Hello guys,

I am in process of buying a Z and have two options.
2003 350Z base 100k kms for about $5700

Or

2008 350z touring 100k kms for about $9500

2003 no service history but drives well.
2008 with service history and invoices of recent repairs of about $3k.

I'm buying it as a toy car for my daily commute to work and back which takes 45 mins and involves going up a winding mountain road. Previously had 2010 STi and miss a proper car like crazy.

 

2008

 

2008

 

no comparison.. 2008

 

If you can afford the difference in cost, get the '08. Even if the '03 had 1/2 the miles, the '08 is a far better car out of the factory.

 

Everyone here will always say 07+. So, 08'

 

2008. End thread.

 

2008...? Why is this a question

 

2003 because its almost half the price. take the rest of the money and buy a supercharger!

 

2003 if you are a balla on a budget, like smokin, but if you want the better car that can handle more boost on stock block, get the 08

 

Drive both and then decide

 

Lol..your right I do rep baller on a budget with my 03 350z, no disrespect taken. Just gave my 2 cents..

 

Actually kind of an interesting question....

I have both and while my gut says "'08", there's another side to this.

Don't know OP's overall budget or plans for car but playing devil's advocate, there's a part of me that would enjoy a new build starting with the '03 and using the delta of $3800 to buy some nice wheels, a stout suspension and maybe have some left over for a stereo.

Uh, sure, yeah, that IS what I did with my '03, why?

I almost bought a Nismo as my first Z33 4 years ago but opted for an older one to build up to my specs. No regrets, never looked back. Love my '03. So much so that I'm selling the '08 but the '03, N-E-V-E-R.

Does this help? Nope, prolly not but it is a counterpoint.

 

Hi guys, thanks for the input.

My reason to buy is it to be my toy car, no plans at all for building, just want it to run the right way and I am perfectly happy with stock power.

I checked out both the cars. 03's interior is in a bad state. 08 on the other hand checks all the boxes. 109,000 kms, full service history, interior and exterior in very good condition. He says it's a touring but I would think it's base. It has flowmaster catbacks and sounds like a crackhead.

He bought new wheels for it and sold the stock ones. After negotiations the price has come down to $8800 with the new wheels and if I want the stock wheels then the price goes further down to $8300.

The wheels he got now are WELD brand, is that a legit brand?
He says that I would need to replace two things in the car, clutch bearings and a sensor which is exhaust valve timing *something* retarder. For this sensor the car is showing check engine.
What could be the cost of these?

He also showed me all the invoices of the work he's put into the car, the car literally has a full new suspension according to the invoices.

When i get home i will upload the pics I took of the car.

 

Can you bum an OBD scanner from someone or rent from AZ and run a quick scan on it to be sure that's the only issue?

 

And to further add to that question:

03 vs 08 built to the same specs (relatively speaking), would the price difference still be justified when comparing "finished" cars? ie is there still enough of a difference between them to justify a more expensive car to begin with?

Also, 03-05 cars can pre order the Wrokshop12 Brainiac snap in kits...

 

How can you get it with the stock wheels if he sold them? I would rather have some stock 18s then some ugly 20s or 30lb per wheel 19s...

And the cost to fix might be steep this why he wants to get rid of the car.. Maybe its been a money pit lemon... Why would it need so much work to have a stack of receipts? Its not exactly an old car

 

2008.

 

Attached are the stocks which he had on the car. I guess he still has them and wanted to sell them separately. The car as it is now pix with the new wheels are also attached.

I would most definitely scan the OBD, I have a tester, just need to find it the stuff. The diagram shows number 6 as its circled, that is the faulty thing or sensor.

 

Why would anyone not make an easy fix to sell a car. Seems like there us something significantly wrong with that 08. I wouldn't even consider buying a car with a check engine light. Figure asking price + god knows how much to fix. I'd say be patient and keep shopping.