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Originally Posted by amitoj Congratulations on getting the stick (pun intended)
Jokes apart, that's a slick looking ride. What finally tipped the scales in its favor? |
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Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil 1
Let me know how that goes. When we were getting a 2nd car in 2012, her necessity to drive a slush box pretty much prevented us from getting anything with a stick - and I was gunning for a G8 GXP or TL SH-AWD 6 speed. I would love to know how your "convincing her" goes.
Nice pictures btw! What tilted the equation in favor of the 370z? What happened to the STI/ Golf R etc.? |
The bimmer is automatic. I think since she's not used to driving she's just intimidated about high costs or repairing anything on this car if she hits/scratches anything, wants to start out with something small and humble. Can't say I disagree
. On the flip side, according to my calculation we won't save much if we trade down for an econobox vs keep it for a few more years as the main/commute car and the Z as a Friday and weekend ride (also resale on the Z is crazy if we don't put a lot of miles on it). Going through options, not in a hurry. If I see a killer deal on an econobox I'll jump on it (just missed one). I just saw a killer deal on the Z and jumped on it.
Well what convinced me is test drives. I first test drove the CLS550 and 550i. Lot of available torque but soft, big cars. Felt like muscle cars. Same with Mustang GT. The new one handles great though.
Then I drove a Z automatic and wasn't impressed at all.
In between I drove an E93 M3 and it changed all my perspective. The way it delivers powers in a peaky way is addictive. After this m3 test drive I was driving my 328i quite fast. Realized that 328i is a bit similar to m3, you have to wring the power out and keep it boiling, that's the nature of the car. Surprising how quickly the 328i goes if you put it in sports mode and keep it above 3k rpms. That's a totally different feeling than the 335i which delivers a very flat torque curve.
Then drove f30 335i and s4. The f30 now felt almost like a 5 series in its handling. Don't get me wrong, it takes curves like a boss. It handles any corner you throw at it and accelerates plenty quick in sport mode. But the steering feel of my current e92 is gone and I wasn't convinced about paying 45k for it and then missing my steering feel
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The s4 is properly quick. It needs to be revved a bit but it's fun to do that. It does feel more like a muscle car, its heavy around the corners while it still takes them with grace. Steering and suspension (even in dynamic mode) was super soft. The car I test drove was equipped with a sports diff.
Then g37. I have always liked the g37 but it felt too similar to my 328i when driving, not an upgrade worth making. Maybe if I had no car and had to start over fresh, is definitely consider this great car. Also it's way too common among my friends and in my office.
Then I got this idea of instead of spending 45k on a more fun car, why not split it into two cars say 25k + 15k (save 5k), and also both of those cars together will have more resale value than any 45k car I buy. That would bring down the budget significantly to 25k for the fun car but it would no longer have restrictions like automatic, four door, four seater etc.
Started exploring the options. Z4 was quickly ruled out because the ones I'd get at 25k were too old and not cpo. There was a beautiful white z4 listed for 33k but it was gone before I could make up my mind.
Test drove the brz just to get a feel for it. I didn't know till I reached the dealership that it's a manual. When I found out, I decided to go ahead with the test drive anyway. I haven't driven stick for many years and when I did, it was back in india (except when I rented a fiesta st for a weekend and returned it saying it's too stressful to drive all the time).
But the brz test drive was fun! It's a fun little car feels like a go-kart! But soon I realized the power runs out. It's still fast but not super fast.
Then decided to give the Z another try with stick this time. I was floored. What a beast this is in stick. It's a completely different animal. I remember the automatic feeling tame and hesitant, this one is an absolute beast. I just kept test driving and it was so much fun I asked the sales advisor some more distance to drive. Great guy he agreed. Then I did the test drive again.
Out of all the cars I test drove so far, only the m3 and the Z really pulled at my heart. The other cars were good objectively speaking, but I could easily forget them. Only the m3 and the Z left a sensation in me, the raw feeling of driving. I was hooked.
I did visit the Subaru dealership to look at the wrx and sti. I didn't like the looks of the cars vs the Z. Besides the sti was way out of budget. Still asked for a test drive, they said something like we will let you drive it if you are going to buy. I was like whatever, my mind was on the Z. If I really wanted a test drive I know how to get it, but I didn't really want it. So yeah I didn't drive the wrx/sti at all. Maybe in future. I know they are great cars, let there be something to try if I get bored with Z. For now all I know is I want the Z. I don't care if something else is better. The proper sports car looks, the raw feeling, the agile turns, tight handling... Totally my kind of car.
I ruled out corvette on the basis of looks and size alone. I want small, nimble, sporty not muscular at this point.
Then research started for finding a Z. Resale value on these are crazy it seems, only one car with sports package in whole California and that's in Sacramento listed at 36k! Base ones at 31k and used ones are all listed at 28k even private sellers. Finally found one with sports package, a 2012 blue one with sports package and 35k miles. Ended up buying it for 21.5k. It's a lease return, the guy even showed me the lease payoff receipt at 21k he said he's just making 500 on it the boss wants to move it and make space. Took a test drive, fell in love with it. Clean carfax, one lease owner all maintenance done and no issues that I can see. The guy even showed me the kbb (which I verified on my own phone) it's worth 24k private party and 26k at dealership so he said even if I keep it for a year and then trade it in or take it to Carmax I'll at least get my money back. I'm inclined to believe even if that's not true, I won't lose very much on it.
Also this one comes with the sports package- the sports pack is important in a Z since it adds 19 inch forged Ray wheels, summer tires (pole position), big brakes, limited slip diff, synchro rev matching and a spoiler.
So that's the story of how I ended up with the Z.
The only downside with the Z is the huge blind spot. I've fixed part of it by getting the blind spot mirrors.