The 350z's are really nice. I test drove one when shopping for my 05 s2k. I really loved the v6 (I imagine the HR is even nicer). Nice torque compared to us. The downsides for me (when compared to an s) was the curb weight and interior. I don't know if all the interiors are shabby, but the one I drove was real shitty. Plastic falling off the doors and stuff. I love the 370z though, and would trade up if I had the money

 

Zs are great cars. But in terms of looks I still prefer the S. I don't know if I'd trade my S straight up for an equivalent value Z.....they just don't do it for me. The VQ is a great engine but to redline the gears in an S is just way more exhilarating. Different folks different strokes.

 

I considered getting one before the S, to me the S is 10 times more fun to drive. But the Z was a little faster and had double the low end. Plus they sound orgasmic.

 

Yeah, I definitely think the s2000 is gonna be the more exhilerating drive, I would even venture to say that it'd be more exciting than the 370z (which admittedly I haven't driven yet). I mean, top down, 9K redline, open mountain road, gonna be real hard to beat that.
I also agree I like the overall shape of teh S better, but the value of thte Z is killer.

 

the 07-08 350z looks way better than a 370z. My S was paid off long ago and i've thought of getting rid of my 240sx (sr20det) and getting a 03-04 z33 for a daily. tempting

 

actually those are the worst model, in regards to burning oil. The VQ oil consumption problem is terrible for 05-06 with the VQ35de rev up, we're talking 1-2 quarts per 3000 mile.

A local friend with a 06 g35 6speed (same engine) with 16k miles got 1 quart per 1500 miles and got an engine replacement.

350z summary: iirc

variants:
Base: 03-05 = no hid, no lsd, no traction or stability, 06+ base adds hid
Enthusiast: 03-08, comes with traction control and VLSD
Touring: comes with leather and bose + stability control, and 18's (17's on 03-04)
Track: cloth but comes with forged wheel (18's on 03-06, 18/19 07+), vlsd, traction, stability
grand touring: Touring with track stuff
25 anniversary: track minus forged wheels and special trim, 2005 only VQ35de rev up

03 - 287 hp VQ35DEfeathering tire problem and transmission problems
04 - same as 03 minus feathering
05 - 287 hp for regular models, and 300hp VQ35de rev up for track and 25th aniv, 05 also adds twin pot calipers front
06 - 300hp rev up on all models
07 - VQ35HR, hump on hood, and 18/19 forged rays wheel for track and grand touring
08 - same as 07

 

Hows the oil burning for the HR engines.

 

So what do you recommend?

 

Funny how people deride the Z for having a few problems. The S is not perfect. My only real complaints with the Z are the aesthetics and quality of the interior of the earlier versions. Before I bought my S, we looked at a 2007 Z and thought the interior looked much better but I still hate the orange gauges and ugly steering wheel but think the late model version with the 19" rays wheels looks very nice.

 

I recommend buying a 04 track and skipping 05-06 cuz of the rev up oil burning issue.

07-08 is also nice and they pretty much problem free. All VQ35de engines can burn oil if they weren't broken in properly, i've seen all years burn oil.

But if taken care of and broken in, its basically a bullet proof engine. I have an 03 g35 sedan 5at, at it burns 0 oil, and all i've changed on the car were the shocks and various filters and fluids per the service schedule, it has 53k miles now.