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10 August 2017

Here are five exotics you can have for the price of a new 370Z Nismo

By Tom WhiteTom White
Would you consider any of these exotic alternatives for around $61,490?

The 370Z Nismo's local Aussie pricing was announced yesterday at $61,490. But what could you have on the used market for the same cash?

Well here it is. Turns out it’s a bizarre and eclectic list of machines. One for every taste.

The Nissan enthusiast: 1996 Nissan Skyline GT-R ($56,888)

Would you go an R33 over an R34 or R32? Would you go an R33 over an R34 or R32?

If you were considering a car with a big fat ‘NISMO’ badge, there’s a high likelihood you’d consider another legend from Nissan’s rather spangled performance car past.

So, for the same cash as the 370, you could have Godzilla. Albeit in R33 form. Is the R33 anyone’s favourite? The R32 is the original, and the R34 is worth a fortune, but this car just sorta sits in the middle. What you will get for this still-considerable stack of money, is the gone-but-not-forgotten RB26 engine.

See Nissan Skyline GT-R listings.

ALSO CONSIDER

1996 Toyota Supra RZ + 2001 Mazda RX7 ($58,990)

+ Two Japanese classics for the price of one
- Both of which have probably lived long, hard lives

The tweed-emblazoned gentleman: 1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit ($60,000)

There will be a morning tea followed by a moment's wait for roadside assist... There will be a morning tea followed by a moment's wait for roadside assist...

Ah yes, the good old days, the ones that smell of tobacco, top-shelf whiskey and pleated leather. If that brings up flashbacks that involve words like ‘spiffing’ and ‘chuffed’ this car is for you. For those esteemed members of society who enjoy being driven rather than taking the helm, this long wheelbase ‘Royce will lower your blood pressure, possibly to dangerous levels.

If you do enjoy taking the helm and for some reason just have a thing for needlessly complicated luxo-barges, you’ll still benefit from a 6.8-litre V8.

See Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit listings.

ALSO CONSIDER

2010 BMW 750i ($62,990)

+ Modern refinements
- Better hope nothing goes wrong with it

The off-road aficionado: 2015 Land Rover Defender 90 ($61,000)

So classic it had to be discontinued. So classic it had to be discontinued.

You know, the strangest thing about including this car is not that you’re definitely not cross-shopping a 370Z and a Land Rover, but that this paint is legitimately called ‘Santorini Black’. As in – Santorini: The place known for its white buildings. Good one Land Rover.

Anyway. If, for some reason, you were looking at a 370Z Nismo, but secretly you have a hard-on for tough, hand-built (sort of…) off-roaders, this car will make the perfect alternative. I hope you’re also secretly hiding away cash for the inevitable bills that go with it, though.

See Land Rover Defender listings.

ALSO CONSIDER

2015 LandCruiser 70 Series GXL ($64,880)

+ Will go forever
- Somehow feels older than a 370Z

The Eurozone: 2000 Maserati 3200 GT ($61,000)

By Neptune's beard! By Neptune's beard!

The Maserati 3200 GT, if you don’t know it, is the predecessor to the GranTurismo that’s been around all up until recently. It was the first car to be put out by Maserati under Ferrari rule and is powered by a 3.2-litre twin-turbo V8. You’d better bet the sound is incredible. To go with it, it’s a manual and comes in ‘Neptune Blue’ to match the trident badge.

Will it cost you more to run than the 370Z Nismo? Yes. Yes it will.

See Maserati 3200 GT listings.

ALSO CONSIDER

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 coupe ($76,942)

+ Probably cheaper to run, still a V8
- Not as rare or special

The great-ancestor: 1976 Datsun Fairlady Z ($68,990)

These retro-angles just look so darn good. These retro-angles just look so darn good.

If you’re a Nissan die hard with a knack for finding parts on the internet that simply no longer exist, look no further. This is a legitimate Fairlady Z. (as in JDM-spec and not just a locally sold 260Z) This one has the L28 inline-six stroked out to 3.2-litres and a slew of other performance upgrades.

Is that price fair for such an old, but rare, car? We’ll let you decide.

See Datsun Fairlady Z listings.

ALSO CONSIDER

1970 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C3) ($65,000)

+ Gain style
- Lose sooooo much money on fuel & maintenance

Would you go a ridiculous exotic for the same cash as a 370Z Nismo or will you accept nothing less than one of the only interesting cars to come out of Nissan since the GT-R?