Hello,

I have been lurking here for about 3 months, reading up on everything and really enjoying the bountiful amount of information available here. Figured it was getting close to that time where I should join up and start picking the brains of everyone about more specific questions that pertain to me.

So, first of all, I do not yet have a 350z, but have been looking feverishly for a while now. I have in my mind what a perfect one would be, and haven't quite found it yet. Several that are close, but always have one critical feature missing. This leads me to my first and all-important question;

Where should the cut off be as far as what I want?

Ideally, I would like a grand touring model due to the leather/heated seats + brembos. But would be happy with any trim except the base. I definitely want the MT and coupe, and I am pretty sure I want an 06+ due to the upgraded cosmetics and motors. I want it to be less than 45K miles (35K or less would be superb) and would like it to be silver/grey, white, or blue. I am also looking to spend 17K or less if I can.

Right now I see a few available as follows:

1. 06 Enthusiast 56K Silver within driving distance listed at $16,500
2. 06 Track (listed as base) 39K Red about 8 hours away listed at $19,000
3. 08 Enthusiast 58K Grey right around the corner listed at $17,800
4. 04 Track 47K Silver about 6 hours away listed at $15,300
5. 03 Touring 38K Grey about 2 hours away listed at $14,300
6. 06 Touring (w/ Orange seats) 33K Sunset Orange 300 miles away listed at $18K

Each one of these would be great except for one or two things, so I just need advice if I am being too strict.

Is the 06 with 56K a great deal, and I shouldn't mind the miles?
Is the HR motor of the 08 w/ 58K worth it? Is that alot of miles for an 08?
Is the track model really worth it, or would an aftermarket BBK (looking at the akebonos as the only realistic possibility) be just as good?
Is that 06 Track one I should jump on, and try to get the price into my range? But then I have to figure out transportation vs flying and driving.
How good can the sunset orange look? I think it is such an odd color. Is that last car listed a good deal and I should compromise on the color?

Also, there are a few really nice base options available, but they are a base. Is the base model substantially different to where I am right in not wanting it? I don't care too much for cruise control, but TCS/VDC and the vlsd would be nice for me.

Thanks, I appreciate the help!

 

There is really nothing wrong with the Base model. It has the same engine as all of the other models. If you don't need cruise control, the Base will perform just as well as any of the other models. You can always add a good quality aftermarket LSD if you find you need it. I've had my Base since July 1, 2003 and still love driving it.

 

I am mostly interested in the TCS since I live in Colorado--it is more than likely I will have to drive in the snow at some point. I understand that TCS in of itself isn't going to save me from any misfortune, but I would have to believe it can help.

That is my main concern against the base model.

 

All of the questions you asked can be found via search. But I will answer a few based on my opinion.
BTW, 06 did not get a motor upgrade. I think they changed the motor and it had oil consumption issues. There is a whole thread dedicated to 06 oil consumption issues, just search for it. 07-08 has the VQ35HR engine.

Is the 06 with 56K a great deal, and I shouldn't mind the miles?
I am not sure but i think it may be a good deal.

Is the HR motor of the 08 w/ 58K worth it? Is that alot of miles for an 08?
It is very much worth it, its not a lot of miles at all for an 08. It's a 3 year old car already!


Is the track model really worth it, or would an aftermarket BBK (looking at the akebonos as the only realistic possibility) be just as good?
I am not sure, but Akebonos suck imo.

Is that 06 Track one I should jump on, and try to get the price into my range? But then I have to figure out transportation vs flying and driving.
06 models have oil consumption issues. You will be lucky if your 06 doesn't eat oil. I had an 06 and my motor burned a lot of oil. So, I got it traded for an 08.


How good can the sunset orange look? I think it is such an odd color. Is that last car listed a good deal and I should compromise on the color?
Lemans is an okay color IMO, but a lot of people love it. So, its a personal taste. It can look very nice if you're going to mod the exterior a bit.

 

Oh my lots of questions and options here. You did good setting a budget. Remember that a Z listed for $18.5 is NOT out of you budget. Offer the owner $17.

I recommend that you shop by miles not model year. In other words a 2003 with 30,000 miles is a better deal than a 2008 with 60,000 miles.

 

Well, I meant different than the 03 and 04. The 06 has the 300 hp rev up, correct? And that is where the oil consumption issues are from?

Is there a reason they suck? Or is that just in comparison to what else is out there. Regardless, the rotors are bigger than stock non brembos, so they will definitely help with fading, correct?

From reading on these forums it seems that there are differing opinions on this. I have read that the issue is really prevalent, and also that it only affected a small percentage of that model year. Like I said, I would want an 06-07 for the cosmetic upgrades, but getting the 07-08 would be awesome.

That is how I feel as well; unless you overhaul the exterior it seems like a harsh color. I am not sure how far my body mods will go, so I think I'd rather stick with a safer color like I listed above.

 

That is my sentiments as well. I am definitely shopping by miles, but then I got myself into the mess I posted about because I really like the updated look of the 06+. And the HR is such an attractive upgrade, I feel like I should compromise on the miles to get the extra hp and upgraded internals.

But where would you draw the cutoff?

 

I would really recommend you trying to find an 07 or an 08. You will regret it later if you don't get the HR motor. Remember, just the bolt ons/tune on the 07-08 will have the car running at almost 300hp. For the older models it will cost you way more money.

Also, are you paying it off with cash or loan? If loan, why not just get a 370Z if you can afford the monthly payments...?

 

Thanks, the more I looked into the 07-08 the more I realized that is the one I should get.

As far as the 370, I've looked into the possibility and it is just more than I would like to spend right now. I do intend to finance about half of the 350z (merely to help build up some extra credit history), with 5-6 down + make a big payment with the money I get from selling my current car. Which, I might as well post pictures of that:

98 Dodge Avenger ES




Bought it in 2004 with 82828 miles on it, currently has 102300. But my yearly projected miles just jumped to about 11K/year with my new work commute.

 

definitely go to with the hr, you will love it

 

Big + 1. Also9 the condition of the car too. Might be low milage but there could be all sorts of hidden gremlins if you don't check the car over properly.

 

Post pictures of your Z when you bring it home!!

 

that's alot of questions. i would buy whatever has least miles, looks clean, drives great, and has been babied all it's life. good luck.

 

Absolutely.

All the trim levels certainly makes buying a used z a pain in the ***. Definitely a great idea for buying new.

Perhaps I could get some more assistance in determining what is good for me based on my plans for the vehicle.

This is going to be a DD, maybe year round including snow driving (I will investigate a beater when that time comes). I also plan on getting involved in the local autocross, definitely the summer series, maybe winter. It will also probably make 1-2 trips to the track a year.

I wont be doing many HP/engine mods. Probably an intake spacer, lower intake (where needed), high flow filter, plugs and wires, clutch & flywheel, catback w/ hfc (emissions in Colorado, so no test pipes).

I will focus the rest of the mods on suspension and brakes, but have no clue what so ever on what to get because there are SO many options.

And wheels/tires will probably be the first completed.

Body mods wont be terribly important, I have a full body kit on my current car and I am kind of over that. If anything, it will be a CF hood, stillen splitter, nismo side skirts. But like I said, not real important.

I plan to spread these mods out over 3 years or so, keeping the car stock (or near stock) for my rookie year racing in the solo events, then upgrade to compliment my increased driving skill.

So, given that information I really feel I should stay away from a base model mainly for winter months due to no lsd & tcs. The touring would be great for the heated seats, and the track would get me a leg up on some of my future plans.

The HR motor would give me the extra horse power stock, with stronger internals if I ever decide to go with a sc setup (weak possibility). But considering even the 03-4.5 vq has double the power of my current car, I'm sure I'll be very satisfied with any motor option.

Anyone in snowy states have some good suggestions/feedback for me?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

I just test drove an 06 Manual with 25,000 miles on it. It was a great car to drive. For my the only problem was it didn't have cruise.(base). I drive a lot on the freeway and cruise is the only thing between me and tickets. I also tested an 06 automatic with 53,000 miles, but I couldn't get it to jump like the manual. Maybe just me.

I'm shopping miles driven and how it drives, but it is good to hear about the 06 oil issue.

 

You're thinking aloud. Sounds like you already know the answer Hydr0nium.

 

I shopped around for a Z for quite a while,wanted black cloth and no extras,white and manual,unmolested and around 20-30K miles.Found her,in perfect trim and shape,for the price of a new fully loaded Corrolla.

Had the paperwork wrote up and called in the insurance deposit as I drove through traffic after work,my daughter dropped me off,I was in love as soon as I saw HER.30 minute test drive later I was signing the paperwork.

Took me a full 2 weeks before I realized she was mine (and the Banks. )Point is I mulled and looked over a Z for almost 4 years,you will find the one you want and yes,go with the HR.

Good luck.