2007 Nissan 350Z: So impressive, your eyes pop out of their sockets

Nissan best looking car right now, G35 is Infiniti best looking coupe.

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 3:51:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I've never driven this car, but I was a passenger in one for a short distance and the owner told me the seats are hard on the bum in long distance trekking.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 3:55:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

why?

— crazypetrolhead (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 6:37:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I test drove the 350z's brother, the infiniti g35 coupe, and i must say i agree completely. The car is extremely disappointing. Coming from a 200hp BMW 3-series coupe, I had high hopes for the 3.5 liter 300hp engine and great arsenal of electronics available. After driving it, however, I must say that not only did the car not feel like a 300hp coupe but I also found it rather boring. It never urged me to drive hard like the BMW does, it never encouraged me to rev the engine to the redline (the dealer seemed fine with it however). Although these are different cars I cant imagine they are that different, looking at the interiors of both. Bottom line, although these cars are impressive on paper, they still have much to be desired in driving enjoyment in comparison to the Germans.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 7:59:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

which BMW are you talking about?

please stop making excuses, the 350z and g35 coupe are some of the closest cars that i've driven that i can relate to driving a bmw. sure their interiors aren't wow and need to be improved with the quality

but the 350z is a sports car, its seats aren't meant to be comfy, the g35's are...+ both cars are insane to drive. are you deaf? have you missed the unique & sweet exhaust? then theres the engine which is one of the best in the world and just fly when you tap the accelerator?

I'm sorry but 350Z & the G35 are nearly same except reach different segments
350Z is a sports car and the G35 is a luxury coupe but they handle and drive well and for much lower price than what you would pay for a BMW with similar performance. I rather pick the 350Z than get similar priced 318 or which ever poser-mobile.
BMW got great cars but you get the the $$$ which makes you appreciate nissan, infiniti etc..

my old bmw 4.6is was a beast but had to afford it and then put up the the reliability problems afterward.

— Agent-666 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 8:28:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Read more carefully, the BMW i was talking to was my own 328ci. And I am not making any excuses because I don't need to. Reviewers and the public alike (the 3-series continues to be the best selling in its segment by a huge margin) love how the BMW drives compared to Infiniti's or Nissan's.
You mention that the engine is "one of the best in world." Unfortunately, for the segment of 3-4 liter engines, it was the BMW m3 engine, pretty much a 6 year old engine, that won International Engine of the Year. The diesel counterpart of the twin-turbo engine in the 335i won the 2.5-3.0 liter segment.
Your grammar clearly shows your lack of education or intelligence, however, I hope you can at least grasp this idea. We all have opinions about the cars we drive, thats why we all drive different cars. I stated my opinion and it just happens to be shared by most of the motoring community. Go ahead, deboost me.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 8:46:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I don't know about getting that sick but you are right, the cars are not up to snuff and the inside of both have you wondering in what year did they decide on this gagbage to be brought to the public 1985?
BTW the driving habits of these two, forget it. As for looks yes, but like a pretty girl once she opens her mouth and out comes nothing you dump her that is the Z?

— chuck717 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 5:12:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

you guys should probably just stick to driving your Hyundai's, then.

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 5:42:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

I'm curious as to what your co-worker ended up getting that has better performance, reviews, looks, and reliability than a Z in that price range?

— vinsanity (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 7:20:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

A used M3, to name one.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 8:04:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

a used m3, poor sod just threw his money away,
all of my friends who had the M3 dared not keep it past the warranty since its parts cost more being M & it engine was it biggest reliability issue if used hard for 2-3 years.

— Agent-666 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 8:32:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Any engine is a reliability issue if its used hard for 2-3 years you idiot.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 9:43:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

most of the engines from bmw are solid, i never had problem with my 4.6 after having it for more than 3 years and it was constantly pushed to 200kph.
same for my friends 2002 330i which was modified & was constantly maxed to 250kph. Both car drove like a gem to date and no issues with the engine.

overall my point is the soon to be replaced M3 being driven day in & out had issues with the engine after 2-3 years and its well known among m3 owners.

So check your info dumbass!

— Agent-666 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 1:54:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I love the 350Z and G35/37 coupe, I just hope the 350Z had a better interior quality, the same for the Infiniti. Especially the 350Z, its just Ford bad quality.

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 9:25:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

"henbmw" lost what little credibility he possessed with his suggestion to buy a USED M3. That's like setting a friend up with the local used and abused town slut. She'll put out right away, but do you really want to put up with her issues? Here's the bottom line: Both the Z and the 328i are great cars. One offers superior performance and the other offers a more luxuriously appointed interior. Easy decision if you ask me.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 11:03:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Great guerilla marketing, by the way. Any one else see a "Home Alone" moment (and the requisite lawsuit) coming the first time a pedestrian steps on one of these eyeballs?

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/17/2007 11:08:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

bionic-
So what your basically saying is people should not buy used performance cars? I think a lot of people might disagree. Speaking of losing credibility, I don't think I have ever heard a credible car enthusiast comparing a car to a "abused town slut," let alone the M3.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 12:46:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

That's not what I said Hen. Perhaps it's you that should "read more carefully". Hen, it's simple. M3's are driven hard and more prone to wear and tear than less performance-oriented cars (with less performance-minded drivers). M3 parts and service can also be expensive. Casual reasoning will tell you that purchasing a used (and likely abused) M3 isn't a sound investment. M3 forums are full of stories regarding E46 M3 engine troubles. The M3 is an amazing car. Just not one you want to buy used. Oh, and hen, while you're driving your 328 use that extra second plus it takes you to get to sixty to enjoy that 328 interior while the real enthusiast driving the Z smokes you.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 2:19:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

If you drive a car for what it gives you in terms of driving pleasure- you own the car AND the driving experience. If you buy your car because of how you think the brand elevates your social status and would-be prestige- then the brand owns you and you're merely filling one more numerical dollar slot for the brands business purpose.
This to me, is the principal difference between buyers of 350z's and 325i's.

— Lyall (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 3:51:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Bionic- I won't have a 328 in about a month, I have a 335i on order, which might I say, would smoke a 350z. But that is besides the point, I probably worded my first paragraph confusingly, sorry about that. Unfortunately you don't seem to understand the most basic point I hoped you would grasp, but here it is.
PEOPLE WILL DRIVE CARS HARD NO MATTER HOW SLOW THEY MIGHT BE. Whether it be a Kia or a Ferrari, you really don't know how the driver before you drove. Another user made a great point that more women and commuters are buying BMW's and even Porsche's now however I doubt they drive like lunatics. If you want to cite examples of performance cars that have problems being bought preowned, well, I will provide thousands of examples. Just because a car is fast doesn't mean the driver is going to beat the hell out of it. I can't tell you how many times I have been stuck behind old guys in SL600's or even M3's. You want bad stories, go to any forum and you can find bad stories. A friend of mine bought a used Lancer Evo that he returned within a month because it was basically falling apart.

Look, you and your cronies here have all the right to love the 350z to death. I think you are correct that a used M3 may have problems but so will most 'performance oriented' cars being bought preowned.

BTW, the 350Z got a Average reliability rating on Consumer reports. The transmission, fuel system and suspension are all rated at Poor reliability for several years of its production. Food for thought.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 1:56:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Yes Hen, people will abuse cars regardless of category, however, to suggest that an M3 driver is less likely to drive his car enthusiastically than a Kia owner borders on retardation, as does your assertion that "women and commuters" make up a significant portion of M3 sales. We're talking probabilities and the financial consequences associated with making a bad choice on a used M3, and regardless of how you want to frame the argument, it's just not a smart choice. You make my point for me when you sight your anectodal evidence of your friend's purchase of a USED Evo—another car more likely than most to be driven hard. No doubt he was following your bad advice when he bought it. Besides, there's a fundamental problem with the comparisons you make. You can't legitimately compare a $30K 350z with a $50k M3 simply because you can get a USED and abused M3 for a comparable price while ignoring the enormous risks of doing so. I can get a used Z06 for the price of a new M3 that will dust an it but that isn't a fair comparison to make once you factor in the additional costs of prohibitively expensive maintenance and repair associated with a finely-tuned used performance car. By the way, I should hope your 335i is faster than a 350z that costs $10K less. One last question though. Why not put your money where your mouth is and buy a used M3?

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 2:57:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Yes, HeavyChevy, sluts are fun—to borrow, but not to live with.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 3:01:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"I think you are correct that a used M3 may have problems but so will most 'performance oriented' cars being bought preowned. " —henbmw

EXACTLY, SO WHY EVEN SUGGEST A USED M3 AS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO A NEW 350Z?

— fuelfool (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 3:08:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Back on my home pc. This will be my last post on this topic (fortunately or unfortunately). It appears that the classic straw man fallacy is becoming almost epidemic on this particular page. I think some good arguments were brought up by both sides and I wish all happy motoring. A response...

"as does your assertion that "women and commuters" make up a significant portion of M3 sales"

Try reading more carefully next time. Heres the real quote:

"more women and commuters are buying BMW's and even Porsche's now however I doubt they drive like lunatics."

M3 isn't mentioned in that sentence, however, it is a fact that both German brands are being bought by those types of people more than ever. I can provide a link from an article on carconnection.com that states just that.

"to suggest that an M3 driver is less likely to drive his car enthusiastically than a Kia owner borders on retardation"

Again, learn to read:

"Whether it be a Kia or a Ferrari, you really don't know how the driver before you drove."

I never cited probability, I simply pointed out the fact that maybe someone who spends 50k or 200k on a car will treat it with care and respect as will someone who spends 10k. I see far more beaters driving 90+mph on the highway than expensive sports cars. Maybe thats I95, who knows. Obviously you have never seen a rental car (Kia's being a prime example) at the end of its rental career. It's a sorry sight.

I must admit that I was very close to buying an M3; and many people do and are very happy with their choice. I chose the 335i because it has more performance potential (proCede, a 1k mod, will give it an additional 70+hp) and I love its looks; it is also a better daily-driver than a M3.

fuel-

Nice of you to chime in so late in the argument. Many people, regardless of the risks, buy used performance cars like the M3 and are extremely happy with them. With care and proper maintenance (and maybe an extended warranty), they can offer great performance for the money.

As is apparently the case, most here would prefer a new 350Z over a used M3. However, I know there is a great number of car enthusiasts (including me) that would prefer to take the risk with the M3 rather than live with the Z. To each's own.

Great argument, and again, happy motoring. :)

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 4:22:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Oh and if you scan the BMW forums, e46 M3 problems aren't really as prevelant as others might say. Heres an example:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54273

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 4:38:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Hen, your'e hopeless. Once again, it is you that needs to read more carefully. I am fully aware that you didn't explicitly state that more women and commuters were buying M3's, but clearly you where "asserting" as much, otherwise why even mention it in your argument? Then again, perhaps I'm giving you too much credit given the lack of logic present in your posts.

As for your comment, "I see far more beaters driving 90+mph on the highway than expensive sports cars." well of course you do as there are more beaters on the road than expensive sports cars. But there I go again citing "probabilities"—a concept foreign to you. Even someone of below average intelligence should be able to see that probability is the bases of this entire discussion concening whether or not someone should buy a new Z or take their chances with a potentially problematic USED and abused M3.

Where your argument really goes off the deep end is when you state "Obviously you have never seen a rental car (Kia's being a prime example) at the end of its rental career."

Of course a rental car is going to be abused more than the average car! What the hell does that have to do with the discussion at hand (new 350Z vs. used M3)? Just another case of Hen bringing up an irrelevent fact with absolutely no bearing on the discussion (a la more women are buying BMWs and Porsches)?For you to subsitute a new 350z for a rental Kia "at the end of its rental career" vs. a used M3 in your argument, which is EXACTLY what you've succeeded in doing is patently absurd. You're attempting to build a straw man argument based on a false set of choices no one ever considered but you in your feeble logic-starved mind. Here's a tip, Hen. You're arguments need a lot of help. Here's what you do. Go back to school and enroll in a base level philosophy course where you'll get introduced to a couple of concepts obviously foreign to you— deductive reasoning and logic. Happy learning!

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 7:41:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Hen, by any chance are you in real estate? I only ask because they're typically one of the few people that I'm aware of that make enough money to buy a new 335i while possessing below average reasoning skills and intelligence.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 7:50:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Your immaturarity shows, you really needed the last word didn't you. I'll take the high road and skip the personal attacks and blitzkrieg of false assertions;
1. No, I am not in real estate and thank god. The market is shot.
2. I will be going back to my ivy education in the Fall, so I will teach my debate team what you so handily did to me (heavy sarcasm).
3. And a question, What car do you currently drive since I have divulged so much about myself?

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/18/2007 8:53:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

"Your immaturarity shows, you really needed the last word didn't you."

It has nothing to do with getting in the last word, hen. It has everything to do with demolishing your ridiculous arguments. You must be projecting here as it's you who seems intent on getting in the last word despite your previous statement declaring your last post as final.

"I'll take the high road and skip the personal attacks and blitzkrieg of false assertions;"

Funny Hen. Go back and read your response to Agent666 in which you tell him that his "grammar clearly shows your lack of education or intelligence, however, I hope you can at least grasp this idea." High road indeed. Actually, it was that unwarranted and condescending, smart-ass remark to another reader that motivated me to shoot you and your weak argument down.

"1. No, I am not in real estate and thank god. The market is shot."

Just curous, given how many people there are in real estate that fit your profile—more money than brains (though not as many in recent months)

"2. I will be going back to my ivy education in the Fall, so I will teach my debate team what you so handily did to me (heavy sarcasm)."

The value of an "Ivy education" just dropped immensely if someone as ill equipped as yourself is teaching anything, particularly debate. But I'm thrilled you've taken me up on my suggestion that you receive additional schooling. And I wasn't joking about the Philosophy class. A little instruction on logic and deductive reasoning would really help you.

"3. And a question, What car do you currently drive since I have divulged so much about myself?"

1996 911
2004 350Z
1967 Cougar XR-7 GT
1965 Mustang GT fastback

Needless to say, I prefer a more visceral driving experience. That's not to say that I'm not very impressed with the 335i. A great car that I would actually consider for my next car. I'm sure you'll love it.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2007 2:44:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"I don't teach, I am a student so I have plenty of time to take those philosophy courses you somehow feel qualified to suggest (although I have taken a few already passing with flying colors)."

Grade inflation is a serious problem these days and it appears you've likely benefitted greatly from it if you were able to pass said courses without learning basic philophical concepts such as deductive reasoning.

"I always enjoy arguing with people as dillusional as yourself online because I'm just happy I didn't have to meet them in person."

I'd challenge you to find one statement in my posts that qualifies as "dillisuinal" (sic). I would suggest that your substitution of an abused rental Kia for a new 350Z is the very definition of delusion. I'm sure your preference to lose arguments online rather than in person has more to do with the lessensed embarrassment afforded to you by the anonymity of the internet than anything else.

" I'm sure you will enjoy your aging performance cars (I can't tell which you currently own) and the problems they so commonly have as I will enjoy my 335i. Happy motoring!"

I currently own all the cars I mentioned, and unlike yourself, my parents didn't buy them for me. Furthermore, your description of these cars as "aging performance cars" only serves to further expose your lack of automotive knowldedge. Regardless of brand loyalties, any true automotive enthusiast would appreciate the value of the cars I've listed. It's too bad you're so blinded by your snobbish allegiance to the propellar badge that you can't appreciate other cars as well. As if driving a 328 purchased by your mum somehow affords you that warped perspective. Truly pathetic.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2007 4:46:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Uh Hen, any performance car I own by definition becomes used the second I drive it off the lot. Doesn't mean I purchased them used (except for the 67 cougar and 65 mustang which aren't prohibitively expensive to maintain, which, if you'll recall is at the basis of our debate). C'mon Hen, you've got to do better than that. Now on to rest of your pathetic argument:

"College is actually more competitive than ever. No need to go further, this is just plain fact." Actually this isn't "just plain fact" as grade inflation continues to be a problem, but considering this is an automotive forum I'll just leave you the pleasure of showing your inflated report card to your parents in exchange for a new BMW.

As for your example of my delusion, you cite my statement that "M3 forums are full of stories regarding E46 M3 engine troubles." Uh, Hen, they are. For you to suggest otherwise only adds to your long list of delusional statements. I can provide you with thousands of links that support my statement, but I'm sure you know how to Google yourself. As for the examples you provided, they hardly qualify as "evidence" given their actual content. In fact, even your cherry picked links contain posts citing M3 engine troubles. Hardly the type of "evidence" that would disqualify me from a formal debate. More likely you for providing evidence counter to your own argument. Very lazy Hen.
As for your gallant attempt to apply a little reason to your argument, you've completely glossed over a couple major facts, the first of which deals with one of the points I was making earlier. Something an Ivy league caliber student such as yourself should've been able to grasp the first time. You assume with your simple use of conditional syllogism that the profile and driving habits of an M3 buyer is comparable to that of more mainstream bmws or even Porsches. Simply not true, Hen. Do some research. You also ignore the variables in reliability and costs associated with maintenance and repair among different performance oriented cars, some of which differ quite dramatically. But, I do have to give you some credit for at least attempting a logical argument, however high school level it may have been. Oh, and Hen, you were "done here" the second you decided to childishly insult another reader, leaving yourself exposed to ridicule and intellectual dismemberment by someone with far more intellectual firepower than yourself. Maybe next time you'll think a bit more before you open your mouth and insult someone needlessly. There. Now you're definitely "done". Actually, burned would be a more apt description. Peace out.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2007 8:44:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Haha, all filler and no real rebuttal. Congrats on your loss to a college student! Good luck on your bitter tirade trudging through the internet looking for insulting posters, sounds like an fun life you must live.

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2007 8:59:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"Haha, all filler and no real rebuttal. Congrats on your loss to a college student!"

And there we have it folks. The most delusional statement of this entire thread. Please Hen, even you don't believe what you've just said. You're delusions are on par with those of Al Sharpton only without the comic relief. I've dismantled every point you've attempted to make, however nonsensical and pointless they may be. Seriously, I'm bored with you now. Later.

— bionicgold (View Profile)

Posted on 5/19/2007 9:58:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

"RICEMASTER" you obvously don't realize that a 3-series & Z4 will out-handle the 350Z on any given day. You should be flattered that people are comparing these 2 Bimmers to the 350Z.

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 5/20/2007 5:26:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1