything to go by, it will be heavier than the sedan version...
as a Z owner I can advise you that they are very fun to drive but personally I think the clutch and gearbox are very heavy, thank god I dont have to drive it everyday.
ive never driven a porsche so I couldnt compare, test drive both but I think the porsche will be a better drive and easier to live with (and the badge is something you can be proud of).
ive never driven a porsche so I couldnt compare, test drive both but I think the porsche will be a better drive and easier to live with (and the badge is something you can be proud of).
they are not that practical
this is my first 350Z, and I was surprised by how little rooom is in the boot, the rear strut brace makes the rear luggage area rather small and is not a clever design.
Still at least its a hatch back so easy to get stuff in and out....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/773974.htm
they are however, great fun to drive with a terrific engine... and prices are now making them look like great value.
this is my first 350Z, and I was surprised by how little rooom is in the boot, the rear strut brace makes the rear luggage area rather small and is not a clever design.
Still at least its a hatch back so easy to get stuff in and out....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/773974.htm
they are however, great fun to drive with a terrific engine... and prices are now making them look like great value.
The zed is brilliant to drive & if careful you can get quite a lot in. Weve done a few European holidays & even managed 4 cases of champers + our luggage coming back. I would suggest you try both for size.
How often do you dive, might pay to get a renter for those weekends, weekend rates are suprisingly cheap
How often do you dive, might pay to get a renter for those weekends, weekend rates are suprisingly cheap
It's about as practical as you can expect really 
We did a week in Europe including the Ring in ours with no difficulty. There's a trick to storage; basically any flexible bags (holdalls etc.) are perfect, anything that's rigid isn't too good.
There'a a lot of space, it's just difficult to get the best of it given the position of the strut-brace.
As I said, we did a week in Europe with bags, rucksacks etc and still had enough room for a major beer/food trip to the supermarket on the way back
Don't forgot there's a sizeable glovebox behind the passenger seat as well.
We did a week in Europe including the Ring in ours with no difficulty. There's a trick to storage; basically any flexible bags (holdalls etc.) are perfect, anything that's rigid isn't too good.
There'a a lot of space, it's just difficult to get the best of it given the position of the strut-brace.
As I said, we did a week in Europe with bags, rucksacks etc and still had enough room for a major beer/food trip to the supermarket on the way back
Don't forgot there's a sizeable glovebox behind the passenger seat as well.
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