SEBASS

Hi guys. New here so please don't flame me if any of my questions will be old or silly to you. Yes i did read Top 100 commonly asked questions so i'm on the right track...i think Ok here is my dillema.

Considering following purchase and can't decide between the two due to
2003 threading defects, tranny issues and window motor issues.


2003 Track model non-rev engine 6500 red line, 286hp, no VLSD, with brembo breaks, 18" rims once i can live with but would love 2007 stock, VDC, no leather, shity stock stereo which i despise, rear spoiler and under areo kit,
40k miles for 17k. TIRE THREADING AND TRANNY ISSUES IS MY MAIN CONCERN HERE !!!!

vs

2007 Touring model with Q35 new engine 7500 red line, 306hp (20hp more. Does that really make a difference), VLSD, VDC, WITHOUT brembo, 18" stock rims the once i love and won't change, leather, heated seats, boss system, bluetooth, xm sat radio, 15k miles for 26k. NO BREMBO BREAKS IS CONCERN HERE AND COSTS MAYBE. How does Boss with sub stock sound. 1-10 scale. I don't need 3k stereo system. I compare that to Nakamichi system i had in my LS400 lex. Nice.

Here is my dillema. I am very aware of tire threading on 2003-2004.5 models and not sure if i wanna deal with it however my buddy that races M3 told me this (btw i considered used 2003.5 M3 any thoughts on that too.)
If tire threading occurs to change suspesion to resolve the issue and that stock suspension is shity anyway.

Here is what he wrote:
"It's a 15k used Nissan, not a 70k new M3! Even if some things are not perfect, who cares?
There, the suspension sucks and 80% of people are pissed off. So now you have a perfectly legitimate reason to swap the suspension like I told you.

(1) Buy tires for $900
(2) Buy suspension for $700-$1000 (figure another $200 or so for race alignment afterwords. Alignment is a must after suspension change)
(3) Buy better brake pads for $300

You're looking at max $2500 (and that includes installation!) to make that Z perfect. If people complain about the stock suspension on 2003 models, why haven't they switched it yet? Are they going to cry forever and complain about how Nissan ****ed them over or are they going to finally do something about it?!

Even if Nissan acknowledges the problem, what exactly is this going to solve? They're going to replace the current "bad" suspension with another one that is ONLY marginally better, but still sucks. It's a lose-lose situation. Just go with a good and reputable aftermarket suspension. I have aftermarket KONI shocks on my M3. Each shock has a no-******** lifetime warranty. If anything (anything at all) happens to the shock, I get a new one 100% free of charge. The only thing you will pay for is labor to have the shock changed (unless you want to do it yourself), which is no more than $100."

Would that fix threading issue. Now brembo breaks on 2007 will run me 2k i think if i'm not mistaken but on 03 i don't get boss, leather, 06 rims i want, 20hp more engine power, better redesigned engine (is that motor worth another 10k), possible tranny issues on 03 vs non on 07. BTW do those tranny exist in 05+ models still??? I really like the look of stock 06 rims.
And on 03 stereo is a must replacment for me. If i add all that up it come close to 07 costs. What would you guys do and what do you guys think. Hostly. Please don't flame and i appriciate your input.

03 vs 07 as listed above. State your reason why please based on experience and knowlege of this forum. Thanks You.

DavesZ#3

iTrader: (26)

I don't even know where to begin. A lot of your (or your buddys) facts are wrong.

Tire feathering - caused by an alignment problem. Swapping suspension would be a waste of time and money. Simple toe-in setting fixed the problem. Not all '03s have/had the problem, same with tranny. If tranny hasn't been replaced by now (5 years later), then chances are it's fine.

The '03 track comes with VLSD, only the Base model did not include the VLSD.

Don't sweat the Bose system, it's crap and most people replace it with a aftermarket unit for a lot less.

If you plan or racing or tracking the car, go with the Track model. You'll have the Brembos and lightweight Rays wheels.

OahuGrownZ

^^ Agree, bang for the buck, I'd say the Tracks gonna serve you more for what your goals are.

track1z

iTrader: (4)

Try and get an older one so you don't lose so much money in depreciation.There basically all the same through out the years.

Jay'Z

iTrader: (118)

PM Whitey #1 for advice..... He looked at 30 Z's and finally picked one..

350mexZcan

03 track. Who wants to worry about messing up an existing warranty? Chances are you are on this site because you like---sratch that---LOVE to modify your cars. Besides less money spent on the car itself goes to mods later on.

SEBASS

Thank you guys for advise. Just came back from 07 test drive and it's weird but it was in worst shape then 03 was. No engine differerance that i noticed, reffering to additional 20hp and brembo breaks are night and day on 03. 07 has POS stock.

If anyone else wants to advise more then that's great.

Anyone wants to comment on Z350 or 2004 M3. Just was worrying about maintanace and almost costs double and hp difference is marginal but it's more comfortable and has 4 seats. Yes i know the i'm buying 2 seater sports car. Anyone ?

DavesZ#3

iTrader: (26)

I can only imagine the maintenance on the M3 is going to be significantly more than the Z, just as the original price will be.

Donsred350Z

If you got the money get the rev up 2007 everythings better its faster by .4 - .5 seconds doing 5.1-5.3 0-60 its interior better and shifting is smoother. Its just a better Z-car all the way around. This car can run close with the Evos and STis. But look alot better IMHO and handles just as well.

If you are lean on cash get the 2003 Tracker or Enthusaist are probably a little faster then my 05 Touring because its lighter not a bad car if you got the upgraded Manual transmission. Exterior wise they are almost the same but interior is better in the 06 and up. And the rev up engine is faster. The 03-05 are 5.6 - 5.8 0-60 mines is plenty fast but some like to mod theris and make them ape sh%t fast. A stock 03-06 can't run with 5.0 or 4.9 STis or Evos. Some say at 80+ this even out on the Hiway.

Either one is a nice Car.

scmtkings4

iTrader: (4)

how exactly did you drive it that you could actually tell a difference? i think only in high speed, hard cornering do you feel the brembos



i think the noticeable power of the 07 come in the upper gears, which you probably didnt get a chance to use in your test drive

SEBASS

Well i did some hard breaking on both 03 and 07 and brembo where just better. They seemed to break faster then stock. Could be psychological but i don't think so. To me at least they felt they had more "bite"

Yes i didn't have a chance to take 07 to higher gears since had salesman in the car and with 03 i didn't. But that perticular car 07 was in worst shape then 03 was so no contest here. Might pull the trigger tommorow. Im nervous and confused since i'm gonna buy it cash. Overall i'm just confused guy.
I was also looking at Acura CL type S but after test driving Z it was over.
What bugs the **** out of me with Z is lack of interior space and lack of comfort but then again it's a sports car so me myself i don't know what i want.

Kegsbane

I love my 03 but if I could get an 07 or 08 I would, easily.

More power, less issues, and I can't imagine the clutch is any wierder (although now that I'm used to it it's pretty fun).

Tire feathering is an ez fix. My Michelin's have at least 15k miles on them (came with the car) and they look like I'll get another 10k easy.

Transmission seems perfectly fine. Of course, my Z is awesome in general, I think she loves me. We both like it rough, mmmm.

SEBASS

Dave or anyone else. When i put that 03 to the test and i mean i punished it hard I either missed the 2nd gear once cause tranny grinded or this was this famous tranny issue of grinding even tho clutch pedal is pressed in all the way. Now I did plenty of shifting and that second gear seemed harder to shift to then other but only happend once. One sidenote. I learned to drive the cars on sticks however i didn't drove stick shift in over 7 yrs or so. At least not full time so i'm good, not great but also not bad but i would say rusty. So i could have had that clutch pedal not all the way in however for sure 2nd gear wasn't as easy to shift to as others where.

BTW on 07 model gears where all the same and 2nd gear was no issue but then again 03 is simply older car and who knows maybe someone missed 2nd gear in 03 more then few time. ALSO that "clicking sound" of clutch in 07 was so evident and was non existing in 03. Now someone here said 03 clutch is weird. In what way may i ask and what is that "clicking" sound on 07 clutch. Now that was weird to me!!! LOL. Now I MUST stress that 03 model was in way way better physical shape then 07. Any advise on 03 tranny. Thanks guys. This is helpfull.

singh

iTrader: (2)

I didn't feel like reading your post so I don't know what you're asking. But I'm assuming you're asking whether to get 03 or 07, definitely get the 07. If you don't then you are an idiot.

SEBASS

Anyone knows where i can buy 06+ model stock rims btw ???
Much appriciate it.

racerfreakxxx

iTrader: (9)

I have a 03 track model and it was well worth the money i payed. The 2003 track will run you 15-25k depending on the miles. It's slightly slower than an 07 but you can invest the money you save on mods.

If you don't plan to mod the car go with an 07 but i don't think it's worth the 30-40k unless you just want a stock car wit minor breathing mods if at that. But if you just have like 30-40k sitting around i'd say buy a base corvette and pay off the rest.

for rims... ebay, the classified section on this site, zilvia, any online oem parts dealer, craigslist

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Not sure how to compare two cars with different prices. Is there really any question here which is the better choice?

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

Have mechanic give the 03 a once over. If sound, gooooooooooo for it.

hawaiianZ

just get 07 and get the recall done.. youll love the HR, like the other guy said, if you dont youre an idiot. the 07 is like an 03 with *****!!!!

SOLO-350Z

iTrader: (26)

07 has better brakes, and bigger brakes. The 07 engine is also much more powerful and has been proven on here.