VCUTE

Hey guys as the title reads, i am in the market for an older 350z. Im not familiar with this kind of forum layout so just be patient with me lol. I am a member on GTRLIFE for my older brother who owns a 2013 Deep Pearl Blue GT-R and am very familiar with that market and the car in general.

Anyway, i am reaching out for advice on purchasing a 350z, i am looking for 03-04 350z mostly so i can mod it and find it for cheap. i am looking for knowledge and advice, i know one problem that i have read about is windows stopping to function. I am NYC and have found this add very enticing but wouldnt for comfortable even going to check it out with out some tips. What to look out for and what not.

Heres the add let me know what you guys think!

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...ting=103179771

che69velle

Its auto, stay away

Better option
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/ctd/4819131545.html

VCUTE

Lol this literally the same exact car!

blufc3s

If you look at the pics of the interior, it's a manual, even though listed as an auto in the first link.

bith8791

Uh, it looks like it has a 6spd MT to me, I am old, my eyes do deceive me sometime.
z's are great cars, I am the orginal owner of an '04, I've had zero problems with my car and it still looks/performs the way it did when I drove it off the lot, find one that hasn't been molested and you'll have a great sports car.
I would look for a stock '04 Touring or Track model with less than 100,xxx miles if I were you, you should be able to find one with 75,xxx-100,xxx miles for $10,000 or so.

KornerCarver

iTrader: (2)

I don't believe that is a Track model. I don't see any Brembo brakes. I suspect that might be an Enthusiast.

rearranged

You can always look up the vin # http://www.nissanusa.com/recalls-vin#/

PerfZ

iTrader: (3)

The VIN does not give you the trim line.

RoryATL

Clutch parts, especially the flywheel can be pricey (about $700-800 for clutch plate, cover, and bearing, and about $900 for flywheel). Also since its Dual Mass, it means that machining the flywheel is difficult if possible at all for your mechanic. So if it's bad, it pretty much needs to be replaced.

Check to see if the owner has replaced them already or not.

Otherwise, I've been very happy with mine, and have no complaints. Some minor interior issues, but nothing out of the ordinary for a car with some years on the road. Knowing what I know now, if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't buy anything else for the same money.

MicVelo

OP - don't know if you already purchased a "new" Z but that ad - which is still up on craigslist - reeks of scam (or at the very least, a mild misrepresentation). It is NOT a Track trim car. No rear spoiler (which I suppose could have been removed or fallen off) and as someone else mentioned, no visible sign of Brembo brakes. The two KEY visual (exterior) identifiers of a Track level car.

Looking at interior clues, the steering wheel and dash indicates it's probably an Enthusiast trim as another poster said. (No stereo controls on left wheel spoke, no VDC button on left dash or at least I can't see clearly in the pic).

That all said, I personally feel that the Enthusiast version (in these early year cars) is the best basis for modifications. Not because it's the one I own (welllll, OK, part of the reason - laff!) but it's got the basic performance features already installed that you'd want for a true "driver's car". Limited slip is standard and defeatable traction control. TCS is good for when it's needed driving from A to B (and particularly good if you live where it snows or ices) but the ability to turn it off when you need to be able to slide the rear around a bit is a must.

VDC is not present in the Enthusiast model either. That's good for a number of reasons - while it, like TCS, are designed to keep the occupants safer than without, if you are going to modify the car for performance, it's a safe bet (or should be) that you don't necessarily want your car thinking for you. At least that's how I like it - I want to be in as close to full control at all times. I should note that I'm not dissing VDC or saying it's bad, I just don't care for that level of control left to my car when I'm running 8/10ths+.

There were some parts I was shopping for long ago (but cannot remember what they were specifically, sorry) that weren't compatible with VDC for some reason. Not a big deal but it did turn me off. If I remember what those incompatibilities were I'll re-post.

S'far as your comment on the window problems. Yes, known problem on all 350s but not terribly difficult to deal with. Swapping a window motor isn't difficult nor expensive. My car had both motors replaced by the P.O. just before I got the car (at 65k miles) a few years ago. There's even someone here in the SF Bay Area who makes a decent part time living doing nothing but window motor repairs on Z's and G35s. Find a niche.....

But all in all, you can't go too far wrong with ANY level trim. The Track version has the benefit of the big brakes and superlight wheels but suspension, engine wise, they're all the same underneath but for the TCS and VDC subsystems.

Good luck finding your ideal car.

Mic

StuLax18

iTrader: (4)

"2008 NISSAN 350Z TOURING"

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try out the link.

StuLax18

iTrader: (4)

I was a little suspicious of the VINs and trims though because my insurance says Grand Touring on it.