Recent College Grad - Looking at 350z's
 

Good morning everyone,

Like the title states, I'm a recent college graduate. Just got my bachelors in Industrial Design (woohoo!) and actually planning on heading back to school in the next year or two for Transportation/Automotive Design.

I'm an avid automotive forum guy, so I've done some initial research but I'd also like to be pointed in a general direction too as all forums are different to navigate information.

First, I'm looking for a 350z within 12-14k. I'm specifically not wanting a Base model because of the need for TCS (which all other models include correct?) as it will be used as a DD and I'll be in Detroit for grad school in the coming years for the snow. I'm also wanting the car to strictly have a 6spd, been driving a manual most of my life and couldn't live without it! But more importantly it needs low mileage, preferably 60k or less.

From what I've gathered so far scanning through here is that I should probably be looking into an 07 or higher year. I say this because of the issues on suspension/tire wear and that the HR is a "better motor." What do people mean by better though? Simply faster, more reliable, both? I guess what are the pros/cons of an 07+ vs. an 03-05 or an 06 (06 seem to be categorized differently, is there a reason?)

If you could please steer me in the correct direction for needing to know what maintenance I should be checking-up on for a used 350z before buying I'd also appreciate it. I'm looking nationwide for a 350z currently, and there seem to be a decent amount of possibilities that fit my criteria so far but I need to start being able to cherry pick from the available stable!

I'm not here to ask about "can I afford X" or anything like that, just trying to absorb as much information and buying knowledge as possible related to the 350z before moving forward. So please leave that information aside, thanks!

Thanks in advance for your help!
dk

Best of luck finding your Z.
Many of your questions can be answered if you took a bit of your
time and scrolled through the 100 FAQ's on this forum.There is a section
on the "generations" of the 350Z.Also on the evolution of the VQ engine
in our cars.
What is your overall budget?What can you afford to pay?
How many miles will you be driving per year?
These are important questions in searching for your Z.

I would wait a year or two and see if you can't pay cash for it…you should be making decent money and if you sock-away ~$1000 per month you'll own it after a year of diligent saving.

I bought mine maybe a year after I graduated (civil engineering) and I had a firm spot in the company…I didnt want to lose my job and have a huge car payment along with other bills.

Yea your going to want to check over the frequently asked questions thread, and i'm sure there is a thread out there that already goes over this information in detail.

As a starting point, I would only look for an 06+ at this point because of the updated headlights/taillights and front bumper... you will most likely want those down the road. Some 06's had oil consumption issues (although i'm still going strong at 50k milage), so most will tell you to look for an 07-08 Z.

Yea I've been slowly going through everything, basically what I had gathered so far was between the 100FAQ's and reading other people's questions for buying. Like I said originally, not here to ask if I can afford it so I'm not going to get into the $ side of things.

I'm not looking for anything performance modified, I know the issues of finding a FI'd car used and I'm no mechanic so it's something I'd rather choose to avoid.

Thanks for the input, but like I said I'm not here to talk about "can I afford it."

Thanks. That's what I was gathering about the '06 models, if it's generally an issue in just that year model i'll avoid it.

I'll keep reading away :) just figured I'd start a thread and maybe get some random input on things I hadn't run into yet. If I knew what to search for I'd do it, but I'm not into specifics yet. I'm a stickler for people not searching on my current car forum so I understand you guys telling me to gather my own info ;) All in due time!

VQ35HR is straight up better all around over the 03-06. It also costs a bit more. Only real issue one would possibly have with an 07+ would be the Clutch Slave Cylinder going out, which is likely already taken care of per TSB.

If you must settle for an 06 6MT, they do have RevUp motor so it's ~300hp but it's got oil consumption issues (tho not everyone's has it). My friend's ran fine over the years. It's just a gamble really. I personally prefer the HR. More refined motor.

Thanks. Yep that's exactly what I've been reading so far too. Slave cylinder and some rattling dash issues and/or grinding on some of the HR's. Not completely solved from previous generations, but far less consistency in problems. Everything I've read so far seems like the HR's run great especially if they're not modified, which I've got a huge itch for but won't be doing to this car.

Here's some photos of my current car, 2002 Stratus R/T. I've been a prominent member of the 2GStratus community for a while now, and so many of the Stratus members don't want to see me leave, but it's just time to move on...
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...psf662641d.jpg
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...psf6af8073.jpg

Thanks for the input so far guys :) There's an '04 in my area for $14k with 41k miles and I'm really tempted to grab it but I haven't been researching anything but the '07s... Just have to be patient! Also testdrove my first 350z today. Was a base model, definitely want TCS though once winter comes along, really cemented my thought about the car and wanting one.

Continuing to read more and more on the car... Not finding a reason why I shouldn't be getting it :) but I did run into a question from a review I was reading.

It said that traction control is now standard on 07+ models? I was under the impression the base didn't have this, which is correct?

I'm selling my 05 grand touring 350z roadster for 15k black burnt orange interior manual tran

Rattles are common with the Z. This isn't a Porsche 911.

Transmission shouldn't grind in an HR.

Traction Control is on all non-base models. With the exception of Grand Touring / Nismo / Touring 6MT that have VDC. I forgot if Grand Touring has VDC period regardless of AT/MT, but I know for fact Touring models only have VDC if 6MT. Autos come with TCS. Base has none.

Given your price range if that's all you have (sorry to be blunt), you won't get an HR.

I love the 350z and I don't think you will for daily driving notice much of a difference. And the 350z is a loud car by nature it doesn't have the build materials to make it as quiet as a Lexus. Road noise will happen. Also you shouldn't have issues with the tranny unless it was beat on or the previous owner didn't know how to shift.

Just look out for the window motors as they tend to give out, and the plastic console chips easy. Other then that the 2003-2005 are great, I would stay away from 2006 as it's the REV-UP engine and can consume oil.

Thanks but not interested in a roadster.

Thanks for that. Yea my parents are wanting me to be buying from a dealership so my price range has adjusted because of that. I'm looking to be putting 1/2 down without a trade in. After I return my current car to stock and partout the aftermarket items I'll almost have the car paid off. I'm also in no hurry and have found some in my former price range but I'd currently have to be buying a Z on either coast in that price range, which wouldn't be a huge deal but it's an extra thing to deal with.

I'm not looking for a Lexus-style ride quality, my current car is far from that! :lol: and a stock Z would be an improvement from what I've noticed in some test drives. My impression was that the HR was very much superior on reliability over the 03-05 and 06 models with their oil burning so that why I'm looking for an 07-08.