[Spec]

Future reference I own a 2006 350Z.

I don't understand what's going on here. The majority of the people in this thread are previous owners of 350Z's making biased decisions based upon the looks of the 370Z and Cayman, or magazine testing. Honestly MotorTrend believe it or not, are BMW nuthuggers, and are as biased when it comes to German cars. I wouldn't trust anything they have to say. The last motor trend mag I bought was the America vs the world. In that comparison they ranked the GTR higher than the GT2 because it had more rear seat room and was slightly faster, whereas the Viper ACR had dominated in every way possible on their test but showed up in 3rd.

Now I've never driven a Cayman. But I can tell you this that the Cayman is a gorgeous car. No matter what wheels, options, or package you buy the car is simply stunning.

But the problem with the Cayman is that, my 350Z will easily walk all day long over the Cayman. So the base model lacks the power of the Z's. 350 and 370. But you're not buying the Cayman for power. You buy the Cayman S for that. But you have to pay to play.

Now, maint. cost. I don't know if anyone realizes this but most new cars don't require much maint. If they do it's usually covered under warranty. Take this into account. My 06 has 30k miles on it. My 30k service was $300. Well the Cayman has different intervals. A $600 oil change interval at 20k miles. A Z requires oil change every 3k miles so. $60 is what an oil change costs. So 6 times 60 is $360 for every 20k miles.

Now I've driven a 370Z. IMHO the 370Z is the biggest step up since the 930 to the 997 911. It really is that much of a difference. The power difference, the lighter internals, the bigger internals. That car is a monster. Plus with bolt ons there's a guy on my350Z.com with 3 bolt ons and making 321 whp. That's power. More power than the Cayman and S.

You also have refinement in the interior. The interior renovations in the 370Z are amazing. The leather upholstery the suede door, the feel of every aspect of that car is confident and perfect. Everything is sealed just right and open and closes without that cheap american feeling. I'm not going to lie. My 350Z interior sucks. Already needs refurbishing not from abuse from me but from the cheap quality. Similar to the early 996's.

To me you have to drive both cars to be able to say which one suits your needs more. The Cayman is a Porsche and the Z a Nissan. Most people on here are too ashamed because they paid so much for the Cayman knowing the 370Z out performs it in standing line test but in braking and handling is on par for a much cheaper price. IMHO this a buyers market. The Cayman's are cheap the Z's are brand new and only going to get more expensive. Figure in a few years there will be DI models rolling in so your resale value will take a hit. The same way the 350Z's did.

I love both cars. But it's your choice. My next car is going to be... I don't know something nice but a drivers car. So I am not biased towards either car. I hate Nissan and Love Porsche. I hate 996's but love 350Zs. Find the right balance where you fit in.