hi everyone, im new to this forum and i am currently looking to purchase a 350z in the near future. my choices now are either to buy an 06 enthusiast model, or just buy an 03-05 with nav. and leather. do you think the tradeoffs are worth it for the 06, or should i just buy a used one loaded?

 

Welcome.

1. Set a budget.
2. Test drive several different models. Play with the buttons and stuff to see what they do.
3. Buy what you like. Happy shopping.

 

It's all personal..
I'd take an '06 enthusiast over any 03-05 model no matter how fully loaded. '06s revised/tweaked a little. Only trade off is no leather/powered seats & nav. Other than that I see no diffs. You get nicer rims, volume controls on steering wheel, better headlights, nicer ride quality, upgraded performance (higher redline) and possibly a lesser headache with any problems the earlier models had. On top of that, you're owning a brand *new* car -- driven by noone but you

 

Can you afford an 06? If so, why would you buy an 03?

 

thanks for the advice, i can afford an 06 its just that i would have to finance it for a while to get affordable monthly payements, 03-05 i wouldnt have to finance as much

 

depends on what you want to do, are you gonna go FI??? if so, get an older model as your engine warranty is gone as soon as you go that route.

don't worry about the stock wheels as you don't see too many people on the forum with them...

last time I checked the 03 held it's value better than an 04 so do your research

 

If you're planning on buying the 06 enthusiast brand new, you could always wait a few months for the 07 tentatively coming out (based on a few posts around here) in January. There are supposed to be a few more changes, including a slightly upgraded engine.

But again, I can't put down a nav system. I have a terribly sense of direction, and it's always cool seeing that arrow move around .

 

Welcome aboard!

A month and a half ago, I was in exactly the same position that you are now, and I asked the same questions.

I bought a used one loaded vs. a brand new '06 base.

I saved ~$5,000 and got a car with every option Nissan offers except the Nav system. I also save $500-600 each year in insurance. If you get a used one, be SURE that it has all the service documentation and make sure any recalls were done.

This is particularly important if you get an '03.

There are many posts here similar to yours, so you are not alone in making your decision. There is a great wealth of information here, so take your time and read through it before you buy your car.

Then you'll enjoy it a lot more!!

Good luck,
Joe

 

If you just want a 350 and leave it sock get a new one, but if you want to do stuff like go FI and such get a older one i mean i got a 03 with 66K on it and it runs fine no problems at all.....

 

yeah i definatly wont be looking to go FI any time soon, but like everyone has been saying it might be worth it to wait for an 07 with supposedly dual intake i heard? but either way i will be making modifications, slowly but surely. theres so many different routes, just dont know which way to go either way though a Z is a Z