Hi guys, I am currently in the market for a 350z and i was woundering if the 13hp diffrence between the 03 and 06 z's have much imact if any on the performance of the z. If it has what has been done to the z to gain that power and is it a minor exaust improvement or is it a redesigned engine?
And is there and other improvements on the 06 that would make me spend the money for the 06 rather than the 03?

 

Get the 06. As far as performace difference you won't notice. Even though the Rev-up engine for the MT cars get the 300 HP, they only get 260 ft-lb of TQ. The previous years had 274 ft-lb of TQ. The 2006 automatics keep the 287 HP / 274 ft-lb TQ. Also one more thing to consider..is that the 2006 model has gained some extra curb weight.

Now improvements of the 2006.
1. LED tail lights are new. Its fantastic...I love it. It looks hot. Man previous year owners are swapping their tail lights to the 06 version.
2. Projector headlamps are new. AWESOME. All 2006 versions get XID. Previous years, only trims above base get the XID.
3. Interior gets a bit of a touch up. I think there are better cup holders as well.

 

many people here will tell you to search.. but its not the performance specs i would be wondering about when it comes time to comparing these two model years. its more like i would compare potential problems between both model years. and also many people would tell you to get the 06 for lack of problems. but the 06 does weigh 200lb's more and has the rev up motor if you get a manual transmission (redline is at 7000 instead of 6600 on 03).

 

There should be a pretty good size price difference between the two as well, so it's not as simple as comparing specs. Up here an 03 is 35% cheaper than an 06. If you have money, it's usually better to go with the new one.

 

i recently bought an 03 over an 06 simply because of price. I love the Z no matter what. I read these forums for months before purchasing, and when it came down to it, that 13 HP can easily be made up with popcharger, and plenum spacer. Cant do anything about the higher redline, but 6600 is good enough for me. Good luck, and no matter what, just buy a Z!!!!

 

The 06's come with the "REV-UP" motor which is a great benefit if you are going to get the Motordyne MREV mod. I have a friend that has a G35 Sedan 05 with the 298 hp motor with the MREV mod and he can hang with my 05 Enthusiast MT 287hp/274tq.

If you are going to mod your Z, then get the 06 because the REV-UP motor with MT.

 

It's been said in many many past theads...14 lbs of Torque lost with the 300hp motor to gain 13hp is no deal. You want the TORQUE!

 

Many 03s had first year production issues; better bet would be 04,05 if you don't want to buy new.

 

Taking a step aside from all the HP and Torque talk...I honestly DON't trust what others have done with these kinda cars. Some people just dont treat them with the respect they deserve. Also, you get the people that treat them like Honda's and beat the hell outta them. Just beware! ALWAYS TAKE A SPORTSCAR AND GET DIAGNOSTICS DONE BEFORE YOU SIGN. There are a ton of things you WONT see just test driving it.

-Steve-

 

Buy a 2006. IF you have to get used get a 2005. if u really can't get that get an 04 and if not that than an 03.

 

Buy one, turbo it after a couple of months after your initial, man my car is fast feeling is over, just like having a new car with the FI. The loss of 14 lbs of tq is noticeable, drive an 03 then drive an 06, you can tell a difference, but who really cares, this car isn't ever going to stay stock. The only difference I foresee is the issue of modding, obviously if you buy an older Z, you will have more money to play with. Good news is, it is a win-win situation. Congrats and good luck

 

Welcome to the forum.

You are not aware, but this question always starts a 2006 vs 2003-2005 war. Not sure why but it does. What difference does an additional 13 horsepower make? 4.3 percent.

 

The 06 have double Xenons too, right? (both hi & low, while 03-05 above base only have low Xenon)

Danny

 

I owned a '03 Touring and just switched to an '06 Base. In comparison, I find the '06 to be more pleasant for everyday driving. The clutch engages more smoothly (more like what you expect from a Japanese sports car) and the manual transmission feels to be more refined (it is hard to pin point what it is exactly but I think of it more or less like having additional dampener). Interior feels more "packaged" with nice little addtional leather trims here and there. The exteriors got nice touch of LED lights and absense of orange stripe in the front headlamp. After switching to an '06, the additional comfort makes me want to drive it more often.

Although I have yet to take the '06 to the track, I imagine it will give me just as much smile on my face as the '03.

 

Why would you go from a touring to a base? You dont like leather?

 

The 06 is SO much better as a daily driver than the 03.

 

Accident happens. I like the leather for daily driving, but it is a bit more slippery as compared to clothe on the track.

 

'04.5 or newer would be a little safer bet. Some of the '04's seemed to still have some of the minor issues. I have had no issues with my 04.5 and have known many 03-4 drivers without issues after there alignment was done a couple of times and had aftermarket tires installed. Those original 040's really suck A$$ !! I have those original tires and they are wearing well on the car however, I can tell you from all my years in tire sales for Goodyear those particle tires are horrible on this car. On another car with not such a aggressive suspension they probably do well. However, there compound for the sidewalls is hard, which helps handling but messes up ride. There better designs for the side wall. But, on a OEM car Bridgestone must have cut NISSAN a deal and cut corners to save money on the design and materials. JHMO.

 

I agree! You will get a better deal on an 03 and can usually work with the price of the seller. However, if I had it to do over again, I would have bought a roadster rather than the hard top. I am use to the T-Tops on my 1990 300ZX twin turbo, and the targa top on my 1998 C5 Corvette.....................damn Nissan for not making a T-Top, Damn them!

 

get what you can afford