I previously owned a RSX type S which I put about $10K into. I did all the work myself and it was an excellent learning experience. In the end I had a really fun 2600 pound car that I could proudly autox, show, etc.

I bought my base 08 350Z with the intention of taking everything I learned from the RSX and taking it one step further. Over the last year I have done a lot of research and compiled a list of parts to build a light weight NA 350Z. Currently I am saving as much as I can while trying to pay the car off as quickly as possible.

Well all my research, planning, and saving was undone today when I went to a local Nissan dealership to help my Uncle look for a new car. As I walked into the showroom I found myself face to face with a Nismo 370z. No picture I have seen does this car justice. It was just amazing except for the 5k markup .

Anyway the reason I posted this in the 350z section was to get a response from fellow members who have put their time and money into improving their 350z. At the end of the day do you wish you spent your money on a prepackaged model or are you satisfied knowing that you have number 1 of 1 of your individualized 350Z?

 

build

 

Build it yourself. You can then appreciate the blood and sweat (hopefully no tears) that has been lost during the build; it'll have sentimental value

 

Build for sure, especially if you plan on keeping it for a long time

 

buy a built one used. thats the best option. there have been sick built cars sold for barely the cost of the new motor and turbo kit.

 

If money is an issue then buy it built. You can NEVER build it for cheaper then buying someone else's machine.

 

If you buy a nismo for $5000 more the car is Nismo stock, no mods. When you sell it, it's Nismo stock and buyers see it as value.

If you modify a 370z it's no longer is stock. Buyers shy away from cars that aren't "stock". Understand, when you sell it, you'll probably neet to take off all the parts, sell the parts separate and return the car to stock. You won't get more if you leave the parts on.

 

Isn't there a certain satisfaction you get by building it yourself?

Plus it will be paid off sooner

 

Shouldn't we also hope there is no Blood either!...although I know part of the build itself is the bolt that just wont budge until you have committed all of your strength and at that exact moment the bolt turns, and your hand comes off the tool and slams into some random piece of jagged metal...we have all been there.

 

The big difference for me was that there was no new model to compare my RSX to. I never liked the Civic SI, the Type R was unobtainable, so I felt I could not do any better than my built Rsx. With the Z I feel like the 370 is such an improvement out of the box that how can I build something better without a crazy budget.

LOL Blood is a standard expectation when working on a car.

I will agree that there is nothing like having a paid off car. If I got a 370 in the future I would be definitely making payments.

 

Buy a 370z Nismo, and Build it more. =D

 

I intended on building my Z rather than buying the highest package. If you plan on keeping your car down the road build it slowly and enjoy the ride.

 

wait for the next year production of the 370z, so all the kinks can be worked out. In the mean time build your 350z

 

1. If you change out your cars often, enjoy it stock, don't build. The 350z is a great car as is. Take your savings and buy a better performing car once your done with it.

2. If you're building it for a specific purpose , Track / Racing, etc. No matter how much money you spend, someone's always faster. But enjoy the process, as expensive as it can get. Otherwise the 350z stock is already a good package.

3. If you keep cars for a long time then building it becomes a hobby and we could all use a good and fun hobby.

Let us know which of the 3 categories you are and what you decided.

Don't laugh. I have the entire suspension changed out, the turbo, the body kit and wheels. After I did it I still wonder why? Impulsive personality or just a desire to spend money? Now I want to sell it!

So don't analyze it too much. Life's too short!