Worth it to upgrade from 03 to 06?
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From: Florida
Worth it to upgrade from 03 to 06?
Currently have an 03 with 135k miles. I have an opportunity to sell it and get an 06 with about 62k miles for only a couple hundred more. The owner claims it doesn't burn oil but I cant really confirm. I can't decide if the upgrade is worth it or not. Both are base models.
Pros of 03:
Has 2 way remote starter and alarm
I like the color better (gunmetal Grey)
Upgraded sound system with head unit
Just did a compression test and it looks OK, except for a valve cover leak
Pros of 06:
HID headlights and led tail lights
Half the mileage
Bigger brakes
Window motors work (passenger side doesn't work on 03)
Of course the biggest risk is ending up with a car with unknown issues. Although at that mileage there's probably not a whole lot that could be wrong. Do you guys think the risk Is worth trade off, is the 06 not that much of an upgrade?
Pros of 03:
Has 2 way remote starter and alarm
I like the color better (gunmetal Grey)
Upgraded sound system with head unit
Just did a compression test and it looks OK, except for a valve cover leak
Pros of 06:
HID headlights and led tail lights
Half the mileage
Bigger brakes
Window motors work (passenger side doesn't work on 03)
Of course the biggest risk is ending up with a car with unknown issues. Although at that mileage there's probably not a whole lot that could be wrong. Do you guys think the risk Is worth trade off, is the 06 not that much of an upgrade?
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 116
From: New York
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is...
Not to mention the OP still has to go through the trouble of selling his Z. What if it takes a while, and he ends up selling it after the 06 is already sold? Or, what if the OP buys the 06 and then can't sell the 03? Many factors here. Selling and buying cars and dealing with the DMV and insurance is sometimes a real pain, especially with used cars.
Not to mention the OP still has to go through the trouble of selling his Z. What if it takes a while, and he ends up selling it after the 06 is already sold? Or, what if the OP buys the 06 and then can't sell the 03? Many factors here. Selling and buying cars and dealing with the DMV and insurance is sometimes a real pain, especially with used cars.
06's are well known for oil consumption issues. Personally I like them for the "Revup" variant of the VQ35DE and the updated interior also seen in 07-08s. My 06 burned oil since I first purchased it with 16.5K miles on the odo, it only got worse as the mileage rolled on.
Window motors and regulators are pretty easy to replace. The Headlights and taillights in your 03 can be upgraded and valve cover gaskets are pretty easy/cheap to replace yourself.
My 2c...
Look for a clean 07-08 with the VQ35HR engine. There's a lot of them out there, way more compared to 06s, if you're patient you will find one with low miles at the right price.
Also the official color of your Z's is called "Silverstone." I have a Silverstone 06.
(I'm a nerd I know).
Good Luck!
-Icer
Window motors and regulators are pretty easy to replace. The Headlights and taillights in your 03 can be upgraded and valve cover gaskets are pretty easy/cheap to replace yourself.
My 2c...
Look for a clean 07-08 with the VQ35HR engine. There's a lot of them out there, way more compared to 06s, if you're patient you will find one with low miles at the right price.
Also the official color of your Z's is called "Silverstone." I have a Silverstone 06.
(I'm a nerd I know).
Good Luck!
-Icer
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^CK, I dont even know if I'd trade up ... sure, more HP? better interior? better options? IDK, but GD, I love that there is so much aftermarket support for the DE! Are HR owners reporting exhaust cam gear issues like they were being reported on the RevUp?
All good points - the way I see it, if your 03 is well taken care of you'll get another 70k miles on it before you need a rebuild (of course small things are going to break but thats both cars). The flip side, is something going to go majorly wrong on the '06 of similar proportions? My gut feeling is yes ... between the oil consumption and not knowing the history of the car.
I'd stick with the '03 if it was me
All good points - the way I see it, if your 03 is well taken care of you'll get another 70k miles on it before you need a rebuild (of course small things are going to break but thats both cars). The flip side, is something going to go majorly wrong on the '06 of similar proportions? My gut feeling is yes ... between the oil consumption and not knowing the history of the car.
I'd stick with the '03 if it was me
Last edited by bealljk; Mar 19, 2018 at 09:25 PM.
New Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,382
Likes: 116
From: New York
^CK, I dont even know if I'd trade up ... sure, more HP? better interior? better options? IDK, but GD, I love that there is so much aftermarket support for the DE! Are HR owners reporting exhaust cam gear issues like they were being reported on the RevUp?
All good points - the way I see it, if your 03 is well taken care of you'll get another 70k miles on it before you need a rebuild (of course small things are going to break but thats both cars). The flip side, is something going to go majorly wrong on the '06 of similar proportions? My gut feeling is yes ... between the oil consumption and not knowing the history of the car.
I'd stick with the '03 if it was me
All good points - the way I see it, if your 03 is well taken care of you'll get another 70k miles on it before you need a rebuild (of course small things are going to break but thats both cars). The flip side, is something going to go majorly wrong on the '06 of similar proportions? My gut feeling is yes ... between the oil consumption and not knowing the history of the car.
I'd stick with the '03 if it was me
In my opinion, only reason I would take a DE over a HR if I was 100% going to boost. Besides that, HR any day over a DE. Better in every way.
I’d want a HR strictly for the NA gains they can obtain. It’s an amazing motor NA. Skip all the boosted mess.
That said I still have no regrets going boosted on my DE.
I like where your head is at ... the allure of the first gen iconic sports cars (and further more any car of appreciated value) is limited production numbers. Only 300 first year corvettes vs. 36k first year 350z...
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