it depends on if you want to save money in long term with Z or wanna go faster in short term with Evo.

 

For daily driver Id go with the 350z.
My son is trying to decide between a 350z and a EVO taking him forever to chose

 

I had the 350Z for a year and had nothing but quality issues. Seat frayed, steering wheel leather peeled off, tires feathered like crazy, cd player broke, window motor stopped working, etc. Traded it in for an EVO and I have no regrets.

 

I'm another driver that moved from the Z (Track model) to the Evo as well. They are both exceptional cars, and the main reason I did move to the Evo was because I am expecting my first child any minute now and need a back seat. My car payments are essentially the same, and my insurance only dropped a few dollars.

IMO, these cars are for two completely different types of markets. The 350Z is a refined beast with elegant looks and world-class performance. The Evo VIII is a cute little thing that will bite you in the *** if you disrespect it. You can't go wrong with either car. Sometimes I wish I still had the Z, but when my head gets tossed back and jetted forward in the Evo I remind myself that I made the right choice.

 

Personally I wouldn't get the Z unless it was a track edition..

 

Go with the EVO, more bang for the buck

 

I drive my Girlfriends 350Z all the time. The steering isn't as crisp, acceleration is flat.

However, her car was built as a traditional sports car. Front engine, rear wheel drive. Two seats and almost NO trunk space.

I personally feel the EVO out handles, accelerates, stops better than hers, but man...do people look at that car.

We have parked them together numerous times, and people always look at hers first. Why? B/C most people don't know or care about that crazy four door with an ironing board on the trunk.

I would never trade my EVO for her Z. Why? Because winning a race in a Z is fun, but winning a race in a four door EVO with THREE witnesses is better.

Hope that helps!!!!

 

Agreed!!!!!!

 

I don't know anythimg about the z, but if I HAD to pic on looks alone, I'd pick the evo, no question. I'm nost sure where all the criticism comes from about how the evo looks, but I think it looks hot. It's got this boxy, edgy aggressive look. I think the 350 z isn't attractive at all. Maybe I'm being a little biased, but I never thought the 350z looked good. I think the evo is one of the best looking cars out there. Thats just my opinion.Performance wise, I'd go with the evo. I don't know about the 350 z, but I love my evo, and wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

I can not think of any reason to pick a Z over an evo. The evo will out perform the Z in every category hands down. Plus i've driven almost the exact car you speak of (auto etc.) and it didnt perform as well as I thought it would. Although the evo isnt what the common person perceives as a sports car, ive found it pulls sports car attention.

 

Evo; a car with incredible performance and fun as a practicle daily driver
Z, "all sizzle and no stake"...a daily driver without the practicality

 

You're either BSing or you have NO idea how to spend your money. 10K in parts and you should be hitting ~450rwHP and that's being conservative. Forged internals, turbo kit, exhaust.... Not to mention the loss in the powertrain of the AWD, RWD is much more efficient...more power from the motor to the ground. An Evo can't touch anything near that with only 1K, sorry man.

Maybe you're going by SOTP feel in which AWD can be better because of the increased traction...but like I said, 10K and you should be walking most Evo's out there even, even modded ones.

 

pish posh. mod for mod the evo will own the z. 10k in a z? i'll bet 2-3k of it went to rims/wheels.

 

The Evo is faster technically, but in everday driving, the auto Z is quicker light to light since the Evo would need a significant launch everytime to match the off-the-line power of the Z auto which is just done by mashing the pedal and can be done all day w/o abuse. The 3.5 liter has a lot of low end torque and gets going quickly. You will not match it with a simple 1500 RPM slip off the line.

 

If you decide on the Evo DO NOT buy a 2004, wait for the 2005. The 2005's are just around the corner and they are so much better (ACD, front LSD, more power and that's not even the MR version). Anyone buying a 04 now is just uniformed and will prolly regret it.