A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I like what I am seeing and reading about the 350 Z on the web. Are there some upgrades you folks would suggest that are definitely important beyond what comes with the most basic package?
A:
YOu need to read more about the 350z if you like what your are seeing and reading. The 350z as of 05 still had some issues that to some is okay to deal with and for others is a deal breaker. Hopefully for 06 they got it right.
As for mods the only worth while mod is a forced induction kit that costs on average 5k. None of the non turbo mods like intake, exhuast, headers will do much for hp gains and still cost quite a bit of money considering the low yeilds they give. My opinion is if you like the 350z like it for what it offers stock. Don't waste your money on mods and if you absolutly must do it right and go with a turbo or supercharger kit. Of course others will have their own opinions so continue to read on and make up your own mind.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
what were the main weaknesses that showed up in the '05 Z's?
A:
Haven't showed up yet....I have an 05
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
Well..IMHO...If you can find an '05 and want one, get an enthusiast or a performance model. It sounds like you are more into the performance side of the car as opposed to the luxury side, especially if you are looking less than $30,000. The leather seats, heated seats, power seats, Nav system, soft top, all that stuff...just adds weight. THe cloth interior in the '05 models (different than the '03's) is very good cloth. I like it alot. When I first bought mine I considered getting leather installed, but now i am doubting that I will. Also, the engines are EXACTLY the same (except in the '06's, in which the MT has 300 hp and the AT has 287 hp). You will get better performance out of the lower models. The only reason I reccomend the enthusiast is because the base model on the '05's does not have Zenon headlights, and this is a bummer. I got my Enth model for 28,000 after tax, tag, title, and delivery, and the car had 2 miles on the Odometer. I waited till end of model year and got a helluva deal. I suggest you hurry if you want an '05 though, because they are chaning the model for the '06's a little and the '05's are all running out.
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
Since brand new and up to the 05's they had tire cupping issues, grease streaks, tranny grinding. Those are the three main issues you hear about all the time. It seems the 03's and 04's are the main years plagued with these problems while only a few 05's have shown problems. For 06 reports so far state that the front suspension has changed which hopefully means that the tire cupping issue is solved. As for the grease streaks and tranny grinding I'm not to sure on the details for those issues as they haven't been the focus of topic on Z boards.
Aside from that the 350z is underpowered and has virtually no way to gain power via simple mods. Sure the 350z was a pretty good deal when it first came out but now so many other cars in the same price range offer more. Also for 06 the 350z weight has gone up which is a something people are complaining about now. Everyone thought the 350z was heavy when it was 3200lbs but now it's at about 3400lbs. As I mentioned earlier basic bolt on mods cost a lot of money and don't yeild much hp due to the fact Nissan already tried to get as much from this motor as possible. The only way now to get good amounts of hp from the motor is to do internal engine work or go with forced induction. The problem either way is that the fuel system can only support about 300hp roughly, after that the motor starts to run lean which causes damage. Companies that have forced induction kits now offer upgraded fuel systems but of course it's extra money you have to spend. Basicly it's just not a car worth modding UNLESS you could care less about speed and just want to do it becuase you love the car. Nothing wrong with that but just understand it's lack of potential. For the money other cars may suite your taste better.
1977 280z: Intake, exhaust, high flow cat, header, euro damper, cam, MSD, adj. FPR, 3.7 lsd, F+R sway+strut bars, 2580lbs
1984 300zx: intake, exhuast, high flow cat, headers, JWT ECU, F+R sway bars, F strut bar
06 WRX TR
A:
Hey Barry,
I have an '03 touring. Admittedly, I shouldn't have bought a first-year model, but still, owners of later years have still had a lot of problems.
Here is a list of the problems I've had, or still have because they won't occur in front of the dealer.
clutch chatter
uneven tire wear (cupping)
broken cupholder
broken change purse
brake squeal
LOUD whining noise coming from 1 wheel
CD player skips in the cold weather
replacement CD player was just as broken as the one that I had replaced
grease streaks on the windows
Now I also have to say that I absolutely love the car's looks, feel and performance, but these problems have really soured my experience. These have been unreliable cars for a great percentage of Z owners.
Wait for the new Toyota Supra to come out (if it does!).
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guns and guitars, bikinis and fast cars - slide behind the wheel and GO!!
A:
Go oldschool! get an ealier generation Z. same thrill, still a Z. I love my 300ZX, cant see myself driving anything else at the moment.
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1985 300ZX n/a
A:
Yeah, the 300zx turbos are great little cars if you can find a clean one.
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guns and guitars, bikinis and fast cars - slide behind the wheel and GO!!
A:
well as somebody thats been on this board for ages and owns one of the first 350's to be built, problems aside(and ive had most of the common ones) I love my car and I always have. What 280z said about mods for the car are true. the money you need to spend to get NA power is alot, if you're looking for serious power you need to to go forced induction which at the very least will probably cost you around 5K. for around 2k you can get some decent NA power (exhaust, HF cats, intake, plenum/spacer, pulleys) but you arent gonna be running 12 sec 1/4s at the track. But if you want some extra pep and sound for daily driving that'll do just fine. As far as i know from the thousands upon thousands of posts ive read, most of the problems on the 03's and 04's had been fixed for 05, however I would suggest getting an 06 despite the increased weight.
read this thread )if you havent already) from other people that actually own a 350Z
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
Post Edited (Oct 10, 5:48pm)
A:
As far as the modifying goes, the car is plenty capable for nearly any street conditions and probably track conditions as well unless you have racing experience. Switching to higher quality fluids like Redline and Mobil 1 will help. If you feel like you've managed to push the car far enough, get better tires and try again.
19[TT]91
My TT beauty is gone.
2[00]2 Honda 954RR
Suzuki 1200 S; sportscar eater
19[I4]94 Integra GSR Sedan
Long live the Z...
aka SAHTT
A:
I'm glad to see the reasonable directions these replies are taking. I've had my 2005 Performance for about 5,000 miles and have read hundreds of posts on the Internet about the problems I'm supposed to be having. My biggest problem is mastering downshifting the six-speed gearbox (like, from 5th to 4th, instead of 5th to 2nd--OMG!).
The 350Z is as fast as anyone needs to have on the street, it's drop-dead georgeous, and it is no more problem prone than any other performance sports car. We tend to forget the great value that the 350Z offers--I looked at Porsche, Corvette, BMWZ3, etc., and for $15 to 35$ less, the Zee was a GREAT deal. I can replace a lot of tires and fix a lot of transmissions before that value runs dry.
Zeero
2005 Daytona Blue 350Z
A:
I really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply. I really appreciate all the feedback!
A:
My advice is to get one of the many other makes of cars out there that offer much more preformance for the money and much less issues.