Can't Get Enough of That VQ.
 

Hello,

So two Saturdays ago I drove 3 hours from Chicago to Indianapolis to check out a 2004 350z with 56k miles. After going through the usual motions of purchasing the car (pre-purchase inspection, signing over the paperwork) I excitedly drove the car home. I have driven manual on a few friends cars around 3 or 4 times but nothing like actually getting 3 hours of seat time. The car is in good shape and she has some weak points. Previously I had saved up to fully purchase an 04 G35x sedan with 145k that I absolutely loved. That car sparked a passion for the VQ that lead me to two more years of saving and eventually I traded that in for a 09 G37x sedan with 65k. I loved the G37x but I felt like I needed to be absolutely flying to have any kind of fun in that car. They murdered the exhaust note with larger mufflers and added even more body roll. After a year and 15,000 miles in that car I decided to do what I should have done before buying the G37x. Get a stick shift car and it had to be running the VQ platform.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....c0e19e53e0.jpg


I picked up the car for $9000 out the door and paid an extra $1500 for a set of 18x9.5+15 and 18x10.5+15 Enkei RPF1's with pretty worn tires around 25% life left at best, Used Tokico Struts, RSR Springs, Drilled and Slotted larger MM Rotors, Hawk Pads and 05-07 G35 Calipers that are a 2 piston front 1 piston rear to fit the larger MM rotors and a set of stainless steel brake lines. My main reason for wanting this extra setup was for the Enkei's. They had minimal rash that had been redone. I'm pretty sure that while the G35 calipers are not a BBK that would be a sufficient track ready brake/suspension setup.

I can't get enough of the RPF1's running 265/285


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....1b47e69a65.jpg


The transmission feels pretty smooth except for fifth. Being my first manual car I still have to learn about exactly what a properly functioning clutch/transmission feels like. With that said I can definitely tell something is off and it could be worn synchro's so I try to gently go into fifth. $9000 for an 04 with 56k miles in good mechanical condition seemed like a fantastic deal to me especially since I had considered boarding a plane for the right Z.
The downsides to the Z are extremely minor. It had a few window chips that I sealed, needs new rotors (which I plan on switching to the larger size anyways), new belts (which I already have waiting at home) and both sets of tires are ready to go. The tires on the stock wheels are cracked (thankfully they made it the 3 hours home). Being that those are all just wear and tear parts adding in a complete fluid flush she should be back in prime condition.

Welcome and congratulations!

welcome and enjoy the new Z. I learned manual transmission on my Z as well. Loads of fun.