Was effortless 10+ years ago. It's not expensive to make a 300hp engine. It's that they stopped doing it do to emissons regulations. My first car was a 1JZ soarer with 350hp with basic bolt ons. Paid $5,700 for it. Sold it years ago. They probably go for $25k and up now. Just that the times have changed do to supply and demand sadly.
OMG same hahaha. It was a bronze colour with caramel interior. I've just started my apprenticeship and I promised myself that I'll get one. End up with 350Z,370Z and finally the Z. I was hooked ever since I was playing SNES where the character drives a 300ZX chasing down baddies and shooting from the car.
I sat in one at the Adelaide Motor Show 😂 Agree that it did feel futuristic (and inviting and driver focused). I had a Skyline R33 GTST at the time. Never did get a Z car. Currently own an R33 GTR.
Thanks Guys. I know, on paper, the 370Z is the better developed car. But, the 350Z look has just aged so much better without the manga inspired design cues. A Nismo would be very nice in the garage.......
As a Z enthusiast, I just wanted to add: the most common issues are Door handle failure, dash cupholder failure, bleeder valve. Good mention about the Gallery gasket failure and CSC failure. I would recommend VQ35DE engine owners to be careful pulling the dipstick slowly, otherwise you get a bad reading of oil, most owners ive spoken to check it when warm. These cars are capable for every application, but get massive hate because of how the exhaust sounds when straight piped.
@@samartz I have two 370z both over 210,000km (one is a daily the other is a weekender), they share alot of similar issues with the 350z, such as the CSC failure, galley gaskets and bleeder port failure. But other than that nothing critical to the engine, the steering lock module is an issue but can be fixed for free.
@@Iridiumcosmos Sure DEs have the metal gasket, however the screws start untightening which causes the failure. This can be resolved with the EPS Tuning kit hardware which has more threads
I bought an 06 Track 350Z a couple of years ago. Same colour as previewed car but with the tan interior. It is a fabulous car and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Main problems you need to worry about: Lack of oil changes by previous owner = failed timing chain tensioners (noise at cold start) and gearbox synchros in pre 05 models with the CD008 and older gearbox revisions (shifting into 2nd, 3rd and 5th) If there's no issues with those, the rest is generally pretty cheap to repair, loads of parts out there.
To critique the driving experience, the steering is pretty average (heavy, lack of feel in the steering). Also the clutches have no feel combined with an "on-off" feeling at the bite point, can make it a bit laborous to drive as a daily.
To me the 350z is the perfect middle ground. The chassis has potential to do any kind of motorsport, and can be a reliable, comfortable fun daily given preventative maintenance. It's not full of electronic complexity like today's cars, and it's not full of mechanical complexity like the TT 300zx. I feel like these are now in the same space the S13 and R33 were 10 years ago, parts are affordable and plenty
Love the Z'ds, always have since I was a teenager. When I stopped having to do the daily school run for my daughter and 3 of the neighbours kids 3 years back I was really considering a 370 or a G37/Q60 Infiniti. Prices were a bit silly then and I also thought long and hard that there is my son (who has special needs) and of course his school mates in the same boat. The reality was that even though that most times it's me and my young bloke in the car (he loves the Zed too btw!) often there would be his friends who will probably never drive either (so there would be three in the car) , so I bought what I believe to be the '4 Door Z'..the 2012 Lexus IS 350 ;-). ..and we love it!
Valve covers. If you can't verify they've been changed buy a new set now. You'll need them. And don't get cheap aftermarket ones. Valve covers are essential part of the engine. Don't cheap out With the convertible be sure to check the 'rubber band' straps on the interior of the top. They get stretched out over time and the top won't fold correctly causing it to rub against the frame and tear. Also the main motor (sometimes called the 5th bow motor) which raises and lowers the top can go bad over time and need to be replaced
I Love Redriven, Adam and Jim, you guys are awesome. If you want a 350Z that's more practical, get the Infiniti G35 aka Skyline. It came in 2 and 4 doors with the same engine and tranmission. That's the way I'd go because it even the 2 door has back seats and I have a kid.
I owned one in 2005 and it developed a rod knock at idle at about 100,000km. My local Nissan dealership told me they’re not designed to last beyond 100,000km and refused to fix it under warranty. They even sent engineers up from Melbourne to inspect and said the knock was a characteristic of the vq35 engine. Never owned another Nissan!
Are you the original owner? If not, who knows how hard it was beaten, or lack of maintenance? Good news is that used blocks are cheap to buy and easy to swap.
Badass. I still have my 260z that was my daily in my 20s. Im restoring it now to have another go in it in my 40s and beyond. I miss that car sooo much. It was a blast every time I got in it.
i love the old design, the new one is just as good. Although the only 350s i see are completely rinced out and victims to the backyard modders, and i see way fewer than i used to
Had a 2003 years ago and sold it. I very much regret it. Last year I bought a 2003 Track from a Nissan master mechanic for only $10,000 Canadian LOL. The car is mint. Came with a pricey Nismo stainless exhaust too, sounds sooo good, accentuates that VQ growl w/o being obnoxious. I've since spend another $5k in preventative maintenance (used CD009 tranny, new crank/cam sensors, knock sensor harness, hatch shocks and springs, clutch and heavy single mass flywheel). This car is so fun to drive - IF you know what it is, a cheap, reliable, sporty GT car. In this era where speed cameras and heavy fines exist for any kind of spirited driving, this car makes an awesome and honest DD. Yes, the rear strut tower bar does suck and is 100% the worst design feature.
This is no joke, i watch all your videos, the last 3 cars i have purchased, literally a few days later you guys do a review, the last 3 cars, its bloody freaky guys knock it off 😂
I had one of the first 350z in the USA. It went through two failed manual transmissions (second of which I paid for out of pocket), tire cupping, failed power steering in 8k miles to where I simply sold it and got something else. Turns out 2 of the 3 issues were recalls down the road and I should not have paid for the second transmission. I swore off Nissan for life after than experience.
Have owned three of them! - my first back in its release year of 2003 - a manual Track coupe - loved it for about 4 years then sold it to buy a house . In 2018 I bought a low km manual only yellow anniversary model(2005) - enjoyed that too as a weekend car for a few years before selling for somewhat more than purchase 😊. Missed it so much I bought an obscenely low clicked 2004 automatic (yes sacrilege automatic)350z track in black with an as new orange interior and optional factory rays wheels - love it auto and all . It is truly an amazing car even when compared to my recent/current daily/work cars which have included (Alpine A110 ,mk8 GTI, New defender 90 d250s , Volvo V60 ,VW Arteon, Tesla Model 3) but most weeks I will still choose to take the 350 :). - fab honest review as always - cheers from Brisbane
For some reason the 350Z always riminds me of a shoe in its design for some reason. While this looks like a nice car the risks of buying one over its competitors just doesn't seem worth it. It's definitely a thirsty beast with it's fuel consumption for the engine size which isn't a good thing. Was an enjoyable video to watch guys and still up too your usual quality of work as well. Keep up the good work guys and as always I look forward to next week's videos as per usual 👍.
I have the 2007 Nissan 350GT sedan with the VQ35HR generating 232kw. Being a family man in my 40's its a good practical family car with the same 350z drivetrain threaded through allowing for some good driving pleasure.
Get a good one of these and they are magic. There is a heap of mods (really good stuff) available from the USA but the postage is stupid. Only to be expected from the land of the 2 weeks for a vacation each year. The land of paradoxes.
It was my dream car when it came out and I loved driving it on Gran Turismo, now that it's so affordable it's kinda tempting to get one or maybe a newer 370Z
I'd personally go for something with four doors. Something like the Infiniti G35, Lexus IS350 (preferably the GS350 as it offers more interior space) or BMW 335i sedan. Something that serves two purposes, a commuter car during the week and a fun car during the weekends. BTW, I'm surprised that no competitor from Mercedes was mentioned. W203 C320/C350 or the equivalent CLK coupes.
The coupe is nice but I have the convertible and I think that if you haven’t driven one you are missing out. Also mine has only done 60000 kms. Most hardtops are flogged out and past it. I would steer past the hardtops.
the mechanic should have been more specific. the gallery gasket leak happens with the latest model 07-08 the oil consumption issue happens most on the 04-05 (often considered the worst of all the models) ect ect do specific research on the specific model and engine.
I thinking of buying this for my first car, I don't want anything serious or super new, but I was told by some friends I should get this. Automatic is the way to go for me, but is this a good first car? I wont be driving a lot and to far places, max ill travel is maybe 30 miles. Mainly to be used to go and get from school, practice, errands, and weekends. Ill like to hear some opinions from some owners. What should I look out for when purchasing a used? Average cost for maintenance a year? How does it hold on gas?
I'm in the UK and was deciding between a 350Z or an E86 BMW 3.0 si coupe, The BMW won! Greater rust resistance in our UK climate and a more fuel efficient N52 straight six engine, Liked and subbed 👍
Mine starting Eating Oil when it only had 2k Miles on it!!! when it was new basically! Never again! Also didn’t like how easy the dash would scratch up around the heater control areas
Wanted a 2nd gen mr2 as my first car. But would be too old to figure out whats going on with it if something arises, so im getting a 350z next month as my first. Beautiful car.
I absolutely love s chassis cars aswell as 32/3 and 4 skylines but have just never found the 350/70z or even the new one appealing for some reason!! They just seem a bit girly as do the maxima looking "skylines" of the same era. Old z cars are stylish though the mcm one with an rb26 is amazing!
Having owned and driven both, for the same money you’ll get a GT350 (which is basically the same car underneath) but is a little more practical in terms of boot space and back seat. Watch out for the cam shaft sensors going bad - it’s a real cheap part, but costs a lot in labour to pull the engine apart.
@@user-ej1yx4rw3y Ok.. I was responding to the guy who said it costs a lot in labour to pull the engine apart when all the sensors are reachable without removing anything
These vehicles, in my country, aren't worth much considering what they are irrespective of condition or age. They range from AUS$10 000 (clarification: early model, manual with 160k kms) to AUS$25 000 (clarification: This is a factory stock, manual car with 50k kms).
If the car is properly taken care of then yes. Sometimes you can get lucky and find low mileage examples for a reasonably affordable price. I recently purchased a 2008 350z Grand Touring (Fully Optioned) with 16k miles for 17k USD. It still had the original tires on them! You'll find that dealers have significant mark ups on theirs, buying from a private seller is where you find the deals. Needless to say, I daily it and it's great. Just be diligent in your search for one, nothing better than knowing that your car was taken care of before you.
future classic. in the same vein as the first audi TT.. bmw z8, lc 500 not much change from concept and proto to production yeah well design cars.. too bad about mods.
We purchased an auto high mileage 370z for $14000 5 years ago for the wife. Excellent car and held up very well. Only issue we had was a split at a coolent Y pipe (replaced with metal one for $25). And some degradation of the steering wheel and door seals. Solid car as a comfy daily cruiser if you only need two seats. But they arent no where near fun as something like a MX5 or Boxster/Cayman. Rear storage is a highlight tho. I fit my massive inflatable kayak in there.
i have a similar infiniti qx70 with 3.7 vq engine. no support for infiniiti here in sydney, where can I buy true brembo pads, i installed bendix and they make loud noice all the time.
Too bad you can't find one in the US anymore that hasn't been slammed and completely clapped by some fuggboi. I was considering one, but it was far easier to find a mint low mileage Mustang GT. Shame though- I remember how fun the manual HR was to drive.
All of the Australian delivered ones had LSDs, we only got the track and touring packages which are higher specs. The USA got the base model trim which is the only one without a factory LSD. The factory LSD is crap though
It was stupidly overpriced Nissan Australia when launched in Oz. It was never intended to compete with cars in a similar price point by Nissan and was pitched much lower down the market in the USA. It was meant to be more like the FT86/BRZ which followed a decade later.
