How should I respond to the Nissan 370Z? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

boxster1 · 09-23-2009, 11:44 PM

I love my Boxster S and I'm probably going to buy a newer one, or a Cayman S, next spring. However, the performance of the Nissan 370Z has made me ask the question, "why am I paying so much money for a car?" In the end, all I can come up with are personal reasons why I prefer the Porsche, and almost nothing quantifiable.

How can I argue with my relatives when they ask me, "why did you buy a Porsche when a 370Z is just as fast at half the price, is probably more reliable and cheaper to maintain?"

Is the 370Z a "game changer"? Is it the meteor that has hit the dinosaurs?

mikefocke · 09-24-2009, 03:36 AM

never had the 370Z winning. That would be my answer. Now whether there is enough of a difference to justify the price difference is another story...one you and I may answer differently. But go to the comparisons and you'll get list of high and lows.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=10&article_id=7659

The short answers...noise visibility, handling, balance and refinement.

Not that the 370Z isn't a nice car for the $.,

eightsandaces · 09-24-2009, 05:01 AM

Box one, my answer? When I could only afford my 280ZX (SINO sports car in name only), I dreamed of a new 300. I even drove one and a corvette. When the bonuses started rolling in what did I get? a 944. It was a slug compared to a 300 or a vette, but it had Porsche handling, design and it handled better at high speed than either in my opinion and was far smoother over rough pavement than that year's vette.

When I see a early 300 today the design looks dated, plastic gimmicky looking, not classic in any sense, that entire rear sheet of plastic is lame. When I see a well kept 944, especially a turbo, I still think it's a very happening car. I'd much rather have my slower 2.5 boxster than a 370, I am sure however that the 370 goes like snot.

schnellman · 09-24-2009, 05:29 AM

"Porsche. There is no substitute."

To those who know no explanation is necessary. To those who don't, no explanation will suffice.

Brucelee · 09-24-2009, 05:32 AM

In the end, there is no argument. You drive, what you drive. Why try to defend it to someone else? If they are not paying for your car, they have no real input to provide.

Just drive what you want.

BTW-I am a fan of both cars.

Enjoy!

gerrygug · 09-24-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnellman

"Porsche. There is no substitute."

To those who know no explanation is necessary. To those who don't, no explanation will suffice.

Well said Schnellman!
I have owned a Z and an MX5, nice cars both but there is just something about a Porsche...

blinkwatt · 09-24-2009, 09:05 AM

At the end of the day it's just a Nissan.

sd_boxster · 09-24-2009, 05:35 AM

Why choose a Lotus over a WRX STi? An Aston Martin instead of Pontiac GTO? A house in Bel Air when you could get a perfectly nice place in Bakersfield?

I'm not knocking the 370Z - I may buy one for my wife eventually, as that's one of her two dream cars (the other is an Aston, and I don't make that kind of bank). Porsche makes luxury sports cars - the allure is varying proportions of performance, exclusivity, and emotion.

If the decision is purely financial, the Z makes absolute sense. If you are fortunate enough that the decision isn't just about money, you get to factor in all of those intangibles that make owning a Porsche a joy.

The autorev feature on the new Z is brilliant, by the way.

sd_boxster · 09-24-2009, 05:53 AM

Grab a copy (or read online) the October 2009 Motortrend. The '09 Cayman PDK is rated by Motortrend as 2009's Best Driver's Car. The competition included the Audi R8, BMW 135i, Cadillac CTS-V, Corvette ZR-1, Camaro SS, Ford Shelby GT-500, Jaguar XFR, Mazda MX-5, and the Nissan 370Z Nismo.

MotorTrend editors' consensus: The Cayman S PDK may be the best sports car ever made.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxster1

Is the 370Z a "game changer"? Is it the meteor that has hit the dinosaurs?

BobMarley1 · 09-25-2009, 07:35 AM

Yeah, I was just about to refer to this. Go with a Cayman!
If you don't have to think about the money, THEN BUY WHAT YOU WANT!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd_boxster

Grab a copy (or read online) the October 2009 Motortrend. The '09 Cayman PDK is rated by Motortrend as 2009's Best Driver's Car. The competition included the Audi R8, BMW 135i, Cadillac CTS-V, Corvette ZR-1, Camaro SS, Ford Shelby GT-500, Jaguar XFR, Mazda MX-5, and the Nissan 370Z Nismo.

MotorTrend editors' consensus: The Cayman S PDK may be the best sports car ever made.

09-26-2009, 07:24 AM

I've test driven several Japanese cars and they are wonderful techno boxes and I don't mean that as a put down. They are hard to beat for cost of upkeep and some of the styling is really excellent. Every time I've test driven one I've gone and test driven a German car and bought the German. It's hard to put a finger on but there is just something raw about them that says sports car in your soul. Before I bought my '99 Box I drove a used Z, a Prelude, a Lexus, two Mini's and a turbo Golf (I know the last two aren't Japanese) but when I got into the Boxster and put the top down hit the throttle and heard that exhaust note it was all over. They ain't cheap to keep for sure but I find myself looking for excuses to go driving and even short excursions to the market can turn into all day drives if I see a road that heads back into the hills.

2TrunkSteve · 09-26-2009, 02:59 PM

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 · 09-26-2009, 05:15 PM

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.

Rob-00BoxsterS · 10-09-2009, 03:34 AM

Quote:

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?