Samoht

Welcome! I had two S13s in the past, then moved onto a 350Z HR. I do think the VQ engine would be very nice in an S14, I like your plan. Do you know how you're going to get the electrical wiring all working? Good luck !

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/the-best-performance-coupes-to-buy-in-2020/43491 "Less expensive than all-out supercars while still more energetic than a true grand tourer, the sports coupe has remained a richly desirable thing. We run through the best out there right now, for Shed money and for six figures. There's still a coupe out there for all!" And in the up to £10k bracket, their choice is the 350Z Always nice to see the Z being appreciated, and does no harm to values to have it associated with the figure £10k in peoples' minds ;-)

Makes sense, the 2007-08 boom and financial crash hit especially hard over there I understand. The tax goes on the date of first registration, so this, like every 350Z first registered from 23rd March 2006, will pay the top rate of tax. AFAIK the 296hp RevUp cars ran from April 2006 to May 2007, so all (?) RevUps pay the higher rate except the GT4 special editions from 2005 - I assume this is a RevUp so no different from the others in those terms. If it was an Apr 07 car it might have only sat for a year.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/used-cars/used-car-buying-guide-nissan-350z Extremely positive write-up for the 350Z, adding "it might not be long before casual enthusiasts are priced out of the market for it". Also says £10.5k is 'justified' for a good low-mileage HR. When the 350Z originally came out the journos really rated it, then in the interim it seems to have suffered a bit in reputation, so it's nice to see those same publications coming back now just to re-iterate how good they are :-)

The 370Z has had a very good run really. And even now, I wouldn't really call it an ending. More of a gap between one act of a play and the next, as behind the curtain the stage-hands shuffle the scenery around just in time for the curtain to rise on the next act of the epic story The replacement is still expected to be on the same platform, so in a way it's a development of the 370Z, not throwing away and starting afresh.

When I was looking I saw a car for sale with 25mm spacers all round, and it looked great. So that's what I would do personally. Think I saw that car for sale when I was looking, was definitely tempting.

Welcome. Don't forget that it's perfectly fine to drive to an open space, my Z has been enjoying the quiet roads when going out for walks

Wow, what a story! That's really bad luck to have a bearing go, and then the endless saga of trusting people who say they can help, but actually can't. Nice work getting the car running properly finally. You know what they say, if you want a job done properly, do it yourself. Anyone who needs engine work near Doncaster should drop you a line to find out who not to call, I think ;-) Hope everything goes smoothly with the car in future.

I've written up a slightly fuller version of the above 370Z version guide over here as suggested :-)

I've taken these from the below-linked Nissan UK Press Releases Range Launch - July 2009 (deliveries) 370Z 18” wheels GT Pack + 19” Forged Rays, heated leather seats, 6CD Bose, cruise control, rev matching GT Ultimate + Persimmon suede, sat-nav Revised Suspension - April 2011 (announced) Euro-tuned dampers (by NTCE at Cranfield UK) More noise insulation Rear view camera gains Satnav TPMS Minor facelift - Oct 2012 (deliveries) New bumpers & DRLs Instrument binnacle gets black background New Meguma Red and Midnight Blue colour options New 19” wheels & base Coupe gets same 18” as Roadster Red brake calipers Believed to mark introduction of revised oil gallery gasket fixing the low warm idle oil pressure problem. Revised Suspension - Sep 2014 (on sale) Revised spring and damper rates More noise insulation New ‘Spinal’ seats (shell construction) Gunmetal 18” wheels Minor facelift - Aug 2018 (on sale) Exedy clutch (lighter pedal) Revised lights Black door handles, rear bumper New 19” wheels New metallic red colour option Original PRs: Here are all the official announcements about the 370Z with specs etc, what changed at each facelift: 2009: Initial launch of the 370Z with three grades of standard, GT Pack and GT Ultimate https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-13995-new-nissan-370z-pricing-and-grades 2009: Roadster released https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-14078-all-new-2010-nissan-370z-roadster-adds-open-air 2009: 370Z Yellow edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-14193-latest-370z-puts-other-coupes-in-the-shade 2010: 370Z Black edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-14460-370z-back-to-black 2011: European specific suspension changes https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-79276-nissan-370z-model-year-2011 2011: GT Edition special edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-80647-nissan-370z-gt-edition-a-celebration 2012: Minor facelift (believed to be when the engine oil gallery gasket was upgraded) https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-96048-revised-370z-range-delivers-even-greater-value-style-and-entertainment-to-driving-enthusiasts 2014: New seats, revised suspension again, more sound insulation (at the bottom) https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-125052-nissan-turns-up-the-excitement-with-fully-updated-370z-nismo 2017: Minor facelift, Exedy clutch https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-426201032-new-updates-keep-nissan-370z-fresh-for-my18 2019: 50th Anniversary special edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-3224a3bf335e58101aa8e401d5020712-nissan-celebrates-50-years-of-the-z-car-with-2020-370z

Yeah, you'd appear to be wise to look for a 2012-onwards car as it has the euro-tuned suspension and the fixed oil gallery gasket. As has been said, worth keeping an eye on the for-sale section here, quite often it seems that well cared-for cars with some of the mods you are looking for appear and sell relatively cheaply. Plus you may be able to search forum history to get a bit of an idea about the car. Here are all the official announcements about the 370Z with specs etc, what changed at each facelift: 2009: Initial launch of the 370Z with three grades of standard, GT Pack and GT Ultimate https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-13995-new-nissan-370z-pricing-and-grades 2009: Roadster released https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-14078-all-new-2010-nissan-370z-roadster-adds-open-air 2009: 370Z Yellow edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-14193-latest-370z-puts-other-coupes-in-the-shade 2010: 370Z Black edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-14460-370z-back-to-black 2011: European specific suspension changes (apparently for all models not only GT Edition) https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-79276-nissan-370z-model-year-2011 2011: GT Edition special edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-80647-nissan-370z-gt-edition-a-celebration 2012: Minor facelift (believed to be when the engine oil gallery gasket was upgraded) https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-96048-revised-370z-range-delivers-even-greater-value-style-and-entertainment-to-driving-enthusiasts 2014: New seats, revised suspension again, more sound insulation (at the bottom) https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-125052-nissan-turns-up-the-excitement-with-fully-updated-370z-nismo 2017: Minor facelift, Exedy clutch https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-426201032-new-updates-keep-nissan-370z-fresh-for-my18 2019: 50th Anniversary special edition https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/release-3224a3bf335e58101aa8e401d5020712-nissan-celebrates-50-years-of-the-z-car-with-2020-370z

I can't see that link, can you try posting the URL again?

Welcome! I'm not an expert on the 370, but in terms of factory spec, there's the base model with cloth seats (which is the one you linked), there's the GT spec which has leather seats and cruise control (unsure if it also has a stereo upgrade on the 370), there's the "GT Edition" which got Europe-specific suspension revisions, then there's the Nismo which is more money and a bit more power. The car you linked is on cheap tyres - if buying I'd budget to replace with MPS4 or similar - and is the base spec as noted, otherwise looks decent.

Thought you might like to know that Harry 'Lord' Metcalfe did a video talking about what the 'Best value modern classics' are, and among other recommended cars he tipped the 350Z as good value, very reliable, and a car that was much-enjoyed at Evo and by everyone else who's owned one. (link above should go to that part of the vid, however the whole thing is well worth a watch IMHO, as are almost all his videos :-) )

I would suggest you read about Mark Riccioni's experiences with "Terrible Disappointing Insufferable Tuning" before going somewhere with those initials... http://www.speedhunters.com/2020/04/project-thirty-four-lifting-head-gt-r-ownership/

Yes, generally all 350Zs are pretty reliable; there's nothing like Boxster IMS/RMS/Bore-scoring or M3 rod bearings to worry about. However, with a near 20-year-old performance car there's plenty to check, not least rust, and you should budget for a few things being needed on your new purchase. The oil consumption issues seemed more with the 2006-07 'RevUp' engines than the earlier DEs, so in your age range it's probably not a big deal. While looking at the bottom of the market be aware that you may see early imports, however these missed out on the European chassis tuning that was done here in the UK, and is generally considered to be a good thing for our roads. Also insurance is likely to be a fair bit more on a stock car - although that difference probably disappears if you modify the UK car a bit. If looking for a weekend toy you might want to find a car with intake and/or exhaust mods, won't make much difference to the performance but most people enjoy the sound. Quite a few such cars come up for sale here.

FYI, the Nissan UK press release with the 2007 HR model changes is copied here and 2006 Revup here Autotrader has the most cars, I found mine there. I think if you want a car with a few mods, the for sale section here is probably best; standard cars seem to be most on AT, but check Pistonheads, Gumtree also. It's worth being aware that cars registered after 23rd March pay the higher rate of road tax, £580 as opposed to £330 annually. I decided the HR was worth that, but if you don't get an HR then IMHO you may as well buy a car on the lower tax rate, as nearly all DEs are. As far as I could discover doing my research, the 350Z - all versions - are about the most reliable sports car out there; so while I'm not going to promise you perfect reliability, I do think if reliability is your concern then you are looking at the right car. As an older car it'll likely need a few things - brake discs, clutch, etc - from time to time, but you'd be very unlucky to suffer major failures or expenses. Do check for rust before buying.

Was on my way home westbound along the Balsham Rd, stopped at the give-way coming into Fulbourn and saw a grey 350Z Roadster coming the other way, I gave a thumbs up from my dark blue coupe and he waved back

Nice one! As far as I know the axle click was a problem on earlier cars, not really on the HRs, so it may be something else.

Check the tyres. With 308 bhp hitting the rear axle, you really want rubber that has good tread depth AND is new (check the year markings on the sidewalls) AND is a premium brand (MPS4s are most popular but any top-name brand is good) AND is the same on all four corners. Or you can be like me, and drive your new HR back happily and then next day discover aged ditchfinders all round, and promptly shell out £500+ for proper tyres. Also ideally check the _inside face_ of the brake discs for rust, not just what you can see thro' the wheels. Another nice bill there if you need new discs and pads. Check the wheelarches carefully for rust. An HPI check is probably worthwhile on such a car. Presumably you're aware of the annual road tax cost on the HRs. Overall though, I got my HR six months ago and despite having some bills early on, I'm pretty happy with her, definitely recommend buying one and your stance of having some money in reserve to get it up to scratch is exactly the right approach I think.

If it's past 14 days since you drove through there, then you're safe, they can't prosecute if they don't notify you within 14 days. (assuming your address is up to date with the DVLA)

I bought my HR for £7.5k in Oct, and looking on AT now I reckon that'd be a bare minimum to hope to get a good car, with a bit of patience & haggling. There are a lot of rusty, stone-chipped, dented Zs around, plus low warm idle oil pressure issue on the HR, so you don't want to end up with a ropey one. Overall I think the DE is the sensible value-for-money choice, the HR is a chunk more to buy and tax so you're paying 30% more for perhaps a 10% better car? For £6.5k you really should have your pick of the DEs I reckon, just find one first registered before 23rd March 2006 for the lower tax. If you find a GT4 special edition in budget then that would be ideal https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003037953394 but they're rare and often carry a high price. Personally I ruled out the regular RevUps as you're paying the same high tax as the HR without getting all the benefits. In terms of mileage, they're fairly mechanically robust I think, the interior can get scratched up but not a huge problem. Higher mileage is ok, just check the condition inside, outside and underneath as best you can and buy on that.

Wow, I love that last pic especially, your friend looks super-kakkoii and his S15 too ! I'm really happy to see that the scene is still going in Japan and still welcoming to people from overseas. Yeah I should've hung onto my Silvia, sold it for 5,000 yen when I left Japan back in '04!! What kind of power are those two S15s running? 300hp? more? What are you looking at for your Z33? I've been recommended the following by a friend who autocrossed them successfully in the states: * Better Brakes, Oil cooler, maybe diff cooler * Wider & square wheel/tyres, stiffer front ARB, proper LSD, aftermarket arms for more camber on the front, possibly stiffer springs. - obviously that's focused on cornering rather than power or styling. I haven't got around to tuning my own car yet so no personal experience. Actually I work in AV development here in Cambridge might send you a PM sometime on the topic.

Is it possible it was registered in the Republic of Ireland for a period? Otherwise perhaps back then there was a 'transfer' to NI resulting in those notes and the new NI plate being put on. FWIW my 350Z was sold new in NI, I bought it there and brought it back, still on an NI plate. It doesn't have that note on the V5, just 'declared new at first registration'. But that's different from yours that was bought in England and shipped to NI.

Nice Fairlady! White looks good on them I think. I lived a couple of hours north of you, in Hida-Kamioka, back in 2003/4. I got a Silvia Q's (145hp SR20DE) and had an absolute blast, but a Z33 is definitely a step or two up ! I remember sitting in the local Nissan garage, waiting for them to replace my knackered bouncy coilovers with stock parts, flicking through a Z33 brochure when they'd just come out and thinking 'maybe one day' :-) I found the local hashiriya very friendly to an English guy with a shared interest, you can read a bit more here https://drivetribe.com/p/meeting-the-hashiriya-bJ5Sf6a0TPuKbW-mamKZLA?iid=Lf-NR1zCSNyclpMyMufMDw so if you have a chance to introduce yourself to any locals with nice cars, I recommend it! Also there are some nice touge up in Hida, probably closed by snow until April tho'. I also made a pilgrimage to Mt Akina (Haruna) in Gunma, the setting of Initial D, although that's only for otaku like me really I was teaching English on the JET scheme, was a lot of fun once I found my feet.