350z vs. 330CI vs. G35
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
350z vs. 330CI vs. G35
Im thinking about getting one of these...i know each has its issues but which one would u wanna own?
I drove all 3 and the Z was the most fun to drive. The beemer had the best interior and best looks (IMO) and the G35 was just meh in all categories.
I'm looking at 02/03 330CI, 04/05 Z, 04/05 G35
(newer ones are out of budget)
Which one would be the most satisfying purchase...
I drove all 3 and the Z was the most fun to drive. The beemer had the best interior and best looks (IMO) and the G35 was just meh in all categories.
I'm looking at 02/03 330CI, 04/05 Z, 04/05 G35
(newer ones are out of budget)
Which one would be the most satisfying purchase...
![Yum](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/yum.gif)
#3
Administrator Alumnus
Having owned a G35 coupe (2003) and now a BMW (albeit a 335), if you can swing the maintenance costs, my vote is for the 330.
If maintenance costs scare you, then I guess it's a question of do you want a bit more luxury and a back seat?
If maintenance costs scare you, then I guess it's a question of do you want a bit more luxury and a back seat?
#6
Senior Moderator
Corvette.
Trending Topics
#11
Corn-Fed Mule
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: All Up In Dat AZZ...Beotch!
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I'd get the 330CI (5sp/6sp only!) just because I want to experience a BMW for the first time. When the maintenance gets too expensive, I'd sell it and get a 2007+ 350Z/370Z (6sp only!). My budget is probably similar and I prefer to stick to sub-$20K cars for the time being (and save cash)...
#13
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Age: 45
Posts: 49,200
Received 4,852 Likes
on
2,589 Posts
I'd only get the 330 if its a ZHP. Otherwise I'd go Z (unless its an auto.)
#17
Im thinking about getting one of these...i know each has its issues but which one would u wanna own?
I drove all 3 and the Z was the most fun to drive. The beemer had the best interior and best looks (IMO) and the G35 was just meh in all categories.
I'm looking at 02/03 330CI, 04/05 Z, 04/05 G35
(newer ones are out of budget)
Which one would be the most satisfying purchase...![Yum](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/yum.gif)
I drove all 3 and the Z was the most fun to drive. The beemer had the best interior and best looks (IMO) and the G35 was just meh in all categories.
I'm looking at 02/03 330CI, 04/05 Z, 04/05 G35
(newer ones are out of budget)
Which one would be the most satisfying purchase...
![Yum](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/yum.gif)
![Thumbs Up](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf3RAMffnJQ
#18
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
I'd say just keep your current car and cash.
#22
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I dont miss any of my old cars lol and I dont plan on missing the TSX as it will remain in the family. I get bored of cars really fast (like alot of us) and I want something more fun to drive.
Vette, M3, ZHP are out of the budget - trying to keep it under $20k
But I live in Vancouver so cars worth $20k here would be worth about $15k? in the states
I never liked S2K's or RX-8's but I will take a look at the Z4.
Vette, M3, ZHP are out of the budget - trying to keep it under $20k
But I live in Vancouver so cars worth $20k here would be worth about $15k? in the states
I never liked S2K's or RX-8's but I will take a look at the Z4.
#24
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
Z4s are meh.
I'd look at Miatas.
I'd look at Miatas.
#26
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
#28
Senior Moderator
#29
Guys, I really meant to post this video of the Z4, My bad!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcmn32s6ZSQ
#30
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
^ you really love Z4s, don't you?
#32
For sure step up to an '04 if you're looking seriously at a 330Ci. They recieved a nice facelift that year...newer style auto-leveled/adaptive cornering Xenon HID's, full LED tail lamps, 6mt instead of 5mt, and probably some other stuff.
Actually you could get an 04 ZHP coupe for well under $20k. That would be worth it for the better looking bumpers and side skirts alone, but theres lots of other nice upgrades you get with one of those. They're not M3 fast, but they're also not M3 maintenence nightmare either.![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
Just be sure to have it inspected by the local dealer beforehand. Any German car can be a maintenece nightmare if you get a bad one.
Actually you could get an 04 ZHP coupe for well under $20k. That would be worth it for the better looking bumpers and side skirts alone, but theres lots of other nice upgrades you get with one of those. They're not M3 fast, but they're also not M3 maintenence nightmare either.
![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
Just be sure to have it inspected by the local dealer beforehand. Any German car can be a maintenece nightmare if you get a bad one.
#33
As for your other choices, I cant honestly say a 350Z would be a bad car either. To me the only ones worth bothering with would be the 07/08's with the 35HR engine, which are solid. The older "RevUp" engines, including in the 05-07 G35 coupes, were known to consume oil. Nissan has replaced many engines under warranty for this, including the 05 G35S coupe my buddy sold to some guy. (He'd found out about it afterwards). You dont want to chance having to deal with one of those cases.
I just sold my 08 Base 350Z with 7,000 miles on it for $20,500, so these later models are not nearly as unattainable as you might be assuming off the bat.
I just sold my 08 Base 350Z with 7,000 miles on it for $20,500, so these later models are not nearly as unattainable as you might be assuming off the bat.
#34
Racer
It's basically a 330 with different bumpers, sideskirts, heavier 18s, some nice interior trim, and 10 extra hp. Actually that's exactly what it is. Never go with an E46 automatic.
I vote 330i/6, ZHP or not. If not, definitely get the sport package, ZSP.
I vote 330i/6, ZHP or not. If not, definitely get the sport package, ZSP.
#35
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Why? Thats what i was looking at...
#36
The autoboxes in E46's are a known maintenence concern, sometimes even needing replaced entirely. You dont wanna ask how much a new transmission for a late model BMW costs.
The manuals rarely give trouble.
Sold my car just as a personal decision. The marginal utility vs what it was costing me to keep just wasn't adding up. (I walk to work for one thing). It was one of the more exciting cars I've owned though, and usually was a pleasure to drive.
![Why Me](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/whyme.gif)
Sold my car just as a personal decision. The marginal utility vs what it was costing me to keep just wasn't adding up. (I walk to work for one thing). It was one of the more exciting cars I've owned though, and usually was a pleasure to drive.
#38
Reading this thread-->
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ission+failure it seems that if the auto you buy has a clear record of transmission fluid changes, then it shouldn't be a problem. The guys seem to have had good luck with simple Redline D4 ATF!
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...ission+failure it seems that if the auto you buy has a clear record of transmission fluid changes, then it shouldn't be a problem. The guys seem to have had good luck with simple Redline D4 ATF!
#39
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The more I drive my TSX the more I think I should just keep it. I mean it has JUST enough power and the interior quality is SO much better than these cars that Im looking at. Not to mention its not scratched up or rattling like all the used cars ive looked at so far.
I dunno maybe I should just get an old 300zx to play with in the summer...
I dunno maybe I should just get an old 300zx to play with in the summer...
#40
'10 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
The more I drive my TSX the more I think I should just keep it. I mean it has JUST enough power and the interior quality is SO much better than these cars that Im looking at. Not to mention its not scratched up or rattling like all the used cars ive looked at so far.
I dunno maybe I should just get an old 300zx to play with in the summer...
I dunno maybe I should just get an old 300zx to play with in the summer...