Buying a used Z, need advice

[dzehner2]

So, I'm thinking about buying a used 350 Touring (2003 or 2004), and I'm wondering if you guys have some advice for what to look for. Also, is the Z a good daily driver? A friend of mine uses his 300ZX as a daily and he loves it, but I haven't heard much about the daily use of a 350. Another thing, I'm moving out to Connecticut... so is the Z a nightmare to drive in the winter? Thanks!

[dasoupdude]

is the Z a nightmare to drive

No.

in the winter?

From what I hear. YES.

Its not exactly the car you would want to take an elongated 6 hour trip in, but its pretty cozy at times. Especially at night for some reason.

[marlin29311]

The Z is ok as a daily driver as long as you have no need for any real cargo room - it's very small.

Depends on how you drive in the snow. My old ford focus was either awesome in the snow or terrible in the snow, depending on how i drove it. Make sure you have good a/s tires or snow tires, and that usually takes care of 50% of the problems you get.

If your means provide for it, look for an 05+ model.

The car itself isn't difficult to drive, and I found it to be rather comfy for myself (6'1'' 190lbs). Go test drive one.

[R350Zz33]

so DD fine mine is my DD rain pain in the *** snow i hear its like getting kicked in the balls and just as the pain goes away they come back this time with high heal shoes. my advice snow tires.

[dzehner2]

Is there a huge difference between the 04 and the 05? I test drove an 04 a couple weeks ago, and it was a blast. Before that, I was thinking about getting a BMW, but no longer. I'm planning on getting snow tires as well, after reading stuff on this forum and others (no need to crash my baby within the first year...). Another thing I had been wondering about, could you remove the spare tire to get more cargo space? I know it's probably not a great idea, but I figure if I need to fit more stuff in than usual it could be an alternative to lots of packing headaches.

[evildky]

just be sure you get any model above the base, the base model has an open diff, this would be really bad in snow, one wheel slips and you are stationary, all other models got the lsd so if one wheel is in ice the other ccan propel you out, it also makes for more steady state turns in the wet snow and ice

[ocvette]

The Z is a great daily driver, you will look forward to driving to work. Don't know about the snow but in a non snow environment it's a fun and reliable car. I would suggest going with the touring or grand touring since you a few features that make the daily drive more fun and comfortable, like heated power seats, bose stereo, bluetooth, veh stability control, etc.

Good luck

[xjmxstac]

Watch out for tire feathering, rear axle issues, and snail trail on you window on the 2003-2004. Luggage space it very tight. But its a sports car and it a blast to drive.