RE: Nissan 350Z: Spotted
Discussion
CaptainSensib1e said:
A friend had the uprated 313bhp engine and that's definatley the one ot go for if you can stretch to it. Nothing wrong with the original engine, but the uprated one pulls a lot harder.
It was eventually replaced with a Mustang. The first thing my wife said when she drove the Mustang was it feels like a bigger version of your 350Z, which is exactly right. Both big engined old school bruisers and loads of fun.
I very nearly did the same as I really fancy the Mustang but went for an E92 M3 in the end as I need 4 seats. I paid £9300 four years ago for a 57 with the 313 engine with 58k and sold it for £6500 a couple of months ago with 110k. Excellent value depreciation wise and apart from a new exhaust and the banana arms I needed do nothing but routine servicing and consumables. The tailgate struts were going but that is an easy fix I would have done myself if I was keeping it.It was eventually replaced with a Mustang. The first thing my wife said when she drove the Mustang was it feels like a bigger version of your 350Z, which is exactly right. Both big engined old school bruisers and loads of fun.
MDMetal said:
Beautiful cars and really easy to work on. I've had a red GT for about 7 years now and will basically never sell it, it's too fun. Plenty of spares and aftermarket parts and no electronic nonsense that's tricky to replace. What more could you want?
Totally agree. I've had my 2006 car for nine years and never plan to sell. It's been affected by the usual well documented 350Z gremlins (boot struts, lower control arm bushing, scratched interior door handles, etc) but they are all cheap and easy to fix and it has never let me down. I've gradually uprated parts as they fail (Superpro, Bilstein, SM flywheel, etc) and it's probably better than new now. Buy one while they're still (relatively) cheap! They sound great and have plenty of grunt.
JackReacher said:
Paddy78 said:
Swapped my Azure coupe for an old 911 last year.
How does the 996 compare out of interest?Running costs are fairly similar, but mine needed a new engine so has already cost more to fix than I probably ever spent on the 350 in 8 years. I wouldn't swap back though. I loved my 350z, but the 996 just feels a bit more special.
My wife had one for about 5 years. They must have really hardened up the suspension, because the ride quality was awful. For a;; that it still felt heavy and cumbersome, though it did oversteer nicely. Made a nice noise, especially with the stainless steel exhaust we fitted after the original one rotted through, but didn't particularly relish high revs. It was a good car, and my wife loved it, but I never really warmed to it. I preferred the Z4M she replaced it with, and the Elise I had at the same time, and the RX-8 I had before it.
Had mine for just over 3 years and absolutely love it, rare car on the road too with tones of character and a le mans derived seating position.
With the combination of naturally aspirated V6, rwd and a 6 speed manual gearbox being offered less and less from manufacturers, it makes the 350z all the more special. Plus that noise!!! Saw a post on a NSX forum, asking why does the big VQ35 sound so good
https://youtu.be/fphCNpP6RDc
With the combination of naturally aspirated V6, rwd and a 6 speed manual gearbox being offered less and less from manufacturers, it makes the 350z all the more special. Plus that noise!!! Saw a post on a NSX forum, asking why does the big VQ35 sound so good
https://youtu.be/fphCNpP6RDc
Don't think the values are on the rise yet are they. £7000 for an exceptionally low mile example and those with average miles from £3500 upwards seems about the low point they have been at for a while. The falling price of 370z (now sometimes at less than. £10000) will keep 350z prices fair for a while yet I think. One of few jdm sports cars I have never owned not sure why as they have some appeal to them.
I had one of these on my shortlist a while back, but I test drove a different Z and was smitten.
I've had a Z4 Coupe for over 4 years now, but often wonder what would have happened if I had tried a 350Z!
Still, they're both 2 seater Coupes with RWD and an N/A 6 cylinder engine - and similar performance.
We'll never see their like again sadly.
I've had a Z4 Coupe for over 4 years now, but often wonder what would have happened if I had tried a 350Z!
Still, they're both 2 seater Coupes with RWD and an N/A 6 cylinder engine - and similar performance.
We'll never see their like again sadly.
I think it's right to compare the 350z to its rivals at the time, it was the most powerful and fastest car in its class both in a straight line and round a track. Back in 03' - 04' no hatches were into the 5sec bracket 0-60mph.
Even today's standard the nurburgring time of 8mins 26sec is impressive. To add contents, that's just 60sec slower than a Lotus Exige S, Porsche Cayman 987 S, Audi S5 and e92 335i.
Then quicker than a Audi TT S, NSX, S2000, DC5, 986 boxster S, 6sec quicker than a BMW Z4 3.0l coupe so to call a 350z slow is a tiny bit odd imo considering what cars it'll play with even in standard form.
https://fastestlaps.com/tests/7bsi9n88mpue
Even today's standard the nurburgring time of 8mins 26sec is impressive. To add contents, that's just 60sec slower than a Lotus Exige S, Porsche Cayman 987 S, Audi S5 and e92 335i.
Then quicker than a Audi TT S, NSX, S2000, DC5, 986 boxster S, 6sec quicker than a BMW Z4 3.0l coupe so to call a 350z slow is a tiny bit odd imo considering what cars it'll play with even in standard form.
https://fastestlaps.com/tests/7bsi9n88mpue
Edited by davey83 on Tuesday 6th November 20:52
davey83 said:
I think it's right to compare the 350z to its rivals at the time, it was the most powerful and fastest car in its class both in a straight line and round a track. Back in 03' - 04' no hatches were into the 5sec bracket 0-60mph.
I've got an Auto Express DVD where the 350z was up against 12 other sports cars(Noble/Ferrari/Porsche/Z4 etc), and the 350z came out top overall. Its performance per pound was its strong suit and it was rated top overall. The only criticism it got was that it was in a horrible Gold/Orange colour!
cerb4.5lee said:
I've got an Auto Express DVD where the 350z was up against 12 other sports cars(Noble/Ferrari/Porsche/Z4 etc), and the 350z came out top overall. Its performance per pound was its strong suit and it was rated top overall.
The only criticism it got was that it was in a horrible Gold/Orange colour!
Really, I always thought that was one of it's best features in an era of silver/grey/black! The only criticism it got was that it was in a horrible Gold/Orange colour!
Mr Tidy said:
Really, I always thought that was one of it's best features in an era of silver/grey/black!
It certainly stood out that's for sure, I remember the seats were a similar colour too. Maybe it was a homage to the Tango adverts! I personally didn't dislike it but I don't think I'd have gone for that colour, I much prefer the lovely Blue that it comes in.
I enjoyed mine, aside from the VED and fuel costs, which are higher than a lot, but in reality, its a bit extra, just sounds bad in isolation but anything with any performance is £300 plus VED and sub 30 mpg, but I sold it for what I paid for it after two years so no depreciation, well £170 for a stereo (Bose is poo) and £500 on the exhaust, otherwise very little.
They arent as fast as they sound they are going to be, they still move ok though, my M135i is quite a bit more accelerative but doesnt have quite as much personality, the noise they make, especially with a decent exhaust is ace but reminds me of the Shakesperian actors from Blackadder that do a lot do posturing and bellowing but dont actually deliver that much.
Spend a bit more, get a 370Z which has a useful power bump, still not mentally fast but a bit nearer expectation if straight line speed is your thing.
They arent as fast as they sound they are going to be, they still move ok though, my M135i is quite a bit more accelerative but doesnt have quite as much personality, the noise they make, especially with a decent exhaust is ace but reminds me of the Shakesperian actors from Blackadder that do a lot do posturing and bellowing but dont actually deliver that much.
Spend a bit more, get a 370Z which has a useful power bump, still not mentally fast but a bit nearer expectation if straight line speed is your thing.
Absolutely adore mine. Most hot hatches are quicker than it now, it drinks super unleaded for fun and weighs more than a 737.
But it's just a joy to drive. Previous owner fitted a plenum spacer and a big K&N cone filter, I've since added an aftermarket stainless exhaust as the OEM one had fallen apart. It makes a lovely sound for a mediocre engine.
I keep thinking of selling it, but there is nothing 6 cylinder, manual and RWD this side of an M3 or 911 I can replace it with.
Rickyy said:
Absolutely adore mine. Most hot hatches are quicker than it now, it drinks super unleaded for fun and weighs more than a 737.
But it's just a joy to drive. Previous owner fitted a plenum spacer and a big K&N cone filter, I've since added an aftermarket stainless exhaust as the OEM one had fallen apart. It makes a lovely sound for a mediocre engine.
I keep thinking of selling it, but there is nothing 6 cylinder, manual and RWD this side of an M3 or 911 I can replace it with.
I'm in a similar place with my 3.0Si Z4 Coupe on the hot hatch thing, but thankfully it isn't overly thirsty and is a bit lighter.
If I ever get the chance (as in the budget) I'd be after a Z4M Coupe to keep the 6-pot, manual & RWD theme going - plus it has 343 bhp IIRC!
Paddy78 said:
Very similar at cruising speeds. Both reasonably comfortable to drive every day. The 996 interior is better quality, but looks older. As soon as you get the 996 on the move though, the difference in weight and position of said weight is massively noticeable. The 996 feels so nimble, not that the 350 didn't handle well, but >200kg is a considerable difference. The 996 feels quicker (It is on paper as well) and is much nicer to drive in 1st and 2nd, where the 350 - even with a remap, always felt a bit jerky. I prefer the feel of the 350's brakes as the 996 isn't servo assisted, so it feels like you aren't going to stop as quickly... although you do and the reduced weight obviously helps. The 996 needs a decent and loud exhaust as the noise of my Nismo is what I miss the most about the 350. Less boot space in the 996, but you can load the rear seats if needed.
Running costs are fairly similar, but mine needed a new engine so has already cost more to fix than I probably ever spent on the 350 in 8 years. I wouldn't swap back though. I loved my 350z, but the 996 just feels a bit more special.
Great, thanks for the insight! I think that's what is hope a 996 would be, a lighter and more engaging drive, but with higher running costsRunning costs are fairly similar, but mine needed a new engine so has already cost more to fix than I probably ever spent on the 350 in 8 years. I wouldn't swap back though. I loved my 350z, but the 996 just feels a bit more special.
I really miss mine - not the last word in refinement or quality, but my god it put a smile on your face.
The Cayman I replaced it with was better in every single measureable way, but was no way near as enjoyable. I would buy another 350Z in a heartbeat and a good example would be in my Euromillions garage.
The Z4 I have now is similar - too much power for the chassis, easy to provoke the rear and a bit unhinged (its also orange) but is missing the manual gearbox and a lot of the character of the 350Z. I did drive a 370Z before buying the Z4 and it was a bit "meh" - wasn't refined enough to justify the price and wasn't as special as the 350Z where you could forgive its failings.
Paddy78 said:
Very similar at cruising speeds. Both reasonably comfortable to drive every day. The 996 interior is better quality, but looks older. As soon as you get the 996 on the move though, the difference in weight and position of said weight is massively noticeable. The 996 feels so nimble, not that the 350 didn't handle well, but >200kg is a considerable difference. The 996 feels quicker (It is on paper as well) and is much nicer to drive in 1st and 2nd, where the 350 - even with a remap, always felt a bit jerky. I prefer the feel of the 350's brakes as the 996 isn't servo assisted, so it feels like you aren't going to stop as quickly... although you do and the reduced weight obviously helps. The 996 needs a decent and loud exhaust as the noise of my Nismo is what I miss the most about the 350. Less boot space in the 996, but you can load the rear seats if needed.
Running costs are fairly similar, but mine needed a new engine so has already cost more to fix than I probably ever spent on the 350 in 8 years. I wouldn't swap back though. I loved my 350z, but the 996 just feels a bit more special.
...and might need an exhaust fix ? Running costs are fairly similar, but mine needed a new engine so has already cost more to fix than I probably ever spent on the 350 in 8 years. I wouldn't swap back though. I loved my 350z, but the 996 just feels a bit more special.
In terms of getting a V6 GT car (its not a sports car!) its a pretty good shout given the prices, also a good enthusiast following means many have been well maintained and have project builds on forums etc. Don't underestimate big bills though, its not cheap to buy and change a clutch/flywheel for example.
I totally get the lack of punch in the cars performance though, hence why I ended up putting some money into an exhaust, cats and a remap. People will shout that this only gets you +15bhp but thats just the peak level and is by and large irrelevant. What it does do is add a better drive and more power across the rev range making the car much more punchy, there is definitely a noticeable difference.
I have since selling mine back in 2012 tried a number of cars (some of which I would say are more fun) but this was the car that got me into performance car ownership so will always keep an eye out for them.
I totally get the lack of punch in the cars performance though, hence why I ended up putting some money into an exhaust, cats and a remap. People will shout that this only gets you +15bhp but thats just the peak level and is by and large irrelevant. What it does do is add a better drive and more power across the rev range making the car much more punchy, there is definitely a noticeable difference.
I have since selling mine back in 2012 tried a number of cars (some of which I would say are more fun) but this was the car that got me into performance car ownership so will always keep an eye out for them.
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