Sick of SUV's thinking of a Z

[Empty V]

So I'm about to dump almost $3K into my QX4 and I'm thinking of buying a new daily driver. For some reason there's isn't any other car that's really speaking to me(besides an untouchable Koenigsegg), but I've never driven one. I've been driving SUV's my whole life and it's time for something fun. I've got a ton of questions and any help is much appreciated.

* How's the reliability? * Are they easy to work on? * What's the difference between the models? * What will get me the best bang for my buck? * How long do they last with good maintenance?* Can you change out the audio system?* What common issues do I need to look out for?* Out of the box are they track ready(besides tires)?* How much different is the stick form the Auto?* Are they a blast to drive?

FYI I'm terrible at stick mainly because I've never owned a manual trans but I think it's a blast. Should I practice with a friend's for test driving purposes? Does anyone is so-cal wanna take me for a ride?

Thanks for the help!

Billy

[orangeNblue]

The 350z is extremely reliable with the proper maintenance. Mine has run perfectly and I have a couple of friends who run their cars hard and still have no problems.

As far as the differences between years...03-05 i would look for a track model or a grand touring bc they will give you the most options for your money. I have an 03 touring and love it. you can look up the differences between the different models of those years

06 is the first year where they put in the newer dash and headlights. The overall look of these cars is way better in my opinion but...

07-08 have a newer HR motor (more hp) and still have all the great look of the 06...plus I heard there were some oil problems with the 06

common issues are transmissions in the older models and oil problems in the newer if I'm not mistaken (I'm sure someone has more knowledge on that)

I would definitely practice driving a manual before trying to learn on a 350z, but it is a blast to drive either way...

make sure to search for more information on the car but they are fun to drive and fix up

hope this helped.....good luck

[dasoupdude]

* How's the reliability? * Are they easy to work on? * What's the difference between the models? * What will get me the best bang for my buck? * How long do they last with good maintenance?* Can you change out the audio system?* What common issues do I need to look out for?* Out of the box are they track ready(besides tires)?* How much different is the stick form the Auto?* Are they a blast to drive?

a) http://www.truedelta.com/car-r..._code=you can use this link to get a thorough insight of the Z's reliability

b) Fairly easy, especially if you invest in a haynes 350z repair manual

c)Follow the steps:

1. Do you want leather?If YES... then your choice is narrowed to the Touring and Grand Touring models.If NO... then your choices are Base, Enthusiast, Performance, or Track.

2. Do you want Brembo brakes?If YES... AND you want leather, then your only choice is the Grand Touring. GOTO step 4If YES... AND you DO NOT want leather, then your only choice is the Track. GOTO step 5If NO... AND you want leather, then you want a Touring GOTO step 4If NO... AND you DO NOT want leather, then you can get a Base, or Enthusiast. GOTO step 3

3. Do you want Cruise Control?If YES... then you want an Enthusiast.If NO... then you want a Base.

d) I would say any model with the vlsd, (i have a base model, its not as fun)

e) n/a

f) yes

g) certain transmission problems, oil consumption issues (03-04,06)

h) meh, more like for autocross

i) Night and day. Auto is claimed to be a tad quicker though in the 1320

j) On a scale of 1-10 i would give it a 7, toss a couple hundred into the car and you can slide that a few notches up.

[BusyBadger]

* How's the reliability? * Are they easy to work on? * What's the difference between the models? * What will get me the best bang for my buck? * How long do they last with good maintenance?* Can you change out the audio system?* What common issues do I need to look out for?* Out of the box are they track ready(besides tires)?* How much different is the stick form the Auto?* Are they a blast to drive?

Reliabilty? I hope I don't screw myself here, but mine's been nothing but good to me. Had a code pop (P0430) just at 79K miles telling me a cat was going bad and Nissan replaced both under warranty (there's an 8 yr/80K federally mandated warranty on cats).

Easy to work on, how? Are you talking just oil filters and spark plugs or something more? Electronics are integrated throughout the car (drive by wire throttle anyone?) so quality modifications and upgrades aren't as simple as putting an air filter and exhaust on a 240SX. I actually printed up the FSM for my 240SX and it's 500 pages or so. I had planned on doing the same the for my Z but decided not to when I the page count hit 1200 or so, and I hadn't even completed the tally for all the sections.

My '05 just rolled over 80K miles and besides the cats I mentioned earlier there's never been a problem with it. Oil and filter change every 5000 miles+/- (Mobil 1 Sythetic - Gold Cap) and following the FSM maintenance chart is all I're ever had to do.

You can change out the audio system, there are a few posts in here with some excellent pics (look for Kuhan's post where he guts his audio components). It might be easier on the models without the factory nav unit as the nav unit is tied into the stereo controls in order to reduce the volume sound volume of the head unit before giving navigation instructions.

Common issues are the power window motors on the '03-'04 models (though that's an easy replacement), the "tire feathering" issue on early ('03 & '04) models though that's been addressed and fixed, and the oil burning issue on some cars that came with the Rev Up engine. 3rd gear grinds are an issue in older '03-'04 models with the way the syncros are setup inthe gearbox.

I can't address track readiness out of the box as I haven't tracked mine. Other can say more than me. I've heard various complaints about the OEM Brembos on the Track, 35th Anniversary (what I have) and the Grand Touring model being underpowered and experiencing fade. I've never experienced it even on some summer runs through the mountains. Some decent street/circuit pads (like Racing Brake's ET700, Endless MX-72's or P.Mu's HC+) and some DOT4 fluid would be a good start, especially if it's going to be street driven. If you pick up a non-Brembo equipped model a big brake setup will be in order for serious track work. Maybe Bubba can pop in here and give some better guidance.

Stick and auto difference? I can't really tell you since I only looked at manual models when I was looking to retire my 240SX from daily driving. Even with the drive by wire throttle you're going to have more control over what the engine is doing with a 6speed manual than you will ever will with an auto, even when you consider the "automanual". And since you mentioned track-ready earlier I'll say you should just go ahead and learn to drive stick and pick up a 6MT and skip the auto altogether.

Blast to drive? Absolutely. There are plenty of faster cars on the road, but I didn't choose the Z just for straight line speed. It's easy to buy upgrades on any number of factory boosted cars (Impreza, Evolution, MazdaSpeed3 even the lowly SRT4) that make them faster than the Z. But the overall package of price (purchase price and costs of ownership), comfort, features, reliability and excitement nothing else I looked at came close to the Z.

Without wanting to limit your choice too much I'd say for a great out of the box daily driver with track capability you should probably be looking for a Z with the HR engine ('07-'08) in either the Track or Grand Touring trim. You can always buy a different trim package and whatnot, I'm just trying to come up with something that you're not going to have to d!ck around with to get what you want.

I drafted this up last night but didn't finish it. I was going to go into the models a little more but Soup sort of did that for me. Speaking of which, Soup, that's a nice decision chart you came up with there...

...I expect my royalty cheque by St Paddy's Day.

[Empty V]

Thanks for all of the info guys, it's extremely helpful. So I just saw a used '07 NISMO edition on a dealer's website with 37K miles for $28K. Can anyone explain the benefits of this model? Is it rare and worth the extra $$$?

j) On a scale of 1-10 i would give it a 7, toss a couple hundred into the car and you can slide that a few notches up.

If you've got a bone stock Grand Touring model what type of mods would you do to make it an 8 or 9?

Thanks again!

[dasoupdude]

If you've got a bone stock Grand Touring model what type of mods would you do to make it an 8 or 9?

Anything you can do to "up" the handling, coilovers, swaybars etc

[Empty V]

Well I test drove and '06 touring yesterday and it was fun fo the brief amount of time I had it out. I wasn't super impressed with the pickup but it handled extremely well. After a little research it seems that the NISMO edition really only has a place on the track due to it's chassis build and suspension, so that's out. I'm wondering how much of a difference there is between the '06 and the 2010 370Z with the added power and 7-speed auto. Has anyone driven both?

Thanks!

Billy

[Retired Chief]

Well I test drove and '06 touring yesterday and it was fun fo the brief amount of time I had it out. I wasn't super impressed with the pickup but it handled extremely well. After a little research it seems that the NISMO edition really only has a place on the track due to it's chassis build and suspension, so that's out. I'm wondering how much of a difference there is between the '06 and the 2010 370Z with the added power and 7-speed auto. Has anyone driven both?

Thanks!

Billy

I had an 08 350Z with a manual transmission. We traded it in for a new 09 370Z with an automatic transmission for my wife to drive. The 08 350Z has a little more power than the 06 because it has the HR motor vice the DE Rev up but I've driven both and personally I couldn't feel any difference. However I could tell a difference in the 370Z even with an automatic transmission. The extra 30HP and the reduced weight is certainly noticeable.

[BusyBadger]

I'm wondering how much of a difference there is between the '06 and the 2010 370Z with the added power and 7-speed auto. Has anyone driven both?

I don't know what your plans are for either Z you might get, but something to think about is the cost of a new(er) 370 vs the cost of a 350 plus cost of mods to make it equal to the 370. There are pros and cons for both choices.

[dasoupdude]

370z sport package, call it a day.

[orangeNblue]

The nismo edition also has cooler seats and interior in my opinion. Plus with that edition you get wheels, exhaust, and a few other additions as well I think...

but if you have the option of a 370z I would go with that. The car is beautiful and drives amazing. Go test drive one and you'll prolly change your mind to the new z

[BusyBadger]

370z sport package, call it a day.

Don't forget the oil cooler.

[Retired Chief]

Don't forget the oil cooler.

Is oil heat still an issue in the 370Z? Does the sport package include a better oil cooler? I thought it was just VLSD, Wheels, tires, brakes and spoilers.

[NSRsheets]

None of the 370Z's have an oil cooler. The soprt package gives you the different wheels and a spoiler. If you get a 370Z you definately want the sport package.

[Empty V]

None of the 370Z's have an oil cooler. The soprt package gives you the different wheels and a spoiler. If you get a 370Z you definately want the sport package.

I definitely would want leather so would it be the touring package plus the sport package? Or are they competing options?

I plan on testing a 370 tomorrow and will report back.

[BusyBadger]

I was talking about an aftermarket cooler, Nismo or otherwise. Did they finally the overheating / limp mode issue?

[Empty V]

None of the 370Z's have an oil cooler. The soprt package gives you the different wheels and a spoiler. If you get a 370Z you definately want the sport package.

Well I just test drove a 370z convertible, it was the only 2010 auto they had in stock. I've changed my mind to the 7-speed auto because I think it'll be just as fun as a 6-speed manual. All I can say is DAYUM! What a difference between the 2010 VQ37VHR and the 2006 VQ35. The paddle shifters responded well and it had some serious pickup. I think I scared the salesman, but only after he asked me "So what do I have to do to put you into this car today?" How cheesy is that? If I decide to get a new car and financially the 370Z works out I'll be stoked.

Thanks for the help guys, it's much appreciated!
Modified by Empty V at 10:38 AM 3/11/2010

[Retired Chief]

Well I just test drove a 370z convertible, it was the only 2010 auto they had in stock. I've changed my mind to the 7-speed auto because I think it'll be just as fun as a 6-speed manual. All I can say is DAYUM! What a difference between the 2010 VQ35HR and the 2006 VQ35. The paddle shifters responded well and it had some serious pickup. I think I scared the salesman, but only after he asked me "So what do I have to do to put you into this car today?" How cheesy is that? If I decide to get a new car and financially the 370Z works out I'll be stoked.

Thanks for the help guys, it's much appreciated!

The 370Z and it's VQ37VHR will do that too ya.

[Empty V]

The 370Z and it's VQ37VHR will do that too ya.

Just fixed it, I didn't know that it was a whole new model engine.

[thomas 1021]

my name is tj and im a salesman at stones river motors in murfreesboro tnwe have a nissan 370z nismo you should def. check out... top of the line of all z cars..

[spitalul2bad]

go for that! I would!

[dasoupdude]

I drove one of the first 370z's at my local dealership, it was the 7at coupe in yellow, That thing is no slouch.

I won't be surprised if the upcoming Z's will sport the twin clutch systems.

..eh and if they do, they better be replacing only the auto.

[Empty V]

my name is tj and im a salesman at stones river motors in murfreesboro tnwe have a nissan 370z nismo you should def. check out... top of the line of all z cars..

I'd love to stop buy and see what you've got on the lot but there's this small thing called 2,173 miles that might get in the way.

[bmike818]

my name is tj and im a salesman at stones river motors in murfreesboro tnwe have a nissan 370z nismo you should def. check out... top of the line of all z cars..

I hope you really own a Z and didn't join the forums just to get a sale

[dasoupdude]

I'd love to stop buy and see what you've got on the lot but there's this small thing called 2,173 miles that might get in the way.

That distance can instantly turn into a speck..for the right price.