Greetings everyone! I am hoping you can help me out with some real world advice. I'll try and keep this short.

I sold my modded 03' 350Z a couple of weeks ago and am looking to 'upgrade' to another vehicle. My budget is $40k - $45k and have narrowed my choices down to a used *non certified* 08' M3 and a new G37S Coupe.

My main concerns are as follows: The M3 is very impractical. The gas mileage is horrible and the maintenance / repair (God forbid) costs are astronomical compared to what i'm used to. In my opinion it is the superior of the two vehicles without a doubt but it's riskier business.

I've test driven the G37S coupe a couple of times and do like the car but felt it was a bit 'soft' for my taste. I am used to my Z which was fast and very responsive. So my question is, (and I know that i'm on a G37 forum) given my choices what would you guys who own the G37 go for? Do you find that the car is aggressive enough (fast, responsive, fun, etc.) once you break it in? What is maintenance / repair costs like?

This car will be my daily driver and I commute about 45 miles round trip every day. Thanks and I hope I don't **** people off with this post.

Sr. Panza

 

Buying a non-certified M3 that's probably been driven hard and ragged out is like marrying a hooker (albeit an extremely hot hooker) without getting an STD test first. You'll have lots of fun and tons of people will look at you as you parade her in the street, but once you get home you'll be in tears every time you take a leak.

 

If you can afford maintenance, get the m3. I don't know how prices are in your area, but I don't see them come down to 40-45 unless they already have 50k+miles on them, and you may have to do some expensive maintenance not long after getting it.

Honestly, the G37 is perfect for me. Sporty, comfortable, reliable, and a great value for the price.

 

 

Are you going to modify the new car?

I had a modified 2003 350Z before my G, as well. If you, after your test drive, already feel that the G is "too soft" then my suggestion would be to keep looking. That has been my "complaint" with the G since Day 1. I sometimes wonder if I should have gone with another Z because I really enjoyed the sportiness. When I had the Z I thought I would enjoy the added luxury of the G, but now that I have the G, the grass is greener...

That said, you can certainly modify the G to your liking. The aftermarket options for the G are not as bountiful as those of the Z, but you can still have plenty of fun modding it.

There are no other options? It is exclusively either the G or M3?

 

Buy a 2010 or 2011 G37 in the $30ks, Spend $10k on mods, no more softness.

 

Why not a 370z?

 

Sounds like he wants back seats

 

Well, you said it yourself that you’re on a G37 forum in the coupe section no less so you’re bound to have most of us recommend the G. But as you look into it, the G37 offers features that that the Z just doesn’t have, like rear seating, albeit cramped in the coupe, and other luxury attributes found in Infinitis. Another consideration is that both the M3 and the Z do not have the reliability ratings (according to Consumer Reports) that the Infiniti G37 enjoys, so repair costs should be minimal if anything at all for years to come based on your driving habits or added mods, of course.

If you’ve test driven a G37S and still think it’s not as fast or responsive as you like, then you may want to keep looking.

 

Hello guys. Great responses so far, thanks. I thought Hinomura's was hilarious. I am not thinking of modding my next car. It is one reason I am opting for a used M3. There's not much of a reason to modify it. Also, it's nearly impossible to recoup any money for mods once you sell a car with a lot of miles on it.

As WPPJR30 hinted, I am looking for a bit more comfort and 'upscale' feel. It's the reason i'm looking at the G37. I guess the question is how much fun i'm willing to give up for this 'upscale' feel. I did test drive the Z but was not overly impressed. Also, i'm not too fond of its styling.

I might wait a couple of days and give it another test drive. Maybe i'm just missing my old car. : - /. Anyhow, I wouldn't mind more feedback...

 

Wait for NSX

 

Because that will be in his price range...

 

Oh .

 

this right here.

i would NEVER buy a non-certified BMW just for the repair costs alone if anything ever happened to it.

if you do the above, you could FI the G and get a few other little things. i think you'd be happy.

good luck!!!!!!!!

 

figure in the lat 80's a new NSX was going for $75-80k. now? probably more like $125+