hey all,

this is my first post on this forum and I am here because I am thinking of going with a 350Z. I was just curious to how the aftermarket is for this car and if it is expensive to mod. Right now I am in an '02 VW GTI 1.8T, so I am used to BIG gains for CHEAP (ie ECU CHIP, from stock 180/173 to 209/247, $500) So yea, am I gonna be looking at spending thousands of dollars just to make this thing a little faster? This is a huge factor into whether or not I will trade in my GTI... Any help is appreciated!

 

Not sure if this is going to help much, but... 1) The Z is a much quicker car to start with, V-6 with 6-speed, rear drive and limited slip. 2) As a normally aspirated car the factory did a pretty good job tuning it from the outset. You won't be getting "BIG gains for CHEAP". 3) Did I mention how much better a SPORTS CAR the Z is than a GTI? Yes, it's more expensive to start with, but in almost very way it'll blow the doors off your VW!

The good news is you can sit back and enjoy it for awhile. Plan on spending some bucks if you just have to mod it for more HP.

 

Thank you, your comments are appreciated. As a previous owner of a 1995 nissan maxima, I respect nissan engineered engines and I know what they are capable of. I do love all aspects of the 350Z, but I also love my VW... Yes, the 350z is a true sports car and yes i know my GTI is nothing really more than a people mover (fwd hatch), so I know that this is kind of comparing apples to oranges... but I am looking for a sort of long term project car that has alot of potential. The truth is that the GTI, stock to stock, is no match for the 350Z and is not even in the same class, however the tunability of the beautiful 1.8t engine is what lights my fire. Half the fun of owning a car is being able to work on it yourself. So I guess what I am getting from here is that the 350Z would not be a great project car because of the expensive aftermarket, but as a daily driver, it can be more than satisfying.

P.S. not to chap anyones ***, but there are kits out there you can slap on a GTI and still be ALOT less than the price of a new Z that will eat it for breakfast in a straight dash... (Again, i know its stupid of me to say this, being that one car is NA and the other is turbocharged from the factory, but my point is that GTIs are no joke.) Will probably get outhandled though, which is a big problem for GTIs...

 

No doubt about it: GTI's are fun and can be easily modded. I think that will become more difficult as the engineering (particularly software-wise) of all cars becomes increasingly sophisticated. That's certainly the case with the 350Z, but there's always room to make changes if you look.

For my track model, I put in the Eibach Prokit, Nismo S-tune sways and camber adjusters. Haven't done much with the engine other than a K&N and grounding kit, but I've got plenty of power to get me into trouble (wink)! The stereo system has been fun to play with and I'm more than pleased with what I've put together there!

Sounds like you really like your car and want to convince yourself to stick with it. If what you enjoy is straight-line performance and FWD is OK with you, then I'd say the decision is pretty easy.

P.S. No offense taken. Glad to have this discussion, but I agree that the Z is a better balanced package than the GTI, performance-wise. Handling is what some of us LIVE for!

 

Thanks for your input! I am still not ruling out a new Z by any means. I fell in love with the car when it made its debut and I still do a little rubbernecking when I see one drive by. They are gorgeous, sleek, and sexy cars. For your track model, you found it beneficial to put in aftermarket suspension? I always thought the track model had an upgraded suspension which is part of what you pay for in the extra $5000-$10000. But yea, the Z looks like it would be a BLAST to drive around in the twisties.

 

first test...drive the "lady" is you haven't
second...and it will be expensive to mod but from the progress of the members here the results will be rewarding.

 

that was pretty confusing

 

For most people, the track model's suspension (which is identical to each of the other models) is more than enough. But I do take my car to the track quite a bit. I wanted a lower CG and a more neutral handling car, so the changes have helped the car's handling. The Rays wheels and Brembo brakes are probably the biggest part of the track package (more like $5K over the Enthusiast package) and are worth the extra cash IMHO. Now the car DRIVES better then it LOOKS (and 350Zs look mighty fine)!

 

Yea, just seein those Brembos peekin through is very impressive. How is the ride quality and overall quality of the Z? Any warranty issues or recalls? Any bad experiences?

 

Definately sport oriented.. ie stiff, but that can be mended depending on $$$. I personally went with the base model to use the dough for more rewarding mods such as engine components, etc. You can make a TT Z for the same price as a track, only impressively faster. Of course you will have an open differential, vdc (if you car about it), leather stuff, and what nots. But the car will definately drive as fast as it looks . That was my own route I took, but either way, I highly recommend one!

 

I have had alot of warranty issues with my Z. At last count my car has been in the shop twelve times since I bought the car in May(for 7 different problems). Even through all that I still have my car and I love driving it and going to the AutoX. My experience should tell you how awesome the 350Z is.

BTW, it appears that most of the problems I have had with my '03 have been taken care of with the '04 models, except the tire feathering.

By a Z and drive the hell out of it.

 

12 times in the shop the past 7 months??? thats almost twice a month... Well, I am used to that, being that I own a VW. Any changes to the 04 models? Also, anyone know when the true skyline is coming to the states? I read an article about it the other day and if its true, then im not going to buy a Z, but wait for the skyline...

 

Yup. You read correctly. The fact that I still have my car should tell you how awesome the new Z is. If it was any other ordinary car I would have dropped it in a second.

As far as a know there are no major changes to the '04 models. However, I'm fairly certain that all the major problems with the '03 models have been solved. Rest assured that 99% of 350Z's on the street have not had the experience I have had with problems.

As far as the Skyline, if you look around here everyone is saying 2007. By that time the new Supra should be out if there is one.

 

I think there's only 1 or 2 other members on here that have had as many problems as mpfstew has had. Unfortunately no car manufacturer is perfect with their production. Go to www.edmunds.com and check out their feedback on the Z.

 

You're probably right. However I still have my car and still love it!

 

I forgot to mention that all the problems I have had are not serious mechanical issues. Things like window regulartors, trunk latches, things like that. Also, at one point my car is in the shop 5 times in two weeks because passenger side window kept breaking.

Don't let my experience scare you in any way. 99% of the owners here have no problems at all.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I always thought Nissan had good build quality. 2007 for the skyline AND supra eh.... hmm... i think im going to spend a little more time thinking. hehe, decisions decisions.