[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Petros

135 is no match for a 370z. The handling is crap, and the styling is god-awfully disgusting. And the reliability record is quite poor.

i'd much rather have any 135 than to have a 370z. The 370z is built with the integrity of a napkin and designed by a panel of video game players...no thank you. The 135 is a classic BMW in proportion and 3-box design....way more responsive handling than the corresponding E9X 3-series, so i have no idea what you're talking about.....waaaaay better looking than the rice-a-roni Nismo 370z as well...but hey if that's what floats your boat, then roll with it!

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by Petros

Sounds exactly like an E9x M3

LOL zing!

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

i'd much rather have any 135 than to have a 370z. The 370z is built with the integrity of a napkin and designed by a panel of video game players...no thank you. The 135 is a classic BMW in proportion and 3-box design....way more responsive handling than the corresponding E9X 3-series, so i have no idea what you're talking about.....waaaaay better looking than the rice-a-roni Nismo 370z as well...but hey if that's what floats your boat, then roll with it!

Looks are all personal preference and being that you have a 1M (best looking and performing 1 series out there) I don't blame your position. Also to your point about built quality, nissan comes nowhere close to bmw. I completely agree, tolerances on a bmw are tighter, engine and gearbox are more refined etc...

Reliability... I think we can all agree on that one lol

But I have to admit, there is something about the 370z that draws people towards it. My g37 drives me nuts with all the little issues I have found that bmw's don't really have but every time I get in to drive it, there is something about a big japanese v6 that revs to the sky and makes all kinds of sounds, vibrations and noises. Maybe it brings out the boy racer in me lol. Some say these things are annoying, I find it fun. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

[Petros]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

i'd much rather have any 135 than to have a 370z. The 370z is built with the integrity of a napkin

What does that even supposed to mean? If you mean it's body is soft, then you couldn't be more wrong.

and designed by a panel of video game players...no thank you.

No, it's designed by Nissan's professional designers.

The 135 is a classic BMW in proportion and 3-box design....

Most people think it looks like a 3 series that was smacked by a hammer.

way more responsive handling than the corresponding E9X 3-series,

Who said a 3 series (other an the M3) has great handling?

waaaaay better looking than the rice-a-roni Nismo 370z as well...

Yeah a pregnant fat cat is great looking too

[pgviper]

@Petros

Holy huge picture haha!!!

@ouchie

Are you planning on bringing your car to a strip, track or autoX?

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Petros

What does that even supposed to mean? If you mean it's body is soft, then you couldn't be more wrong.No, it's designed by Nissan's professional designers.Most people think it looks like a 3 series that was smacked by a hammer. Who said a 3 series (other an the M3) has great handling? Yeah a pregnant fat cat is great looking too

i would much rather have a 135 than a 335 that's for damn sure. Clearly you were not able to read the prior posts to ascertain that the OP said the 135 has "crap" handling....which is simply not true by any means. I've driven plenty of 135s and they were easily better than most other NON-M BMWs by quite a margin in terms of steering and tossability as well as handling.

As for looks....completely subjective but the 1-series harks back to 'older' BMW design cues....and for some of us who appreciate more classic design, i think it's a great thing. Not for everyone, but the 1-series is one of the best looking BMWs of the last 20 years, IMO.

Not everyone wants a 'sleek' design y'know.

[investmentbanker]

If you are a big fan of the 370z then I would say go for it. The nismo looks cool but I'm afraid it might stand out too much and might become an attention grabber. I wish they would upgrade the power in these cars. They're not weak but even Hyundai coupes have similar power

[ouchie]

Originally Posted by pgviper

@ouchie

Are you planning on bringing your car to a strip, track or autoX?

Track. Maybe strip too...

[CAVU]

When the lease was up on my G37 I shopped a ton of cars. The 370Z was a contender, but I was ready to move away from the NVH of the VQ engine, and for a daily driver I didn't care to climb down into a cave-like sled with super high belt line and crappy visibility. The 1 series fit me like a glove and I bonded with it barely 2 blocks into the test drive. A month later, and after another dozen test drives of competitor's equipment and various BMWs like the E92 335is and others, and I ordered my 135is. I couldn't possibly care less about who is dusting who or what people think of my car. It's something I enjoy, it's not who I am.

[Twix]

I've been looking at the Cayman, you can get them far cheaper than 44k USD.

[Petros]

Originally Posted by Twix

I've been looking at the Cayman, you can get them far cheaper than 44k USD.

Are you sure?

[Ezio]

i have always liked the 370z. they are priced well, and look very badass. I have looked into getting one back in 2009, then again in 2012-2013. But for me the M3 was just a better car which is why i went for it.

If i was looking to buy a car in the 30k-40k range. the Z would be one of the top cars i would want.

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by ouchie

Track. Maybe strip too...

Then I would def recommend the 370z nismo man. It comes beefed up a bit for track duty with springs, sways and i'm sure a couple other suspension goodies and post 2012 they get an oil cooler. All of which increase the cars ability on a road course. A couple necessary mods in order of priority:

1 - BRAKESSSSS - pads, SS lines and fluid.

2 - If you don't worry about warranty then throw on an intake, plenum power mod and HFC then get an Uprev tune and you could see close to 315-330 rwhp out of the nismo.

3 - Enjoy

After what I mentioned, you will be set! I took my g37 on a road course for a couple laps just for the hell of it and I have to admit that the vq37hr is a damn fun engine. Chassis handled great, significant body roll but for a nismo, you won't have that problem (less weight and suspension components).

BUT, if you want something faster with a warranty, then you have to check out the camaro 1le. I know your against american cars but the suede interior pieces and new recaro buckets do wonders for the interior. Also, all of the suspension parts pulled from the zl1 make for a fantastic track car with MUCH more grunt than a 370z. There is actually a thread on the "camaro vs" forum of camaro5 with discussion about the 370z vs 1le. Worth a look.

Best of luck!

[Billup]

Is this going to be a daily driver or a nice day car?

Why not find a 996.5 thats already had the IMSB serviced?


I like the 370z, suspension seemed pretty stiff on test drive, but not unbearable (depending on local roads I suppose). I don't know that I would opt for Nismo, though. Would seem more practical to just get a 370z and either pocket the remaining cash, or invest in some kind of FI to make it more fun.

[jkrig]

Not mentioned yet but.....CPO/ low mileage IS-F......V8 power, V8 growl, and is fairly practical......

[TXSTYLE]

My $.02...

For the $$, "overall" I believe it is a fine option! There are not many "NEW" cars (which I believe OP is wanting) that offer the 'presence, stats, reliability, and curbside appeal' at this price point. Again, keyword: NEW. I have zero issues buying pre-owned (generally on higher-end $$$ cars where the savings are VERY significant!) but on say this particular Nismo 370Z vs a used C6 or even Cayman, I'm taking the Z. It's gonna be waaaay more fresh inside and out and actually looks better IMO.

Go for what "YOU want". I never second guess myself when buying cars! I get exactly what I want.

[ouchie]

I love the Nismo, a real sports car BUT it has an older engine and it does not have the new toys.

[Petros]

Originally Posted by ouchie

I love the Nismo, a real sports car BUT it has an older engine and it does not have the new toys.

There's nothing wrong with the engine. Revs up to 7500 rpm. Makes good power. Cheap and reliable. Lots of aftermarket support. Forced induction can easily and reliably extract over 500 hp from the engine. It may sound a bit rough but that's the only real complaint.

What new toys do you mean? The manual gearbox has synchrorev feature which is now on the M3/M4, Vette, and 911.

[ouchie]

Originally Posted by Petros

What new toys do you mean? The manual gearbox has synchrorev feature which is now on the M3/M4, Vette, and 911.

HUD, LED, multiple cameras You know... Haha

BTW I love the g37/370z sound

[Petros]

Originally Posted by ouchie

HUD, LED, multiple cameras You know... Haha

Lol. Those things have no place on a sports car

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by ouchie

HUD, LED, multiple cameras You know... Haha

BTW I love the g37/370z sound

check out the updates to the 2015 nismo. It has a rearview camera which is nice, the one on my g37 works excellent, LED daytime lights have been added along with of neat little things. If i was in the market, I would def go to check it out.

Take a test drive and report back!

[ouchie]

Originally Posted by pgviper

Take a test drive and report back!

Not out yet I will... So excited!