SaintNexus

I'm thinking of buying a convertible next year, something affordable and nice looking, and one of the cars that came to mind is the Nissan 350Z.

How reliable are 2003-2006 Nissan 350Zs?

Has anyone here ever owned one, or driven one before?

I've also considered a Lexus SC430, but I don't think I want to get another V8 gas-guzzler. I just might reconsider and get one, if the price is right.

rkyat

For some reason im not sure if youll find a sc430 for under $15k. The Z's are quite nice, i was looking into them also a while back. Another car to consider is the S2000 (one of my fave cars and almost got one, had the owner not sell it one day prior to me coming with the money).

Coconut

You should be able to find an S2000, 350Z or newer Miata for under $15K. Here's my take on each of them since I was in the same situation a few months ago except I had a budget of $18K.

S2000
summary - Its the one I ended up getting. This is definitely a drivers car as every little thing is "felt" through the car. The engine, transmission and steering are transmitted directly to the driver, more so than any other car I've driven. Feels a bit inadequate shifting around 4-5K RPM just to keep with traffic due to its lack of low end torque.

+ snug bucket seats, precise 6-speed, tight steering, geared perfectly, tight cockpit like interior, resale value
- no low end torque, horrible radio

350Z
Overall its a heavier, larger and more powerful car, as such the steering is heavier and the overall feel of the car isn't as precise as the S2000. Gearbox and clutch seem mediocre and is a bit of a disappointment. The only thing this car has going for it is it's engine. HUGE power difference between this and the S2000 and it has a really nice exhaust tone (at low RPMs).

+ nice exhaust tone, lots of power, roomier
- ugly (subjective), interior, weird seats, stiff clutch

Miata
Summary - I never test drove it mainly because its chick car stigma ruled it out. I really should have test driven it though...

+ probably the best all around budget roadster their is from what I've read
- chick car stigma, "cute" looking

caddyowner

Some others to consider:

- Mini (might be tough to stay under $15K)
- Mustang V8 or V6
- Solara.

The Fiat 500 has a vert version, though new, and there's the Smart cabriolet. Good luck and keep us posted.

I was thinking about a SC430, but my wife's oncologist told her to stay out of the sun for the next couple years after radiation treatment. Doesn't make much sense to buy another weekend vert at this time.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

And since you're on a budget for a convertible, consider this: convertibles (in general) cost a lot more to insure, especially if it has a V6/V8.

If you're on a budget, it's cheaper to insure a 4-cylinder convertible. Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Beetle, PT Cruiser, Chrysler Sebring. And yes, these options suck.



Option #2: Get a motorcycle.

Habious

I had a boss who had an S2000. Super-fun car to drive or ride in. However, it's TIGHT inside (as Coconut said). Trunk space is nearly non-existent. When the boss and I would go on sales calls together, his briefcase went in the truck...mine got wedged between my knees. Not sure if you could even find the room to pack a weekend bag for 2 in that sucker unless you and the wife were on your way to a nudist retreat.

350Z is a nice car. The only issue I had with it when I test drove it was...it was designed by, and apparently for, 5'3" Asians. I sat down in the cockpit and took a look at the gauges. Turns out, I couldn't see the top third of the speedo or tach (you know, the part that has like the 40 MPH to 80 MPH marks...and the tach's redline). Easy solution, right? Just adjust the steering wheel. Well, uh...no. The instrument cluster is "cleverly" attached, like a pod, to the steering wheel...so they all move at once. There was no position I could put the steering where in where I could see the speedo or tach! Not the end of the world...if I were borrowing a friend's car or something. But to drive every day? That would be very annoying.

I have an SC430 and love it. But yeah, insurance is high, maintenance costs (even the regular, preventative stuff) is high, and it's not exactly a fuel-sipper.

SaintNexus

I probably shouldve mentioned that u want it Auto, can't drive stick :|

Don't want an American convertible though, and the only v8 I'd consider is the sc430.

What about the German makes? Porsche, Audi, and BMW? I'm super hesitant about going back to German cars, since my '02 530i was complete **** after 110k miles.

Edit: Also, I'm 5'11, so I'd need something that I'll fit in. And I don't mind between 2 seats and 2+2 seats.

I wonder if Toyota will make an FR-S Convertible...0.0

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Rumor a while back was that the new tC will have a convertible option...

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

if they do, you likely won't be able to afford it.

JDMStanced

s2kkkkkkkkk?

newr

S2000!!!

Can't drive stick? So???

A girl I know wanted one and she could not drive stick... bought one anyway... She learned it in a few days..

wntrwhte

I have a W30 2004 MR2 Touring that I bought for 13k last year with about 44k miles on it.

It's my summer toy and I love it. They are hard to find (for 2005 they only sold 900 of them) but because it's not an s2000 or a miata, values suck.

But it's clean, easy to maintain, has a real glass rear window, and is generally an awesome car. People can tell me it's a chick car, but I'm a chick, so shut up and get out of my way

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

You can learn to drive stick, get an S2K

Och

iTrader: (3)

Chrysler Lebaron Turbo, you can find one for less than $15 hundred, and it will leave the S2K in the dust

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Lol good for going from point A to 1/2 of point B