Two Approaches to Car Ownership
Within the enthusiast car community, ownership styles generally fall into two broad categories. Some owners move frequently between vehicles, accumulating extensive ownership histories by their early thirties. Others take a more conservative approach, changing cars only when circumstances require it.
I fall firmly into the latter group. This is not driven purely by financial or practical considerations, but by how I evaluate cars in general. For me, car ownership has always been closely tied to personal identity. A car is not only a transport solution, but a reflection of interests and perhaps a physical manifestation of who you are as a person. As a result, purchase decisions are guided as much by emotional alignment as by practical (read real world) requirements.
This approach has resulted in a very short ownership history. In fact, I have only ever bought one car – for myself.
Why the Nissan 350Z?
By the title of the post its obvious that car is a Nissan 350Z Roadster, which I have now owned for ten years – going on 11 as we enter 2026.
The origin of this choice can be traced back to my early teens. At age 14, I attended the Auto Africa Expo at the Nasrec exhibition grounds near Johannesburg with my father and a family friend. At the time, the event was significant for the local automotive industry, with manufacturers displaying vehicles fresh from international motor shows, including Frankfurt.
During that visit, my father’s friend purchased a one-year subscription to Top Car magazine for me. Included with the subscription was a gymkhana-style driving experience, riding along with a professional road tester in a Nissan 350Z. The demonstration focused on traction control systems of the era, including controlled oversteer with electronic aids disabled and how it prevented the “drifting” when enabled.
The experience cemented the 350Z in my mind as a car worth aspiring to. Couple this with my love of racing and the 350Z’s success in the South African Production Car Championship during that time, I simply had to have one.
Buying the Car
Fast forward to my mid-twenties. On a Saturday morning, I found myself at a dealership in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, handed the keys to a 2005 Nissan 350Z Roadster with just 38,000 km on the odometer.
That test drive made it clear to me – I had to own it. My girlfriend at the time (now my wife) still recalls how visibly shaken I was when stepping out of the car. Two days later, the deposit was paid.
Selling my previous car, a Honda Ballade 180i automatic was not an easy decision. It had been in my family from new and was given to me as a hand me down. Even now, I would buy it back in a heartbeat if I ever came across it again.
Living With the 350Z
The transition from the Honda to the 350Z represented more than a simple upgrade. The Z marked a clear departure from familiarity and comfort, both practically and personally. Yes, non-car people – car enthusiast DO buy cars for themselves!
In standard form, the 350Z is relatively understated. It delivers strong performance for its era without being overly aggressive or attention-seeking. The styling has aged very well with a classic shape and strong body lines. It is not a perfect car though. Its shortcomings are well-documented compromises, but it offers a level of mechanical honesty that makes it hugely appealing.
One aspect I continue to appreciate is that the 350Z has avoided the extreme market hype seen with cars such as the Honda S2000 or BMW E46 M3. As enthusiast demand and social media exposure increase, prices often detach from real-world usability and actual driving experience. Couple this with a major lack of new entry level performance vehicles, we are unlikely to see the market cool down significantly in the future. The 350Z has largely avoided this trend.
Enthusiast Cars Are Becoming Rarer
This hype attraction extends to other enthusiast models as well. The Porsche 996-generation 911, for example, has long been appealing to me precisely because it sat outside mainstream enthusiasm for many years – call it hated if you will. More recently, growing influencer-driven popularity has shifted its perception and pricing, which inevitably affects how such cars are viewed by long-term enthusiasts.
A mid-2000s 911 was once a realistic future companion to the 350Z. Today, that equation has changed significantly.
What Comes Next?
For now, the answer is simple: nothing.
If I really had to choose though nothing else outside the Nissan Z stable. In my opinion, very few cars offer a balance in terms of price, performance and reliability like a Z. There might be better cars, but with more compromise. MX5 or 86 – less highway and “GT-Esque” than the Z – what driving I do mostly. BMW e36/e46 – find me a clean one in a similar price range. Similar aged Boxster or Cayman – good luck with the maintenance at that price point.
Owning the 350Z allowed me to enter sports car ownership at the right time, both financially and personally. Over the years it has served as a daily driver, weekend warrior and the odd track day. It has even participated in a competitive race event or two. It’s handled each role with minimal compromise. Even with some bigger jobs done the maintenance is reasonable – if you stay on top of it.
While there is certainly a list of cars I would like to own in the future, current priorities extend beyond car ownership alone. With professional commitments, family and interests such as sim and real-world racing, there is no immediate reason to part with the Z.
After ten years, it remains a car that fits both my lifestyle and my perspective as an enthusiast.
Here’s to the next ten.