Besides being taught how to drive stick for a few hours by friends I've never owned a manual car, I've always liked the 350Z - found a used 350Z '04 with 200k miles on it and reportedly still in good condition for about 6k.

These things run fine beyond 300k I heard, so I don't think it'd be a bad investment as a first manual car, though I'm not sure if I'd ever be able to sell it after - probably just drive it to the ground. I don't drive that much so I doubt I'd be putting more than 10k a year on it.

Do you think I'd get my value out of this car or spend $15k on a car with around 50k miles on it instead?

How about the clutch? I expect learning I'll wear it a little, what's the cost to replace etc? Anything to watch out for? I guess it'd be awesome to hear from some people in the 200k mile club

 

I bought my Z 3months ago as my first manual car. It's a blast! You'll learn and get used to it pretty quick. I think it's well worth your money imo. Especially for 6k. Although the 200k seems a little worrying, I hear people driving it without much problems past 200k as long as they keep up with maintenance. It's really up to you if you wanna buy it though. Have you drove one before?

 

Haha, I drove a manual 350Z for about 10 minutes in a test drive once - was great but really was scared to push it, that was some 6 years ago (i'm 26 now) I always wanted a 350Z for my first car - but due to my parents/gf needing to use it now and then I had to settle on a RSX auto.

Now I have the chance to get one, maybe one last hurrah before I settle down with the girl and get a 4-door you know

Also a bit worried going from a FWD 170hp car to a RWD 300hp car AND learning to drive stick at the same time, take it easy I guess - but these hills in SF are pretty notorious, hand brake starts on hills right? Off the deep end I guess

 

If your 26 youll be fine just use common sense and youll be set! i just sold my 03 with 170k miles. and it drove fine just smoked a lil due to oil consumption. decent clutch/fly sets run $800 and about 400-800 to install..

 

I came from an 01 civic auto. 115hp I think? Coming from that to a Z was amazing, and I still think it is. Damn, SF? I had my very first stall a month ago.. in SF.. Those hills are the devil! I think it's impractical if you'll be driving around SF imo. I was there last week and saw lots of construction and the roads aren't that great anyway lol If I was gonna settle down with the lady, I'd rather look for a 4-5 seater. But like I said, it's really up to you.

 

Nah this is the car before the settling down

 

lol ok, go for it! You won't be disappointed!

 

Just get a newer one.

 

6k is not a big investment.
With 200k on the clock,chances are the previous owners replaced some stuff.
Maybe a clutch(or two?).Don't know how many 300k Z's are running around.
Quite a few at 200.Just use common sense when driving a car with that
many miles.Don't thing I'd drop a turbo in it lol...

 

Jcity, your z wasn't the cf 370 at znats in your avatar is it?

That sounds like its worded wrong... Lolol

 

Why not buy one with low miles? It really won't take too long to get the hang of it. I learned on my fathers corolla lol. We switched cars for a couple weeks until I found the Z I wanted.

You're gonna buy one with 200k+ miles and get used to it in not long, and by the time you fill up your first or second gas tank you're gonna want to upgrade.

I vote for getting one that's a keeper and just start day one with a manual driving buddy.

When you pay 15 grand like you were using as an example, you aren't just paying that additional money to have lower mileage, everything is more worn on a car thats 200k vs 50k. I car at 200k is going to require much more maintenance and is much more likely to cause trouble. I think you would save in the long run by getting a lower mileage car. You're also going to want to do mods, even if you don't think you want to do them now... But you will.... lol. And if something happens to the car than you loose a lot of money on the mods or have to go through the hassle to switch them over to your new Z.

Also it's almost winter, prices on ours cars are *** right now. You can grab a nice one for like starting at 11 or so. I know you probably want one really badly, but patience pays off bro.

 

Thanks for the insight, ya I'll take a look at it, apparently the suspension was replaced at 150k.

I can probably do 12k so I'll try to be patient, but I can't blow all my money on this car because the upgrade is going to have to be a nicer 4-door.

 

WRX/STi?

 

I'm actually a software guy affiliated with Mercedes dealerships, so a C300 or GLK so ya, I wanted to have some fun before that happens

 

I got my 03 for 11995 with 95,000 miles and that was at a dealer. You can get them cheap private party up here in redding anyway. Everything's more expensive in SF

 

Damn ill sell you me 04 with 124,000 miles for 6k. I'm In SoCal.

 

I think you should invest more into a car that you know you will get your money's worth out of. I personally, would never buy a Z with that many miles already on it regardless of the condition. That's just me though.

However, I will tell you that the Z was the first manual car I owned as well as the first RWD car and I had no problems with it!

Goodluck!

 

I hear people driving it without much problems past 200k as long as they keep up with maintenance.

 

Ya I think someone is buying the one I had in mind anyways, so nevermind the post - also Redding Craigslist didn't show many for sale, is there another site you'd recommend?

@booey1979 why that price? Isn't that really low? Huh? PM I guess..

 

I bought my Z for 11g at 78k for my first car and I'm 19, I got my Z the same day i got my drivers license and i learned on it. It'll probably take you 3 weeks to get the hang of it then after like a month or 2 you'll be fine. If im doing alright now you'll definitely be ok. Like everyone else said, it's only a car so just use common sense.