350zhack

iTrader: (1)

So quick history of my car background, I have owned 69 camaro, mustang gt, vw gti, 02 camaro SS, eclipse gsx, last was a 2011 camaro 2ss ( this is a span of 7years). As you can kind of get the idea, I like all aspects of cars, big v8's to little bangers( so to speak). I'm starting to get a craving for the 350z. I have read things about the car. But I have always found the best information is from people that own them and have had both good and bad experiences.

My question to you all is, what would make me keep this car? Is this car good for aftermarket upgrades that won't break the bank? How's the longevity of the engine? what's the lowest model and the highest?

I'm going to be getting one from somewhere in the $10k to $17k for a used one.

Hit me back with your feedback.

And hope to be joining the crew in the near future.

Viksz33

iTrader: (18)

They are great cars, I'm on my second one, not because of any mech problems. Just because I wanted an HR.

350zhack

iTrader: (1)

An HR? Sorry to sound like im brand new to cars but don't know all the 350 lingo yet.

Thanks for the post, give me more in site on why you stay with a 350z and not want bigger motor or smaller, or even bigger or smaller size car.

Deteria

iTrader: (2)

HR is the newer motor in the 07+ (with dual intakes) and it's more reliable + have a more reliable transmission.

HK350 Z

I am enjoying mine after putting about 20K on her,bought at 24K miles for under 19K.She is my daily and besides routing oil changes,tire 'rotation',and rear diff drain/refill,she has been good.Daily driven 100 miles a workday,90% highway.Mixed nets about 23 mpg and highway cruising about 26-27mpg.Have a tran D/R coming in about 5K.

She has her little creaks,brake squeal here and there,easy scrape of some interior trim (door handles esp),but I can live with those things.Love the torque when I want to get on it without all the noise,but a beautiful stock tone.I have a small system in the car and of course space is not plentiful,but is suitable for my needs as a 500+ mile a week commuter(all I need is space for a laptop bag and phone).

Great car,and they are everywhere on car lots since the 370 is the hot ticket nowadays...can be had cheaper nowadays.Took me almost a year and some change to find that ONE.I had insurance on it by the time I got to the dealer and signed the paperwork with the dealer an hour later after a nice thrilling test drive.

She is my daily commuter and wont be modded,just wanted something powerful,not a gas guzzler (hello GTO), and could throw a system in it and call it a day.Nice for a daily,showcar or if you choose to go the FI route...

350zhack

iTrader: (1)

Thanks deteria for adding to my car vocabulary lol.

Thanks hk350 z for the details. So is the 350 a dead commodity in the aftermarket world now and all geared to the 370?

Great info, please keep it coming!

HK350 Z

I never said that,re-read what I posted.

Thanks.

And the HR they refer to is the motor code,earlier Z's (03-06) had the VQ,find the thread 100 Common Questions and read it thoroughly...

350zhack

iTrader: (1)

Sorry I meant that to be a question,
As in, since the 350z are everywhere because they are assumably being replaced with 370z. Is the market dead for updated aftermarkets or cool new mods for the 350z.

RENFRO

iTrader: (1)

I was able to ****** up a flawless '03 Track Edition (sorta rare in my opinion, or someday will be). It's a torquey little car and definitely a blast to drive...feels nothing like friend's bigger V8 I've driven. Sure, there are plenty of things that will be faster in a straight line, and some awd guys will still pull you in some turns...but the Z is just sexy. Period. It's looks are timeless...I can't tell you how many people have been utterly SHOCKED that mine is an '03. Keep them clean and you might as well have a 2011 model, because the average person can't pick out the little differences like we can.

You could find a low mileage DE like I did.
The RevUp models are slightly heavier, but a bit more driver friendly interior...just be mindful of any oil consumption issues.
HR is awesome, but will be more pricey than the others.

Best of luck!

Ruthless18x

iTrader: (59)

Buy a Porsche before it's too late.

Itzcashew

iTrader: (13)

Its a good car to live with. 03-05 (exclude the 05 anniversary edition) came with the VQ35DE making 287hp/274lb-ft torque. Making it the most torquiest model of 350z. You can tell a DE 350z by irs 6600 redline and single air intake. This to me was a very realiable engine, most common things that fails on this model is the cam sensors. Nissan charges $360 per cam sensor but you can buy oem online for $60 each and spend 15mins diy. I literally swap these on the side of the road for my friends G35. Transmission wise know as, CD001-CD008, they were known to have weaker brass synchros. Notoriously known for 3rd gear grind as well as 6th to 5th grind and hard shifting on cold start up. I always use nissan oem fluid every 20000 miles to be safe. I know some people opt to go 30000 but I fewl like extra attention should be given to these transmission. Another thing DE guys with these trans do is changed the pivot ball with chromoly ones. Some just opt for a CD009 trans all together. (they run from 600 with high milage to 2000 brand new).

05 anniversary model and 06 models came with VQ35DE Rev Up engines. These were equipped on 6spd 350z only, automatics got the regular DE still. In the community these are referred to as Rev Up, they come with 300hp/260lb-ft torque. This lacks some low end torque as the DE but the power band is expanded and smoother. You can tell the Rev Up by its 7000 rpm redline. The biggest factor holding the Rev Up back is their oil consumption. It was such a huge issue that nissan had recalls on the engine. If you get your hands on these always check the oil. Make sure youre not burning a qt every 1k miles. These models were the ones with the CD009 trans. So they had stronger trans for the 06 model year.

For the 07-08 model (till 09 for the roadster) the 350z came with the VQ35HR. Referred to as the HR engine, standing for "high response", came with 306hp/268lb-ft torque and a 7500 rpm redline. These are drastically different from the previous two. They had 2 throttle body hence two intake, a single drive belt instead of 2, the plenum is no longer expose its cover under the engine cover and the hood of the HR has a "power bump" opose to the two grooves. This is considered the golden boy of the 350z, its the most responsive to mods, its surprisingly fast with good amount of low end torque plus smooth power curve. There are some people who hates the VQ37VHR in the 370z and coming back to the 350z HR. The price tags for these are still in the $20k+ for some, might as well get the NISMO 350z version if youre looking to spend 20k+. On the topic of reliability these are the most solid with the least reported recalls and service compared to the previous.

So I hope I helped you out, its messy because im on my phone but hey atleast I got something posted. I myself have a 03 DE, with the right amount of tuning it will pull hard and still return 20-23 mpg with normal driving. My mods include: intake, plenum spacers, true dual exhaust, test pipes and stage 1 cams. Up next is a tune to bring it all together.

2008_hrthree50z

get an 07+ you wont regret it.

I drive daily my 08 that i bought with 18k miles and it has not given me any problems. Everything is smooth and boy does it move.

There are also some small changes on the HR350z such as LED tail lights, and different headlamps imo better looking than the previous ones (also come in the 05 aniversary and in the 06), but something unique that only comes on the 07+ (09 roadsters) besides the engines, it would be the hood. It flows very nicely with the lines of the car

jerseystyle

iTrader: (22)

Fixed. They are all VQ's.

bmccann101

iTrader: (16)

thats the opposite on how it works.
When theres a newer model out, there will be limited parts for it.. the older models become cheaper and the aftermarket for them grows.

thers tons of sticky threads with tons of new guy info ... the mods will surely post in here before too long ...all a good idea for you to read.

hang tight til then OP.

The_Marne

Just pull the trigger on an '07 or '08. Stock preferrably. 17k should definitely be able to net you a clean low milage one regardless.

I have an 06. Interior blows but I could care less. Only people that it bothers seems to be whoever is sitting shotgun at the time anyway...Exterior isnt the greatest either.(Nissan Paint job is garbage) Other than those two trivial things I've personally had no problems. Engine has been rock solid to the point where I decided to get the wife a G35.

I'll also say this, if you can get a 370 for the high price (17k roughly), DO IT! I was one of the people who said "370 is ugly blah blah etc". It grows on you quick and the car is a beast.

jerseystyle

iTrader: (22)

I think the term "beast" is a stretch for the 370z. I wouldn't trade my NISMO for any 370z, not even a new NISMO.

350zhack

iTrader: (1)

I think I’m going to stick with the 350z as I can’t seem to even come close to the price range ($10-$15K), which I understand, can’t want everything and pay nothing for it. So with that out of the way I can focus on the 350Z

I really appreciate the awesome info and comments, it has helped immensely. I’m leaning towards an older one so I can stay at the lower end of my budget ($10k). The only concern that I see is that I could get an engine that has issues.

The car is going to be my daily driver but also I am a gear head so I will be doing the standard; exhaust, headers, CAI, springs and on and on...

Is going with an earlier model a bad idea for that kind of driving and modifying? Will the engine give me a lot of grief if I try to do too much hp gain bolt ons and even one day slapping an induction on it?

I am just trying to narrow my window down even more till I know exactly what to look for. I am in no rush as I have my truck now and it runs fine. It would be great if I could trade my truck for one

350zhack

iTrader: (1)

Just came across this one.

http://www.petemoorechevrolet.com/Ve...-FL/1283690453

Thoughts? Good, bad and ugly..

350zhack

iTrader: (1)

Hey what are some pros and cons for the rag tops? Do they wear fast? Also with the rag tops when up and windows closed is it pretty quite? Or can you hear all the outside still.

Thanks

350zhack

iTrader: (1)

Just found this one...

http://www.peachmotorsduluth.com/web...orgia/1822341/

Not to bad, they said they would do 13,890.