350Z vs STi

[Kroze]

all i've ever got in was 2 door cars eversince i got my license. Guess what? there are very few circumstances where i need a 4 door car. think about it, how often do you drive with all 4 people in the car?

and those few circumstances out of the year, where i need to carry 4 people total, my 2 door coupe/hatchback works just fine. granted that the rear passenger doesn't have much leg room but hey, it's only once or twice a year. most of the time i only have 1 passenger or driving by myself anyway.


i'll get the 350z over the jack & riced up econo box STI any day.

 

[Ronin]

For grins, I decided to count on the way home how many 350Z's and 325's I saw. The tally:

1 350Z (with custom rims)
0 325s

I did see 3 525's and 4 740's, however.

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Ronin
2k6 350 fixed what was wrong (in most cases) with the 350, and didn't screw with what was right about the car. The sex appeal the 350 has over the STi is mind boggling (I'm talking pure looks here).

Sex appeal? You see a dime a dozen of that car in So Cal. What ever sex appeal it has, it lost it when half of the city drives one, the other half drives BMW 325s.

And people talk about Mustangs being a dime a dozen :disgust: I swear I see more fvcking Tahoes, Chrysler 300s and Grand Cherokees than anything these days. Gotta love trends (although those are nice vehicles in their own right...)

So you guys have been talking about rice. What do you all think of this 350Z? Not that I'm thinking of buying it, I just want to know if the majority thinks it is tasefully done or if it's just another ricemobile. That first pic vaguely reminds me of a Porsche, heh.

Driveline is stock, well serviced, with no performance upgrades

Even if it did have performance upgrades, all those useless vents are stupid.

 

[pray4mojo]

Cobb SS Cat Back Exhaust

maybe that'll help persuade you

 

[Kroze]

another member is selling his 05 z for $24k with 4300 miles.



http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/DaveCSparty/Z001.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/DaveCSparty/Z002.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/DaveCSparty/Z003.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/DaveCSparty/Z004.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/DaveCSparty/Z005.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y238/DaveCSparty/Z006.jpg

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero

Originally posted by: johnnqq
two completely different cars man. it depends what you want. the sti (i rode in one and it was really uncomfortable...at least a day to day drive) is a raw awd 4 banger. the 350z is a true sports car. i hope you test drove them at least (if not go do that now. your decision could be easier than you thought). if it were me? 350z. i can get more power with less money out of a 350z vs an already forced induction 4 banger sti. i didn't read your thread but if you're looking for 4 seats, get the g35. same drivetrain. just ask if you have questions and that 350z is not only rice, but it could be a scam. that's a DAMN good price for a 350z without all the riced bodywork (which also costs more).

Yes, I definitely plan on driving them both. By then I should be firmly settled into my new job. I'm not in a huge hurry to buy a car; I wasn't going to go buy a car after my first paycheck. It's nice to be w/o a car payment for now...

I really wish I could wait for a used IS350 in my price range. 307 horsepower, Toyota quality, and Lexus style. And if you bolted on a turbo... :shocked:

I'd freakin' love to have an 04 Cobra but I don't want my insurance premium to be more than my house payment. :disgust:

Shouldn't be that much... I pay $150 a month for full coverage on my '03 vert (the hard top actually costs more for some reason...). Get the Cobra and slap a Kenne Bell + Crower + Bassani combo on there and you'll be set. Nothing in this price range can touch 700+ HP at the rear axles. First time someone in a 350Z or STi starts it with you you'll thank yourself for not getting one of them.

 

[filetitan]

True sports car 350z hands down

 

[thirdeye]

Originally posted by: filetitan
True sports car 350z hands down

What defines a "true sports car"?

An STi would blow this "true sports car" away in EVERY performance category, unless you consider looking pretty a performance category, then the Z would have an advantage in one.

 

[DarkKnight69]

Originally posted by: OS
if this is your only car, the 350Z has a tiny trunk. Also some people complained about bad manual trannies on earlier models.

If you like the STI you should consider the EVO also.

QFT

But between those 2, the STI definatly. I think people that drive 350z's are just compensating. But then again, i am a fan of the sport compacts more. I would take a cobalt ss supercharged for 22k over wither of those.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero


So you guys have been talking about rice. What do you all think of this 350Z? Not that I'm thinking of buying it, I just want to know if the majority thinks it is tasefully done or if it's just another ricemobile. That first pic vaguely reminds me of a Porsche, heh.

The aftermarket rear wing on that particular Z looks horrible :thumbsdown:
Stock spoiler or none at all :thumbsup:

 

[Nugzalot]

You have a mustang.. you want a newer car and more power? Get an '03 Cobra. I drive an IS300 now coming from a 94 TT supra auto.. it's slow but I like the styling and it's somewhat practical. Anyways, 03 Cobra's are just nasssty cars. There's also the GTO. But for some reason no matter what I don't think I could buy another American car.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: DarkKnight69

Originally posted by: OS
if this is your only car, the 350Z has a tiny trunk. Also some people complained about bad manual trannies on earlier models.

If you like the STI you should consider the EVO also.

QFT

But between those 2, the STI definatly. I think people that drive 350z's are just compensating. But then again, i am a fan of the sport compacts more. I would take a cobalt ss supercharged for 22k over wither of those.

You have just lost all credibility in this thread :laugh:

 

[johnnqq]

yea lol. if you're just looking for a sexy sports car with decent power check out a supra or a tt supra. they go anywhere from 15-30 grand and 2jz is a GOOD toyota engine (and i mean GOOD. very strong internals) edit: supra has basically the same engine as the is300 with a few tweaks + twin turbo

 

[Ronin]

There's always the IS350. The body style change makes the car even better looking than before. It's not all that roomy as sedans go, but it's still a nice looker.

 

[HumblePie]

Hrmmm.... several things. I was in the same boat recently and picked up an RX8. I love the damn car but I know it's not for everyone. Plus, I am keeping a wtchful eye out on some turbos coming out for the car that I might add

Anyhow, I was looking and cross comparing the EVO, 350z, STI, G35, Stang, and RX8. I then boiled it down to the 350z, RX8, and STI. I ended up with the RX8 because I liked driving it best AND I got an awsome frikking deal on mine Otherwise I might have ended up with the STI.


Anyhow, if you are holding out on buying a car for a few months, wait until the new RX8 comes out with the 8 speed manual transmission and supercharger Or the new Mazda 6 is getting beefed up too for 2006.

Still, my recommendations are do your homework, like you are but to go DRIVE the cars yourself. Then scour around for prices without buying. DO NOT BUY YET. Get quote after quote after quote. Look online. Look for used. Drive everything you can in test drives. Make sure when you do want to make the purchase it is exactly what you really want. That way there are zero regrets. I have zero regrets with my car

However, if you want my opinion between the 350z and the STI... easy. More mods for the STI since it's been out longer. The Z has a REALLY stiff carriage and bumps suck. For daily commuting the Z is just way too stiff on the handling. However, you might like that but most people do not. Also, the Z reminds me of a chicks car. All I see are chicks driving it around here.

 

[Nutdotnet]

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.

I know squat about the STi but I'm assuming it'd also need an upgraded clutch as well?

 

[thescreensavers]

I woudl get neather I would get a Toyota Matrix XRS 6 speed Manule oww and in that car it has the same engine as in lotus.The TRIX is 19k and the fourms for that car ar at http://www.matrixowners.com/

 

[ballmode]

Matrix = FWD = Boring


not a sports car, but neither is the STI as being a sedan

 

[Xionide]

Get the sti. It will have plenty of power. It's a better all around car (4-door, awd = better in snow). It's a car you could keep when you have a family.

 

[MidNiteMysT]

STI all the way, no doubt about it. its been proven to perform and i actually like how it looks. add a nice lip kit and rims (dont even have to) and i think it looks really sporty. awd is always good to have. launches are gonna be awesome and you can drive it in any weather. what are you gonna do with the 350z when it snows? its gonna fish tail all over the place.

i just wish they made a 2 door STI. btw before anyone says anything, i know they used to make 2 door sti's, im talking about newer sti's that are available to the US.

if your decisions is really only between the STI and Z, then STI all the way. the Z simply isnt practical.

 

[yhelothar]

I'd personally go for a 350Z. I want some of the luxury it has. STI is built for racing. The interior is cheap and stripped down. It's a daily driver, i don't need racing seats. Give me some comfortable leather seats anyday.

 

[Bullhonkie]

I was cross shopping some of the same cars two years ago (Evo, STi, G35, Z) and the decision was very easy for me after driving all of them. I suggest you do yourself a favor and try out whatever you're considering. Judging by your posts and other cars you may consider enjoyable to drive, the Evo/STi/Z may be much too harsh of a daily driver compared to something that leans towards luxury sport like an IS or M3. If you're just looking to buy for a track/weekend/summer type car to blast around in and already have a daily driver, then nevermind.

Originally posted by: johnnqq
i can get more power with less money out of a 350z vs an already forced induction 4 banger sti.

All I've seen is the exact opposite. Enthusiast sites recommend going straight into forced induction for your Z if you're serious about making any kind of real gains in power and not to waste time/money trying to wring more out of it naturally aspirated. Unfortunately a 10.3:1 compression ratio isn't very friendly to the stock bottom end if you plan on serious boost. Full 3" turboback plus engine management on an STi or the same plus cams/gears for an Evo results in an easy 380-390 flywheel hp.

 

[misterj]

Originally posted by: johnnqq
i can get more power with less money out of a 350z vs an already forced induction 4 banger sti.

WRONG. put down the crackpipe. out of curiosity and humor, what possessed you to say that?
you can get more power by adding an exhaust to a turbo car than all the bolt-ons COMBINED on an n/a car.

my butt dyno says says the powerband of the z doesn't make it feel fast at all. kind of boring. hard and expensive to make more power, short of turbocharging/supercharging it = compromised reliability and voided warranty. the only thing going for it is it's looks.
also beware http://www.nissantireproblems.com

the sti brings a grin from cheek to cheek in every gear. you easily forget the looks of the exterior/interior.

but don't take our word for it. you must go out and drive them yourself. this is the most important thing. and try not to let the salesmen feed you any bs. just focus on the cars.

 

[MidNiteMysT]

i dont think you should even be considering the 350z vs the sti. i think this thread should be g35 coupe vs sti. thats whats been on my mind. go for luxury and sport, which is a tough decision. the 350z is just at a lose in so many categories.

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: MidNiteMysT
i dont think you should even be considering the 350z vs the sti. i think this thread should be g35 coupe vs sti. thats whats been on my mind. go for luxury and sport, which is a tough decision. the 350z is just at a lose in so many categories.

It's 2 different types of cars--not a fair comparison.