I'm almost there people. I'm 90% done with closing the deal on the 2005 Yellow S2K with 8400 miles, for $28k (includes tax, fees, finance charges, etc). But of course, I just came across a 2004 350Z base model with 20k miles for $21k (probably $22k after all closing costs).

Should I consider the 350z? How are the maintenance costs on it compared to the S2K? And I'm sure insurance will be a lot less being that it's not a convertible. I'll be saving myself about $6,000 going with the 350z.

 

Pretty sure the base model 350 comes with no LSD. That sucks for a torquey V6 sports car.

 

There is no comparable car to the S2000. Your comparing a pure-breed sports car to a car with a mini-van engine.

 

My buddy has an 04 Enthusiast model, and you can't really compare the two. get the S, don't sell yourself short.

 

S2k less fuel-lcd-faster of the two-cabrio!no comments!!

 

Bottom line 350Z...

- No LSD/Stability control
- No HID's
- Smaller wheels
- No Brembos
- Check plastic trim interior pieces
- No tire pressure or oil monitor

...and thats just the beginning of the MAJOR differences on the "Enthusiast" package 350Z (otherwise known as the "Sport" package...). If you want a 350Z, you do not want to go with anything lower than a touring package, so that you can atleast get the tire pressure monitor, lsd, stability controller, nicer interior and HID's.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">to a car with a mini-van engine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're an idiot if you consider it jsut as a "mini-van engine"...the 3.5litre V6 is used in several variations in many of the cars throughout Nissan and Infiniti's line up (not to mention the fact that the performance version of it is ONLY used in the 350Z, G35 and FX35).

To me...the S2000 is a funner car to drive, and atleast in my opinion, i prefer the way it puts the power to the ground as well as the styling...the 350Z is faster in a straight line (with a good driver in both cars) but handling wise, the S2000 slightly outs it...in the end, without getting the 350Z loaded with options, its just a japanese mustang, where as the S2000 is a very uniquely engineered roadster that really doesnt have a comparible car besides the lowly (in my opinion) miata.

For $28k you could find a slightly used "Track Edition" 350Z, which i will argue ALL day is just as good a sports car as the S2000...and actually (on paper) outs it in all performance catagories...but again, that is a used 350Z with more mileage than the S2000 you're looking at.

Do not get the base model 350Z.

 

350Z is an overweight pig.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hypnosisracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the 350Z is faster in a straight line (with a good driver in both cars) but handling wise, the S2000 slightly outs it...</TD></TR></TABLE>

The S2000 wins the straight line too. Everything I've ever seen has the S2K faster in the 1/4 mile and 0-60mph.

 

S2k = A-Stock

350Z = B-Stock

That's all I've got to say.

 

speedtrials puts both cars in TTD. needless to say, they get rocked and no one drives them. hehehe. evo's and sti's are in class C. Must... have... booost... *Psssh*

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The S2000 wins the straight line too. Everything I've ever seen has the S2K faster in the 1/4 mile and 0-60mph.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The times vary all over the web, but there are tons of stock 350Z tracks in the mid 13's bone stock. The S2000 can achieve high 13's, but ive never seen a mid 13...now perhaps as an average they are about equal, but ive seen faster stock 1/4 times in the 350Z, 0-60 were about the same...

Regardless of that though, you're also talking quite a bit more power in the 350Z on both the hp side and torque side, so in that, it should be faster in a straight line EVERY time, and its not...another reason why i personally like the S2000 better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hypnosisracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The times vary all over the web, but there are tons of stock 350Z tracks in the mid 13's bone stock. The S2000 can achieve high 13's, but ive never seen a mid 13...now perhaps as an average they are about equal, but ive seen faster stock 1/4 times in the 350Z, 0-60 were about the same...

Regardless of that though, you're also talking quite a bit more power in the 350Z on both the hp side and torque side, so in that, it should be faster in a straight line EVERY time, and its not...another reason why i personally like the S2000 better.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The 350Z is much heavier though. Every mag I've seen that tested the 350Z has them going low 14's.

 

Most every magazine that tested the S2000 got the same...the magazines get ahold of the cars like once in a blue moon, run them like twice and figure their times are the fastest times imaginable...when we still had our S2000, my friend and i went to commerce drag way and i pulled a 14.1xx (with 3/4's tank of pump gas) and he had his 2003 track edition 350Z and pulled a 13.8xx with 1/4 tank of pump gas...thats really the only personal experience i have with a 350Z at a dragstrip, but ive watched several and seen them online...both cars are easily capable of 13's...it comes down to driver really, i was just saying, i think if you had the same driver that could get the S2000 in the 13's, he could probobly get the 350Z lower into the 13's...

And while heavier...it should still be running faster, look at the Mustang Cobra (non supercharged version)...that car is heavier than the Z car...and it easily runs 13's with only about 10 more horsepower...

 

i test drove a 350 before i bought the S.... i freeking hated it... it felt like a fat pig... i couldn't really toss it into the corners like i do with the S.....

another thing i don't like about the 350 is the fact that there's so many different trim levels.... you could pull up to one and be like hey thats a pretty cool car then find out it's a freeking automatic....

 

Yeah...nissan and infiniti like to put like 10 different trim lines on their cars. My FX35 alone has like 7 different models...with various combinations of "packages" you can buy. But really, its kind of nice if you're in the market for the car, because it allows you to basically pick and choose what you want...if you want a car with leather, but dont care about HID's but you want the 18" wheels and suspension tweeks, you can get it...if you want it bare bones...you can have it. Its weird to people who dont care, but people in the market for the car, i think the variations in the models gives a nice feeling that you can have exactly what you want.

 

True, but the S is also exactly of what a lot of people want.

 

i can understand it on the basic cars.... suvs, trucks, compact cars, sedans yada yada....

but when it comes to a supposed "sports car"... i think it should have like one trim.... but have options like seats, interior color, style of wheels, yada yada.. but the performance be the same.....

so in other words, options that change the look of the car/color combinations, but no change in performance..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Slideways2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">True, but the S is also exactly of what a lot of people want.</TD></TR></TABLE>

and for the rest of us.. we mod then...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by papa5murf &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> but when it comes to a supposed "sports car"... i think it should have like one trim.... but have options like seats, interior color, style of wheels, yada yada.. but the performance be the same.....

so in other words, options that change the look of the car/color combinations, but no change in performance..</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's my impression of the S. There are enough options for you to customize your car from the factory, but stock for stock they are all equal. The rest of the mods you list are aftermarket, and we're already all over that.

 

Check out s2ki.com. Im in a market for a S2000 sometime next spring and I find some really good deals. They are extremely cheap at this time because of winter.

 

jay leno doesnt like the 350Z that means you shouldnt either .....serously i'd go S2000

 

IMO I'll Buy that 350z for $21G and put the other $10G into the Z

Anyway, I gonna buy the S2000 this summer, cause' my girl want to and Its gonna be STOCK

 

s2k all the way! Ive drivin both, s2k is so much nicer. I think the z is a heavy beast

 

that's pretty good deal on the S2000.... I wouldn't even think twice about going with the S..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hypnosisracing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You're an idiot if you consider it jsut as a "mini-van engine"...the 3.5litre V6 is used in several variations in many of the cars throughout Nissan and Infiniti's line up (not to mention the fact that the performance version of it is ONLY used in the 350Z, G35 and FX35).

To me...the S2000 is a funner car to drive, and atleast in my opinion, i prefer the way it puts the power to the ground as well as the styling...the 350Z is faster in a straight line (with a good driver in both cars) but handling wise, the S2000 slightly outs it...in the end, without getting the 350Z loaded with options, its just a japanese mustang, where as the S2000 is a very uniquely engineered roadster that really doesnt have a comparible car besides the lowly (in my opinion) miata.

For $28k you could find a slightly used "Track Edition" 350Z, which i will argue ALL day is just as good a sports car as the S2000...and actually (on paper) outs it in all performance catagories...but again, that is a used 350Z with more mileage than the S2000 you're looking at.

Do not get the base model 350Z.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You would be an idiot to assume i said the VQ series engine is bad. But on the other hand you would be more of an idiot to deny that the 350Z has the same engine as in the Quest. And only idiots think funner is a real word.


Modified by zclee.com at 2:08 AM 12/18/2005