I have just recently discovered that my 06 G35 6MT coupe is burning oil. This seems to have started at about 88,000 miles so I'm not sure if this falls under the OC issue that troubled these rev-up engines.

Anyway, I'm debating on what to do about it. I may just keep adding oil and hope it lasts for a while. Or I might trade it in for a used 350Z.

However, I've just started tracking my G. I've done it once. But I like it and I plan to continue. Just got a new helmet for Christmas.

I do not have much money tied up in mods on the G, just EBC Yellowstuff pads and sport rotors.

I really like the G. The back seat and a trunk have been necessary but aren't anymore.

So what do I need to know about buying a 350Z considering that this will be a short trip daily driver and a track car about 5 times a year?

Specifically I'm wondering about trim levels. I know I want an MT. I think I would prefer an 08 or later (I like the dual intake engine), I would like one with Brembos but not sure if the later models have them or not. I'm not sure about an LSD. The G has a viscous LSD which was okay for the track but not great. I've heard they tend boil with heavy use. Not sure what LSD options you can get on a Z. I don't care so much about which shocks and sways it has since I don't mind upgrading those if necessary.

Any help greatly appreciated. Will do a search but a few responses here might help me narrow it down a bit.

Finally, does the stock Z exhaust sound as good as the G coupe?

 

A lot of this info is already on here, there is also a motorsports section on the forum for those tracking there Z's.

But, To get you started..

The move from a G35 to a 350z is not all that different, the two actually share a lot of parts and features.

The models that have Brembo brakes are:
03-06 Track edition (also comes with Rays wheels)
35th Anniversary model
Nismo model
06-08 grand touring

The 07-08 models have the newer VQ35HR engine. Its slightly more powerful than previous generations but also costs more money to mod. Expect to pay a little more for one. Every year has there own individual problems from the factory, i.e. transmission or clutch cylinder problems. Search for info.

All 350z models except for the base trim come with the VLSD. It's decent for limited track use, but the more miles on it, the less performance you will get out of it, eventually they end up functioning like an open diff.

There are a variety of aftermarket lsd options costing about $1000. You'd want a 1.5 lsd. One of the most popular is made by Nismo.

As for the stock exhaust, it sounds fairly good for a stock exhaust but is often swapped out because an aftermarket exhaust improves power, sounds louder and is lighter than the stock components.

Popular mods for track going Z's are wider, lightweight wheels, exhaust, test pipes/high flow cats, lsd's, R compound tires, coilovers and sway bars. Which ones you choose depends on what kind of driving you do.

 

Thanks for the info. I will probably not be modding the engine at all and if I were going to mod the exhaust it would primarily be primarily to save weight. I'm not at the point in my driving skill that horsepower is the issue. I need braking and handling.

Tires and wheels would also be a lesser concern. My G has 19" Rays. They are super light and look great but 19" track tires, any 19" tires for that matter, are too expensive to burn up that fast. So I'll probably get a dedicated set of 18" track tires and wheels.

I'm okay with the VLSD. If I get into this track stuff seriously I may look into the Nismo or a Quaife LSD. I do wonder how much I'd miss the VLSD if I bought a base model.

Brembo's sure would be nice but even the stock brakes on my G (which is heavier) worked just fine on the track. I'm sure Brembos would be better. The thing I like most about the Brembos is how easy it is to change the pads out.

Anyway, I appreciate the info, and not flaming me for not searching. This gives me a pretty good basis to start researching my options.

I did look in the Motorsports section but the forum for road courses, etc seemed pretty quiet. There is one member here who races NASA at the track I go to. I may try to look him up at the track in Feb.

There are two 08 350Z's at a nearby dealership. Both under 40k miles. Both look super clean. One of them has a pimped looking aftermarket stereo and I think one of them is a base model but they are right at $20k. I'd have to talk them down a bit and talk my G up a bit.

 

Z vs G has to be one of the oldest and most commonly asked questions here. Here's a sample from just the last few years..

https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...g35-coupe.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...g35-coupe.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...it-or-not.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...questions.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...0z-or-g35.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...-for-350z.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...0z-or-g35.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...-and-350z.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...g35-coupe.html
https://my350z.com/forum/new-owners/...g35-coupe.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...50-vs-g35.html
https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-n...ver-a-g35.html

 

Thanks.

Now can you tell me which wheels to get?

 

I would seriously look into a Nismo if you plan to just have a track toy.

 

^Enkei RPF1's, affordable and lightweight which is good for track. I would go for an 07-08 HR, thats what I did when I made the switch from G to Z. Just couldnt justify the extra 6-10grand for a 370. If its just a fun car then u only really need the base, cuz if ur tracking it ur gonna wanna upgrade the diff anyways, brembo swaps are affordable but again if ur tracking u may want something better than the OEM brembo anyways, and who really needs cruise control in a track car Good luck in your search!

 

Thanks. The question about the wheels was a joke. But I will look into those. I agree about the 370. Love it, just can't justify the price. I guess this is a position most new track-day folks get into. I want a reliable DD but don't want to put too much money into a car that I could ball up on the track. With track day insurance my comfort level is right around $20k or less.

You also make a good point about the base model. Save money there. Do the diff and BBK if I feel like I need them. Or, just go with a Nismo and leave it at that. Hard choices. A lot will depend on the local market and I'd prefer to buy from a dealership.

There are a good many late model 350s out there but a lot of them have ghetto looking body work and mods and I'm not touching one of those.

 

you could just buy this https://my350z.com/forum/competition...t-goodies.html
and then have money left over for a DD
You would be going from 1 oil eater to another tho lol

 

You can find a Nismo for low $20's , all it needs is an OIL COOLER just like any HR does. No suspension mods needed, no wheels needed (but dedicated track wheels ie RPF1, PF01 or NT03 are great) and throw a real diff in it at a later date and drive the hell out of it.

 

Look it up:http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowl...html?catid=253

 

Makes sense for simplicity. There was only one within 100 miles and it was a private owner. I'd rather trade my G in than try to sell it myself.

Anyway, I could keep adding oil and bide my time and wait for a 2007 Nismo to pop up. They're not rare but they aren't common either. The G still runs perfectly. Not throwing codes, power seems good, no blue smoke, certainly can't feel any loss of compression. Just hope I don't blow it up at the track.

 

how did u find out that it was consuming oil?

 

Most cars to include the 350Z and G35 have something called a dipstick, all you have to do is check it front time to time between oil changes.

http://autorepair.about.com/od/regul...a/checkoil.htm

 

Actually, I took it in for an oil change and the mechanic said it did not look like the proper amount of oil came out. So I started checking it and sure enough, 1 qt low at around 1200 miles.

 

Okay, there is an 08 Nismo about 60 miles from here. Silver. No mods. Only 10k miles. Asking $20k. Second owner. Small dent in front bumper. Scuff marks on a couple of the rims. Private seller.

Sounds too good to be true. CarFax available for purchase. Twelve records on the CarFax which does not sound too good for a car with only 10k miles on it.

I have never done a private purchase before and I'd have to find a buyer for my G. CarMax would be the easy route but I'd probably take a soaking on that.

If the car and the offer are legit it might be worth the trouble.

Similar 08 Nismos are selling for $27 on dealer lots.

Edit: Good god the spoiler and diffuser on that Nismo are butt ugly! Looks like something an 18 year old ricer bought from J.C. Whitney.

 

Yep, it was wrecked. Looks like a good repair job but I'm not going down that road.

 

Okay, found an 07 that I like. It has 57K miles on it so the warranty will be gone in no time. But it is clean, drives great.

But I'm still confused about which trim level it is. I did check the Nissan Help link given below but it was not helpful.

It clearly does not have Brembos. It does not have VDC but it does have Traction Control System and the is a TCS on/off button. I'm fine with all that. I just can't tell if it has VLSD. I've been told that all trim levels other than base model have VLSD and that if it has cruise control and radio controls on the steering wheel then it is not the base model and so has VLSD.

I do not know how to confirm this. I looked under the car but there is nothing on the rear of the diff to indicate if it is a LSD. Any help appreciated as this is quite confusing. I don't really care if it doesn't have VLSD but I'd like to know.

 

If it has cruise control it has a VLSD, its that simple. Either way it is still a crappy VLSD

 

Yes, I did a little more research and that's correct. The trim levels on this car are very confusing.

The VLSD will be fine while I'm starting out in HPDE. It was fine in the G35 coupe. A Quaiffe, OS Giken or NISMO diff will probably come later anyway.

I do not think I will miss VDC at all. It was very intrusive on the track. In snow, which is rare here, it often made things worse if you were on the limit of traction.

The tires on the car I'm looking at are new but they are some unknown and probably horrible brand: El Dorado Velozza. Is is W rated but the compound is fairly hard. That's fine too since I'll likely get some track tires and wheels in the future anyway.

CarMax wants $18k for the car. 57K miles. Only 3k left on the warranty miles. But it is in great shape inside and out. Interior is almost flawless. Clutch is far easier to use than my G35 and this Z rides better than my G, probably because the 18" rims vs the 19" rims on the coupe.

I think I'm going to bite.