370Z or MX5 ND Which to Buy?

[Deactivated] on 02/03/2021 - 16:52
Last edited 04/03/2021 - 11:06

Looking to buy a fun 2 seat car as the last chance before kids/ I start balding.

I have been granted 25k by the powers that be to find said car and I am really torn between the 370Z and the ND.

I've owned a NA MX5 many years ago and loved it to bits - I've wanted an ND since they came out in 2015 but was waiting until the price dropped.

I had a brand new one lined up in 2017 (2.0 GT) for $29,000 but decided to wait - now, 4 years later, still the same price…

The 370Z appeals to me in much the same way. Manual, RWD and fun to drive. I feel more comfortable in the 370Z but it's not as fun. I am also struggling to find a clean one that hasn't been modified by some 17 year old or the doof doof gang from bankstown.

Which would you suggest out of these two?

EDIT: Fun car only, already have an i30N (wife) and Subaru Outback for the daily duties.

Outcome: Appreciate everyones input. I've decided to go with the MX5 ND but I will wait until the prices come down to the 22 - 23k mark and avoid covid tax. This is OzBargain after all.

Poll Options expired

  • 144
    MX5 ND 2.0 GT
  • 39
    Nissan 370Z
Automotive Car Mazda Nissan

Comments

  • RADICALIST on 05/03/2021 - 01:22
    -3

    2008 Evo X are around 25k. Good handling and the traction is out of this world when you are taking hard twisties. Power is decent and obviously can be greatly increased depending on how deep your pockets are.

  • NotAnAudiophile on 05/03/2021 - 08:03
    -7

    370z without question. Mx5 too much of a hairdressers car.

  • striker5950 on 05/03/2021 - 09:03
    +1

    mx5 with a forced induction kit

  • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2021 - 09:12
    -1

    Toyota 86

  • lklchannel on 05/03/2021 - 10:19

    With the COVID tax all fun cars went up
    With your budget you can also consider a BMW Z4 E85, ideally a 3.0L
    Owned one since half a year ago, was looking for a S2000 but after test driving the Z4 it just feel so much different from all other cars i driven (most of them are 2L turbo)

    It's getting harder and harder to find a NA bigger engine. I will go with a 370z as it will still be easy to find your next car with a 4 cylinder but NA 6 cylinder is getting rarer.

  • Obkay on 05/03/2021 - 10:53
    +1

    Im a biased z fanboy so go the 370z.
    Higher power, higher torque. The car feels more solid but is still "lightweight".
    The v6 engine has that roar that you won't find in the mx5 and if you get an aftermarket exhaust it will sound even better.
    Either car can be turbocharged in the future but the 370z with a twin turbo can compete with a stock r35 gtr. (Your mods will cost more than the car tho)

  • greencomet on 05/03/2021 - 10:54
    +2

    If it's fun you want go the MX-5, I've had 3 of them all heaps of fun and excellent drivers cars. The 370Z is overall faster, but once you get over the extra power you'll find it won't put a smile on your face like the MX-5 will. There's this weird misconception that a car needs to be really fast in order to be fun, it's just not true. Power is great but it isn't everything when it comes to a car, the way it steers/handles, the feel of the controls, the way it communicates and feels under your butt. The MX-5 is one of the best cheap cars for this, while yes it does lack power that's really the only thing it lacks, it's excellent in pretty much every other area in terms of a drivers car.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2021 - 13:15
    +1

    It's an easy decision.

    Are you already bald? -> 350Z

    Balding but not too much? -> MX5 but if you want to future-proof then the 350Z might be better

    • Obkay on 05/03/2021 - 14:37
      +2

      As a balding 350z driver this is both a spot on observation and also offends me.

  • BHR on 05/03/2021 - 18:58

    Got the ND 2.0 and absolutely love it. Use it as a daily driver and can’t fault it. Disagree with the comments on extra power, it’s just not needed and ultimately take away from what makes it a fun car around town.

  • eldudebrothers on 05/03/2021 - 19:45
    +1

    I have owned a mx5 ND for years and have driven the 370 multiple times. I am biased but the mx5 is much more fun, has more control and 'feels' better.

  • pogichinoy on 05/03/2021 - 23:53

    Scotty has entered the chatroom

    “Buy yourself a 1994 Celica….”

  • Matt P on 26/03/2021 - 00:14

    Hey OP, found anything yet?

    Had a lead on a car here in SA, owner must have had too much interest as she pulled the ad down saying it was sold and is re-listing now for 5k more.. i've had enough of car shopping and about ready to keep my Polo GTI and spend bulk cash to get it as close to "as new" as possible

  • NotAnAudiophile on 26/03/2021 - 08:02

    OPs problem is they already have an i30n so no more hot hatches. Left field suggestion, how about an 86?

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