I am currently a senior in college in North Carolina and looking a few years into my future. I will be taking a year off to intern before I attend law school in the Fall of 2017 and unlike most people my age graduating college come this Spring I wont be buying a new car.

My question for you guys is should I keep my 350z another 4+ years or use some of the money I make from my internship to upgrade to a lower mileage Z?

I have a 2006 350Z with the RevUp motor. The car and engine have 140,000 miles on them. I estimate in the next 4 years I will end up with around 200k miles. I want to know will this engine last this long? I am a pretty spirited driver. I also have a few bolt on mods (CAI, filter, headers, full exhaust) but I don't for see them taking away from the cars reliability too much.

I don't have the money to afford a 370z nor will I be able to even after working a year so that is out of the question. Should I sell my car and buy a lower mileage Z next year while I am working or will this car last me until I have a real job in 4 years?

Id love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on this. I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have for me. I paid for this car in cash with money I earned working 2 years ago and have maintained it extremely well. I take care of my cars. I can afford all maintenance and even a sizable repair if needed. I can afford every aspect of this car with school and working part time so please don't tell me to sell it and buy a Honda Civic.

P.S. sorry if this is the wrong place to post this thread, I am relatively inexperienced with the forums

 

Dude drive it till the wheels fall off. No need to go further into debt.


Figure a new car payment around $300.00 a month X 12 = $3600.00 a year. I think if you put aside even half that much you could keep your car in great shape until you finish law school.

 

Thanks for the feedback! I am not in debt fortunately, my education is being paid for by my parents and I paid cash for the car. I estimate that I will earn at least 10k next year while interning which would easily fill the gap, after selling my car, between the difference in cost of the "new" car. I would definitely have money left over to save for what ever. When I say "new," I mean pre-owned just to clarify. It will only be new to me

 

Just for reference, I feel I could sell my car today for 8k easy, and possibly a little more if I wait it out for a high interest buyer. A lower mileage Z I could get for 12-14k depending on the mileage so I am looking at around 4-6k gap between the two.

 

No HR in 2006.

 

I meant RevUp, thanks for pointing that out!

 

I would keep the Z you have right now. It sounds like you take good care of it, so it should last a while. Jobs after law school are not always guaranteed...

Carolina?

 

I would keep it... the VQ engine is known to last well past 200k if maintained properly.

 

Fair enough. Right now I attend Appalachian State but I am hoping to attend UNC Chapel Hill Law School if thats what you were asking by "Carolina?"

 

 

^ This.

Keep the car... if taken care of, the Z is capable of going over 300k. I know the stock body style is outdated but you can spice things up by adding a body kit to enhance the appearance. If body kit is not your thing... I understand but the 350z in stock form does look outdated compare to the newer cars.

No need to find the same car with lower miles. If I'm buying a new car... it'll be an upgrade not a lateral move... unless you are a die hard 350/370z fan, more power to ya.

GL on your decision!

 

Yeah, man. That's my alma mater. I suppose it's probably too late to talk you out of going to law school

Let me know if you want any advice/tips on life during or after. I currently practice in Raleigh. I still have a lot of my old notes, outlines, study aids, and books (even though they're probably outdated since I got my JD in 2010).

Didn't mean to hijack or get too OT. Feel free to PM me.

 

VQs are relatively cheep. I found a place that has rebuilt block + heads, .20 over bore, 3 angle valve job decked and honed and everything set to factory specs, Brand new oil/water pumps and timing chain + tensioners. 3 year 100k mile warranty. $2800 with free shipping (you do have to send your core back). Im planning on doing this when I hit 130-150k. The guy might be willing to put aftermarket connecting rods in it as well, if I pick up the full bill for it, then I can super charge it, and daily 400WHP all day every day safely.

Your main issue will be what has been repaired / upgraded on your car. 100-120k and you are needing new suspension. Door handles and window motors every 70k (if you use them often) CD player will start skipping at some point. Coil packs and cam sensors (rev ups have 4) 80-120k. is yours outside? Seals should be looking bad right about now. The cars important components are very reliable, but there is a ton of little things that need to be replaced. 80 bucks here 120 there.

 

Before anybody goes looking to rebuild their VQ, the better option is to take better care of it in the first place. Regular oil/filter changes (with a UOA to accurately track wear limits) will help, but VQs will usually last 250-300K with regular maintenance. A rev-up may require you to keep a close eye on oil levels, but that's not difficult if you make it a habit.

Yes, there are a few things that will go out from time-to-time, but they are things a DIYer (with occasional outside help) can handle without buying a new car.

 

What UOA are you using dkmura? What lab tests your samples?

 

I towed a **** box ford Taurus today that was disgusting and obviously not very well cared for. It had 200k on the odometer and the owner said it hasnt worked for about a year... (the odometer didnt work, car just didnt work today)

I would hope any maintained Z wouldn't have a problem going to 200k.

I also drove around in a ford all day with 211k on it, but it was cummins powered so that doesn't count.

But yeah I wouldn't sell it just to buy another one which could be someone else's headache that they just passed onto you.

 

I would keep driving it, finish law school and buy a new Z , the car will easily last if you take care of it

 

Oil pump and timing chain / timing tensioners/chain, will cost over a grand to get done after parts and labor. I rather have a refreshed motor for ~1800 more and have the peace of mind. The same guy I was talking about is aware of the oil eating problem and says it is fixed in his engines. (with a 3 year 100k warranty) Not to mention while i'm down there I can get new motor/tranny mounts, and put on headers.

 

If I was in your shoes and I knew my Z had no problems then I'd keep it for a few more years. When the time comes, you can sell it and upgrade to a 370Z, by then the prices will have dropped. Or even a cleaner 350Z.

 

Sounds good thanks!