Hello everyone, I am a new member here. Been driving a subaru outback since I got my license 6 years ago, just graduated from college and in the market for a car. I could care less about the name or image this car presents and don't waste my time with fanboy nonsense.

I would like a car with RWD, LSD, manual transmission and is capable of doing some HPDE (high performance driving events) and track days. I am a huge fan of the E46 M3 from mechanical and asthetic standpoints as it is a remarkable car. I have done quite a bit of research on these cars and understand their common issues and maintanence requirements. I will eventually own one of these but do not consider now being a smart time to do so. I have also considered the Subaru STI and Mitsubishi EVO (despite AWD) but find them to be a bit boy racerish which I don't need for job reasons. I have extensively driven a 5spd IS300 and that is a fun car but lacks the get up and go, but very nice car.

Until recently I knew very little of the 350Z but the more I read about it the more impressed I am. It appears to be a very capable car that meets all of my requirements plus the engine appears to be very reliable which is a plus.

I will be doing the majority of upkeep/repairs myself as I take pride in working on my own vehicle. Now here is the question, is this car a suitable daily driver that will also handle some track time? I will obviously have to use track pads, brake fluid with a higher boiling point and possible SS brake lines.

I do live in NH but regardless of what type of vehicle I get, I will get snow tires for it in the winter.

How do these motors respond to tuning? BMWs for instance have very little to be gained from intake/exhaust/computer tuning but what about the Z?

Lastly the car I am primarily interested in is a 2005 6spd Touring with 13k miles and they are asking $19,995. The moment I saw this car I was very impressed with it it. I plan on doing a test drive at some point this week. I have read that some of the early 2003s and 2006's have oil consumption issues but havn't come across many problem areas on the 2005.

Anyways thanks for reading and look forward to hearing your replies.

 

My daily driver sees HPDE, autocross and drag racing. I just show up and drive the car as is. Works for me.

 

That's great to hear!

I have checked with my nearest Nissan dealerships and they do not have any left of 2008 350Zs for sale. Assuming the car passes a PPI, I could probably talk them down to 18 which doesn't seem bad for a 2005 with 13k miles.

Where can these new 08s be found? I havn't come across much under 25k on cars.com and would like to spend under 20k. Thanks.

 

the Z also does not gain very much from breathing mods and tunes. the HR engine responds a little better (07-08).

if you are looking to spend that kind of money, you can get a great Z, just need to hunt for the right one. low mileage 07+s should be around 20k.

 

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it.

I checked all of the dealership inventories within a 100 mile radius of where I live and have found no new 2008s. I did come across a 2008 with 7,802 miles, they are asking just under 24. Can anyone tell from the pictures what package this car has? It is not a Nissan dealer so I would be hesitant to "take their word for it". Here's the car,

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

Lastly what would be a reasonable price for the 05 touring with 13k? Sorry for the questions, but this is very helpful.

Edit- Right after I posted this reply I noticed the sticky about how to determine which package the car has.... oops

 

That is too much for that 08, and its a base model

 

^agreed...i bought my brand new 08 in february for 23k otd

 

Yes I know that but I am trying to get any idea what these cars are going. KBB and edmunds are significantly overstating the value of these cars. KBB has the 05 touring with 13k miles worth 22k...

I found an 07 Enthusiest in white with 27k miles and they are asking just under 20k. This is being sold at a Nissan dealer a few hours away from me.

Therefore from the info you guys have provided I figure the 07 is probably worth around 18k and the 05 is around 14-15k.

 

KBB doesn't include a recession price. However if hybrids and high mpg cars were not in such high demand esp with CAFE standards then the KBB prices would be spot on. Also when searching for any 06-08 I found much better ease searching on actual Nissan websites. Since most actual new Nissan retail dealerships are advertising their more popular cars on Cars.com etc, search in their either used inventory or brand new on the actual Nissan website. That's where I found the most 06-08's.

 

Everyone is considering a 350Z. What did you get?