350Z vs STi

[OS]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Vic
The STi is significantly superior to the 350Z. So much so I'm not even sure where to begin. For starters, the STi seats 4 comfortably and has such novelties as a glovebox. For another, you can drive it more than 6 months out of the year. As to safe reliable power, you can pretty easily 400whp out of STi safely and reliably, and still keep it as a daily driver. To do so, I would recommend a TBE, larger turbo, FMIC, and ECU reflash or piggyback plus dyno tune. Still, I would argue that it's harder to get 400whp out of a 350Z than out of an STi.

They make bolt on SC/turbo kits for VQ cars, ~5Gs, a little below 400 WHP.

I don't doubt that. My point was that you're gonna to spending just as much if not more money, and pushing reliability just as far if not further to its limit, to get 400whp out of a 350Z as to get it out of an STi.
I am answering the OP's original question.

IMO only marginally so, since all that stuff you listed isn't cheap. And not necessarily less reliable, i know someone with a bolt on SC VQ, everything else stock down to clutch. Daily beaten, ~30K miles and dead reliable.

FMIC, turbo and a remap not reliable? How? Leave a hose off the turbine? Not tighten a hose on the cooler hoses?

It's very tried and tested in the Subaru world, the car comes with forced induction, the 350z does not. End of discussion.

Don't pevert what I said and read everything else before it.

 

[Reckoner]

Get yourself a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited and save yourself some cash.

 

[Specop 007]

My opinion?
Neither.

Nut much help though.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Vic
The STi is significantly superior to the 350Z. So much so I'm not even sure where to begin. For starters, the STi seats 4 comfortably and has such novelties as a glovebox. For another, you can drive it more than 6 months out of the year. As to safe reliable power, you can pretty easily 400whp out of STi safely and reliably, and still keep it as a daily driver. To do so, I would recommend a TBE, larger turbo, FMIC, and ECU reflash or piggyback plus dyno tune. Still, I would argue that it's harder to get 400whp out of a 350Z than out of an STi.

They make bolt on SC/turbo kits for VQ cars, ~5Gs, a little below 400 WHP.

I don't doubt that. My point was that you're gonna to spending just as much if not more money, and pushing reliability just as far if not further to its limit, to get 400whp out of a 350Z as to get it out of an STi.
I am answering the OP's original question.

IMO only marginally so, since all that stuff you listed isn't cheap. And not necessarily less reliable, i know someone with a bolt on SC VQ, everything else stock down to clutch. Daily beaten, ~30K miles and dead reliable.

FMIC, turbo and a remap not reliable? How? Leave a hose off the turbine? Not tighten a hose on the cooler hoses?

It's very tried and tested in the Subaru world, the car comes with forced induction, the 350z does not. End of discussion.

Don't pevert what I said and read everything else before it.

Sorry, I read your post as stating the Scoob was less reliable with mods. I apologise.

That being said, it can be unreliable if done badly or without thought on any car.

These threads are always a bit of a sh!tfight as soon as you mention a blown scoob.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Get yourself a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited and save yourself some cash.

Not a bad idea. PDXTuning.com has an LGT running 400whp reliably with just a turbo nearly the size of a basketball and a reflash and tuning. Otherwise, it still has the stock TMIC and exhaust. Beautiful car (I love the white ones). Of course, they've also upgraded the brakes and suspension, which are upgrades the STi really doesn't need but the LGT requires if you're gonna make that kind of power, so the OP really wouldn't be saving that much cash going that route. Overall cost would be comparable, and you'd get the LGT's classy looks but not the STi's 6MT.

 

[jammur21]

Have you looked at G35 or used 2001+ low mileage Vettes

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: Specop 007
My opinion?
Neither.

Nut much help though.

LOL, you're right. Probably wrong thread.

FWIW, I'm open to other suggestions since I won't be buying for a little while. Keep in mind I won't be buying brand new, as cars are traditionally a terrible "investment."

Some requirements:
NO trucks
NO SUVs (g/f has one I can use if need be)
Must come with a manual tranny
Must be reliable

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Get yourself a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited and save yourself some cash.

Not a bad idea. PDXTuning.com has an LGT running 400whp reliably with just a turbo nearly the size of a basketball and a reflash and tuning. Otherwise, it still has the stock TMIC and exhaust. Beautiful car (I love the white ones). Of course, they've also upgraded the brakes and suspension, which are upgrades the STi really doesn't need but the LGT requires if you're gonna make that kind of power, so the OP really wouldn't be saving that much cash going that route. Overall cost would be comparable, and you'd get the LGT's classy looks but not the STi's 6MT.

I actually like the look of the Legacy GTs a lot. I was mainly looking at the STi because it's faster (stock anyway), but I didn't know until yesterday that they all came with blue seats . Not a huge fan of those...

What about insurance rates? Will the STi be ungodly on insurance, or are they fairly reasonable due to the 4 doors and AWD?

 

[Fingolfin269]

350Z or G35 Coupe if you want a trunk/4 seats.

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: jammur21
Have you looked at G35 or used 2001+ low mileage Vettes

Well, I like the styling of the G35 but I had kind of ruled them out because I thought it was basically the same car as the Z but with more creature comforts. I didn't want to pay more $ just for the Infiniti name, but if it's truly a better car then I'd definitely consider it.

As for Vettes, I have looked at them, but insurance would be outrageous...plus they are not high on the list of reliable used cars. I read an article saying that they had more problems per 100 vehicles than a lot of other cars from Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc. and I don't want to constantly dump money into maintenance/repairs. Plus parts are really really high...my girlfriend's dad has a 2002 EB Corvette and when he shops for parts and upgrades my wallet wants to run and hide, and I don't even own the car!

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Get yourself a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited and save yourself some cash.

Not a bad idea. PDXTuning.com has an LGT running 400whp reliably with just a turbo nearly the size of a basketball and a reflash and tuning. Otherwise, it still has the stock TMIC and exhaust. Beautiful car (I love the white ones). Of course, they've also upgraded the brakes and suspension, which are upgrades the STi really doesn't need but the LGT requires if you're gonna make that kind of power, so the OP really wouldn't be saving that much cash going that route. Overall cost would be comparable, and you'd get the LGT's classy looks but not the STi's 6MT.

I actually like the look of the Legacy GTs a lot. I was mainly looking at the STi because it's faster (stock anyway), but I didn't know until yesterday that they all came with blue seats . Not a huge fan of those...

What about insurance rates? Will the STi be ungodly on insurance, or are they fairly reasonable due to the 4 doors and AWD?

How's your driving record?

 

[tec699]

get a Mercedes Benz!!

my uncle has one and it's nice.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Specop 007
My opinion?
Neither.

Nut much help though.

Nef?

:roll:


On a side note:

Cars for daily driving are not poor investments, they are simply not investments period. If cars are somehow investements, then how poor of investments are your own food and clothing? Cars are part of your transportation overhead, and obviously liabilities like all overhead is. The question is how much you want to spend on that overhead, a personal decision. Unlike an investment, getting a return on liabilities is not part of the equation, just the cost. Now, some will argue, what about depreciation and resale? To that I say, those don't represent any investment aspect of a car, they are just factors of the total cost.
Obviously, this last statement does not apply to classic or exotic cars not driven on a daily basis. Those can be investments, but that's apples and oranges compared to daily drivers.

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: tec699
get a Mercedes Benz!!

my uncle has one and it's nice.

I'm sure it is, but no thanks. I'm only 25, so I'd be much more at home in a Viper than a Benz.

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Specop 007
My opinion?
Neither.

Nut much help though.

Nef?

:roll:


On a side note:

Cars for daily driving are not poor investments, they are simply not investments period. If cars are somehow investements, then how poor of investments are your own food and clothing? Cars are part of your transportation overhead, and obviously liabilities like all overhead is. The question is how much you want to spend on that overhead, a personal decision. Unlike an investment, getting a return on liabilities is not part of the equation, just the cost. Now, some will argue, what about depreciation and resale? To that I say, those don't represent any investment aspect of a car, they are just factors of the total cost.
Obviously, this last statement does not apply to classic or exotic cars not driven on a daily basis. Those can be investments, but that's apples and oranges compared to daily drivers.

I agree... I'm sure there's people out there who think it's ridiculous that people spend $400 on a video card, which will depreciate rapidly. It's all about peoples hobbies, and what makes them happy in the end. That's what the money is there for, isn't it?

 

[DaWhim]

WHERE IS THE POLL?

STi all the way

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Get yourself a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited and save yourself some cash.

Not a bad idea. PDXTuning.com has an LGT running 400whp reliably with just a turbo nearly the size of a basketball and a reflash and tuning. Otherwise, it still has the stock TMIC and exhaust. Beautiful car (I love the white ones). Of course, they've also upgraded the brakes and suspension, which are upgrades the STi really doesn't need but the LGT requires if you're gonna make that kind of power, so the OP really wouldn't be saving that much cash going that route. Overall cost would be comparable, and you'd get the LGT's classy looks but not the STi's 6MT.

Of course it's a good idea.
As long as it's a Subaru, right?
:roll:

 

[JulesMaximus]

The STi will spank the Z in every category stock vs stock. The Z is definitely sexy and the interior is probably slightly nicer but if you want the better performer get the STi. It's reliable as hell and hands down the faster car. Having 4 doors and a trunk is just icing on the cake.

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Specop 007
My opinion?
Neither.

Nut much help though.

Nef?

:roll:

No, just answering the question.

So tell us Vic, what would be better. Buy the STi and don not use kitchen appliances, or buy the G35 and use kitchen appliances while standing on tires?
Which car has a safer record based on the longevity of the tires?

Still pouting about your foolish display earlier?

The OP asked a question, I gave him an answer. Out of those two cars, neither. Let me guess, you cant understand that either can you?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Imyourzero

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Horrible financial move (Woohoo, new job so I'll buy a new car!) but I'd take the STi any day.

How about you save $10+ grand and buy a WRX TR?

Viper GTS

If you're going to come in and not be helpful, at least explain why it would be a horrible financial move. My current car is paid off, but not very practical at all, and I would have bought a new car in the next few months whether I got this job or not. What would you suggest I do instead?

all new cars are heavily depreciating assets, even i know this and i know nothing about finances

Duh. It's short term relatively low interest debt though. It's not like credit card debt. Hell, I bought a new car a couple years ago and because of the low interest rate (1.9%) it made absolutely no sense to put any money down on it and buying a used version of the same car would have been stupid as hell.

People do make stupid mistakes when it comes to buying cars. Buying a new car isn't necessarily one of them.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Horrible financial move (Woohoo, new job so I'll buy a new car!)

i agree 100% with this unless you desperately need a new car, which if you definately need a new car i would get the subaru, the 350z is not too practical for anything other than driving you and 1 other person.

otherwise live the same way you are not and invest some $$$ in something other than the only thing that will depreciate faster than computer equipment.

 

[vi edit]

I had the chance to drive an '05 350Z for about a week. I could not imagine owning it as a daily driver. It just compromises far too many things.

- The visibility is horrible, good luck backing it into a tight spot.

- I'm 6' and weight 170 pounds. The bottom bolstering on the seats was oppressively snug. Any trip longer than 15 minutes and the thighs started to go numb.

- Lack of any and all cargo and storage is a major negative.

- No back seat really limits functionality.

- Shifter/clutch is really sloppy. I never missed a gear in my Mazda3, but found myself constantly hunting for gears with the Z. Clutch is also very heavy and hard to engage smoothly.

- Combination of incredibly low seating position and big heavy doors makes it very difficult to get out of in tight spaces.

- It would be absolutely useless in any amount of poor weather(rain or snow)

- It beats the ever living crap out of you on the highway. The road noise is horrible and the suspension is strung so tight you just get abused going over even the slightest imperfections in the road.

The only real things going for it are that it looks really nice, and it flat out pulls hard from any gear at any RPM. Very grunty motor and you won't find yourself with your pants down trying to pass on the highway in 6th gear. Now downshift necessary.

The STi while an econobox at heart, still goes like stink on sh!t, has seating for 4, an actual trunk, and is much more forgiving on the highway.

That'd be my choice between the two.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Imyourzero

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Horrible financial move (Woohoo, new job so I'll buy a new car!) but I'd take the STi any day.

How about you save $10+ grand and buy a WRX TR?

Viper GTS

If you're going to come in and not be helpful, at least explain why it would be a horrible financial move. My current car is paid off, but not very practical at all, and I would have bought a new car in the next few months whether I got this job or not. What would you suggest I do instead?

all new cars are heavily depreciating assets, even i know this and i know nothing about finances

Duh. It's short term relatively low interest debt though. It's not like credit card debt. Hell, I bought a new car a couple years ago and because of the low interest rate (1.9%) it made absolutely no sense to put any money down on it and buying a used version of the same car would have been stupid as hell.

People do make stupid mistakes when it comes to buying cars. Buying a new car isn't necessarily one of them.

Funny you mention that, car loan is 2.9%, could pay it off right now and not even cut half my savings, but the interest is so low it'd be stupid to do so.

 

[bootymac]

Mazdaspeed 6. The more mature version of the STi

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Get yourself a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited and save yourself some cash.

Not a bad idea. PDXTuning.com has an LGT running 400whp reliably with just a turbo nearly the size of a basketball and a reflash and tuning. Otherwise, it still has the stock TMIC and exhaust. Beautiful car (I love the white ones). Of course, they've also upgraded the brakes and suspension, which are upgrades the STi really doesn't need but the LGT requires if you're gonna make that kind of power, so the OP really wouldn't be saving that much cash going that route. Overall cost would be comparable, and you'd get the LGT's classy looks but not the STi's 6MT.

Of course it's a good idea.
As long as it's a Subaru, right?
:roll:

I do happen to like other cars besides Subarus, I think you should know. My appreciation of Subarus is actually objectively based insofar that it provides me with year-round performance in an area where the roads are wet and slick 7 months out of the year. Here's next week's weather forecast.

At the same time, my dislike for the 350Z is also based on the real world. Prior to production, Nissan hyped the new Z as a return to the original 240Z, one of which I owned back when I was 19-20 years old and to which I attribute my love of import performance cars. Unfortunately, the 350Z that was finally released did not live up to Nissan original hype and promise, which pissed me off as I waited more than a year to buy one.