I'm looking into getting a used car and have been looking at the 350z.
I want to spend around 10,000 and would like the 2007+ due to more horsepower.
Do you guys like the 350z or do you think their is a better car out there for around 10k? I'm looking for fast and something that doesn't look bad.
Also, are they easy to work on/modify?
And are they expensive to work on/modify?
Thanks for the help!
Any other information that might help is also appreciated! : )

 

for $10k you won't find an HR i dont think unless it has upwards of 140k miles, or salvage title, etc..

 

10k? you aren't ready for a performance car...

 

yeah, $10k wont be enough for a HR…but if you can find a 1st generation they are very friendly to modification and a handful of mods - such as intake/plenum upgrade and test pipe exhaust mods will yeild you an honest 15whp to 20whp but not much more than that.

if you like the Z enough, go find a low mileage, well maintained 2003-2006 and save up for a supercharger kit or turbo kit. You'll spend $10k on the car and $7k on the supercharger/turbo kit and stay under 425whp, it'll be about as reliable as you can get for a modified car and pretty quick for a 3.5 liter.

 

You come to a car specific forum and ask if we like them.. Lol. I've only heard of one hr with low miles going for less than like 15 and it was a woman whose husband became unable to drive a stick due to health problems. It sold for 10k. It's very unlikely that you'll find one for that price. And yes, they are expensive to modify. For 10k, if you want something cheaper, look at older wrx's or things like that. Or a civic. I hear great things about vtec..

 

That being said though you can get a de for 10 grand easily. I saw one on Craigslist for like 6 grand with 160k miles.

 

Okay, thanks for the help so far! But that raises a few new questions.
Is it worth the extra 5k to get the 2007+ or should i get like an '04 and save the 5k for something else? And why?
Thanks again!

 

What do you plan on doing with the car? I was dead set on getting a z so when I was financially able I bought a de. I didn't realize what I was doing or I would've bought a hr, but I love her all the same.

 

As of now i just want whatever is best for the money. I'm fine with the power both models produce, and if either have simple non crazy expensive mods, i'll go for it, but i'm not trying to have the fastest z out there, just a good dependable one that is moderately fast, but still very dependable.

 

They are fast and dependable stock. You have to step back and look at your pocket book before modding. 200 bucks for a plenum spacer 200 bucks for an intake 1200 for exhaust just for small gains. The best horsepower per dollar is nitrous. But do you want to blow your motor up? There is a lot of good information on this site. Just read a little bit.

 

Okay, that sounds good! Well, i really have about 15,000 to spend, and i was thinking it would be nice to get one for around 10,000 (if possible) and then i'd have 5k left over for anything i might need.
I don't want to soup it up like crazy and blow the engine, i'm fine with the stock engines and am also fine with upgrading simple things, i just don't want to do any mods inside the engine.
But, would it be smarter to buy like an '04 and have some money left over, or an '07? What are the differences in the two generations?
Thanks again!

 

You're not finding '07+ for 10K. Differences are in the 100FAQs.

 

spend your whole 15 and get an 07. It will have more HP and be nicer than if you get an earlier year for 10-12 k AND then dump the rest of your money in.

 

Okay, thanks again! What would you suggest spending the rest of the money on?

 

He said to spend the entire 15K on an '07, what amount is left over?

 

maybe a few twenties stuffed into his mattress?

 

Haha, something like that! It isn't like money won't keep coming in though, nothing wrong with just driving it like it is for a little while. Lol.

 

I can't say for sure... but would expect a 2004 with good full aftermarket exhaust system, CAI system, and ECU tune could probably hit about the same HP on a dyno and would end up costing you about the same as buying a 2007 with the HR...

Honestly you're going to be happy either way though, just look for a good deal on a car that hasn't been abused badly.

 

In which case you are better off with the 2007. Newer car less likely to require expensive maint or repairs, and the higher cost up front will be offset by the higher resale value at whatever point in the future. Also 07/08 aren't exactly new cars, so by going back to 03-06 you make it much less likely to be able to find a cherry example with low miles. just my .02.

 

Okay, that makes sense, i'll go for the '07 but their aren't too many postings on craigslist right now. : / but i'll wait until something shows up!
Does an '07 have any different features than the previous generation?