Hey my fellow Z owners!

I'm so excited,.. When I was 18 I saved up and bought a 1991 300ZX (back in 1999).. and I LOVED that car to death, still the best car I've ever owned in terms of fun drivability, looks, etc.. Yah, I had to put a clutch in it, tires cost a fortune (for an 18yr old) and so on.. but still.

Well.. fast forward.. I'm 32.. I'm getting a used low mileage 2008 350Z (All I ca afford).

I have been looking at the 2003/2004 350Z's.. but my credit union said I had to get a 2008 or newer.. so 2008 350Z is what I'm buying.

I was just curious what are the major differences (if any) in the 2003 year 350Z and 2008 350Z?

Is there any major difference?

I heard something is diff. about the engine?

What about interior.. electronics, etc? As time has passed new things have become more standardized like bluetooth, MP3 capability etc etc.. Does the 2008 350Z have any of this newer stuff that the 2003 350Z didn't?

Just curious is all,.. sort of want to know the "good" stuff on what I will be getting as what I was SO close to buying (which was a 2003 350Z) before my credit union said it had to be 2008 or newer. Which shifted my budget a little, and obviously the year model.. so instead of the first year of the 350, I'm getting the last year they made them 2008.. (to the best of my knowledge).

Thanks!

 

"Honey, the credit union made me do it."

I haven't driven any of the pre-HR 350Zs, but I cannot imagine how they could be better, except for the clutch. You definitely want to get the bullet-proof and super-nice 5AT in the later Zs.

I'd offer to sell you mine, but I haven't been able to find anything I think I'd enjoy owning more.

 

2008 engine is known as the HR engine, 2003-'06 have the DE engine. The difference is that the HR engine outputs ~300hp vs. ~280hp from the DE engines according to the factory. 2006+ models have HID Xenon headlights out of the factory which are highly sought after as well has LED tail lights in the same models. 2006+ Models have a slightly modified front bumper fascia but it's nothing drastic. As well, the 2006+ have updated interiors. Only '07+'08 have bluetooth.

Not to mention, the rims on the 2006+ models are nicer than the 03 rims. Hood design on the 2006+ models is slightly different but I'm sure that's probably the least of your concerns. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot but that's a few differences.

 

I've owned a 2006 auto and now a 2007 manual which is basically identical to a 2008.

Differences:
2007 got the HR engine. This engine has over 20 hp more than the DE engine. Having owned both, I much prefer the HR.

2006+ got updated Better brakes(idk if the brembos changed at all though), updated front bumper, updated lights that IMO look much better, as well as a slightly redesigned interior which I also prefer.

I also prefer the stock wheels for 2006+ if you don't plan on changing those any time soon.

I believe the trannys are stronger too.

The only bad thing to note is the OEM slave cylinder on the 07-08 manuals is garbage. One of the forum vendors makes a much stronger one but it's pricey. And when I needed a clutch I had to have one overnighted from thmotorsports if I wanted to get a clutch/flywheel combo for under $1000 after tax...but that's specific for socal. I had to choose between Chinese garbage, OEM or JWT(not bad but more than I could budget last minute, only could spend $750 for parts)

 

My 2007 touring has Bluetooth from the factory

 

Nice replys!

So basically --

1) A little more horsepower

2) Some minor upgrades with headlights

3) A "downgrade" bad engineering on the Slave Cylinder for the 08 model (bummer).

4) Some interior changes that noone really knows for sure.. so it's basically nothing.

Wow, that's 7 years of a lot of nothing lol. The engine is fairly "major" I suppose.. but I find it odd they wouldn't update the interior, especially the "entertainment center" from 2003 to 2008.. A LOT changed in that time span.. lol.

So I can expect this TAPE player, CD player, and Radio in a 2008..

http://static.cargurus.com/images/si...pic-20552.jpeg

Wow.. hahah.

Come on Japan (or wherever these are manufactured) -- you can't put a CD player, radio, with MP3 capability, an Aux port, USB port, and Bluetooth as an upgrade? That should have been done by at least 2006 going by American "cheap" car standards.

Though, Nissan is a bit notorious for being behind the times with the "radios" I suppose.. I remember my 1991 300ZX.. it used Bose as well, sounded great for a factory system -- it HAD a CD player, Radio (and I"m sure a tape slot..) -- I ended up swapping it out for a Kenwood CD player because in the mid/late 90's you had to change your head unit if you were putting new Mid's, Highs, and Sub's (with all the amps) in the car.. which I did. Then after a few years, got sick of the ridiculous BOOM BOOM.. sold it all.. and reinstalled the factory speakers that were huge with amps built into them in the doors and was happy with it.

Looks like it's still Bose, so I'm going to guess it sounds fairly decent for a factory sound system.

No big deal.. A nice doubledin Headunit will add USB port, Aux port, CD (with mp3),.. + bluetooth all in one go.. I've seen them in many 350Z's in pictures and the speakers looked like they were still factory, so I hope it's compatible now with aftermarket headunits.

I remember the 300ZX speakers wouldn't work with an aftermarket headunit due to the amped speakers.. but again, looks like now you can put the right aftermarket unit in and it will power or signal the existing speakers.

Anyhow -- If you guys think of anything else, I'd like to know. I'd love a 2003 just as much as a 2008.. There's something about the Z cars that is done right.. It's always the perfect "6 cylinder" .. stock they have a great tone.. and I think the 350Z's .. have sub 6 second 0-60.. which my 300ZX NA only ran like 6.7 or so.. Though I had mustangs after that , that ran about 6 flat or so.. (the old 1995 5.0).. and I bought a cheap 1991 Fox body "trunk" 5.0 that was ugly as sin, but fast as hell for some reason and all it ad was an H-pipe that I knew of. It would pin at the 140 speedo and keep pulling,.. never pushed it all the way.

The 300ZX I had, NA, non turbo.. I remember would go , IIRC, 148mph and it took a while to get it from that 140-148mph .. but hey, it had 222hp.. will never forget that stat. If the 350Z feels anything like that 91 300ZX did drive wise.. It's a champ.

 

Not sure what else but the 03/04 had a tape player the 06+ dosent but has much more stock bass (comparing 03 & 06 touring models). The center console in 06+ has a cup holder option my 03 dosent. The 06 also has "knee pads" on either side of the console. The clutch master cylinder is stronger in the early ones (03-04) , brakes are slightly bigger in 06, the hood didnt change until after 06 but the 06 does have led tail lights. The de motor 03/04 and some 05 have 287hp 274ft#, the revups some 05 & all 06 have 300hp & 260ft#, and the hr 07+ have 306hp & 270ft#. The front fascia, wheels, antenna, lights front and rear are all different between 03-05 & 06+. Thats all i can think of atm. 99% of my info is first hand being as though i own a 03 and a good friend owns a 06 both touring models.

 

i have an 08 HR and love it, if you get it definately do the Zspeed slave cylinder. to me the interiors of the 03-05 look cheap, the 07-08 have the cupholder behind the shift **** and in the door panels and not in the passenger dash like the older ones. the hr's have a higher redline, cant remember if 7500 or 7800, with full bolt ons and a tune i am hitting 287 at the wheels* compared to some of my buddies hitting 240's

*this was on mustang dyno

 

Good stuff! Keep it coming. Looks like the slave cylinder is a big deal. Can anyone give me an idea of degree of difficulty , and is this something you can do yourself at home if you can say.. Do a brake job, change start, alternator, etc.. Or is it something you want a PRO to do? Also, how much are the part(s) for replacing the cylinder?

Cause I do a lot of my own work, but I also know when it's a better idea to let a Master mechanic with a shop do the job.

I'm assuming this is the slave to the clutch? I'm really only familiar with master cylinders for the brakes of course. The car I'm buying is an 08 with 33k miles... Don't think the clutch is gonna be burned in it.. but I'll find out soon.

 

the clutch itself will be fine, it is the slave, and or the master that will go. the first time mine when out it was at 37k miles, the stealership helped me out with replacing but they replaced with OEM, well at about 60k miles it went out again. i finally ordered the zspeed setup and never looked back. with the 07-08 the slave cylinder is internal, unlike the de motors where it is external. so if you ever have a problem you will have to drop the transmission. the factory setup is a beyatch to bleed, the zspeed one is fairly simple

 

btw, good thing it is early..... not everyone awake yet, most people get slammed for asking stuff like this.... or maybe it is the season haha.

glad you are doing your homework first. i would be proactive (personally) and replace the master and slave pretty quick, it is not a matter of if it will go out, it is when

 

Not sure why your credit union is saying you must buy a 2008 or later.I sure would not be forced into buying/paying more than I want...
On your questions--many post already have given the differences.To summarize,most
manufacturers "improve" the initial model(evolves)as they go on.Nissan has a track record of this.More is added.More weight.Some design adds over the intial car.To
the average person,a 03 0r a 08 will not look much different.The interior on the 2nd
series of Z's ,06-08 has improved.Better materials,some adds.Looks like you are a bit
hung up on the electronics.Not a biggie for me as thats not what I buy a car for.I've got a 03.Have had it since new.No major problems over 90k miles.Its a A/T.However,after
a TransGO install &tune,its great.So,never had the common clutch probs.I've done all the bolt ons.Pretty satisfied on the results.Seems if you were a car guy,you could
have bought that earlier model for less money and had the funds available for the mods
(electronics etc) to make it "your own".Now,with the 08 at a higher ticket,what are you
gonna do?
Most Z guys like to mess with our cars.
Costs money.

 

not all banks will finance cars older than 5 years old..... my nephew had this problem when he bought his trans am

 

I have a 2004 and love it. The inferior quality sucks but eh.

The 2006 abd up have a CD009 tranny which is the most up to date 6 speed for the 350z.

 

Lol you're gonna thank your bank later, they're doing you a favor by making you get an 08

Wouldn't exactly say "Wow, that's 7 years of a lot of nothing...". The HR engine alone makes it a huge difference, the 306 Horsepower number is by the newer SAE rating which was used by Nissan in 07 (not sure about other manufacturers) which actually lowered the number closer to rear wheel HP, for example if the HR came out in 06 or earlier, that number would read somewhere around 315-320ish HP. or if the 300HP 06 DE Rev-up came out in 07 or later then it would say 290hp or slightly lower on the sticker, and even less for the 287HP DE Non rev-up engine in the 03-05 Z (note in 05 the manual trans Track model and 35th Anniversary got the DE rev-up)
Also looking past the higher power output you'll see it revs out to 7500RPM with a much better power curve to redline compared to the DE.
Oh and gas mileage is a bit better lol I'm comparing my old 06 to my 08 here

The transmission is the strongest they've put in the 350Z, yes the Concentric Slave Cylinder is plastic and its a good idea to replace with the Heavy Duty one, but my 08 and my brothers 08 never had a problem with it, I replaced mine anyway though while replacing my clutch the first time around. If you're not an avid Drag racer you'll probably never see a problem

Brakes (non Brembo) became larger in 06, I think Brembos stayed the same on all of them.

Exterior wise starting in 06 the Z got a face lift by giving it a nicer front bumper, better headlights, LED tail lights and then in 07,08 and 09 (09 350Z convertible only) the HRs got the bump in the hood.

 

Be happy that you're getting a newer one. The HR engine is actually a pretty big difference over the DE. It responds better to mods, revs higher etc. Like others said, the xenon headlights, updated exterior/interior including the revised wheels are much nicer. Might want to look into replacing the slave cylinder to avoid future problems with the clutch sticking, but that's up to you. Some of us never experience the problem, others do after 5k miles. Good luck!

 

06-08 have the same interior (nicer than 03-05 IMO, I've had both "generations"), same headlights/taillights(bixenon projectors/led taillights), 07-08 has the HR engine with a more aggressive hood (love the way this looks), same front bumper. 07/08 models had the option of bluetooth. Aside from mentioned slave cylinder, be happy with the 08 lol

 

basically if you can afford a HR, there is no reason to look at earlier model...

 

The 07-08 (HR) Z's are upgraded in every aspect of the car. Literally almost every corner of the car is changed for the better in some way. Make sure the Z your looking at isn't a "base" model as they did not come with as many options. The higher models almost cost nothing more so I wouldn't settle for a base. As the Enthusiast and touring models come with a little more options that would be quite expensive to put in yourself. Easiest way to tell is to see if the steering wheel has any buttons on it. If it doesn't then it is a base. The price doesn't vary to much between models unless it's a grand touring model.

Interior actually changed quite a bit in sense of cosmetics.
03 interior

07 interior (ignore the seats)

 

The 03 04 models had better throttle response in my opinion. As well as a more race set up like camber. Fun to drive. The 08 though is better and works well with modding.