well, if you ditch the Passat, you'll lose a lot of spaciousness and ability to haul four more people around. But if you don't like to cheauffer people around, then Hells Bells son, get on it!

 

Audi coupe!? Huh what?

 

A friend mine used to have a Z. It was fun and all, but not practical as a daily driver. He sold it in favor of something with more than one cupholder and back seats.

 

Nah, just build up the Coupe

Check out this 80:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eya5fF8z8Ic

 

Second that. An S2 (I presume we aren't talking about a UR) sounds good to me.

RE the video: I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see German ********, but I was.

 

I have a chance to buy a 91 Audi 200 3B engine which is a dirrect bolt in to the 91 Coupe I have. So I have thought about the S2 conversion. Which may not be a bad idea. Just not sure if I want to spend the money to convert. I do admit though, that having an S2 would be kick a$$. Believe it or not though, my Coupe has been the most reliable so I'm not sure if I want to sacrifice that in the conversion.

 

I think the exhaust on those sounds like shit, just my opinion. So ricer-ish.

 

My opinion of the 350Z exhaust note is almost that bad. I like engine sounds and quiet or silent exhaust.

 

I've driven a '91 TT with 400bhp. *That* is a fun car. But totally impractical as a daily. It gets very small, very quickly. And it's not really good in snow.

 

Gets small? I'm pretty sure it starts the same size it ends up as, unless you're hitting things.

The Z is a great GT car, with cool little technology tidbits that makes you smile. i.e. its probably the only large scale production car w/ a carbon fiber driveshaft. The VQ is just great all around. And get the Brembo brakes if you can. Everything just works well together.

However, you must realize its a GT car, and you have to be pretty hamfisted to get the most of it. It's big and it's heavy. It lacks the finesse of something like an S2000, or an RX-8. Expect to be sideways, and expect it often. Never lift. Ever. But it will reward you handsomely.

 

Gets small? I'm pretty sure it starts the same size it ends up as, unless you're hitting things.

The Z is a great GT car, with cool little technology tidbits that makes you smile. i.e. its probably the only large scale production car w/ a carbon fiber driveshaft. The VQ is just great all around. And get the Brembo brakes if you can. Everything just works well together.

However, you must realize its a GT car, and you have to be pretty hamfisted to get the most of it. It's big and it's heavy. It lacks the finesse of something like an S2000, or an RX-8. Expect to be sideways, and expect it often. Never lift. Ever. But it will reward you handsomely.

Believe me, I have already had a couple sleepless nights lying there thinking about the car and justifying selling my Passat and Audi. Just gotta see what I find this weekend. Gonna hit up some Nissan dealers. ButI would rather buy from a private seller on Craig's list. Can't really afford a brand new one but one on a trade in might be okay. Have you had any experience with the 6spd?

 

My GTO (2006 A4) smokes 350z/G35s all day long (at the track and the street). I beat them by a full second in the 1/4 every time, both cars being stock. Their prbolem is they can't get off the line since they have no torque. No doubt they have a good suspension, but life is driving from stop light to stop light or on a straight freeway 97% of the time.

Go test drive a LS2 GTO before you seriouslly decide to get a V6. The 400lb-ft torque of the LS2 is addicting. The aftermarket sucks for VQ, only way to make them fast is FI, which is very expensive. A used 2005 GTO with under 20K miles can be found for $20-21K if you look hard. Plus having 4 seats is nice if you need it.

Ah I love spreading the GTO love here

 

No doubt they have a good suspension, but life is driving from stop light to stop light or on a straight freeway 97% of the time.

Life's what you make of it. If drag racing light to light gets your blood pumping, congrats. I find street racing boring.

LS2's are much better suited in something like a Corvette, or...a 240SX.

The VQ transmissions are alright. Pretty beefy, well gated, with good throw length, but not as short or precise as say, a Honda gearbox.

 

I have driven the 03, but with a few upgrades it was pushing 300hp. It was a blast to drive, but very loud for a daily driver. Torque was much better than I expected and handling was great. ESP or whatever Nissan calls it was very intrusive. The car is a blast to slide around a corner.

I don't think I could survive it on the highway trips I take, but for local stuff it would be fine.

 

I'm also cosidering G35 coupes. Only porblem is that too many automatics out there and not enough 6spds:banghead: . I guess the general public is afraid of them or just lazy?

 

The general public has to sit in stop and go traffic 5 days a week and doesn't feel like shifting gears.
I drove sticks for 12 years, loved it, but when I hit 30 I bought my first automatic. Haven't looked back.
Trust me, one day YOU TOO will be old and your knees will hurt and you'll be thinking of more important things like your family, job, career, life, etc. that shifting in rush hour traffic just isn't all it's cracked up to be.
The only cars where manuals are still popular (in the USA) are a) small cheap cars and b) dedicated race cars. I don't consider the 350Z a dedicated race car, it's more like GT. By dedicated race car I mean something like an Evo, STi, etc.
Enjoy your youth while you can !! Shift those gears !!

 

Huh? I'll be 40 in a couple years and I still drive stick everyday! Never has bothered my knees - must be clean living?

 

I just turned 31 and I am still driving manual. Yes driving manual in traffic does suck at times, but I would still rather have better command over my engine when there is less traffic. I agree with Macabre, we shouldn't be talking on our phones or even eating and drinking while driving. Driving is something that needs your full attention cause the person next to you to may not.

 

I wil never own an auto again. Just not worth the cost when they shit the bed.

 

I wanted the Z but wound up with a G35 sedan so it had some practical use with the same drive line...it is a blast to drive.

 

A guy that works for me bought a used one last summer. Drove it for 6 weeeks and got a Subaru. He came back to his senses he says.

 

Well I am gonna use my weekend wisely... I'm gonna go test drive to my heart's delight.

 

I don't really care for the Z...almost as much as I don't care for the GTO. I'm not sure why so many people seem to be impressed by the Z. Perhaps they haven't driven enough other cars? My experience in driving it certainly left me unimpressed. At one time I think I posted some comments about it...

...yep, here it is:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107085

 

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226493 :thumbup:

becareful who you let drive your car if you end up with a 350z!

I hope you get it!! I like 350's!!

 

The RX-8 is another large-scale production car with a CF drive shaft.

I think the general consensus (as I understand it from reading various forums and talking to various people) is ...

Get the Z if
* you want a hardtop
* good torque
* only two seats

Get the RX-8 if
* you want four seats
* don't mind poor fuel economy
* you want something with a less punishing suspension than the Z

Get an S2000 if
* You want the best shifter inthe world
* want to compete against Corvettes in autocrossing
* want a soft top

Get a GTO if
* You're too poor for a Corvette
* want the greatest power-to-cost ratio
* really like your car to squat when you launch it

 

Someone had stated earlier that the exhaust sounds ricey, not sure how they came to that conclusion. I for one love the exhaust note. And it came with the car!!!

Rice is what my poor Passat sounds like with the Neuspeed cat back system I have on it which is going away very soon.

 

its quite meaningless to debate that. its all pretty subjective. I like the sound the sound of a VQ35 a lot pesonally. i think there a difference between having an exhaust note sounding pronouced, and one sounding ricey. the euro car snobs will prob declare anything thats remotely flashy (and not european) to be rice.

 

I'd prob opt for the new G35x sedan (for more utility and aesthetical preference), or an older Z32 turbo (for performance) instead. I think the 350z is a decent, solid choice though. I think the 350z does almost everything well, but isn't exceptional at anything per say. I'd be happy with one, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

 

Well after much debate and testing the car, I have decided to go with converting my Audi Coupe to an S2. I may have lost my mind but after driving around and seeing how many Z's and G35 coupes are on the road, something a little more rare is starting to appeal to me even more. After all, how many people see on the road an S2, S2 replica, or even an Audi Coupe for that matter. Thanks guys for your input. I will keep you guys updated on my S2 project once I find a '91 Audi 200 and Audi B4 90 donor cars.

 

Good choice IMO. Might try going here for some parts: http://www.blauparts.com/

I got my SS lines through them when I did the A8 rotor upgrade w/Porsche calipers. In fact many of the BIRA brake guys are quattro owners and may be of some advisory value. Good luck!

 

Good luck! That sounds like an interesting project.

 

If you consider a Z (especially a '03) make sure the alignment problems have been fixed. My Dad bought a new '03 Z and at 18K miles Nissan bought it back because they couldn't correct the alignment problems. 2 Sets of tirs were destroyed within 18K miles. I know this was a major issue for '03, '04 and possibly '05 350's. Just a warning!!!

Nice car otherwise...