Hi Folks...

Like the subject line says - I am a new guy that is looking at the 350z market for a new (used) driver.

I've done a lot of searching for info and something that I have not been able to find is information that would allow me to tell if a specific year/model is a;
1) Base model
2) Enthusiast model
3) Performance Model
4) Track Model
5) Touring model

It would also be handy to know which models had what features in each of the years.

Right now I am looking at a 2003 that is supposed to be an Enthusiast model. It has 31k miles on it (much of it highway use) and the price is under 20k.

Any caveats???

So can anyone out there help out a fellow gear-head with some info?

Thanks!

Regards - Randy

 

get the VIN number checkered out?

 

I still have info for the 2003 models that I put together when I bought my Z. If you like, I can post it here but it's a ton of info! Someone else will need to provide the 2004 specs & you can just look online for the 2005's since the Nissan sites are still posting it.

 

I have a base, the main indicator is no CC(cruise control), so if it's a blank steering wheel then you'll know. And all 05's have a hanger for the seatbelt, I know 03's don't have this but I'm not so sure with the 04's. IMO run the VIN. Good luck.

 

Here you go. Got this right off the Nissan website when they posted the 2003 specs:

2003 Specs:

Note: All specs on higher models are upgrades in comparison to Base model.

Base:
• 160-Watt AM/FM/CD w/6 speakers
• 17" x 7.5" 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
• 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission
• 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat
• Aluminum hood
• Aluminum interior accents
• Aluminum-look door handles
• Anti-lock Braking System (4-wheel ABS)
• Automatic temperature control
• Brake assist
• Carbon-fiber driveshaft
• Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS)
• Drive-by-wire throttle
• Dual outlet exhaust system
• Dual stage supplemental air bags
• Electric rear window defroster
• Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBS)
• Flush-mounted halogen headlights
• Front and rear stabilizer bars
• Full body color mirrors and bumpers
• independent front & rear multi-link aluminum suspension
• Leather steering wheel & shifter
• Longitudinally-mounted 3.5L 24-valve DOHC V-6 engine with molybdenum-coated pistons
• Mid-mounted front engine/rear wheel drive
• Nissan Direct Ignition System (NDIS)
• Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
• P225/50WR17 front & P235/50WR17 rear high performance tires
• Power windows, locks, and mirrors
• Power-assisted 11.7" vented front disc brakes & 11.5" vented rear disc brakes
• Power-assisted engine-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering
• Rear intermittent wiper
• Rear strut tower brace
• Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
• Seat belts w/pre-tensioners & load limiters
• Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection
• Tilt steering column and integrated 3-bay instrument guage cluster
• Trip computer w/integrated outdoor temperature display & MPG
• Unibody construction w/corrosion resistant high strength steel
• Variable intermittent front wipers
• Vehicle security system

Enthusiast:
• Aluminum pedals
• Cruise control
• Day/night automatic rear view mirror
• Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
• Homelink universal transceiver
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Viscous Limited Slip Differential (LSD)
• Xenon 4-bulb high intensity discharge headlights

Performance:
• 18" x 8" 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
• Aluminum pedals
• Cruise control
• Day/night automatic rear view mirror
• Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
• Homelink universal transceiver
• P225/45WR18 front & P245/45WR18 rear high performance tires
• Tire air pressure monitor
• Traction control system
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Viscous limited slip differential
• Xenon 4-bulb high intensity discharge headlights

Touring:
• 17" x 7.5" 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels (18" x 8" 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels standard with 6-speed manual transmission)
• Aluminum pedals
• Bose® 240-Watt Audio System (in-dash 6-disc CD changer, AM/FM stereo and cassette player, with 7 speakers)
• Cruise control
• Day/night automatic rear view Mirror
• Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
• Heated mirrors
• Heated seats
• Homelink universal transceiver
• Leather-appointed seats
• P225/50WR17 front & P235/50WR17 rear high performance tires (225/45WR18 tires standard with 6-speed manual transmission)
• Power 2-way passenger seat
• Power 4-way driver's seat
• Traction control system
• Viscous limited slip differential
• Xenon 4-bulb high intensity discharge headlights

Track:
• 18" x 8" 6-spoke super light forged-aluminum alloy wheels by Rays
• Aluminum pedals
• Brembo® Brakes (4-piston front calipers, 2-piston rear calipers, 12.8" vented front discs and 12.7" vented rear discs)
• Cruise control
• Day/night automatic rear view mirror
• Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
• Front spoiler
• Homelink universal transceiver
• P225/45WR18 front & P245/45WR18 rear high performance tires
• Rear drag reducing spoiler
• Tire air pressure monitor
• Traction control system
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
• Viscous limited slip differential
• Xenon 4-bulb high intensity discharge headlights

 

What do you mean hanger for the seat belts? The clip on the pillar that holds the extra seatbelt in place so it doesn't knock against the plastic? Cuz my 03 has that... Is that what you were talking about?

 

Thanks Guys - Great information!!!!

James - That's a great list to have handy!

I would take it that there are no indicators in the VIN as to which model the car is (other than 350Z that is)..

I have checked the car out through CarFax and it is squeeky clean.

Now if the owner will just return calls / emails I might get something going here..

Regards - Randy

 

Right, nothing in the VIN tells you what trim level it is.

If you post some features we can probably verify if it's an Enthusiast or not.

Leather seats?
Cruise control?
Bose stereo?
Stock rims? What size? 17" or 18"?
To the left of the steering wheel (near your left knee) is a Traction Control button. Does it say "TCS" or "VDC"?

 

Do all z's come with the HIDS/XENON's?

 

All but the Base model.

 

A good tool that I used when I bought my Z was www.nissanusa.com they have all the stats down to the weight on there. But these are the specs for the '05. When I spoke with the dealer, they said there really isn't much change in the car as the years went on! I settled for the Enthusiast!

 

Yeah, did yours come like that? I have 3 buddies with 03's and none of them have it.

 

My 03 has the clip.

 

Mine too 1 on each side.

Good info James, just 1 note the Touring comes with VDC as well. If i could do it all over I would of got the performance model.

 

Btw only the 2003 models touring came with 17's, 2004 and up came with 18's rims,
2004.5 come with european suspension which sits a lil higher than an 2004, the thread on the tires is different and some interior stuff

 

Source: http://www.courtesyparts.com/specs/vin.html

 

Were any of the Z's made in the Mexico plant?

 

:-)

 

wow thats a lot of good info... sticky?

 

What is the difference between VDC or TCS? aren't they both forms of traction control?