How should I respond to the Nissan 370Z?

[2TrunkSteve]

I get to travel a fair amount and I always rent from Hertz (company required). Every now and then I will burn some of my points and get myself a Hertz Prestige Car. Recently I took out a 350Z convertible and I have to admit it has some impressive features. It was faster than the Boxster and it had tight handling. My apologies to Hertz, because I drove it for all it was worth over my 3 days.

It reminds me of a doctor I once dated. She was nice looking and had all the credentials on paper, but she lacked the total package. I feel the same way about the Nissan. Technically amazing and brutally quick, but it was no Porsche.

I'll probably loose the stoplight grand-prix every time, but my 1997 2.5 Boxster is still the better car even though it also has too much plastic in the interior. I would love to run my 12 year old Boxster against a 12 year old Nissan. I may still lose, but the Porsche has class and is better engineered. I will always be happier than the Nissan owner.

[vath2001]

Keep the Boxster and with the money you save by not buy a new Boxster, buy the Z.

So you have 2 sports cars? The neighbors already don't like you because you own a Porsche.

[boxster1]

After having thought about it for a long time and reading the many good comments left here, I've developed a few ideas. First, after owning the Boxster S, I can't live with a sports car that doesn't have a mid-mounted engine. Secondly, I have to agree with everyone who talked about the classic looks, appeal and distinctiveness of a Porsche. Finally, if I'm really concerned about being one of the faster cars around I'll buy something like the Cayman RS package from Autofarm.co.uk.

[Rob-00BoxsterS]

Originally Posted by 2TrunkSteve

I will always be happier than the Nissan owner.

This is one of the few things I don't agree with on this thread. I'm sure no explanation is necessary.

Here is a picture of my Z that I have owned for close to 25 years:


Sometimes I'll take it to an AutoX when a friend goes along in his '84 944. Our times are very similar, but, in my opinion, this is really where you can see why the P-car was more money. Although my Z is, by far, in better shape, it is just a car. The 944 still feels like it belongs on the track. It has a solid "thump" when you close the doors and has a more solid feel going over uneven payment. His shocks are worn out but it still feels more solid when cornering. Notice my repetitive use of the word “solid.” If his car were in as good a shape as mine, the difference would be even greater.

25 years ago, when both were new, the Z would blow the doors off of the 944 in a straight line, would barely lose on the track, and was much less money. Sound familiar?

[ekam]

Drove one at a small test drive event last weekend.

Dash & doors are too high (a problem with all modern cars, due to more strict safety regulations), can't see anything around you especially the rear view which the amount of visibility is the size of a mail slot (yes it's worse than ours!)

My head was rubbing the roof with the seat properly adjusted to reach the steering wheel (6'2"). Worst ergonomics I've seen in any modern sports car.

Push button start is pointless. You can't start the car while it's rolling.

Trunk space is a joke - did they put the tranny at the back like the 944?

Don't even understand why this car cost this much $, or why people compare it to our Boxster. People do too much paper reading and have not driven either car.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Rob-00BoxsterS

This is one of the few things I don't agree with on this thread. I'm sure no explanation is necessary.

Here is a picture of my Z that I have owned for close to 25 years:


Sometimes I'll take it to an AutoX when a friend goes along in his '84 944. Our times are very similar, but, in my opinion, this is really where you can see why the P-car was more money. Although my Z is, by far, in better shape, it is just a car. The 944 still feels like it belongs on the track. It has a solid "thump" when you close the doors and has a more solid feel going over uneven payment. His shocks are worn out but it still feels more solid when cornering. Notice my repetitive use of the word “solid.” If his car were in as good a shape as mine, the difference would be even greater.

25 years ago, when both were new, the Z would blow the doors off of the 944 in a straight line, would barely lose on the track, and was much less money. Sound familiar?

I had a 85 non-turbo 5 speed that Ij ust loved.

Your turbo is fine!

[thehighheelsgirl]

My friend has a Z and it's a really nice car but I wanted something different so I bought a Boxster.

[SoCalKen]

If it has a skirt or wheels it's just gonna be expensive. We like what we like and that's just the way it is. Can you just see someone asking "that one would make just as good of a wife at half the cost, why didn't you pick her?".
When I was much younger, is was at the dealer complaining about the high cost of things and the dealer responded "we could sell them cheaper, but then everybody could drive one"
It's funny that people always want to say "you could have gotten xxx that does the same thing for cheaper", it's the whole package, the lines, the fun of the drive, the feeling of knowing you've got something special that few others have.
Ken