Zplz
Well-Known Member
Nice! And thanks for the driving report.Thanks so much everyone! Im so damn excited lol. Ive been catching up on work but lets get into the details / story.
Like many of you guys/gals, Ive been eyeing the Z since before the launch event. Ive shared many of your frustrations with the lanuch and the entire process, and ive been very vocal about that over the years.
It got to a point after 2 years I just gave up. Stopped searching and went to my local Toyota dealer pursuing a Supra. Problem is getting a Supra isnt a quick process either (as I found out), especially if you want a certain color / spec. So I accepted the fact id be waiting awhile. The whole time I couldnt stop thinking about Z's though.
I decided to call around and all the prices were absolutely insane (I posted quite a few on here). What I started doing however is calling some places back under a different number / name and found some sales people would give me different prices LOL. Called a few who told me 20k over one day, and then 10k over the next day. That pisses me off but whatever.
Eventually found a place in NJ who had the exact spec I wanted. I originally wanted blue but after seeing a few of you with white, I was hooked. I called and they said 20k over. Told them absolutely not, goodbye. Called back 2 days later and someone else said 20k as well but asked me for an offer. I said msrp hahahaha. He then followed up with 6k over and I said nope sorry. Later in the day they called me back and said he'd do 2k over and it has to be gone in 2 days.
I said no prob, drove down 5 hours to NJ and did the deal. So I did pay 2k over msrp which honestly im not mad about at all. It also had the $200 window etching but i think thats kinda inevitable at most dealers. Carmax is buying my STI for more than I paid in 2020 so in the end im happy.
Now lets get into the car. Honestly, I cant get over how good it looks in person. Pictures dont do the paint justice. I think its absolutely stunning and im amazed with just how many people are interested in it. Just coming home I got a ton of waves, thumbs up, double takes, etc. Also some kids trying to race me but whatever.
Its a very smooth ride, or at least I think so initially. Didnt seem harsh or uncomfortable after 5 hours. Very easy to drive and had no problems with the clutch, although the lift point is much higher than my STI. Its definitely a smaller car, im 6'3 220lbs and have good leg room but not much above my head lol.
I also don't find the speakers to be that bad. Im not some big audio guy so maybe its ignorance but to me they were fine for highway cruising.
The exhaust is pretty bad lol. I absolutely cannot wait to change it. Its way too quiet for me. Im waiting for more info from AWE or ive been eyeing HKS and the new Soho motorsports exhaust which looks nice.
My build date is 12/22 and I dont have the hood paint issues, but i do think my katana is slightly misaligned like others posted. Ill add more up close pics shortly. Cant tell if im crazy or not.
Overall im just happy the buying experience is over because fuck all that. Like a full time job trying to get one lol. I guess worth it now though. Here are a couple of pics from the trip home and in my driveway with the STI. Of course ill be sharing more regularly now thats its home.
That gave me a good laugh, what with dealers trying to gouge $20K or more.
