That VQ35 engine definitely does sound nice. I've commented on that numerous times with both the G35 and 350Z.

 

While true, and that actually depends HIGHLY on what bank you finance through. All the banks I have dealt with have had 2 different rates *new cars* and *used cars* and if it's not rolling off a dealership, it's still considered a used car. Now you do have the flexibility to normally push back the payment in terms of months, but that is mostly based on price and not on year.

If the bank will only give him the option of 48 months with anything $15k or lower, or up to 72 or 84 months on things up to $25k or whatever, then sure he can have a lower payment getting a newer/more expensive car, but he will also be paying more in interest and moving further into negative equity in the car paying the minimum payments. The shorter the life of the loan, the better chance that he will stay in positive equity to where if he ever NEEDED to sell the car asap, he wouldn't lose his ass trying to do so.

As for the 350z you posted, good price, but 135k miles is a lot, and that a lot of mileage for some to have beaten the balls out of the car. Also visit my350z.com if you are looking into 350z's, I would only buy 2004+, some of the earlier models experienced tranny problems, and it would be a bitch if you bought the car, and the transmission shit the bed a couple months later.

The RX-8, again seems like a good price depending on what the mileage he has on it is, but IMO the S2000 is much nicer, much easier to work on, reliability of a Honda, and very easy to upgrade or just maintain... plus in the event you need parts, sourcing S2000 parts would be much easier and cheaper.

 

+1

 

No love for the FX 35?

 

pretty good read. and reasonably comprehensive. thanks....

on the s2k that push at 5500 sounds like vtec... and that 'push' is something i dont know that i want to live without... hence my lean to the rsx. im not really dying for a lot of torque... just something i can feel under my foot when i want to. ive heard that the Z is the gas guzzler of the bunch and so far it looks like the insurance quotes on it are pushing it out of my range as well...

 

Mid 2005+, they upgraded the trans half way through the year for the 350's and at the beginning of the year for the G35.

I voted the 350, those motors have some really nice potential in stock form.

 

STi FTW

 

The RX-8 is the gas guzzler of the bunch. Go to some RX-8 forums and you'll see owners getting 20 mpg on the highway and as low as 15 in the city. Also RX-8s burn oil. When I went to the dealership to look at brand new RX-8s they recommend that I carry a quart of oil with me in the trunk and to check the oil level every other gas fill up. It's a great car to drive but there's a lot of maintenance. If you're set on an RX-8 get one with a factory warranty cause you won't know the maintenance record of a used car and rotary engines aren't exactly cheap and easy to service.

 

I wouldn't recommend getting a 350 with 136k miles on it. That's a little extreme. I'd stay in the 70-80k mile range if you want something you won't have to constantly work on.

 

RSX should be replaced by S2000 on your list...and the SRT-4 should be replaced by a STi or EVO...and as far as a reliable daily that is fun to drive I'd pick the S2000. Mainly because I've driven a 350Z and it felt like a plastic box that had a small hole for me to look out of the front in. I've ridden in a S2000 and it felt really good. I don't know anything about RX8s other then why waste your money on it...and the STi/Evo would nearly tie with the S2000 on my list.