350z vs. 993

Trent P. · 02:40 PM

The wife just informed me this morning she's interested in trading the 4-door sedan (paid for) for a new sports car. She really likes the looks of the 350Z (neither of us has ever driven or even been in one). So, does any one have any experience with these, i.e. - own one, driven one, heard anything good/bad about them?

The good news is she wants to replace the sedan (we're DINKs), not the 911. Whew! In thinking about this today, and considering the market lately, if she is wanting to spend $30,000 on a sports car, why not put that towards a nice 993 instead?!?

O.K., let the opinions fly!

k9handler · 01-02-2003, 02:30 PM

just based on appearance and a few specs I have seen the 350Z seems like a pretty nice sports car, and I really like the ol' 300Z Fairlady that I have been in. The Infinity version looks good as well...but for some reason I would not even consider owning one. The 993 is a great looking car, and you would probably enjoy owning it much better than the soon to be ricer car of choice in the U.S. Just my .02 cents worth!

masraum · 01-02-2003, 02:32 PM

Agreed, get the best 911 that you can afford, if 993's are going in that range then get one, but if that is a bottom of the barrel price then you should get something else, because you don't want to get a car that is going to give you problems due to high miles or questionable history.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I have heard that due to the suspension design (I think) there is not very much room at all in the trunk / rear area of the car.

Dana_Drury · 01-02-2003, 02:52 PM

We had a 350Z at the Sydney Motorshow a while back. Yes there isn't a huge boot, but then again the 993 doesn't have a huge boot either. Nice interior, nice car. If I didn't buy my Porsche I would have contemplated purchasing one.

But... it wouldn't match a 993 and I would suspect that an 87-89 Carrera and a 964 would have no problems matching the performance. Also, the design I have a feeling will become dated, where as the Porsche seems to be going strong no matter what year car you own.

caliber60 · 01-02-2003, 03:06 PM

993 will cost you more. Need to to include the cost to bring a used 993 in good running condition. Does not matter how much the previous owner maintained his vehicle. You need to have that extra $5,000 to $7,000 ready to be safe. If later on you found out you have valve or cylinder head problem, it will set you back $10,000 or more. That's a realist risk you will take when buying used Porsches in any condition.

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

I would go for the 350 just because it's something different and all the mags are raving about them. Also, look at the new infinity 2 door coupe. On the same lines of the 350z. Good things are being said about that car also. Oh yeah, the infinity is actually built by? You guessed it-Nissan.

Embs · Embs's Garage

My neighbor has a beautiful silver 350Z, he has had it for several months now. It is a blast, it's quiet, fast, and very fun to drive.
As far as performance goes comparing the 350Z to a 993, the data which I can locate follows:

Porsche 993 (Non-Varioram)
HP 272
Torque 243 lb-ft.
0-62 5.2 sec
Top Speed 168

Nissan 350Z
HP 287
Torque 274 lb.-ft.
0-62 5.38 sec
Top Speed 156

Superman · 01-02-2003, 03:57 PM

Ummmmm. I find this amusing. In a respectful sort of way. maybe some of you understand what I'm thinking. To illustrate:

What do the folks at the Nissan BBS say?

Trent P. · 01-02-2003, 05:22 PM

Superman,

I think I get you. In that you mean the Nissan board would be aghast at the thought of a 911 infiltrating their board. But that's precisely why I post it here. I've learned so much from this board and respect the people on it. The people on this board are very well educated in the realm of sports cars, not just Porsche. There's lots of comparing our cars to other makes and models, so I thought someone might have some info to share. Plus, I know I won't get alot of BS here...everyone shoots straight and has his or her opinion and will let you know it (which I think is a good thing).

Of course I would rather have another Porsche in the stable, I just want to be as informed as I can when I try to convince my better half why we should buy another P-car instead of something else!

Nor Cal driver · 01-02-2003, 05:38 PM

How important is a warranty to you? How long do you plan to own the car? How much cash do you typically keep on hand for emergencies - and would you feel OK spending it on your nused 911.

I've got an old 911 - sometimes it gives me the willies thinking about all the things that could, and likely will, need to be fixed - sometime.

SO, I've thought about the 350Z - or another VR6 GTI. I like warranties....

yelcab1 · 01-02-2003, 06:51 PM

I would think that having 2 porsche 911 in the family (and no 3rd car) would be a risk for reliability. Plus, I saw a beautiful turquoise blue 350Z today on the freeway and that is a sweet car.

So, if your wife is not upto having a broken down 911 once in a while, and you are not up to rescuing her out, then I would go for the Nissan. Bullet, and bulletproof.

Nothing against Porsche, but I rather have my wife in a Japanese car that I know will start everytime, all the time, and will not break down in strange places. For that reason, my wife drives a Lexus.

poorb0yw · 01-02-2003, 07:28 PM

My friend who deals in exotic cars tells me that the 350Z is a very nice car. His wife had one of the first in town. Everyone else I've spoken to also had only good things to say about the Z. I would have to agree with what many others have said about getting a warranty with the Z. A good factory warranty that comes with a very nice car sure beats out getting a low end 993 in not especially pristine condition with no warranty at all.

A 964 in this price range would be a much better idea (good condition plus extended warranty from a private company). I'd have the wife drive both since one is definitely much more raw.

Doug E · 01-02-2003, 08:04 PM

Interesting dilema ... I'd probably vote for her getting the Z due to maintenance issues assuming she was going to be driving it daily.

Plus that way you can spend any left over money on your current P-car!

Dana_Drury · 01-02-2003, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yelcab1
So, if your wife is not upto having a broken down 911 once in a while, and you are not up to rescuing her out, then I would go for the Nissan. Bullet, and bulletproof.

Nothing against Porsche, but I rather have my wife in a Japanese car that I know will start everytime, all the time, and will not break down in strange places. For that reason, my wife drives a Lexus.

That doesn't seem to be a very logical line of thought. I've not known a Porsche to break down anymore often than a Japanese car, as a matter of fact my 10 year old Integra (reliable Honda...) has broken down more (actually only once thus far!

) than my 911 that I have been in the process of rebuilding.

Porsche's are reliable. The difference between a 993 and a 350Z is that you know what problems exist on a 993. Yes, you need to be careful when purchasing a used 911, but then again a properly maintained Carrera or 993 is going to give you as much joy as a 350Z I would expect.

Not preaching the Porsche path here, but it took a few years for the issues on the 300Z to appear, overheating, the wiring harness catching fire and the difficulty of working on them etc.

The 350Z isn't a known quantity like the 993, yes you will have a warranty, and that's great, but a warranty doesn't stop a car breaking down.

Just because the car is new, doesn't mean it doesn't suffer from design failings. I think all cars suffer from problems like that - Porsche's aren't excluded and neither are Nissans.

What it actually boils down to is cost - a 993 for the price of a Z isn't going to be all that crash hot, but then again you could get a really nice 89 Carrera or a 964, and what will do the job of getting your wife around...

Leland Pate · 01-02-2003, 08:38 PM

This is an amusing thread.
I too have a soft spot for the Nissan Z cars.
I loved the 300Zs and I really like the 350. I wasn't too sure about it until I saw one in real life.

Nice cars...

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

The 993 is a Porsche. The 350z is a Datsun. If you want to be like everyone else, get the Datsun.

-Wayne

01-03-2003, 01:03 AM

I think you should find yourselves a nice 986 Boxster instead

dickster · 01-03-2003, 01:11 AM

imho the japanese only built one sportscar - the 240Z

(owned 2)

the 260 and then the 300 were oil tankers in comparison

have you considered resale values??

Milu · 01-03-2003, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dickster
imho the japanese only built one sportscar - the 240Z (owned 2)

the 260 and then the 300 were oil tankers in comparison

Have to agree about the 260 and 300. But how about the Honda NSX and Nissan Skyline? (Not my cup of tea but sportscars or sporting cars or w.h.y.)

This does raise the question of what is a sportscar?

Does it have to be small, cramped, noisy and uncomfortable?
Can it only have two doors?
Is it mandatory that it be designed to be used in competition?
Must it be primitive and unreliable?
Is it a car that "encourages one to drive in a sporting fashion" (LJK Setright).

I don't know. Any thoughts?