[3FIFTYZ]

Hey Guys, I have just registered today. Is this one of the primary Australian 350z forums?

Anyways after many months of looking for a 2002 S2000 with no luck in Adelaide i have decided i also want a Track 350z.
So which ever one i find available in South Australia 1st for around high $40gs to very low $50gs 1st, i will buy it.

Any tips or advice anybody recommend or would like to share before or to look out for when buying a Track 350z? Im sure many of you have considered the s2k too while before buying the 350z
(other cars i have considered are - BMW M3 E36, Mini Cooper S, Golf R32...all NA cars)

Thanks in advance.

ps if anyone knows anyone that is selling a Track 350z or a 2002 S2k around my price range in South Australia only, please PM me.

 

[davidm]

Is this one of the primary Australian 350z forums?

Yep, this is where all the Aussies hang out.

Im sure many of you have considered the s2k too while before buying the 350z

I've had both and you can't go wrong with either ... each has some pros and cons.

ps.
Not sure if we have anyone here who bought a 2nd hand 350Z ... though, from what I see, they are pretty reliable and there should not be any serious problems with the car.

On the other hand with the S2000 make sure that the gearbox does not have a grind (in particular on a quick 1st-to-2nd change), and that the clutch has no serious buzz ... Honda was fixing that under warranty. Besides that just make sure that the S2000 had the oil changed every 5000km as the engine needs to have good maintanance for piece of mind.

 

[ky350]

3FIFTYZ - lucky you - get to choose between 2 sweet cars.

If you have not already done so, you should drive both cars back to back, so that you may appreciate the differences between the two vehicles.

You would then notice that the Z has lots of torque at low revs and can be driven lazily in heavy traffic with minimal gear changing (assuming you're looking to buy a manual model). For example, I can accelerate in traffic from a standstill in 2nd gear on a flat road. Although I don't do this often, it is great leaving the gearbox in 2nd gear when travelling at 10km/h in bumper to bumber traffic (do you get much of that in Adelaide?).
In contrast, you really need to get the revs up in the S2000 to get descent torque (not my personal experience, just what I have read and DavidM can probably confirm). So in traffic, you will be working the gear lever more in the S2000.

Also, I personally don't like to have to wring out the gears to get good performance and you don't need to do that in the Z, due to the good torque and low gearing.

The Z is by no means a practical car, and I'm not sure how it compares to the S2000 - probably similar, but you're obviously prepared to sacrafice practicality if you're looking at these 2 cars.

Finally, I'm not that keen on convertibles and that why I have a coupe. But if a convertible is your thing, then the S2000 might be just the car for you as I doubt that you whould be able to pick up a Z Roadster for sub $50K.

Again - go to the dealerships and test drive both cars. You'll probably find that you will like one car over the other, so you can then just wait for that 2nd hand version to come along at the right price rather than just buying either car, whichever comes first.

 

[coatsie]

A possible place tp source your new car is www.carsales.com.au where, on last visiting, there were 62,000 cars listed for sale, including 21 350Z by private sellers. You can customise your search area to within X number of kilometres from your home to save wasting a lot of time.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Both very good cars.

cheers
coatsie

 

[mickyboy]

Both great cars! I have had my car for 2.5 mths now but researched for about 6 mths before I purchased. I looked at 2nd hand but picked up a brand new car for mid-high 50's.
The zed has such a torquey motor, reminds me of a small v8, yet it still has pretty good pull up top (though not to 9000rpm like the s2k)

It looks & feels like a very masculine car. I wouldn't swap mine for quids.
I am already planning to purchase my next one (maybe 2nd hand or accident damaged to pop some twin turbos in!)
Good luck with your choice..

 

[DJ777]

Two best coups under 100K. Maybe Audi TT quatro would be there as well.

I never owned S2K but have know fell who did and i have driven it few times. So here is my little personal Head to Head

Apearance:

Both will get you some looks. Z is much more wider and looks tougher, while S2K is very sleak.

4.5/5 for both cars.

Engine:

Z.350- This is a Muscle car, lot of horses lot of Torque pure brute. But very refined brute. The engine is Renoults multi award wining concept.
The high torgue will allow for less gear changes in trafic as you can drive and accelarate from 20-80Kmh in 4th... thogh you should not do it often.

S2k. E very complicated piece of honda engineering. But its also very "honda" reliable. Les much less torque then Z, less power but Higher Revs, you'll find your self driving 7500+ RPM. Its is more fuel efficient that Z.

4/5 for both cars.

Transmision:

Z350, 6 speed very precise box. Can be bit rough until car settles in. But very good sports box.

S2K. 5-Speed good gearbox.

4.5/5 Z

4/5 S2k

Handling

honda is more nimble around track, but Z has to balance out more wheight and power. Z has exelent wheight distribution solution, that they copied of Porchse 944. Balanced car that will eat cornes well but give you enoguh power to pull out at faster speed.

both cars 4/5.

Breaks.
Honda has better breaks only when compared to Touring, if you choose Brembo option or Track model woth brembo standard the situation changes.

3.5/ Z touring

4/5 S2K and Brembo Z

Value for money.

This is where Z pulls away. You can pickup Z Touring for 57000$ (with negotiation) brembo braks +2500-3000. So lets say 60K. S2K i belive will set you back atleas 15-20K more. So no comparison.

And i my personal oppinion I would never NEVER buy USED sports car. you can bet that it was driven hard. So thats why choose Z insted of used S2K or used TT Quatro.

Note: Nissan customer care is Rubish, i dont know about hondas towards used car buyer, but it can not be worse.
Also a TIP, if you buy Z, dont let them Scam you in to buying any "Rustproofing, Undercoating or Interiour/Paint protection" thats stuf is Aftermarket and not Nissan supplied. And DONT givem your credit card At all.

 

[zuffy]

If you are buying a used car get it to a good mechanic (someone who works of sports cars) for a thorough lookover. It needs to be jacked up and everything has to be inspected.

The engine isn't going to be a problem. I'd say the key points are, gearbox and possible accidents.

I think a car driven hard and well serviced is exactly what you want to buy. People who drive the Zed like an excel seem to get all the oil consumption problems... just read the US forums!

 

[davidm]

S2K. 5-Speed good gearbox. 4.5/5 Z 4/5 S2k

Not sure if that is a typo, but S2000 has a 6-speed gearbox. Also I'm surprised that you rate the 350Z gear-box higher ... I have not come across a gearbox that is better than the one in S2000. Possibly the best gearbox in any car in the world.

Though, the 350Z's gearbox is tougher (and hence probably more durable).

Handling
...Z has excelent wheight distribution solution, that they copied of Porchse 944. Balanced car that will eat cornes well but give you enoguh power to pull out at faster speed.

S2000 has definatelly a better weight distribution than the 350Z. 350Z has a little bit too much weight over the front wheels ... I certainly would not call it 'excellent weight distribution'. It's acceptable, but not great. Ideally you want most of the weight to be located between the front and rear axle ... 350Z has some of it over the front one. This is some of the cause for the 350Z's understeer tendencies as well as for it's (relative) lack of agility. ie. a 1450kg Ferrari would be a lot more nimble and agile that 350Z.

Also, for a sports-car, the 'optimal' balance is a slight rear-bias ... Boxster is widely regarded as the car with the best weight-distribution as that all the weight is well and trully between the 2 axes and it has a slight rear bias (53% rear). That gves you nimbleness, great power-down, as well as the best braking.

Still, the 350Z has a more 'secure' handing, while the S2000 is a lot more 'alive' and hence needs more driver involvment. Also because of it the S2000 is more likely to spin or loose control.

S2K i belive will set you back atleas 15-20K more. So no comparison.

New S2000 can be picked up for about $72k drive-away. So the difference is more like $10 -15k depending on which 350Z you're getting.

 

[DJ777]

It is a typo, and i ment to rate S2K gbox higher than Zs. Other than that, and the price like i said i have no buying experience with S2K, i just drove it few times. So other then this i stand by my opinion, to me personaly Z sits in corners better, i found S2K to understeer a bit. Maybe Z suits my style of driving more.

In any case, i would not trade in my Z for S2K, which is by all means a very very Fine Car.

 

[Nuff]

I got my car second hand with 8000km on it, i think the most important thing to check is the gearbox, mostly make sure that the 1-2-3 gears are silky smooth and not nochy. Also if you are going to get one go for a Track. Also you might want get a wheel alignment straight away after you get it and set the front toe in to 0mm, It helps with the tire feathering.

Also check if any of the suspension arms are bent, some one might have hit a curb really hard and bent them, I'm speaking from expirience here as I've done it myself

Good luck in finding your car.

 

[zuffy]

:stupid:

:lol:

 

[davidm]

So other then this i stand by my opinion, to me personaly Z sits in corners better, i found S2K to understeer a bit.

np, I'm just surprised. In particluar with you finding understeer on the S2000. I had hard time finding it on the track ... it really took a wet skid-pan and some unreasonable entry-speeds to get understeer.

On the other hand it was pretty easy to find the limits of the front tyres on the 350Z ... that was one of the early things thast I complained about the car ... well maybe 2nd. 1st was the engine (as it was not 'sporty' enough for my liking).

Maybe Z suits my style of driving more.

I'd say that the Zed would suit most peope more as it is a more 'secure' handling car. The S2000 is a lot more 'lively' around the limit.

 

[DJ777]

That S2K is "Hands on " car is a fact i agree, its extreamly lively. Maybe the reason i found S2K to understeer a bit is that at the time i Was driving All wheel drive Liberty B4 to which i was used to. Also i have not yet had Z track experience, as im still breaking my car in... Maybe I'll think different after a sesion on easter creek.

 

[3FIFTYZ]

Thanks for your input guys, keep them coming.

I will go for a test drive sometime during the next couple of weeks, even if i find one a little bit better than the other, i still have to wait a long time for find one for sale or available. Thats why which ever one comes 1st ill decide.
Since im not paying for this car, im not allowed to buy one from interstate, so i cant really complain. I wish i could have one of each lol

Ill update on the test drives when i have a chance.

 

[3FIFTYZ]

Just wondering how much fuel consumption does the 350z take?

I was looking at a 350z at a 2nd hand NISSAN dealer and he said 11L/100km and the car has 209kw :headshake: when i know its 206kw.

I did an insurance quote for a 03 Track 350z at RAA and it was only $540 compare to the 02 S2000 for $1125, under my dads name. With an excess of $750 because im under 25.
So now im leaning towards a Z, unless the fuel consumption puts me off.

 

[davidm]

Just wondering how much fuel consumption does the 350z take?

The tank is over 70L in size. And the fuel consumption depends on how you drive ... though it will always be higher than in the S2000. My average in the 350Z is at around 13.5L/100km and that is mostly city driving. On the other hand on the track it returns more like 30L/100km.

ps. My average in the S2000 was more like 12.5L/100km (mostly city driving).

NISSAN dealer and he said 11L/100km and the car has 209kw when i know its 206kw.

Well when I was looking at the 350Z I remember one sales guy at a Nissan dealership trying to convince me that the 350Z has an adjustable redline and it can be set at 9000rpm if you want. Lot of those guys don't know much ... not just about their product, but cars in general.

 

[Nuff]

Like David has said, it'll depend on how you drive it, if you floor it all the time it'll use a lot of fuel. If you are gentle with the throatle and you are willing to change the gears before 2000rpm it'll use surprisingly very little.

In the city I get anywhere from 9L/100km to 15L/100km. 350z will use a lot of fuel if you have to go through a lot of stop-start city traffic, for example around the Sydney CBD it usually hovers around 15L/100km if the traffic is really slow (rush hour traffic) to around 13L/100km if the traffic is quiet free flowing and I step on it few times, if you change gears often and early and use the throtle as little as possible you might get it even better.

As another example my travel from my home to work which is a mix of congested traffic with lots of frequent stops and quiet few free flowing mottor ways I can get in around 9 to 11L/100km.

On the other hand if you are cruising on a motor way without any stopping I get in between 7.5-8.6L/100km, if you are willing to let your car roll down hill in nutral you might be able to get it even better.

I got my best fuel economy after changing to a 5w-30 oil and a free flowing oil filter(which is quiet expensive), I got 6L/100km at 80km/h.

 

[mickyboy]

I normally get 600-650 km per tank (11-11.5 km per litre) mainly city driving including motorway.
All motorway driving is around 8.5-9 km per litre.

This is surprisingly good for such high output motor.
But remember premium fuel 98 rated only!

 

[ky350]

I think the fuel economy of the Z is great. I do just about all city driving, which includes Southern Cross Drive which is an 80 zone, but very congested in peak hour and average 9km/L which is 11L/100km. I'm very happy with that.
As a comparison, my LS400 gets 14.4L/100km and its only a 4L motor and I drive it much more subtley than the Z.
If you really want great fuel economy, buy a Toyota Prius (approx 4L/100km!!!!)

 

[Perth 350z]

Considering none of us purchased the car with fuel economy in mind I think we're all happy with the returns we get. I'm about the same as mickeyboy @ 11l/100km overall