Hello everyone,

I am a fellow 350z owner (no flames please)...the car is awsome, and unlike the other 350z owners I have not had any major problems that were going around with the car...now to the root of the problem.

At first my eyes were set on the 04' RX-8 yet the car was being delayed and I could not wait so I dove into the 350z...I've had a 2nd gen. rx-7 before so I understand what rotaries are all about!

So here's the deal...I definately know I am going to trade in the car in about a year from now, should I opt for the 8? Or since i'm now a family man go for a bigger car...i.e. SUV???

I don't know what to do I love the design, the 8 is a 4 seater but torn on what I should do!

If i go new with the 8 I will be losing out on some cash...but if i went with an SUV I would of course go USED because it is over rated.

Please everyone help me decide...my mind is to pieces~!!!!!

BTW the lost hp won't matter by then, i'm pretty sure mazda will fix the problem (some way) or lower the price...

Thank you

Psyk0rean

Sell the Z.
Buy an 8.
Now.
6MT.
Fully loaded.
Yes, with Nav.
GT.
Aero pkg.
Rotary emblems.
Rear spoiler.
Stereo adders.
You should have already by now. (pre-order gifts.)($500 + free maint. 4yr/50k mi.)
All for the price of your std. equipped Z.
(what some people will give up for just a little bit more hp...)
That's your mission, should you decide to take it.
Good luck...

For the love of god, don't buy an SUV!

Unless you buy one of the huge ones, you are not getting any more cargo room than a decent size wagon or crossover... you are however getting worse mileage and a greater risk of single vehicle accidents/rollovers... if you've got a family and a lot of crap to haul, buy a minivan. "SUV's are minivans for people with image problems" :)

It's a financially poor move to trade in any car this fast - are you upside down on the payments?

It's buyer's remorse. Someone just posted a similar thread on NASIOC - they just bought a Z and wanted to trade it in on a WRX. Check the thread here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=410275

A lot of people stuck up for the Z - even some people with WRX's. Remember, in another year you might be pining for the latest and greatest which won't be the 8 anymore.

Good luck..

-bd

Originally posted by Butt Dyno
For the love of god, don't buy an SUV!

Unless you buy one of the huge ones, you are not getting any more cargo room than a decent size wagon or crossover... you are however getting worse mileage and a greater risk of single vehicle accidents/rollovers... if you've got a family and a lot of crap to haul, buy a minivan. "SUV's are minivans for people with image problems" :)

It's a financially poor move to trade in any car this fast - are you upside down on the payments?

It's buyer's remorse.

Gotta agree with butt here. Unless you are financially secure you are digging a hole for yourself. You'll be losing money turning around the Z that quick, and incurring more debt with a new purchase. Let me guess, you're in your young 20's and in your first "real" job. Am I close? Buying a Z while on the verge of starting a family was not a particularly good decision, but since you are there, hang onto it as long as possible (as in, kiddies are coming) then make your decision. VERY personal opinion here; many may not agree: I don't think the '8 is a great family car for kids in the 3-15 yr old range just cause the rear seats are somewhat claustrophobic and no good view to the front. Makes road trips tedious. Plus, with 3-4 people in the car, not much room for luggage for more than a weekend jaunt.

Time to start getting practical, dad, and think of the future. Look for some kinda wagon/crossover next year that'll hold you 5-6 years, followed by another, then check your options after that.

Get a Forester XT, if you can deal with the ho hum looks, it's a blast to drive and could take both the 8 and the Z in the 1/4 mile, AWD, better or close gas mileage, cargo space, and cheaper than both cars mentioned. If that doesn't appeal to you the Legacy B4 is right around the corner, looks good, will be damn fast, and comes in a wagon version!

Another nice option would be to wait a year and see if any used FX45s are available, even then goodluck finding one for under 40k though :(

Ike

hmm... get an RX8!!!
you know u wan it... muahaahaa... thats y ur here.... :)

(i dun like SUVs by the way... if u havto.... how bout a Mitsu AirTrek turbo? with full bodykit and nice SSR rims)

Much as I love the RX-8, I would have to sugest you stick with the 350Z. You say it is awesome, and that (unlike some other owners) you have had no problems, so it's not as if you hate the car or it's a lemon. If you about to start a family (or have a baby already) then don't waste money on another great car for yourself - spend it on the family. My wife and I had a baby girl 3 months ago, and the expenses mount up fast (clothes, diapers, toys etc) - but she is SO worth it :).

Oh - and don't ever buy an SUV unless you need 7 seats or huge cargo space for large dogs etc. A fun to drive wagon (Mazda Protege5, BMW 3 series, A4 etc) has more space than most small SUVs and is infinitely more fun.

I have a wife and a one-year old kid. I sold my Yukon to buy an 8. 'Nuff said.

you already made the decsion to go with a smaller car. Would the addition of a back seat be enough space. How old is your family? The RX 8 design is versatile.

I think you are asking the wrong people. You are on an Rx8 forum for gods sake! What response do you expect to get?!!!!

;-)

Originally posted by Edo
I think you are asking the wrong people. You are on an Rx8 forum for gods sake! What response do you expect to get?!!!!

;-) Uh, yeah.
Sell the Z.
Buy an 8.
Now.
6MT.
Fully loaded.
Yes, with Nav.
GT.
Aero pkg.
Rotary emblems.
Rear spoiler.
Stereo adders.
You should have already by now. (pre-order gifts.)($500 + free maint. 4yr/50k mi.)
All for the price of your std. equipped Z.
(what some people will give up for just a little bit more hp...)
That's your mission, should you decide to take it.
Good luck...

One of two things is true:

a) you're really not sure what you want to do.

b) you really want the 8, but you are waiting for a bunch of people to say "get the 8 man!" so you can say "well, the people have spoken" and feel like you're doing the right thing.

If it's the first one you can safely ignore all the "get the 8 coz I said so" posts. It's all about how important it is to have a fun car with 4 doors instead of 2. If it's the 2nd one, then you clearly want the 8 and would be happy with it, so go for it. But it's still not a good move financially and nothing anyone on here says can change that :) And remember, the grass is always greener on the other side..

-bd

Originally posted by IkeWRX
Get a Forester XT, if you can deal with the ho hum looks, it's a blast to drive and could take both the 8 and the Z in the 1/4 mile, AWD, better or close gas mileage, cargo space, and cheaper than both cars mentioned. If that doesn't appeal to you the Legacy B4 is right around the corner, looks good, will be damn fast, and comes in a wagon version!

Another nice option would be to wait a year and see if any used FX45s are available, even then goodluck finding one for under 40k though :(

Ike

Ike just curious, where do you see that the Forestor can out-gun the Z and 8 at the 1/4 Mile? I know the buggers are fast, but I did not think it was THAT fast.

The Legacy B4 looks to be a sweet car for a family... wish they had this car back in 1999... my Subaru Legacy only has 142HP heh.

Psykorean,

I am in agreement with everybody on this thread with regards to your dilemna... do not go for the SUV! While I may not be you, I can site two things that may potentially be a problem for you (especially since you are coming from a sports car).

1. No oomph in the speed department. Simply put, you are going to have to adjust your driving... take the turns slower or you are going to roll-over. That is the problem with people buying SUVs that are coming from passenger cars. You SIMPLY cannot take turns at the same speed as you would do in a sedan. Also do not weave in and out of traffic like you would a car. Although that in itself is bad, having an SUV doing this is dangerous.

2. Reduced gas mileage. I have seen a lot of posts from 350Z owners getting good Highway MPG (26+), and ok city mileage(19+). Do not expect this kind of mileage from an SUV. Unless you plan to buy those Mini-SUVs like the CRV/Forestor, expect 15 city, 19 highway from your typical SUV. With rising gas prices, this may be a concern for you.

If you really must have more practicality like having 4 doors, get the RX-8. Since you really like the rotary technology anyway, its a no-brainer. Just dont sell your Z this year, as others have stated you are going to take a huge hit financially.

If you are really strapped for cash, I would just settle for a used minivan. A minivan will seat 7 people and have better gas mileage too boot. The Honda Oddysey is a good minivan.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=385335

Anybody get the August 2003 issue of Car and Driver.

1/4mile 13.8secs @ 97mph


-bd

Wow,

Didn't realize I would get so many responses! I realize what to do now, an SUV is definately a NO NO.

Keep the car longer so that I can recoupe my investment into the 350z, then when the time is right get the RX-8...

...But that seems so far far away, ah well. I do have to purchase a home in the mean time. So far no little ones yet, but they are going to be on the way.

Thank you all for your efforts to help me cope with my dilemma.

Yes I am pretty young (25) and I have landed a management job at a mortgage company, but don't think because I am young I am incompitent...my father passed away almost 5 months ago and unfortunately he did not have any insurance, and before he passed I have been taking care of my WHOLE family for 2 years...I don't know where I am going with this...oh yeah, I am responsible.

Anywho thank you all for your advice, and if you have anymore please do tell.

Regards,

Psyk0rean

Originally posted by psyk0rean

Yes I am pretty young (25) and I have landed a management job at a mortgage company, but don't think because I am young I am incompitent...my father passed away almost 5 months ago and unfortunately he did not have any insurance, and before he passed I have been taking care of my WHOLE family for 2 years...I don't know where I am going with this...oh yeah, I am responsible.

Sounds like you have the right attitude. In regards to my earlier post about your age and experience, I did not mean to imply you are either incompetent or irresponsible. To the contrary. Still, I hit it pretty close guessing your demographics, right? This is because I've seen people in your situation before: Young and a decent paycheck for the first time in their life. They feel like nothing is out of reach, next thing they know they're in over their heads financially. Trust me: Nothing causes more stress, both internally and in a marriage, than having more debt than you can cope with. Anyone over 30, you can weigh in on this. With your family responsibilities due to your father's death, new car, kid(s) coming, and new mortgage you can avoid a train wreck by planning now and just being smart. That will involve a few near-term sacrifices to get what is really important to you (and I'm not talking cars here.) As I frequently have to tell my wife: You can have anything you want, you just can't have everything you want. Hope I'm not being too preachy.