Hello everyone,

I am going to buy a 350z in about a months or two as a project car for leisure driving/autocross/drifting. I am very excited, and excited to learn from everyone in this forum, and eventually becoming more involved in this community. I don't know a lot about cars, I am still learning, but I am excited about learning more.

I have a few questions. Should I be aware of anything when buying? Right now, I see a lot of 350z's for around 10-15k. Should I be cautious? Should I get a certain trim level?(I figured getting the base model since it will be a project car.) I've bought cars before but is there anything particular to the 350z, I should be aware of?

Thank you

 

research and patience grasshopper. &












thick skin.

 

buy mine!

 

Base model will be a good idea. Getting a certified used vehicle is a good idea too.

 

I have a base model-it doesn't have a limited slip differential so that would for sure hinder Ur ability to drift/autoX. Unless you buy one. However as a daily driver no LSD isn't a huge deal to me. No cruise control on the base either.

The Zs for 10-15k are probably used/abused. Unless you find one that a let's say "new daddy" had to sell to get an awesome van. Jus look the car over, get a warranty if possible-drive it SLEEP ON IT!! as soon as u drive it you're gonna want it no matter whats wrong with it.

Read and research here before asking a question. Search is your friend.

 

Every thing you could possibly want to know about the 350Z can be found here. Read. Study. Make an informed decision.

 

welcome to the community and good luck on your find! once you find that diamond in the rough, hit me up and we'll make it shine!

haha cheesy poetry FTW!!!

 

A/S/L?

 

ZS14, WhyNot?Z, davidv -
Thanks for the great information. I've been doing a lot of research the past couple of days. I think I am going to go for a 2006 350z or higher, due to the greater bhp, also don't they have some sort of rev matching feature from then on as well?

 

No there isn't "rev matching" that's on 370s. There is a difference in the bhp of the HR engines. Open the hood, make sure there is TWO air intakes and you have yourself an HR z. Don't be thrown off by it having a bump hood rather than two lines cuz some ppl swap hoods. Hope this helps

 

For 2006 you get the VQ35DE motor with 300 horsepower. Worth considering.

 

WhyNot?Z,

I've been looking in a few places, but I can't find the answer, but what does HR stand for?

davidv, I noticed you were up in Baltimore. I was up there a few weeks ago. Also, I was considering the 2003-2005 models because they are generally around 9-11k, but with the added bhp of the 2006 models for around 14-16k. I think it is worth it, don't you?

 

[QUOTE=hydeciel;8877601]WhyNot?Z,

I've been looking in a few places, but I can't find the answer, but what does HR stand for?


its the name of the Higher Revving engine. The 05 and older had the 6000 rpm redline, and 07+ have the 7500 rpm redline

VQ35DE and VQ35HR

 

OP


See here:

Courtesy of wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_VQ_engine

 

Aaaah, thank you! Do you think the HR version is worth the extra cost, the 2007+ vs the 2006?

 

In my opinion, if you are going to do something, do it right. Get what you're looking for all in one package(ie LSD, brembo brakes, more hp) then buy that. If you find an 03 that was garaged with low miles, take it, itll last longer than an 08 with 2XX,XXX miles.

Its all about your needs. I WANTED a model with all the bells and buttons, but the one i looked at sold that day. So I re evaluated, and to me, getting a ppw one was most important (2nd to getting an HR) so i went with a LOW miles base that doesnt have LSD or Cruise control. And since i dont track it or drift, ive ran into no problems.

You can get a speeding ticket in any model as i found out yesterday

 

Well, my plan is to get a base model, or something near that, and add a better LSD, sway bars, and after a while possibly a supercharger. I heard that the non-HRs have cooling issues because they don't have the dual intakes, although I heard there was an easy fix to it. You know anything about that?

Man, I know how you feel about the speeding ticket, WhyNot?Z. I got my very first speeding ticket ever in my Acura TL Type S in VA. I generally don't even speed on the road, it was just a bad day where I wasn't paying attention to my speed.

 

I dont know a lot about Forced induction, either side of the house, i just know that it seems like alot of people seem to go turbo or twins.

The speeding ticket sucked, I take responsibility, because i was goin "87", but I was getting out of the way of a white jetta that was doin at least 95(im the guy in the Z that gets out of the fast lane in CA, which is unheard of) and the bike cop saw me.

And the thing that really got me, is the jetta didnt even slow down, just kept haulin bawlz Oh well, what can ya do?

 

The reason I am thinking of a Super Charger is that I hear it is less strain on the engine.

As for the ticket, that blows man! I can understand your frustration. That would horribly **** me off as well.

 

Look at the deference in the VQ35DE and VQ35HR motors. Decide what premium YOU are willing to pay for the VQ35HR motor.