Hello everyone

[Leonardo]

Hi all, just wanted to introduce myself to the board. Actually reintroduce. I used to be a member way back when it had just started (mazdamp3.com). I own an MP3, but had spent the last year and a half on the MY350Z.com board. I was part of the preorder program for the Z. Ordered it in January of 2002 and took delivery in August of that same year. Well, just over a week ago, I was forced to trade in my baby, due to my sense of guilt and my priorities as a father ( I have three children at the young age of 27)) and husband. See, my wife had to stop working for a while, and the three car payments (wifee drives an 03 Altima) were becoming a bit too much to handle. Each end of month was a becoming more and more a struggle. So, being the nice guy that I try to be, I decided the Z had to go since it was the highest payment I had, and really just a luxury. (How many 27 year old fathers of three do you know that drive a 2 seat sports car??) So you see, It was a SAD day for me when I decided to trade it in before I changed my mind. I did it on a Saturday without even telling my wife. I knew she would try to talk me out of it. She is such a good partner. How many wives do you know that would let their husband buy a 2 seat sports car while having three children to care for? So I just did it spur of the moment. I do want to say that I love the MSP. I had driven one before and of coarse I was familiar with the MP3. I knew I would either purchase the MSP or a Mini Cooper S. I didn't want to wait til September to take delivery of the S, so MSP it was. I have to say that I am happy about that decision as well. Nonetheless it was a bittersweet day for me. Any how, I am trying to make the best of my current situation and am itching to get some more power out of my new car. This is not my first post since I've been back, but I thought maybe I should formally introduce myself and give a little background. Also wanna say hello to Linuxracer and Big Ben. I actually met you guys and a couple others up in Dallas back before I got the Z. You all had a meet before the big car show and I drove up from San Antonio with my wife. That car show was the first time i actually saw a Z in person. Big Ben will probabely remember how I spent most of the time at the Z display just gawking and drooling. My wife had to drag me away. Damn, I am pathetic. (sad1) Its gonna take me a while to get over that car. Sorry, for the long post. Anyways, hello everyone. (hi) I'm looking forward to meeting more of you guys in the Texas area, and learning from you guys about our cars. (2thumbs)

 

[CRDMS1]

Sorry to hear about the Z, but I can relate to decisions that place family first. I applaud your decision. Welcome and I hope you enjoy your car as much as I do.

There are many ways to mod this car, expensive and not, depending on your desires. Joe P (kwiksti) is our champion of inexpensive performance-oriented mods so start reading his threads for good ideas.

Peace...(hippy)

P.S. Do whatever you can to keep your wife happy. Sounds like she's a super wife and mom like mine is

 

[MazdaProbeGT]

So you lowered your payments from $550 to $400 a month?? Doesn't sound like much of a sacrifice to me. Why not look for a car that will get you from point A to point B for under 10K? Many of these cars can be found. I don't know how much you make or anything, but 3 children can't be cheap, and perhaps now is not the time to be indulging in an 03 maxima and an 03.5 MSP. But what do i know.

 

[AGR]

welcome aboard!!



I love the 350Z. A friend of mine purchased one awhile back, and just ordered the Nismo Supercharger for it, which will bring it to 450hp. (he has the Track Edition)

Make no mistake, however; for my $20,500 -

I Love My MAZDASPEED!!! (k) (k) (k) (k) (k)

 

[Leonardo]

you are pretty much dead on on your payment estimations, MazdaProbeGT, i went from $550 to $391. But you are not taking into account several other factors. 1) My insurance payment went down another $28, so now you are at @ $190 a month difference. 2) The gas savings which I have yet to put a figure on, but so far I definitely seem to be fueling up less, lets add another $40 savings there. Now we are at $230 a month less. 3) my Z was 11 months old, so I was about to have to pay the license plate registration fee next month, theres another $140 in my pocket and finally 4) my first payment wont be due until September. So keep the payments for July and August and there is $1100 more in my pocket over the next 2 months until my fife can start working again. Hey all of a sudden this sounds like a whole lot more than just the difference between a $391 payment and a $550 payment huh? Believe me, I thought this through. I loved that car. But there was no need to get an under 10K point A to point B automobile. I make enough for me and my family to enjoy some amount of "luxury", just not enough at this point and time to enjoy that the Z brought to me and only one passenger. Oh yeah, one more thing, I would have had to replace those 18x81/2 front and 18x9 rear tires pretty soon. I hacven't priced around, but I'm sure that put a good deal of money back in my pocket as well. Anyway, thanks for the welcome from everyone.

 

[EVILSRT]

well....good luck with the new ride!!!

sweet color too!

 

[TX Speed Demon]

Welcome back, and I must say you def made the right choice with the Speed over the Cooper S.

Even with the $4,700 John Cooper Works Upgrade package to the Cooper S it still only runs a 6.7 0-60 mph and tops out at 141MPH. Definately not worth the increase in price over the MazdaSpeed. And while I really like the interior of the Cooper, the Speed's is pretty nice and the rims are 100 Xs better. Plus the Cooper has no spare tire, meaning you have to use run-flat tires or pay a lot more for towing if you replace the run-flats with more performance oriented ones.

Plus that Titanium color is SWEEEEEEETTTTTT!!!