Reality350

iTrader: (25)

Hi,

I am still new to the forum and would like to ask a few things about the Z. So i thought I would ask you seasoned vets out there what you thought would be best.. I have searched and read up on alot of articles including feathering, tranny, etc. But I would like to hear from owners who have had to make the same decision as I am about to undertake.

I will be purchasing soon, within the next couple of months and i have a serious dilema.. I can get an '03 model performance pack with 40,000 km for about 26k (CAD) or spend another $10k and change for the '05 35th model with 22,000 km.

Considering that I will get mod happy (FI) within the next couple of years and will probably be keeping the Z forever (future track car), what would you more experienced owners suggest??

Go '03 and save a heavy chunk of change or go with the '05 35th and be happy that I have warranty for at least 3-4 more years?

Any positive feedback from your experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

R350z

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Welcome. The answer is simple. What is your budget?

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

Thanks, money is not really an issue. Just wanted some different opinions from Z owners.
I am pretty sure some Z owners have had to deal with a similar situation so I thought I would pull from there personal experiences..

R350z

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

I'd go with newer model; less miles, less probability of problems, warrenty left, and few more features.

Do you know difference in price in US dollars? We in US can't do math in Canadian dollars!! LOL!

JFAIR

i've got an 03 and the only problem that i ever had was the feathering issue. b/c i dont drive the vehicle that often it really doesn't affect me. if i were in your shoes i would go w/the 03 and turbo charge it. especially if you were going to use the car for track purposes.

daz311x

iTrader: (1)

If money isn't an issue then it's a no brainer. Get the 35th anniv. Z

davidv

iTrader: (2)

A new 2007.

dbasal

If money is no issues, I would get a brand new one. That way you have no worries about what the previous owner did to it. That leaves you two options:

1) Try and find an 06 that you like and you should be able to get a great deal
2) Like davidv said, get the 07

infamous350

06 is more reliability 2003 handles better and lil faster out the box i know this from driving my freind 06. His 2006 feels not as firm and i was able to make the front wheel slide on a turn which never happened in my 03 but the 2006 have few TSB its up to you. I would go with the 2003 ive had np wiht mine but i bought mine certified i bought it with 18000 it has 45000 on it now np wuts so ever

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

LOL!

$26,000 CAD would be $22,547.91 USD

current exchange rate is 1.1531

=)

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

Thanks for the replies everybody, it is greatly appreciated.

As for purchasing an '06 and newer, I just cant bring myself to purchase a vehicle and have it loose 20% after driving it off of the lot..

I am currently leaning towards the '05 35th but I see alot of '03 models coming up on the autotrader with some incredible deals... ( i am so indecisive...) So it made me stop and really think about my decision. (FI is just so tempting...)

I welcome more responses.. And thanks again for taking the time to post your suggestions.

R350z

trentor

i don't think the Z's depreciate quite that much off the lot, but i see your point.

how about buying an '06 with around 5-10k miles?

imjdoggie

iTrader: (2)

Get the 03 and turbocharge it right away with the coin you save, and of course some other goodies wheels, tints, exhaust, gauges etc.

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

Hey thanks, I will look/hope for one with a decent price before the end of jan 07..

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

This was my original plan.. I would have warranty for another yr and half, then probably SC, I would want to track the car so SC over TT, well most likely..
R350z

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

Dam, getting anxious now....

ZU L8R

iTrader: (84)

is the 05 car a revup motor? The 03 car will be lighter

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

Yes, I believe the 35th came with the Rev up. I thought the 03-05' weres the same in overall weight comparetive to the trim package? But I guess the upgraded engine would call for more weight..
Thanks for bringing that up.

R350z

zpak

35ths did not weigh that much more relative to the other '03-'05 models (+ approx. 100 lbs over the base model, if you believe nissanusa.com). It was in '06 that the models saw a jump in weight, but it wasn't because of the new rev-up engine (it was mostly from added sound-dampening).

But even then, there are several members on this board who have weighed their 06's and noted that the "added weight" was imaginary.

Abishop

iTrader: (19)

go 03' and build the motor and put a aps TT kit on it with that 10,000. I have a 35th Aniv and i wish i would have just bought a used one and built it up wthe why i wanted it. I did get a good deal on mine tho....