E-licious

They may ask 20k but they aren't getting that much. Have an '07 shipped to you and it's still less than that. 17k is just way too much to pay for an '03-'04.

LuciaPwNs

iTrader: (2)

I know i cant get them for around 15k i looked at a few around that price that were nice.

But other than the tire thing the 350z seems pretty reliable right?

ambientflier

iTrader: (1)

If you are used to high revving engines, DEFINITELY look around. You can get an HR for that with no problems from somebody who's desperate to sell. 7500 rpm with some actual low-end torque? How could you pass that up?

Btw, everybody else is just dicking around about the rsx.

And yes, the 350 is generally pretty reliable. Just a few small annoying things, but nothing major. Just make sure the transmission doesn't grind on the test-drive.

Maresh@Blackline

sweet child of mine lucas, so young and innocent, the 03/04 have so many problems with them that i had two 350Zs in the past, both 2003s, and sold them because i couldnt stand it anymore. 3rd and/or 5th gear grinds, the tire feathering and the immense roar that come from it, thats really about it, but then again those are extreme problems.


when we all kicking it again? i miss mai 350z peeps. im selling my CTSV and getting another Z again so i wont be a misfit anymore

im not

RedSled

I've never had any of these problems with my '03. It's been as solid as a rock minus the minor window streaking issue, but it's all about luck of the draw when you're dealing with first year model cars I suppose.

Maresh@Blackline

pardon me, i forgot to mention that i had to replace the window motors twice on one of them, and they both streaked after replacing and the other Z always did. but yeah some people got lucky on them. in retrospect my Zs were PITA

lucas if you go into the test drive knowing what to look for, you can avoid the problems all-together. the only thing i wouldnt let be a deal breaker is the window streaking, but grinds in the tranny and tire feather are no-no

Entaille

iTrader: (16)

blah blah blah I SELL CARS RATHER THEN FIX THE PROBLEM blah blah blah



04.5 5AT here - no issues. oh nos an auto run for the hills

Maresh@Blackline

noooo thats the problem i fixed them and then something else would start so i decided not to sink even more money into them. i have a bad habit of selling cars anyways, the one in my sig im selling ive had for 1.5 months haha. i cant help it!

good call on the auto though, my auto Z was the most reliable, only had the tire feather issue, but when the dealership refused to take care of it i sold it haha.

LuciaPwNs

iTrader: (2)

whats with the rsx joke but whats the big difference between the HR and well i for get the other one but...the other 350z engine?

Kiriller

iTrader: (2)

Wait... Celicas turn heads? maybe like so..

Maresh@Blackline

i quote Spork's signature for reference, he is one of our more famous ethugs haha:
idk it just started here with people like michaeljr6 fueling the fire, and now its just hilarious all the time


The HR motor is just all around better. responds to mods better, faster, higher redline, but they had oil consumption problems in 06 i believe. but a better version of the VQ motor for sure

LuciaPwNs

iTrader: (2)

Dude Celicas are chick magnets that's all there is too it...

LuciaPwNs

iTrader: (2)

Thanks mike for filling me in...i guess you would have to be there...huh? I guess ill try to look for and HR but im really not going to be heavily modding it (atleast i think =D i will probably get the mod-bug again.)

Spork

iTrader: (6)

Came from a 2000 Celica GTS as well.





The earlier transmission were known to grind gears early, due to bad synchros IIRC. Also, the rear axle-clicking, window motors, and tire feathering. All of these can be fixed easily.

It's not hard to get a small amount of gains out of the Z, but it costs a good amount to get there. Probably not the car you're looking for if you want something responsive to mods.

G4L-MEL

I'm not sure what part of PA you're from, but I'm in Norhteast Philly and I bought my '04 last year for $18K with 46,000 mi. Best car I ever bought!

LuciaPwNs

iTrader: (2)

Im from near pittsburgh...but 18K is about out of my range...they didnt put in the HR engine till like the 07 right?

Thats a pretty clean GT-S...i know ill put an exhaust and CAI on it but that is probably it, and that is just to make it sound better(not that it doesn't sound like a dream already) but i think id be pretty much content with 270hp...probably would put it on the bottle too but that would come later. Im familiar with cars that dont give you much of a gain(like the celica) i know there will always be someone faster...im 19 i still got time to build a high hp car.

Maresh@Blackline

2006 was the first HR. 2005 had the rev up DE right guys?

E-licious

2006 was rev up, 2007 started HR.

ZBay

iTrader: (2)

Hr ftw

Slacker286

I came from a 2000 celica gts in the past too. Drove the hell out of that thing and never encountered a single problem.

A year ago I got an '03 350 with 40k miles on it for $16k to give you an idea. I would expect to pay less than that though; especially now with the economy, 370z, and another year of depreciation.

The '03 was an upgrade from the celica for sure, but I will say the 8000 rpm redline was missed in the celica.

A few months ago my car was totalled by a red light runner and I ended up getting a brand new base '08 Z for 24k otd. I may have been able to get lower but I really needed a car.

Now, if you can afford to pay for an 07+ then I would say for sure do that, and this is coming from driving all the cars you listed. It just pulls harder and enjoys a higher redline.

If not though, settle for an 03-05. I never had the tire feathering or grinding issue but you should watch out for that. I did have a $500 motor fix as well as streaking though...