Fiesta ST to 350z, am I mad?
Discussion
I've had my Fiesta ST since last December now and as good a little car as it is I'm just not in love with it. I've got a hankering for a 2 seat relatively high power (coming from 104 and 150bhp cars) RWD coupe. I did consider a 3.0 BMW Z4 but found them quite a bit more expensive than the 350s and overall just didn't grab me as much.
I can apparently get anything up to £5-6k for my Fiesta though I realise that the market isn't great for these at the moment and could afford to chuck £3-4k cash in as well (not including insurance). The only thing putting me off is that every now and then (at most say 20 days a year) I have to make the 140 mile round trip from Wrexham to Preston, this is currently costing £22 a day roughly in the ST and a customer we've got who made the same journey in a 350z seemed to think it only cost him around £25 in fuel. Apart from work travelling I only do about 6-7k miles a year. Boot space / 2 extra seats etc in a car isn't an issue as I don't have kids/dogs to lug around. Fuel consumption apart from the odd work run, which I don't mind driving like a Grandad for, isn't an issue either.
Has anyone made the leap from mild hatch - RWD 300bhp coupe and how did you find it, would you go back?
If anyones got any other suggestions of cars in roughly the same age range, price and mould of a 350z that I've not taken a look at (Not a fan of MX5s or S2Ks) I'd also be very appreciative!
If there are any current owners around, what's real world MPG like and is servicing horrific or quite sensible? Should I be wary of high milage cars as I'm looking in the 40 - 60k range I'd imagine!
I can apparently get anything up to £5-6k for my Fiesta though I realise that the market isn't great for these at the moment and could afford to chuck £3-4k cash in as well (not including insurance). The only thing putting me off is that every now and then (at most say 20 days a year) I have to make the 140 mile round trip from Wrexham to Preston, this is currently costing £22 a day roughly in the ST and a customer we've got who made the same journey in a 350z seemed to think it only cost him around £25 in fuel. Apart from work travelling I only do about 6-7k miles a year. Boot space / 2 extra seats etc in a car isn't an issue as I don't have kids/dogs to lug around. Fuel consumption apart from the odd work run, which I don't mind driving like a Grandad for, isn't an issue either.
Has anyone made the leap from mild hatch - RWD 300bhp coupe and how did you find it, would you go back?
If anyones got any other suggestions of cars in roughly the same age range, price and mould of a 350z that I've not taken a look at (Not a fan of MX5s or S2Ks) I'd also be very appreciative!
If there are any current owners around, what's real world MPG like and is servicing horrific or quite sensible? Should I be wary of high milage cars as I'm looking in the 40 - 60k range I'd imagine!
Edited by ecommsmith on Wednesday 28th September 14:49
ecommsmith said:
btdk5 said:
Why would it ever be a bad idea? The 350 will be much more enjoyable to drive.
Just not sure if the leap to a 300bhp is wise at 22 with only 2 (just under) years of driving experience! I know PH probably isn't the right place to think about things like this 
Get the 350z, book an advanced driving lessons (if you feel you need one and are a bit worried) and a ride/drive handling day to learn a bit more about your car's limits in a controlled environment.
I did the same thing when I went from a warm hatch to a V8 sportscar with no driver aids. The advanced driving lesson helps to cure any bellend tendencies on the road, and the handling day teaches you about your new car. All useful stuff.
I did the same thing when I went from a warm hatch to a V8 sportscar with no driver aids. The advanced driving lesson helps to cure any bellend tendencies on the road, and the handling day teaches you about your new car. All useful stuff.
ecommsmith said:
btdk5 said:
Why would it ever be a bad idea? The 350 will be much more enjoyable to drive.
Just not sure if the leap to a 300bhp is wise at 22 with only 2 (just under) years of driving experience! I know PH probably isn't the right place to think about things like this !ecommsmith said:
btdk5 said:
Why would it ever be a bad idea? The 350 will be much more enjoyable to drive.
Just not sure if the leap to a 300bhp is wise at 22 with only 2 (just under) years of driving experience! I know PH probably isn't the right place to think about things like this I've looked at a convertible TT (58 plate), standard mans with the 6 speed manual and FWD and I think the quotes were around £700 for me and the missus (we're above 25 and have a clean sheet in both accident claims and fines since we started driving) for 10k miles per annum.
I'm guessing a Z might be at least that for some one under 25 years old with a shorter driving history. Quite steep!
But if you can do it, do it! you won't be regretting it and besides if you don't do it now, eco-mentals in gobberment will have us all in 2 cylinder hybrid range extender econoboxes!!!
EDIT: I see you posted while I was typing... £1100 isnt bad!
Otispunkmeyer said:
What are the insurance quotes like for the Z?
I've looked at a convertible TT (58 plate), standard mans with the 6 speed manual and FWD and I think the quotes were around £700 for me and the missus (we're above 25 and have a clean sheet in both accident claims and fines since we started driving) for 10k miles per annum.
I'm guessing a Z might be at least that for some one under 25 years old with a shorter driving history. Quite steep!
But if you can do it, do it! you won't be regretting it and besides if you don't do it now, eco-mentals in gobberment will have us all in 2 cylinder hybrid range extender econoboxes!!!
It's about £400 more at £1100 but I'm not too fussed paying that. That's also without the multicar discount my dad's policy brings.I've looked at a convertible TT (58 plate), standard mans with the 6 speed manual and FWD and I think the quotes were around £700 for me and the missus (we're above 25 and have a clean sheet in both accident claims and fines since we started driving) for 10k miles per annum.
I'm guessing a Z might be at least that for some one under 25 years old with a shorter driving history. Quite steep!
But if you can do it, do it! you won't be regretting it and besides if you don't do it now, eco-mentals in gobberment will have us all in 2 cylinder hybrid range extender econoboxes!!!
ambuletz said:
going on parkers mpg claims of the 350z - 24mpg
140mile trip = £36.57 in the 350z
for prudence sake, lets say that's £37.
At most it'll cost you an extra £300 in fuel.
Is £300 extra a year in fuel worth fussing about if you're going to chuck an extra £3-4k on another car?
Yeah I've checked that, it just seems a lot more at the pump if I have to drive for a week for 5 days 140mile trip = £36.57 in the 350z
for prudence sake, lets say that's £37.
At most it'll cost you an extra £300 in fuel.
Is £300 extra a year in fuel worth fussing about if you're going to chuck an extra £3-4k on another car?
GroundEffect said:
I've driven a 350Z and it's not that daunting a car.
Indeed, the 350Z is not particularly fast nor is it's handling particularly sharp or snappy. With those massive rear tyres and it's huge bulk and squat, low shape I suspect it would be fairly hard to get into trouble with one unless you were really pushing it. I'd go and test drive one first though, as they are nowhere near as exciting in real life as they seem on paper, especially given Nissan's track record for producing incredible cars. Baryonyx said:
Indeed, the 350Z is not particularly fast nor is it's handling particularly sharp or snappy. With those massive rear tyres and it's huge bulk and squat, low shape I suspect it would be fairly hard to get into trouble with one unless you were really pushing it. I'd go and test drive one first though, as they are nowhere near as exciting in real life as they seem on paper, especially given Nissan's track record for producing incredible cars.
I quite like the whole big car thing, I feel quite ridiculous in the Fiesta. Not too fussed on out and out speed either, I doubt very much I'll be doing track days etc but It'd be nice to be able to put some power down when necessary and still have some fun in the twisties!A friend has a 350Z if you stick it in 6th doing about 75ish with the cruise control on it will easily achieve 30mpg maybe slightly more.
I have also owned two fiesta ST's and driven the 350Z, the 350z is definatly better. I personally think the 350z is starting to look slightly dated (especially the interior), boot space is useless i.e. you can't get anything remotely large in as the floor is very shallow and they are generally thirsty when doing normal day to day driving (one of the few cars i have found that drinks more petrol than my focus ST mountune).
Performance wise its pretty much identical to my current car all the way upto ~150mphish,the brakes are good and its fairly easy to keep in check even with the traction off. You have to be driving really harsh to make it spin out as it feels planted through corners even at speed. I would advise buying one with low miles decent tyres all round but especially rears. My friend has had his about 9 months and 8000 miles with no issues at all(started on 48000).
A nice seemingly reliable car but I would prefer an S2000 but thats just me.
I have also owned two fiesta ST's and driven the 350Z, the 350z is definatly better. I personally think the 350z is starting to look slightly dated (especially the interior), boot space is useless i.e. you can't get anything remotely large in as the floor is very shallow and they are generally thirsty when doing normal day to day driving (one of the few cars i have found that drinks more petrol than my focus ST mountune).
Performance wise its pretty much identical to my current car all the way upto ~150mphish,the brakes are good and its fairly easy to keep in check even with the traction off. You have to be driving really harsh to make it spin out as it feels planted through corners even at speed. I would advise buying one with low miles decent tyres all round but especially rears. My friend has had his about 9 months and 8000 miles with no issues at all(started on 48000).
A nice seemingly reliable car but I would prefer an S2000 but thats just me.
Edited by Froomee on Wednesday 28th September 15:14
Spanna said:
I know someone that went from a 1.5 90's Civic, then for a very short while into a Celica 1.8 VVTi and now has a Nismo Spec 350Z.
Properly excellent car. Didn't feel as powerful as I imagined more than 300bhp would in that car, but its excellent all round.
Me -> Passed test, '97 1.5 Civic -> 6 months later, 2.2 Z4 -> 2 years later, E92 M3.Properly excellent car. Didn't feel as powerful as I imagined more than 300bhp would in that car, but its excellent all round.
It will be fine.
ecommsmith said:
I quite like the whole big car thing, I feel quite ridiculous in the Fiesta. Not too fussed on out and out speed either, I doubt very much I'll be doing track days etc but It'd be nice to be able to put some power down when necessary and still have some fun in the twisties!
I definitely think changing to a different car is a good idea if thats what you're after, I simply feel that the mediocre 350Z is a fairly dull choice and you could enjoy so much more for your money. Given your age and NCB, you could struggle to get insurance with some cars but that doesn't stop speculative searching. I know you've said you don't like the S2000 but thats where I would be looking if I were you (if you could get insurance, and thats a big 'if'). Thrilling to drive with a bombastic engine, great styling and pleasingly impractical. I sometimes feel like I should get one myself, but then I have other plans...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff