AJRFulton Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Unfortunately I've reached the point with the 370Z where I've lost faith in the car. I bought the car brand new last year, and in 18mths of ownership it has spent 2mths off the road, which frankly is totally unacceptable. Now I love the car, love how it looks, love how it drives..... but.... it's one problem after another, and tbh it's been the most problematic car I've owned. However, here is the problem.... I'm void of inspiration on what to get to replace the Z. The 370Z is a very rare car, and that is something I really liked about it, that and the fact people looked at it. This in mind I'm finding it hard to get excited at browsing around for new cars, because unless I spend a lot of money - I'm never going to get that head turn factor again. Part of the problem is I don't know what I want. Do I want a comfortable car, sports car... I dunno. My only rule is it has to be under 4yrs old and of the current model shape. I'm happy to pay up to £500pcm with a £7k deposit. The running costs also should exceed that of the Z by too much. I do 20K miles a year and the car will be my daily driver. I'm also not keen on going Japanese again. I've been looking at M class Mercs, XK-R's, GT-R's, RS5's, but... whether it be price, running costs, etc... somethings made me baulk. Inspire me people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipar69 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) It won't help you to say this but I think you've been very unlucky. In five years and three 370s I've had no problems at all (although I don't do a lot of miles). I'm not a huge fan but perhaps for your purposes one of the BMW M cars. I'm assuming you could get a decent second hand deal for the money you've suggested. I'm quite partial to the later model SLK 55 AMGs as well but I'm not sure you could get one for that money. Shame you'll be saying goodbye to the 370 but if you've not fallen in love best to move on If I was going for something non Z now it would (and probably will next time) be a Lotus Evora. I know everyone says Lotus's are unreliable but from the research I've done it's a pretty reliable car (perhaps not ideal as a motorway daily driver though). Edited August 19, 2014 by sipar69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Evora would be more than suitable as a DD, that's what it was designed for. Just get an MY12 or later car and you're laughing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJRFulton Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Could an evora fit a suitcase? I work away for weeks at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Yup, boot isn't that big but you've got the rear seats/empty space to chuck things on to Or swap suitcase for two squishy bags, job's a carrot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipar69 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) Some of them have four seats meaning you get a bit of extra space for luggage. They vary widely in terms of price but the non supercharged version can be had for reasonable money and it's still quick. I love Evoras and am definitely considering one when it's time for a change. Edit - Oops I see I just repeated what Ekona said about seats (just be aware that they're not all four seat). Edited August 19, 2014 by sipar69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Yeah, most people bought the 2+2 because they thought that's what the market would want after they got rid of it, but really you wouldn't want to sit in those seats for too long I'd search out a good 2+0 if it were me, but there's not really much difference in terms of usable space between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipar69 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) As Ekona says, best to go for a MY2012 onwards as they apparently have the better quality interiors. Reasonable money.... http://www.autotrade...dcars?logcode=p Silly money (but droool!) I saw one in this colour on the M3 recently - looked like a proper super car. Absolutely stunning. http://www.autotrade.../1500?logcode=p Edited August 19, 2014 by sipar69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I know i'm probably going to get crucified for saying this but I think a lot of cars today are a little boring or at least aesthetically. The usual euro box humming down the road, oh look another BMW, Audi, BMW, Audi, Renault, Vauxhall, BMW, Audi depends what floats your boat. Why not something retro cool? Or something that really caught my eye recently that I really liked that isn't retro cool perhaps more up your street in respect to "under 4 years old" the AMG A45 Merc. That thing is ballistic. 50k I know but wow, looks good and definitely means business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Not just the interior, there was a lot of mechanical fixes as well, not least of all sorting out the dreadful gearshift of some of the early cars. Stirring a bucket of bricks doesn't really come close! Was only on the odd car though to be fair, but you'd have to drive it to know (i.e. you wouldn't know by when it was made, or serial number). Ah, the benefits of a car made in a shed in Norfolk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 ...the AMG A45 Merc. That thing is ballistic. 50k I know but wow, looks good and definitely means business. £50K today, £30K by Xmas, £10K by next year. If usual AMG depreciation is to be followed of course! On a different note, could you not run two cars? One is the boring cheapy DD that does the miles, the other is the fun car for weekends? That way you could run something more compromised for the toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipar69 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I hate discussions like this. Now I want to go out and buy an Evora. Must be sensible and learn to enjoy what I've got instead of lusting after the next thing..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 As said....SL55 AMG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJRFulton Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 ...the AMG A45 Merc. That thing is ballistic. 50k I know but wow, looks good and definitely means business. £50K today, £30K by Xmas, £10K by next year. If usual AMG depreciation is to be followed of course! On a different note, could you not run two cars? One is the boring cheapy DD that does the miles, the other is the fun car for weekends? That way you could run something more compromised for the toy. Not really feasable. Since November I've been home less than 20 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Would love an Evora, what a car. I would avoid all the motorway barges as well due to the sheer number and monotony of them - although you could cheat and get an Alpina or something? Or just go for a mental Lotus http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lotus/exige-s2/lotus-exige-scura-2010/2713348 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payco Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Why not get another 370z ?. You have just been unlucky with your current 370z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJRFulton Posted August 19, 2014 Author Share Posted August 19, 2014 Why not get another 370z ?. You have just been unlucky with your current 370z. Not giving Nissan the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 American Muscle? Great for motorway cruising Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Not really feasable. Since November I've been home less than 20 days. You need a VW T5 or a Winnebago. :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Not sure how much the 370 costs to maintain, but the GTR would fit the bill for most of that - not sure about 20k a year though. I have had mine a little over 3 years, but its a second/third car for me and I am happy to leave it with my mechanic for 2-4 weeks at a time. Its great on the motorway, lots of space, etc. The issue would be Nissan again.... I refuse to use Nissan, unless I absolutely have to! They are also not the best at being speedy to correct an issue.... when my bellhousing became a problem, they want to take the car apart, check the part send notification to Nissan, wait for approval of warranty, order the part and then fit when they had time. All in, they said 6 weeks........ Sly did the work in less than 6 hours and ordered the parts 2 days before. How many dealers are going to be any better than that? I seriously doubt that Merc would be. I tested the C63 AMG and loved the noise, didnt like much else (seating position was weird, handbrake is very weird and its just a standard car with a v8). My missus had a Range Rover from new and it was back with them every 3-4 weeks and they were utterly useless!!! I think its more the service of the dealer than the car! With that in mind, my recommendation is 2x GTR 1 to use, 1 to have serviced 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Never seen the Evora before..................wow - that is nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Never seen the Evora before..................wow - that is nice :scare: Hand your man card in now! Never seen an Evora, I'm so disappointed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hensh65 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Has the P word not even been mentioned yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Has the P word not even been mentioned yet For the OP or the one that has never seen an Evora? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payco Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Lancia Delta Integralle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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