Well, it's finally come time for me to get a real car and I've decided on a 350Z. Here are the 2 cars I'm looking at:

1. 2003 Nissan 350z Performance (Canadian car) - $14K
70K miles
It also has the 2006 rims on it instead of the 2003 18's
AEM CAI
This car is being sold by a dealership, the transmission does not appear to have been replaced (synchros seemed fine during my test drive). I'm not sure if the Canadian and US trims are different for 03 but this one has leather, VLSD, TCS, cruise, as well as the autodimming mirror.



2. 2007 Nissan 350z Base - $21K
33K miles
This is a private sale, 3M done to the whole car, also has factory ordered leather seats instead of the base cloth. Seems to be well taken care of from what I could see.

The owner heard some weird noises coming from the car after he purchased it and brought it to the dealership to have it checked out. Please excuse my lack of mechanical knowledge but apparently one of the bearings were bad and they ended up replacing the whole transmission (new, not rebuilt), and at the same time, the owner of the car had them install a brand new JWT clutch as well as JWT flywheel. This was all done by a Nissan dealership with paperwork to prove it.



The prices for both cars are pretty average for my area, locally, people are still asking 16-18K for 2003 models so even this dealership 03 has been getting a lot of interest. My main question is, is the 07 worth the extra $7K? I mean it would be nice to have the newer car (the HR engine, the bi-xenon headlights) but at the same time, the 2003 has the LSD/TCS, and $7K doesn't come easy.

What would you do in my situation? Thanks.

 

Buy the newer one.

 

I do not know if it is worth an additional $7,000 to you.

 

I figured you'd have one of your usual smart *** replies, here's the last sentence of my post again, just for you:

 

07 hands down.

 

def the newer one. And only 33k miles compared to 70k

 

Are you planning on significantly modifying it, ever? If so, you'll have way more options with the '03.

 

I missed one important thing you mentioned earlier (07 being a base model). How IMPORTANT is cruise control to you? If you're like me who is not old, handsome, have other vehicles, then CRUISE CONTROL is a MUST! That's just me.

 

Thanks for all of the replies guys.

I'm not planning on modifying it (maybe a drop and rims eventually but it will stay mostly stock).

Cruise control is not that important to me, the only reason I even consider the 03 is because of the traction control/LSD, I did some searching on here and people mention that the car feels very twitchy in the rain without TCS turned on. This car will not be drive in snow all that much (I have a 4x4 Jeep as well) but I will be driving it in rain for sure.

Right now I'm thinking I'm going to get the 07 for sure, thanks again for all of your opinions/replies. I know in the end I need to get what works within my budget/needs but it's always nice to hear what other people would do in my position.

 

07 base=the end.

 

rofl you'll be fine in the rain with just a base... **** i run summer tires right now and i live in toronto.. ive been fine this whole time even with all the snow we have gotten.. If you need help picking out a Z ill lend a hand and come by and test drive it for you and compare it to my buddys 07 and my 03..

pm me if need be

 

07 NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

I drive an 03 I think I would easily pay at least 5-6k for an hr swap. Not to mention the shocks, brakes and other wear items are in much better shape in the 07 car. Revised front calipers, better spring rates, improved interior design.... I can go on for days....

Get the 07 now or if $ is the issue keep saving.

 

Thanks again for the replies. I'm going to get an 07+ for sure, if I'm spending the money, might as well get the newest possible.

I called the guy who's selling the 07 and he's unsure if he wants to sell the car now. He told me he'll think about it and let me know in a few days.

Looking around, the only other 07 in the area is a touring model with around 40K miles on it for $30K so that's way out of my price range.

If this one falls through, I guess I'll wait for another one to pop up or start looking at the WRX STI again. If I end up buying the 07 this week, I'll be sure to post pictures up!

 

This time of year its hard for them to sell these types of vehicles. Use that to your advantage.

 

Buy what ever you can afford and try not to stretch for the payments. It is in fact only a car. Both are getting old. The 03 could be considered ancient. The 07 is almost 5 years old if you stop and think about it.

 

Like I've been speaking to you, prima facie, obviously the 07 is going to strike as a better option to everyone. It being newer, better engine, less km's and everything there is clearly no debate. But at the same time have to consider the extra amount of money you'd be spending.

As someone stated, if you plan to mod the car, then it's worth saving the extra 7K imo. I know that right now you say you won't be modding it much, but come on, who are we kidding? lol You and I both know that you're going to want to go ape **** with every time you get bored. Haha

As far as the options are concerned, traction does help, especially in winter. I mean without it right now, I'd be all over the place even with the winter tires! Haha You'll drive the jeep for a couple of months in a row and I am pretty sure you'd want to pull out the Z once you get bored. I personally would miss the cruise control option, considering every time I go on a highway I love using it, even if it isn't very often.

You just have to balance a whole bunch of factors against one another and see what serves your needs the most. Keeping in mind all considerations such as the cost and everything.

 

2. 2007 Nissan 350z Base - $21K
33K miles
This is a private sale, 3M done to the whole car, also has factory ordered leather seats instead of the base cloth. Seems to be well taken care of from what I could see.

This... if only to avoid a steelership..

 

Well, the issue should be seperated into wear items or revised components.

I don't think he will need $7k in maintenance to cover a 40K mile delta.

In fact, the same parts on both cars will have to replaced anyway... I think anyone buying a Z/G should budget for new bushings in the front end at a minimum. I not alot of people outside of the board even know what compression rods or tranverse links are and just live with noise and really abnormal tire wear (as opposed to just abnormal tire wear .

OP: why are you limiting yourself to the just these two cars? Perhaps you can find another.

How many mods do you plan on doing? If you plan on lowering, adding a BBK, etc, there's no point in buying the 07 in my eyes, unless the interior is that big of a deal to you.

 

I actually decided to pass on both cars for now. I'm just saving up more money now and I'm planning on coming down to the US to pick up a car and export it.

I've already looked around and for that same price (~21 to 22K) I can get a Touring/Grand Touring 07 model instead of the base.

Modding wise, I won't be doing a whole lot, drop + rims is all I could really see myself doing. I just figure that I'd like to buy a car and keep it for longer than a year (keep getting bored/annoyed with older cars), so I figure a newer car will keep me happier in the long run.

 

In fact, the same parts on both cars will have to replaced anyway... I think anyone buying a Z/G should budget for new bushings in the front end at a minimum. I not alot of people outside of the board even know what compression rods or tranverse links are and just live with noise and really abnormal tire wear
central air conditioners