mignav01

Hey all, so I'm in the market for a new car and I'm seriously considering a Z.

I previously drove a G35 but a careless driver and a superduty F350 put it in the grave.
Now I'm familiar enough with all the engine and transmission variants throughout the years, but all the models confuse me, what is the "highest" available model of the Z? as after my crash I'd prefer to have one with a little more protection at the cost of added weight, thanks!

- Mig

MicVelo

All Z33s have the same relative "protection" as they are structurally identical. The different models are just trim levels, e.g., leather, fancy stereo, and a few mechanical things such as VDC, TCS, that sort of thing.

Top level PERFORMANCE models: Track (to '06), Nismo ('07-'08)

Top luxury levels: Touring and Grand Touring

mignav01

thanks! that's exactly what I was looking for, sorry that my dumbass couldn't word it properly, I test drove a nismo, and while it was awesome I'm trying to spend only what insurance gave me for my car, so it's a bit out of budget for now.

zakmartin

Hey Mic, aren't the cloth seat models missing side airbags? I know they have roofline curtain airbags, but if I recall, only the "leather" seats come with built in SRS devices.

If that's the case, isn't it safe to say that the Nismo editions don't have seat airbags on them?

jv350z

iTrader: (6)

^ I have a Performance w/cloth seats and it has SRS airbags

Spike100

Well that statement is important in your selection.

How Much money (dollars) can you spend?

mignav01

10-11k, I got 10.5k for my G and wouldn't mind spending a little extra but that'd really about it. That's the going price for them around here in decent condition it appears, although G's and Z's in good condition are horribly hard to find

MicVelo

Both my '03 Enthusiast and '08 Nismo - neither leather - had seat airbags in addition to all the other air bags in the car - including the driver.

MicVelo

That's a decent budget - but you have to be patient.

I paid about that for my '03 - in immaculate condition, only 60k mile. Four years ago.

Obviously it'd be nice to get a newer model but as David (dkmura) said in this post: https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...-street-z.html , it's about how well maintained the car was, not just the fact that the newer ones have a "better" engine. People trash HRs too.

Keep looking until the right one comes up. Never settle because you'll have to live with a "settled on" car for years.

mignav01

haha I know, I spent 6 months looking for my G coupe, it helps I'm super picky. and I prefer the early DE compared to revups.. they just feel like they have more of a punch down low

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Seat and curtain airbags are an option, make sure you get a car with them


My 03 touring had all available bags, my 05 base didn't have either set.

DoctorDray

I bought my '03 Touring with 74k miles on it for $9k back in February. Our other Z ('03 Enthusiast) was bought with 60k miles for $10.5k. Not sure if that helps you any. I prefer my Touring model more because of the added features.

mignav01

I feel that coming from a G I'm a little spoiled in terms of comfort heated seats and what not so I probably will get a touring or grand touring, although I'd pick up a clean G just as soon. The hardest part is getting people to let me test drive them, since I'm 17 it tends to scare them