350Z any good?
Discussion
..so my MX-5 may be on its way before too long, courtesy of the usual "rust" issues...thinking of a replacement, I would quite like something Japanese and RWD, as those are two of the best things about the reliable MX-5....the 350Z popped into my head as a more mature and powerful replacement..
what are they like to own? Any common pitfalls to look for?
what are they like to own? Any common pitfalls to look for?
I had a 2004 '54 plate for a little while and didn't think it was very good.
Common things to look out for:
- clicking rear axle, should be fixed under warranty by now
- skipping Bose stereo (on the GT model, not sure about the other), quite common and, again, usually replaced under warranty
- boot not staying open (struts failing).
They're not that fast (although might feel it after an MX-5) and are power limited in the first 3 gears, presumably to make them a little safer and to make the top 3 gears seem more potent. They really need a better exhaust to sound good (I fitted a noisy Blitz exhaust, y-pipe and 100-cell high-flow cats to mine - probably £2k with labour and very loud but then sounded great).
They're also quite heavy and not that wieldy; you'll miss that after the Mazda. I've not tried one, but have you thought about a Boxster?
Common things to look out for:
- clicking rear axle, should be fixed under warranty by now
- skipping Bose stereo (on the GT model, not sure about the other), quite common and, again, usually replaced under warranty
- boot not staying open (struts failing).
They're not that fast (although might feel it after an MX-5) and are power limited in the first 3 gears, presumably to make them a little safer and to make the top 3 gears seem more potent. They really need a better exhaust to sound good (I fitted a noisy Blitz exhaust, y-pipe and 100-cell high-flow cats to mine - probably £2k with labour and very loud but then sounded great).
They're also quite heavy and not that wieldy; you'll miss that after the Mazda. I've not tried one, but have you thought about a Boxster?
I really liked my 2007 350Z but the tax irked me somewhat, that and 20mpg. 
It's a big old lump after the MX-5 though - try a couple. The comfort and power may sway you, or it may not.
S2000 is a good shout, though I've never owned one.
Have you considered GT86/BRZ? Simple, great handling and fun.
It's a big old lump after the MX-5 though - try a couple. The comfort and power may sway you, or it may not.
S2000 is a good shout, though I've never owned one.
Have you considered GT86/BRZ? Simple, great handling and fun.
I've owned both. I loved the MX5 but absolutely adore the 350Z. The Z is a brute compared with the MX5 but for me it shares the same values. It is an old fashioned no nonsense driver's car. The main difference is the fact that where the MX5 feels slick and smooth the Nissan feels heavy and chunky. But don't be put off, when the Z gets up to speed everything weights up perfectly and when the traction control is turned off it's plenty powerful enough to grab your attention. In the rain it's positively hilarious how sideways you can go!
Jaska said:
Considered an S2000? More powerful than the MX-5, RWD, certainly reliable! And the same sort of age range.
Probably if you wanted to buy one you'd have to do it right now though, before prices go up for summer...
Yes absolutely, the S2000 is on my radar, what puts me off is simply the fact that prices have risen a lot already (The 350Z, year for year, is much better value IMO) and the reputation for snappy wet weather handling, compared to my friendly in the wet MX-5. I do adore the S2000 however.Probably if you wanted to buy one you'd have to do it right now though, before prices go up for summer...
Another poster mentioned Boxster, yes I would love one, but the potential IMS etc issues terrify me!
I bought one back in 2005, a GT. It was a fabulous car, really good on and off track. We did a few big Euro trips, the longest being to Barca in it. It was faultless. A few niggles but otherwise brilliant. Such a comfy car too with the GT seats, however, the leather from factory had a sheen (I prefer flat matt leather) and you would slide out of the seat unless wearing jeans = not so comfy in a suit but easily remedied. They may not seem potent to many with the (paltry) 270bhp - I say paltry, its not, they are very quick and have a lovely punchy amount of torque. I've always had torquey cars and this didn't disappoint (put it into perspective I currently have 470ft/lb and 1450kg car) so I can tell you, its a good engine.
I did test drive a GT4 version (think it was GT4 its a long time ago) and it revved a lot lot better so felt more spikey, worth bearing in mind but even the original engine was great. I loved the exhaust note, found aftermarket systems too raspy.
I've also had an s2000, it is impossible to compare the two. The s2000 has the most sublime gearbox I've ever driven, it has an intoxicating engine BUT the vtec only kicks in once you are breaking the speed limit. I loved the car, loved the engine, loved the open sky motoring, even drove that to the south of France but it was a chore in comparison to the 350z. The engine has zero torque so if you enjoy constantly changing gear to make progress its great. I loved it, would have one again as I would the 350 (though probably a 370 for a change). New tax rules coming in soon mean its only going to be 140 a year to tax regardless of year (or something like that).
The s2000 handled great too but the 350z was much the better of the two, much more predictable but much heavier. If I had to go for one over the other, it would be a 350z convertible preferably with the upgraded engine.
I did test drive a GT4 version (think it was GT4 its a long time ago) and it revved a lot lot better so felt more spikey, worth bearing in mind but even the original engine was great. I loved the exhaust note, found aftermarket systems too raspy.
I've also had an s2000, it is impossible to compare the two. The s2000 has the most sublime gearbox I've ever driven, it has an intoxicating engine BUT the vtec only kicks in once you are breaking the speed limit. I loved the car, loved the engine, loved the open sky motoring, even drove that to the south of France but it was a chore in comparison to the 350z. The engine has zero torque so if you enjoy constantly changing gear to make progress its great. I loved it, would have one again as I would the 350 (though probably a 370 for a change). New tax rules coming in soon mean its only going to be 140 a year to tax regardless of year (or something like that).
The s2000 handled great too but the 350z was much the better of the two, much more predictable but much heavier. If I had to go for one over the other, it would be a 350z convertible preferably with the upgraded engine.
Have you looked at the buyer's guide on here? I had a read before I bought mine last year and I must say I cannot fault it. Sure Nissan could have used some better quality interior materials but they spent the money where it counts. It reminds me of a modern muscle car.
I've had MR2s previously but after writing off the first one (hit a BBQ on a dual carriage way, long story) and blowing the engine on my last one, which I still have as a track car with a new engine, I decided I needed something more modern and reliable as a daily. It's not as tight and direct as an MR2 due to the increased weight but I love the power delivery and how easy and forgiving it is to drive – I’m fairly convinced this is the best ‘out of the box’ drift car you can buy.
http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guid...
I've had MR2s previously but after writing off the first one (hit a BBQ on a dual carriage way, long story) and blowing the engine on my last one, which I still have as a track car with a new engine, I decided I needed something more modern and reliable as a daily. It's not as tight and direct as an MR2 due to the increased weight but I love the power delivery and how easy and forgiving it is to drive – I’m fairly convinced this is the best ‘out of the box’ drift car you can buy.
http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guid...
I'm on my second 350z - I had a '04 and now have a '05. Really enjoying it. My observations which I posted on here before:
3 different engined models - VQ35DE (276bhp), VQ35DE Rev-up 2006 (296bph) and VQ35HR 2007+ (313bhp). From reading online, the 296 rev-up can suffer pretty bad oil consumption.
Facelift - bigger front Xexon lights and rear LED Lights. Some subtle tweaks on the interior such as placement of the hazard warning light button.
Clutch - not uncommon to replace before the 60k miles mark. Budget £900-£1200 to replace including labour (and including DMF) Also to note, on the HR model, the clutch slave cylinder is inside the transmission casing therefore it's an expensive job if it goes. The slave sits outside on the DE models.
Suspension banana arms bushes usually go. The bushing can be replaced cheaply (50 or 60 quid) but if the ball joint is worn the whole arm needs to be replaced. £200-£250 for the oem part.
Exhaust - sounds wonderful. Keep an eye on the where the midpipe joins the backbox, this has a tendancy to corrode but it can be welded for about 60 quid. Breaks or cracks in the Y-Pipe. About 200 - 250 for a non-oem replacement.
Gearbox- pretty solid. Vibrating gearstick is normal.
Bose stereo - loose connection in the back of the CD player can cause the passenger speaker to become intermittent. Common issue.
Driveshaft - can suffer from clicking noise. Needs some re-greasing. Not an uncommon issue.
Airbag light flashing - usually a loose connector underneath the driver or passenger side. Can be reset using the key in the ignition. If the airbag light stays on it's probably another fault that will need investigating.
It's a great all-rounder and a great car for the money. I've been out on plenty of hoons with my mates: E46 M3 SMG, Boxster S, Skyline GTS-T and it has no real problem keeping up with them on twisties.
3 different engined models - VQ35DE (276bhp), VQ35DE Rev-up 2006 (296bph) and VQ35HR 2007+ (313bhp). From reading online, the 296 rev-up can suffer pretty bad oil consumption.
Facelift - bigger front Xexon lights and rear LED Lights. Some subtle tweaks on the interior such as placement of the hazard warning light button.
Clutch - not uncommon to replace before the 60k miles mark. Budget £900-£1200 to replace including labour (and including DMF) Also to note, on the HR model, the clutch slave cylinder is inside the transmission casing therefore it's an expensive job if it goes. The slave sits outside on the DE models.
Suspension banana arms bushes usually go. The bushing can be replaced cheaply (50 or 60 quid) but if the ball joint is worn the whole arm needs to be replaced. £200-£250 for the oem part.
Exhaust - sounds wonderful. Keep an eye on the where the midpipe joins the backbox, this has a tendancy to corrode but it can be welded for about 60 quid. Breaks or cracks in the Y-Pipe. About 200 - 250 for a non-oem replacement.
Gearbox- pretty solid. Vibrating gearstick is normal.
Bose stereo - loose connection in the back of the CD player can cause the passenger speaker to become intermittent. Common issue.
Driveshaft - can suffer from clicking noise. Needs some re-greasing. Not an uncommon issue.
Airbag light flashing - usually a loose connector underneath the driver or passenger side. Can be reset using the key in the ignition. If the airbag light stays on it's probably another fault that will need investigating.
It's a great all-rounder and a great car for the money. I've been out on plenty of hoons with my mates: E46 M3 SMG, Boxster S, Skyline GTS-T and it has no real problem keeping up with them on twisties.
Great feedback...I am drawn to Japanese cars on account of their general reliability and robustness and strangely the three on my short list are the S2000, RX-8 and 350Z. These are three absolutely different cars, but each share the virtue of being RWD, Japanese and just that bit individual as you cant really get anything else like them in their class!
The only thing putting me off the 350Z is the weight. I generally prefer "chuckable" cars, but the 350Z appeals a lot as a sort of poorish mans M3....I would love an E46 M3, but am sure the running costs would be a fair bit higher than a 350Z. The RX-8 would cost a packet in fuel, but they are so cheap to start with that its not an issue when the car in question is a toy, doing 3-4,000 miles a year....
One further question, does the earlier 276 BHP car use a lot of oil? I may just go and try one of those, it has the cheaper VED after all!
The only thing putting me off the 350Z is the weight. I generally prefer "chuckable" cars, but the 350Z appeals a lot as a sort of poorish mans M3....I would love an E46 M3, but am sure the running costs would be a fair bit higher than a 350Z. The RX-8 would cost a packet in fuel, but they are so cheap to start with that its not an issue when the car in question is a toy, doing 3-4,000 miles a year....
One further question, does the earlier 276 BHP car use a lot of oil? I may just go and try one of those, it has the cheaper VED after all!
Back in the days it was launched in Italy I had the lucky chance to have one for 10 days in a row and I liked it a lot. It was red and with 280ps, it was the unique engine available at the time. The engine was not nearly as good as the 3.3 in the E46 M3 but it delivered serious punch well across the rev range, on my favorite hill roads it rarely felt that it lacked firepower and it engaged through the bends.
I was tempted to buy one in the following years but another shorter test in a 301ps variant disappointed me a bit and then I managed to buy a 2nd hand 997 and forgot about it. When the 370z was launched I test drove one, it is not a bad car and certainly packs some lovable upgrades but in the meantime the game moved on and the performances are not eye catching anymore.
Anyway I would take any 350z over any MX-5 any day of the week. I am among the one that doesn't understand all the love for the MX-5. I am a fan of the formula less power and less weight but I just prefer something much more engaging and thrilling like my beloved Elise.
I was tempted to buy one in the following years but another shorter test in a 301ps variant disappointed me a bit and then I managed to buy a 2nd hand 997 and forgot about it. When the 370z was launched I test drove one, it is not a bad car and certainly packs some lovable upgrades but in the meantime the game moved on and the performances are not eye catching anymore.
Anyway I would take any 350z over any MX-5 any day of the week. I am among the one that doesn't understand all the love for the MX-5. I am a fan of the formula less power and less weight but I just prefer something much more engaging and thrilling like my beloved Elise.
Interesting comments....I think the MX-5 is loved because no other roadster is as easy to live with 365 days a year. Funny you mention your Elise, as I drove one when they came out and have always hankered after one, but I just don't think they are as usable all year round. The MX-5 isn't quick, but is a friendly car to chuck about even when its pouring with rain. My memory of my day with the mk1 Elise, is that it was a bit "edgy" in wet weather conditions. Also the roof leaked, badly! My MX-5 has leaked only twice this terrible winter, both times in very strong winds and rain which would test any soft top and even then it was just a few drops getting in...
However, the MX-5 does have its limitations. I have a mk2 and when you are really pushing on, there's too much pitch and dive and roll and its also not very quick really, which I guess is another reason why I am wondering about moving it on rather than spending money getting it sorted...
Unfortunately the 350Z I had my eye on locally has now sold, so I cant go and test drive it...poo !!
However, the MX-5 does have its limitations. I have a mk2 and when you are really pushing on, there's too much pitch and dive and roll and its also not very quick really, which I guess is another reason why I am wondering about moving it on rather than spending money getting it sorted...
Unfortunately the 350Z I had my eye on locally has now sold, so I cant go and test drive it...poo !!
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