Like 350Z but with 4 seats…

[rotaryjam]

Recently owned a 350Z loved it! But now I need 4 seats with a baby on the way.. we'll have a 5 door for most trips so I can get away with 2 doors.

Things I liked about the 350Z

- the sound, that gruff exhaust note
- input controls, clutch, steering and gearshift all felt nice and firm, 'manly'
- playfulness! One quick prod of the throttle and it will kick out nicely
- Linear power delivery

I know there is the Infiniti G35/Skyline 350 GT but they are hard to find, auto only and I'm not 100% on the looks so thinking about alternatives.

So what's the closest thing to a 350Z with 4 seats?? (Excluding the above)

N.B I tried a BMW 130i but found the sound, torque and playfulness all lacking compared to the 350Z and the control feel wasnt as nice.

Budget is up to £15k

Edited by rotaryjam on Sunday 28th May 19:23

Edited by rotaryjam on Sunday 28th May 20:17

[Belle427]

No idea how it compares but why wouldnt you lol.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304035...

[rotaryjam]

Belle427 said:

No idea how it compares but why wouldnt you lol.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304035...

Great option! These feel like a very equivalent car. The only downside really is that ridiculous tax bracket

[sixor8]

There's a Skyline 350GT at the next Brightwell's timed classic auction in June. It failed to sell in the Japanese special earlier this month so it may have a lowered reserve price now. 2004 car with a 51 plate. Looks in good condition, but yes, auto:

https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5372/lot/62...

[fflump]

A manual Maserati 4200

[rotaryjam]

sixor8 said:

There's a Skyline 350GT at the next Brightwell's timed classic auction in June. It failed to sell in the Japanese special earlier this month so it may have a lowered reserve price now. 2004 car with a 51 plate. Looks in good condition, but yes, auto:

https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5372/lot/62...

If only it was manual

[rotaryjam]

fflump said:

A manual Maserati 4200

This is a great shout, but I'm a bit scared by Maserati ownership costs

[ZX10R NIN]

rotaryjam said:

Recently owned a 350Z loved it! But now I need 4 seats with a baby on the way.. we'll have a 5 door for most trips so I can get away with 2 doors.

Things I liked about the 350Z

- the sound, that gruff exhaust note
- input controls, clutch, steering and gearshift all felt nice and firm, 'manly'
- playfulness! One quick prod of the throttle and it will kick out nicely
- Linear power delivery

I know there is the Infiniti G35/Skyline 350 GT but they are hard to find, auto only and I'm not 100% on the looks so thinking about alternatives.

So what's the closest thing to a 350Z with 4 seats?? (Excluding the above)

N.B I tried a BMW 130i but found the sound, torque and playfulness all lacking compared to the 350Z and the control feel wasnt as nice.

Budget is up to £15k

Edited by rotaryjam on Sunday 28th May 19:23

Edited by rotaryjam on Sunday 28th May 20:17

Audi TT RS manual:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303044...

Manual S5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305247...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305137...

VXR Monaro:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

Manual V8 M3 but do your homework:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

335i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304266...

M235i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305267...

[georgeyboy12345]

Monaro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302154...

a VXR8 might be better with a baby as it has rear doors
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304035...


this manual Maserati Coupe - not sure about using it as a daily though
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301103...

[matrignano]

Kia Stinger

[Whataguy]

How about an infiniti m35 saloon rather than the g35 coupe, which comes with the actual 350z engine?

I had one as a hire car in the US, was almost as tail happy as my brothers UK 350z which I've also driven here.

With the same engine, a manual swap might be possible too. The 350z also comes as an auto.

[AlexNJ89]

RenaultSport Trophy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305187...

Mini Clubman JCW:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...

[Terzo123]

Another vote for a Monaro VXR. Get one registered prior to march 06 for cheaper tax.

Ace big things. Plenty of room for 4, slthough electric seats are a bit slow.

[biggbn]

matrignano said:

Kia Stinger

For 15k?

[Another project]

A Porsche panamera could be worth a look, not sure if they're available in manual gearbox though

[fflump]

rotaryjam said:

fflump said:

A manual Maserati 4200

This is a great shout, but I'm a bit scared by Maserati ownership costs

I ran one for a while. They are not complicated cars and eurospares parts are reasonable. Most of my spend was on renewing gaskets and coil packs. The only requisite is a decent Indy nearby to do any work.

[AlexNJ89]

Another project said:

A Porsche panamera could be worth a look, not sure if they're available in manual gearbox though

They were but only about 0.000001% of people bought one.

[DodgyGeezer]

Monaro/VXR is the correct answer - although the tax is a PiTA in reality it's only 4 tankfuls more than the lesser rate, over the course of a year that doesn't seem too bad?

If you can cope with LHD there's always an S197 Mustang to try (low tax and cheapish ins)

[C5_Steve]

The VXR8 linked to above on Autotrader......avoid. Someone went to view it recently and it's not in great shape, lots of issues. There's a reason it's so cheap.

A Monaro is a great car but I'd encourage you to have a look at one and check out the rear seats, they are incredibly cramped. You'd easily fit a child seat in but the access is very tight so you might want to see how it is for you. Probably the best suggestion so far, fairly similar to the 350 in terms of feel but obviously has a lot more power.

[AlexNJ89]

So to conclude OP, as a thread we believe that this car ticks all of your boxes. We hope you enjoy!
https://allonwhite.co.uk/used-morgan-cars-for-sale...