Hello. Thanks for taking the time to look at this to try and help me out. I'm looking into getting a Z for early spring (March). I've been reading into them a good amount as I have other cars I've been researching on to decide what to get. I was thinking the roadster at first but after looking at pictures of both I'm kinda leaning towards the coupe since I really don't like the ZR with the top up at all. It looks a lot like a new mr2 like that which I'm not a huge fan of. I was planning on doing a targa top in the coupe anyways so my feel of "open air" should be no problem after that! :biggrin:
Anyways, to the topic at hand. I believe the Z's came out in 2003 if I'm not mistaken (possibly 02, but I didn't research the years too much). I'd like to know the differences in the 03, 04, and 05 models. Anything you can possibly think of. Body wise, engine wise, tranny wise, interior, brakes, wheels, suspension, you get the idea! Heh. I did a search on the forums but couldn't come up with anything so I decided just to post my own topic about it.
Also this is a little off topic but how well built/strong/reliable are the Z's engine and drivetrain/axles/etc.? I did some research and came across that the VQ35DE motor ranked in in the "Top 10 Motors" from car and driver I believe it was. Also they ranked in #10 or #11 in "Top 110 Cars" or something of that nature from Motor Trend. I love the look and style they have. I havn't driven one yet but I will be in early March after I do all my research about them and a few other vehicles.
I plan on doing a full motor buildup, twin turbo, all the fuel/cooling/air/engine management/everything all done up right by a professional. Upgraded LSD, drivetrain, etc. I wont be doing this for 3+ years but those are my mods for power anyways. There's a lot more in detail but I'm sure you get the idea. It will be my daily driver for the most part just being used in spring/summer/early fall. I baby every car that I have owned and this one will be babied just the same way. I will run it on low boost for my daily driving and I doubt I'll take it to the track more than like once/twice per year if that.
I want it to be a street monster though for when it needs to be. Put it into high boost and smoke away the V8's that pull up or the turbo'd civic's that pull up as well. No crazy hard launching or auto-x'ing or anything of that nature. I am just extra cautious and want it to be there when I need it. Or for when I'm on the highway and wanna romp on it a big and slam myself into the back of the seat, it will be there for those big grin tons of fun! Heh. I will be doing all sorts of interior/wheels/brakes/body stuff but that's not my biggest thing as that doesn't effect reliability of the car acutally moving.
Here are the main question's and feel free to put your own experiences and whatnot in as well.:
---The Year/Model differences. - And as to what I should go with, 03/04/05?
---Engine reliability stock and with FI? (after all the mods I plan on doing to it)? - I know this is a hard one to tackle but I tried to explain the way I drive, very rational and I baby everything, and honestly - hardly any clutch dumps - mainly just roll on's against people 99% of the time.
---Are there any tranny upgrades that can be done? - Synchromesh/dogcut/etc? Quaife? Kaaz? Etc?
---Are there any axle/drivetrain upgrades that can be done?
---How well do the stock tranny/axle/drivetrain hold up depending on the driving/conditions?
---What type of basic maitnance does FI need on this car? I'll be bringing it to a qualified "no joke" mechanic/tuner to do the maitnance but I'd just like to know off hand.
Anything else you can think of related to what I'm trying to figure out would be appreciated as well.
I've been leaning a lot towards the 350Z because of it's awesome looks, great v6 motor, very good price for what it is, 2 door, rear wheel drive, 2 seater, and 6 speed configuration. I was also looking at the S2000 but am shying away from them hearing a lot of problems when it comes to doing FI on them, even if you don't daily drive the thing and with a crazy full motor buildup I've heard of lots of bad things happening to them. Which is why I am leaning towards a 6 cyl. since they have a lot more potential and can usually handle more HP/Torque.
I was looking into the 240sx 1995+ years and doing the SR20DET swap or finding one w/ the swap done up and building the **** up out of that. I like that it's 2 doors, 2 seater (when rear seat is removed for stereo install), rear wheel drive, manual tranny setup, and a very well built car. But I like the fact that the Z is a lot newer, it's got all the bells and whistles, and I think looks a lot better IMO. So any more input on this or other cars I might like that have the stuff I'm sure you know what I'm looking for now would be helpful too.
Thanks everyone who has looked at this and is trying to help me out and answering questions. I know I do end up posting a HUGE post, especially since it's my first post too. I hope nobody gets pissed about it! I tried to space it up as best as I could. Thank you! I'm in the Albany, NY area too BTW.
Anyways, to the topic at hand. I believe the Z's came out in 2003 if I'm not mistaken (possibly 02, but I didn't research the years too much). I'd like to know the differences in the 03, 04, and 05 models. Anything you can possibly think of. Body wise, engine wise, tranny wise, interior, brakes, wheels, suspension, you get the idea! Heh. I did a search on the forums but couldn't come up with anything so I decided just to post my own topic about it.
Also this is a little off topic but how well built/strong/reliable are the Z's engine and drivetrain/axles/etc.? I did some research and came across that the VQ35DE motor ranked in in the "Top 10 Motors" from car and driver I believe it was. Also they ranked in #10 or #11 in "Top 110 Cars" or something of that nature from Motor Trend. I love the look and style they have. I havn't driven one yet but I will be in early March after I do all my research about them and a few other vehicles.
I plan on doing a full motor buildup, twin turbo, all the fuel/cooling/air/engine management/everything all done up right by a professional. Upgraded LSD, drivetrain, etc. I wont be doing this for 3+ years but those are my mods for power anyways. There's a lot more in detail but I'm sure you get the idea. It will be my daily driver for the most part just being used in spring/summer/early fall. I baby every car that I have owned and this one will be babied just the same way. I will run it on low boost for my daily driving and I doubt I'll take it to the track more than like once/twice per year if that.
I want it to be a street monster though for when it needs to be. Put it into high boost and smoke away the V8's that pull up or the turbo'd civic's that pull up as well. No crazy hard launching or auto-x'ing or anything of that nature. I am just extra cautious and want it to be there when I need it. Or for when I'm on the highway and wanna romp on it a big and slam myself into the back of the seat, it will be there for those big grin tons of fun! Heh. I will be doing all sorts of interior/wheels/brakes/body stuff but that's not my biggest thing as that doesn't effect reliability of the car acutally moving.
Here are the main question's and feel free to put your own experiences and whatnot in as well.:
---The Year/Model differences. - And as to what I should go with, 03/04/05?
---Engine reliability stock and with FI? (after all the mods I plan on doing to it)? - I know this is a hard one to tackle but I tried to explain the way I drive, very rational and I baby everything, and honestly - hardly any clutch dumps - mainly just roll on's against people 99% of the time.
---Are there any tranny upgrades that can be done? - Synchromesh/dogcut/etc? Quaife? Kaaz? Etc?
---Are there any axle/drivetrain upgrades that can be done?
---How well do the stock tranny/axle/drivetrain hold up depending on the driving/conditions?
---What type of basic maitnance does FI need on this car? I'll be bringing it to a qualified "no joke" mechanic/tuner to do the maitnance but I'd just like to know off hand.
Anything else you can think of related to what I'm trying to figure out would be appreciated as well.
I've been leaning a lot towards the 350Z because of it's awesome looks, great v6 motor, very good price for what it is, 2 door, rear wheel drive, 2 seater, and 6 speed configuration. I was also looking at the S2000 but am shying away from them hearing a lot of problems when it comes to doing FI on them, even if you don't daily drive the thing and with a crazy full motor buildup I've heard of lots of bad things happening to them. Which is why I am leaning towards a 6 cyl. since they have a lot more potential and can usually handle more HP/Torque.
I was looking into the 240sx 1995+ years and doing the SR20DET swap or finding one w/ the swap done up and building the **** up out of that. I like that it's 2 doors, 2 seater (when rear seat is removed for stereo install), rear wheel drive, manual tranny setup, and a very well built car. But I like the fact that the Z is a lot newer, it's got all the bells and whistles, and I think looks a lot better IMO. So any more input on this or other cars I might like that have the stuff I'm sure you know what I'm looking for now would be helpful too.
Thanks everyone who has looked at this and is trying to help me out and answering questions. I know I do end up posting a HUGE post, especially since it's my first post too. I hope nobody gets pissed about it! I tried to space it up as best as I could. Thank you! I'm in the Albany, NY area too BTW.
