04 350ZR TT or 07 Z
02-26-07 | 06:44 PM
#1
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,128
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From: California
04 350ZR TT or 07 Z
Whats up guys, I am about to pick up a Z. But right when i am about to pull the trigger, my friend is offering to sell me his 04 350Z Roadster with APS TT. His car is well tuned and he is running on a conservative setup, with 390whp. This car is pretty much done inside and out, power and suspensions. The only thing holding me back is how reliable is it, this is his weekend toy, I will be driving it for daily and probably put like 2k miles on it every month. Also I will be taking it to track/autox.
I wanna hear some opinion, so i can make up my mind by the end of this week.
I wanna hear some opinion, so i can make up my mind by the end of this week.
02-26-07 | 07:15 PM
#2
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: MN
You lookin at an 07 conv. or coupe? If coupe, I'd say go 07 as it has the new supposely smoother and higher revving motor. Convertable has a flimsy shell and if suspension is modified, it's not very fun when hitting bumps. Car will feel like it aged really fast. History has shown that Stock Nissan body structures don't hold themselves very well together. Only Honda and Toyotas stay solid and feels new many many years down the road. Go drive a used Nissan/Infiniti with 90-100+ miles and you'll see what I mean. Squeaks and rattles.
As far as reliablility, go test drive the car, check for normal fluid leaks as you would when looking at a used car. If the engine revs smoothly with no roughness and cruises straight and true at 70-85mph, you're good to go. If you're not sure, Go drive another convt. just to get an idea how a normal 350Z convt. should feel. The only thing that should be different is the power/torque, how it's delivered and the noises it makes. Turbo engine should be a bit quieter.
If bottom end of motor is not built, 390whp is already at or near it's max, so if you don't enjoy it at that power level everyday, you should have a nice reliable car for a long time. But if motor should blow, it's cheaper since your friend already has all the other goodies and you only pay for beefing up the bottom end. Good luck!!
As far as reliablility, go test drive the car, check for normal fluid leaks as you would when looking at a used car. If the engine revs smoothly with no roughness and cruises straight and true at 70-85mph, you're good to go. If you're not sure, Go drive another convt. just to get an idea how a normal 350Z convt. should feel. The only thing that should be different is the power/torque, how it's delivered and the noises it makes. Turbo engine should be a bit quieter.
If bottom end of motor is not built, 390whp is already at or near it's max, so if you don't enjoy it at that power level everyday, you should have a nice reliable car for a long time. But if motor should blow, it's cheaper since your friend already has all the other goodies and you only pay for beefing up the bottom end. Good luck!!
02-26-07 | 09:15 PM
#3
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 5
From: CA
You lookin at an 07 conv. or coupe? If coupe, I'd say go 07 as it has the new supposely smoother and higher revving motor. Convertable has a flimsy shell and if suspension is modified, it's not very fun when hitting bumps. Car will feel like it aged really fast. History has shown that Stock Nissan body structures don't hold themselves very well together. Only Honda and Toyotas stay solid and feels new many many years down the road. Go drive a used Nissan/Infiniti with 90-100+ miles and you'll see what I mean. Squeaks and rattles.
As far as reliablility, go test drive the car, check for normal fluid leaks as you would when looking at a used car. If the engine revs smoothly with no roughness and cruises straight and true at 70-85mph, you're good to go. If you're not sure, Go drive another convt. just to get an idea how a normal 350Z convt. should feel. The only thing that should be different is the power/torque, how it's delivered and the noises it makes. Turbo engine should be a bit quieter.
If bottom end of motor is not built, 390whp is already at or near it's max, so if you don't enjoy it at that power level everyday, you should have a nice reliable car for a long time. But if motor should blow, it's cheaper since your friend already has all the other goodies and you only pay for beefing up the bottom end. Good luck!!
As far as reliablility, go test drive the car, check for normal fluid leaks as you would when looking at a used car. If the engine revs smoothly with no roughness and cruises straight and true at 70-85mph, you're good to go. If you're not sure, Go drive another convt. just to get an idea how a normal 350Z convt. should feel. The only thing that should be different is the power/torque, how it's delivered and the noises it makes. Turbo engine should be a bit quieter.
If bottom end of motor is not built, 390whp is already at or near it's max, so if you don't enjoy it at that power level everyday, you should have a nice reliable car for a long time. But if motor should blow, it's cheaper since your friend already has all the other goodies and you only pay for beefing up the bottom end. Good luck!!
Anyway, unless you want someone else's modded car, I'd say get the '07. Check out some Nissan message boards and see what the FI people have to say about 390whp and being daily driven. I honestly am not sure but it seems there are plenty with numbers like that who aren't complaining too much. I think long run the new VQHR will be a better starting point than the previous VQ, however, depending on what supporting mods you friend has it may not make a difference. You'll also have a warrant with an '07 whereas Im sure your friend's is running out soon, if it has not already. If you really want a convertible, and the price is right that you friend is asking, you might pick that up. At least he'll know what maintenance has been done and exactly what has been done to make those 390whp.
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