2002 Firehawk totaled--new 2005 TL insurance about the same
My precious 2002 Red Formula Firehawk 6 spd (which was VERY rare) was hit and totaled last month! I decided to let my wife have a nice car, and I would take her Denali XL (I might put some nicer wheels on it though, and a Magna Flow exhaust),
Anyway, the insurance on the new 2005 Acura TL w/AT is about the same--($505/3months) versus my Red02Firehawk at $529 for 3 months. I carry a lot of insurance at $100K/$300K/$50K and underinsured and uninsured too. PLUS a $1M umbrella policy. We use it for catastophic loss only, and do not turn in any claim under $5000.
Personally, for the money, I would get a nice clean low mileage Firebird Firehawk, or a used 2003 or 2004 Corvette IF, AND BIG IF, you are set on rear wheel drive. I did a lot to my Firehawk, but did not touch the engine, other then a special oversized air lid, w/C5 Corvette sized K&N filter, SLP's 85mm MAF, & a special bellow> I then added the SLP LongTube headers with 3' y-pipe, with dual 3" high flow CATs by Random Technology, with a true 3" catback from MagnaFlow with 4" duals out the muffler. IT SOUNDED GREAT! Better yet, I dynoed at 357RWHP on that car. THAT IS NICE, my 2000 Forumula with basically the same mods but Donaldson air lid did 310RWHP. I think I just had a nicely tuned LS1. Most dynoed at 325 to 340RWHP. NOW, this is seriously more then these "imports".
BUT it really boils down to what you want. The Firehawk was a heavy car. You certainly can put a turbo on them, in fact I know someone who did and he has just short of 600hp!
But you can spend dollar for dollar on the 350Z and have more HP to weight ratio. THAT IS KEY, plus if you want to do any body kits, go with the Z!
Now my father owned Zs for a good portion of his life. I went for Camaros and Firebirds, but until the LS1 came out, they were not that hot. You can pickup a very nice 2002 Z28 for around $18,99 to $22,500 depending on mileage and condition. They are great buys and will apprecite, IF you keep them for 20 years and hold the mileage down. If you want a daily driver, I would probably opt for the Z. The F-bodies have their bugs that persist. I always replaced the front rotors, calipers and brake pads. They just warped if you did any canyon carving at all.
The main thing, is DO WHAT YOU want to do, not what other say to do.
Picture in your mind two cars, done the way you want all tricked out without regards for money. Go with the one that trips your trigger and you will always be happy.
Thats my 50 cents, but know this: Every one will have their own opinion. And to each his own, I say.
Having said all that, I went and bought a 2005 TL today, for my wife though.
JC