Cheap V6 options?

If you want a 350z - just buy one! If you don't go for what you want then you won't be fully happy with whatever you choose. If you can't afford the car you really want right now, just save for a little while and then go for it, you wont' be disappointed!
 
Live a little and get the 350Z and fulfill an attainable 'dream'. The golf and a3 are dull as a dishwater and will be breaking every week. After all you probably won't get the chance to own a nice 2 seater sportscar in the future when you have 3 kids and a mortgage. ;)
 
I have an A3 3.2, had it for almost 5 years now. It's been a fun drive but things to be aware before you dive in:

It's thirsty! If you hoof it around be prepared for low to sub 20MPG. On a motorway, I think 35MPG is the best I have had on a long run. 30MPG is more realistic.

It's quite a twitchy little beast compared to the 325i we had. BMW was much smoother delivering power whereas this feels like every press of the go pedal wants to launch you through the rear window.

I have the Sport edition so ride is pretty firm but it feels totally planted. Your bottle will go before the car loses traction.

If you get a high mileage one, make sure Haldex oil has been changed. That's a few quid otherwise. I just paid £250 at my local indy for the full 80k service (not including Haldex, I had that done earlier). Audi will want around £400 for the full 80k service :o

I've had a few little bills for pads/discs and a new radiator but other than that it's behaved itself. I will be moving it on next year though and I think given the choice I wouldn't have one again. Fun car to drive, just not relaxing to drive at all, I would choose the 6pot 3 series over it if you can? Neither the Audi or BMW will be cheap to run.

Mondeo ST 220 perhaps cheaper....
 
Had an A3 3.2 since August, done about 12k in it so far and I love it.

As above 30mpg on an average run is about right, less if you start putting your foot down ;)

Not had any bills yet, it's a DSG about to hit 100k so will see but everything's been great so far.

Wouldn't agree with the comment above though about it not being a relaxing drive, I find it very relaxing just cruising along at low revs with the engine just ticking over, but then I did come from an S2000 which was rather more lively ;)
 
Jimbo Mahoney said:
Nissan 350Z - about £5500 to buy and £500 a year to insure. Don't know if I can bring myself to spend £5k+ on a car though - but the 350Z is pretty much the realistic car of my dreams (I doubt I'll ever be able to afford an Aston...)
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£5500? I'd be adding another grand on top at least to get something that was half decent, you're looking at the bottom rung of the ladder there, and its grimy.

I've been out in a 350z, sound and acceleration will put a massive smile on your face. Would love one myself but running costs put me off, I used £10 of fuel in a 20 minute test drive, but I did test the hell out of it. However, 20 min test drive would have resulted in me losing my license and many months in jail, it's far too easy to hammer it.

Still going to get one though but i'll spend most of my time watching the petrel gauge :p
 
Are we really comparing an a3 to a 350z?

I see captain Audi defence is on hand to provide his ever invaluable, unbiased opinion also...
 
ZT 190, they are ridiculously cheap. I paid £1600 Sept 2012 for an 03 with 62,000 miles on the clock, 4 new tyres, clutch and cambelt recently done. They are pretty reliable, just some niggly bits to watch out for (Water ingress and blocked drain holes mostly)
 
Had a golf 4mo before, it was nice. But nowhere near quick enough for the fuel economy. A3 3.2 will be much of the same. Nice driving cars, just not inspiring enough.

Get the 350z. If it's a dream car, you will regret not just paying that little bit more. And, with 300 BHP, it should be fast enough for the fuel it will inevitably drink.
 
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