As the thread states, is the 350Z 3.5 v6 the same as the Altima?

The reason I ask, is because i've obsessed over owning a Z for the longest time, but have never been able to really fit it in my budget. No dealer can ever get the numbers to work around $350-$400 a month, even with VPP and money down. So I glanced at a dealer demo'd Altima SE-R auto. I would assume if the engine was the same, and supposedly the rear suspension is like the Z's, then the car wouldn't be that bad right? I know it would definitely be more practical, considering this will be my only car.

 

350Z... Altima...

no comparison.

the only altima that is similiar to the Z the the Altima SE-R but to finance a new one of those you might as well finance a used Z for the same price. v6 has V6 SE and SE-R both have VQ engines, as does the Z, but they are not exactly the same.

remember, the Z is a sports car, the altima se-r is a sporty car.

 

I believe the block is the same but outside of that things are different. like cams, computer timing. maybe even heads. I'm not realy 100% sure tho.

All I know is

NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER..... EVER EVER EVER.... EVER EVER EVER go to a dealer and say you want to X many dollars a month.

You'll get @#$@ed every single time.

Go to a credit union or outside bank, get your credit app apoved by the bank/credit union for X many dollars. once you have that then you can go car shopping.

Right now my credit union is 4.9% on used and new cars. up to over 100 months. you could easily get a $350 payment (not that I would screch it that far)

anywho, once you get your money in hand. lets say 28K go to a dealer find a car thats stickered for 32-34K and talk your way down =) or find one of the many used Zs for 22-25K (even from dealers) just make sure whatever the sticker price is you pay at lest 2K less OTD on top of that once again NEVER EVER tell them you want to pay X many dollars a month.

KY + you bent over = them smiling as you get....

 

also, just compare it with common main features of the cars

2006 altima se-r vs 2004.5 Z
sedan vs coupe
FW vs RW
260 BHP vs 287 or 300hp
3200lbs vs 3200lbs
$29,000 vs $23,000 (est)
good vs hott stuff

 

My apologies for the edit. The VQ35DE engine is used in several NISSAN vehicles. See: http://www.freshalloy.com/site/featu...nes/home.shtml

 

they're very close but they're a different breed of animal.. I drove both while shopping for a car, and the Z felt more attatched to the ground. The clutch felt much better and i felt more connected to the car. When i drove the altima it kinda drove like a sedan w/ tight suspension.. it was no comparison. However, i did like the navigation and the nice leather seating along w/ bose and such on an equally priced altima SE-R, which i could also get cheaper on a G35 sedan- which also has the same engine lol.
If youre looking for a sweet ride thats practical look into Altima SE-R or G35 sedan/G35X..
If your looking for a more personal ride that feels like machine and car have become unified, get the Z or even teh G35 coupe.

 

hey just work with them i got mine for 400 a month 39 dollars down

 

They have the same block but there is no comparison between the 2. Buy used.

 

how many months and at what rate?

 

Yeah I hear ya on not negotiating a monthly payment first. The reason I said that is because, I get VPP pricing and an enthusiast is like $26k, then I was going to put a couple grand down and I really thought that that would amount to $400 or less a month, however every time the guy went to his manager to figure some numbers, it would always be like $529 to $479 and I was like, thats just too high. I got my GTO at $25,600 out the door, and my payment is exactly $400 even a month. I guess thats my comparison for the math. I would really like it to be under $400 a month because I don't like paying this payment anymore (gas and insurance are alot higher, so its not really fun to pay that payment). I tried seeing if they would trade my GTO in (2005, 5100 miles) and they would only give me $20k for it!! I owe $24,600 and its worth on KBB.com at excellent condition $25,800!. Looks like I won't be getting a Z anytime soon, once again...

 

The blocks are not the same. The motor is not the same. If you do not know these things as fact, do not give advice on them.

 

I own a Z and my wife has a 2005 altima se-r 6-speed. sorry to bust your guys bubble but their the same in speed. the Z handles alot better but she hangs with me all the time . i have a little more top end and for a full size car that thing handles great!I love both cars cars.

 

my 2001 Pathfinder has a VQ35 also!

 

you're right, if you dont know these things as fact, do not give advice on them.

Anyone else see that VQ35 in there?

 

So as I've said in the other post.

how many months is your loan? Since you havnt listed that I bet you've yet to see that you've got screwed.

If you want I will finance a used 350Z car for you. your monthly payments will be $300.00 even. and I will do it at a rate of 5.2% (normal right now is about 7% for used)

 

What is different about the blocks? Nissan uses the VQ in about half their line up. I have this engine in an 04 Quest! Not trying to be confrontational, but the block is the same, hence the 3.5L displacement. It's all the things they do inside the block and out that make the engines different.

The truth is, Nissan is very carefull about which cars get which HP numbers, if they had put the exact same engine as the Z in the Altima SE-R it would have pissed off Z/G owners and cut into sales.

I own an Altima, and a couple of things you should consider. Altima's torque steer pretty bad, this is something they have tried to fix on the 07. If you are enjoying rear wheel drive on your GTO, I think front wheel drive will be a dissapointment in the long run. As far as your payment, check different dealers and look careful at what they are charging you for interest and things they are tacking on the invoice. Most dealers suck!

 

Yup, that's why you get your loan approved before you walk in.
When you have cash in hand you have the power to screw with dealers =)

last car I bought was 26K red tag sell the price is what it is. you cant talk us down. They offered me $1200 for my Civic (trade in)

long story short I paid 23,500 OTD.
I later found out from a friend that works on the other side of the dealer that the dealership paid 23,200 for the car. I bought it for 300 over what they paid and that's with Tax tags and title work. of corse they got my 98 civic but ohwell.

point being. Cash in hand makes it so you can nail down great deals.

ALWAYS have your money setup before walking into a dealer. never ask them any questions about finance unless it's for their used/new % rate, just make sure you follow that question up with a oh thats crappy my bank/credit union can do much better.... (puts the sells person in his place) always be one up on them. If they say something good about the car. say something to counter it to keep the upper hand =) If they ask questions about trade ins tell them you'll talk about that after you find a car you want for the price you want.

so many things you can do to take (thousands) off a price tag.

 

Both of you guys shouldn't waste time arguing with me. I am right. You are wrong. Do you really believe a RWD and FWD motor are the same. They mount differently in the car. The mount locations are different. You cannot interchange the motors. Call Nissan and get part numbers if you feel the need to doubt me but you are indeed wrong. I am sitting at my desk in a salvage yard (that I own). I have an interchange program in front of me that tells me what parts what fit what cars and it wasn't a cheap program. Just to reiterate, YOU ARE WRONG.

 

Just checking back in to see if anyone responded but since you didn't let me just once again say,

YOU ARE WRONG

 

I need to post a picture of a donky for you =)

Edmunds


Edit, here we go!





Perfect!