So for the past 3 months i've been shopping around for a car. At first i was looking at the E39 5 series Bimmer which i've had in the past and is one of my favorite cars. But since my trip up to Canada in which me and my pal drove up a 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo (Orange Paint ) i've been wanting a true sports car. BTW, if you ever get a chance to drive one, please do...even if it means hearing some sh*t from the wifey... So obviously i wouldnt be on this thread if i could afford the baby bull but, i've been doing my due diligence in finding a car that fits my new acquired taste and budget. (I still cant believe i drove a Lambo!! ) I should also mention that i live in Jersey and we made to the Canadian border in 4 1/2 hrs.

So i started looking for 2-door sports car and one car that really impressed me at first was the 2005 Pontiac GTO "Goat". I mean just looking at the power it packs for the money and you see it's truly an awesome deal. The interior wasnt bad either. And im about 6'2 250pds and it was very roomy. But i spoke to this guy who i believe knows more about cars than i do, and he said that it's only good on straight-aways. So I ditched the idea of the GTO because as much as i would like that kind of power i know the real fun is in the handling. So i moved on...

And I went back to the German engineering folks and see if i could pick up an E46 M3. I love this car and it is just what im looking for, pure sports car! The perfectly tuned machine and perfectly out of my price range Prices were high for early year models which had high mileage and more than likely needed high maintenance. Plus these cars are meant to be pushed hard, so i wouldnt feel comfortable buying a used car with high mileage knowing that some guy probably beat the engine to a pulp and insurance coverage charged an arm and a leg...financial disaster

So as dissapointed as i was the search had to continue...I was kind of eyeing the Mustang GT but i kept thinking back to when i rented a car in Florida and i was trying to get a mustang but the guy said that they stopped renting it out because they all had issues with them...not a good sign! I like the way the car looks on the exterior (except for the rear, those taillight gotta go) but i just cant do it to myself...

I'll have to say first that i've never-ever ever considered buying a Japanese car...up to this point i've only driven bimmers and American SUVs...mainly because i just didnt think anything good came out of Japan except for mass produced, fuel efficient, compact commuter cars...which in my mind are as boring as watching paint dry...but hey some people really dont care about cars...and i get that. Not me though, im very emotional about cars...and i could bet that all of you are the same. I remember seeing the Infiniti G35 coupe when it first came out...it was the first time i said to myself, sh*t that's a nice looking car...so i test drove the 6mt version just for fun and it performed like a champ...i could not believe it

So i started looking for a nice used one to see what price range it had fallen into since its been 5 years since it came out and the new G37 just came out...the prices are pretty fair, maybe just a bit over what i want to pay but still in the ballpark. Which brings me to the 350z (finally your saying). I forgot about this little guy but looking through some of the G35 boards, and used car listings i saw this car lurking in the background. I thought "oh yea, Nissan makes infiniti, so that means that the 350z and the G35 should be similar". I checked out the engine specs and they were similar maybe even the same...but the Nissan to me has become more appealing because in essence it is more of a "Sports car" than the G35. I actually see more G35s on the road than i do 350z's which to me is even more of a plus. For the money, i dont think there is any other car in the same league as this. Just by reading some of the threads here i know that the S2000 is "supposed" to be its competitor...its also a nice car but too small for me and has bland looks to it...unless you mod the heck out of it. The RX8 is also nice but "rotary engine" please...i've seen the TSB board and early models are a hot mess...not for me!

The 350z car is awesome. I'm looking for a touring edition 6mt Coupe any color other than, Le Mans, PPW, Silver, Gray, Blue, and anything other than Black.
I see some in the 15k-20k price range with about 30-65k miles. Thats where i want to be. I probably wont get it for another month or so since i'll be traveling for the next couple of weeks but when i get back it's on like donkey kong.

Anyway, i just wanted to vent that out there and if you're in the Jersey area and have a Z for sale that fits my bill (i'll flex on the color) let me know...

You guys could help me out by telling me what i should stay away from...like if i shouldnt buy the 03 and go with the 04...or something like that...whatever!

 

holyy ballz.. thats long.... Spark notes anyone?

 

For your questions to "what to avoid" search. But I'm feeling nice, so here's a brief rundown of the big ones. It is a bit biased by my opinions. But hey its worth what you paid for it.

There are complaints with every year model. Some of which aren't near as big of a deal as forums make them appear.

- tire feathering for one, get an alignment when you buy any car...you'll thank yourself...good idea to have it checked yearly...catching problems when they are young is good.

Transmission issues...I don't buy the whole "faulty transmissions" claim...I say as a whole its "faulty driver". there may have been a few bad ones. but there are tons of good ones so don't think its an issue unless you can't drive a manual.

Window motors. electronic parts wear out. some quicker than others

window grease - now this is a problem. and it has been complained about by owners of 03-07 at least. doubt they "fixed" it for 08. But it doesn't hurt anything...its just ugly..

Bad motors - some "rev-up" models do seem to have engine issues. I can't find anything to blame other than the engine so I do believe that this is a real problem....not incredibly common, but its there so be aware.

 

Interesting read. Well written. Interesting how you narrowed it down, thanks for sharing. As for your questions, definatly do some searching. Read the 100 most asked questions thread, good stuff in there. If I were to look for another Z, I would get an 04.5-05, or an 07+

 

Then what color do you want?

 

Then what color do you want?

 

^^ put a / before "quote" in the brackets to fix that [/quote]. (the second one closing the quote)

I was wondering the same thing, OP should have mentioned colors he DOES want...shorter list, and some of the best colors were pulled out.

 

lol^^^^^^ i guess he want red??????????????

 

Color specs were meant to be sarcastic...but Colors i would consider are Black...Silver...Gray...and i think that's it...WhiteNoiz...what do u think are some of the best colors?

 

I thought about the Blue also but i dont know...maybe its because i havent really seen it up close in person...what colors do you guys think are some of the best?

 

well you got me, I didn't catch it

I love daytona blue, LOVE IT! I also like black, sunset orange, brickyard, and silverstone. The only color I dont like on the Z, is a color I dont like on many cars, yellow. I had a yellow car once, over it.

 

Then stop taking about it and get one.

 

So many words...

 

My reading skills increased by one point!

The further north the further I would stay away from RWD sports cars. But thats just me. Its best if you have a beater for the winter. TCS is a must. Which comes on everymodel but enthusiast.

Make sure you run the vin or somehow find out what exact level your paying for. Earlier last month some dude was bragging how he got a grand touring model, turns out someone sold him a regular touring.

 

Yeah make sure you've got a DD. My Z stays parked if there's even a HINT of snow. Not a huge problem in seattle, but you guys get dumped on yearly out east.

As for colors, i went with "Silverstone" which is the dark silver/light gray color. The only thing i dont like about the color is that it's probably one of the most common for Z's. On the other hand I feel like the Z is a flashy car that is balanced well by a somewhat sedate color. Keeps it from being too cop baiting. However IMHO Z's look EXCELLENT in daytona blue and Redline, if you're going for maximum flash.

 

Yeah and the OP's writing skills level never gained a point!

 

skip the z and get a gtr

haha

but ya the z is such a great car

 

This guy must have taken a gigantic bong hit, then it just suddenly appeared to him to have to write this complete short story about what most of us already know. Worst part is he lives in NJ..DAMN! I do like the smiley usage tho!

Perhaps this is the color he was going for?

 

LMAO is that for real!? ^ snap son! they probably lost a bet.

 

**whats an OP?

**No bong hits , was just sitting at worked bored and it dawned on me...i really like this car

**Cant hate on Jersey, Sopranos ...Jersey Shore...c'mon now

**This would be my weekend car, plus my girl's got a car so she'll be absorbing the winter snow

**Back to color...i have to agree with the gray/silver looking color, although it is very common it really wears that color well...

can u guys post some pics of your ride?