Diesengine

I am looking to buy my first 350z. A while back, I test drove a 2004 enthusiast model (automatic) with 80k miles. I was so impressed with how much it threw me back in the seat and how loud the exhaust / engine was. With that test drive I made up my mind to buy one. Now a few months later with that model sold unfortunately, I found another 350z enthusiast (automatic) although this was a 2006 model with 104k miles. Just a few days ago, I test drove and it was not at all what I expected it to be. It felt slow and didn't have that loud exhaust note and was no where near as responsive as the 2004 model. I understand the 2004 model is 150lb lighter, but I didn't expect it to feel like this. Does 24k miles make that much of a difference?upon taking it to an inspection, my mechanic did say it needs a new wheel bearing and rotors.

My other guesses are :

1. The previous owner most likely abused it. Glancing over the carfax report, in one year, he put 40k miles on it.

2. I am assuming at this mileage new spark plugs.

3. It needs new transmission fluid and differential fluid.

4. I noticed an K&N air filter. Maybe stock will help it breath better?

5. Needs fresh oil.

Would these items make a difference or is the 2004 model simply better?

Any thoughts?

13ringinheat

iTrader: (5)

DE has more torque.

lgear080

iTrader: (21)

two is way too small a sample to try to divine overall driving impressions.
buy mine if you want an AT... pm me.

JCITY

iTrader: (2)

Too many variables to determine...The louder exhaust on the 04,was it a stock exhaust?Have a CAI?
Yes,the DE has more torque is lighter.You could be right,the 06 could have been not well maintained.Possibly find another 06 to see if you get the same read?

TRYNALIVEPRO

iTrader: (12)

he says the 04 and 06 are both automatics, so the 04 can't have more torque because the 06 is the same motor and is not a revup if it's automatic...

davidv

iTrader: (2)

2004 above


2006 above

You are correct.

*Boose*

iTrader: (3)

Lol.

Z1 Performance

iTrader: (564)

2 different high mileage used cars feel 2 different ways - what is surprising about this?

Waiz

iTrader: (57)

The butt dyno is horribly unreliable

davidv

iTrader: (2)

The 350Z is not for everyone. Have you looked at the RSX. You get performance AND reliability in a single package.

805350z

iTrader: (7)

^ Why did you bump this thread?!

Viksz33

iTrader: (18)

placebo effect

Entaille

iTrader: (16)

because he replied to it and checked it in the future to see if the OP did anything - and of course, he was a tire kicker. : )

djamps

iTrader: (1)

DavidV always follows up on the n00bs LOL

bestfromnw

especially their 2nd gear syncros (grinding on 95% type s rsx's since 2002)

but on the serious note i've had rsx-s and the reliability is not any better(mine had famous 2nd gear grind at 16k miles which acura wouldn't cover) than any of (3) 350z's i have owned...

BrandonSS

iTrader: (2)

i know this is a zombie thread that was revived. But for the record, my 06 1 owner 350Z touring with 41k miles (all Nissan dealer maintained) feels a tiny bit slower than my 102k mile 2005 Z touring that was totaled out by someone rear ending me. The 05 had an exhaust, exedy, and lightweight fly, but thats it. No tune. Must be the Tq or power curve?

Alberto

iTrader: (14)

Its the TQ peak AND area under the curve.

Years ago Ive raced similarly modded DE vs Revups side by side. The Revups would only start to pull past 80mph and into 4th and later gears. Around town they felt slower.