Nissan 370z or 350z
 

Will be buying either a 370z, 350z or 98 eclipse soon. Id prefer to get the Nissan name. Which (obviously opinionated) should i buy, the 350z or 370z? Also which year? What can i expect from this car as far as maintaining it? What should be the first few things i change on it? ex. spoiler....body kit....exhaust..

Really only you and your budget can answer this question. But the the 370 would have to be top priority. The 370 makes the 350 look outdated and the Eclipse would be out of the question IMO.

And as far as to what I'd do first would be wheels and lower that baby.

Seriously?

Problem?

I just think that asking which to buy is the worse question...maybe which trim!

I'd say buy the eclipse!

Cross shopping cards that are 10+ years apart from each other is not a common thing to do when you consider the older one is *less* expensive then the newer ones (vs. looking at a 2009 Z vs say a 2000 911S)

The cars are strikingly different...if you want an older eclipse (presuming GST or GSX here) you are looking for a car that is not modified so that you can modify it. Modified ones are beat to sh!t by now.

Z cars are 2 seat sports cars built to a higher base performance level (with less easy tricks to do as its a NA 6 not a detuned turbo 4).

You likely know all of this already.

So seriously, you expect useful information from other people? :tup:

If you want to F&F it up...the GSX is the right package. You will have to hunt for a clean one but they are certainly out there. If you want the refinement of a 2 seater sports car, find your Z but don't expect the same kind of mod ratio as sub 20K sports coupes. Its a much lower volume car with a higher level of factory tune.

Back in my track/autoX days I drove a few modified Eclipses and they were a hoot but I preferred the NA Honda route (and its effect on my wallet). Given my preferences, I would be looking at an EVO/STI not an Eclipse at this point. Closer in price and more refined then the mid-90's design of the gen 2 DSM hatch.

- b

In my mind, both Nissans are the better buy.
Like it's been said, what is your budget??
Would you be able to finance and/or lease a new 370z?.

Try test-driving the different versions[ coupe, roadster, nismo] of 350 and 370

The 370 is light years ahead of the 350..Just drive the two and even a noobie like me can tell the difference..

Seriously, I was thinking something similar. The 2 Zs are similar but different prices, GSX is like 10+ yrs old. What makes you couldn't decide?

And all these 3 are different prices, what is your budget?

Otherwise, without any concern, 370z for sure. Simply much better and newer car than the other two. :tiphat:

Buy a 2013 and get BOTH!

Like others have said, it really depends on your budget and what your plans are for it. If you are wanting to mod it out and track it often or dont want a somewhat hefty car note I would go for the 350. The 350's are cheap and you will feel much better pushing an older car to its limits rather than a newer car. Parts are more plentiful if something should happen and being that the car has been out for about 10 years it has a much larger aftermarket and cheaper mods (to a certain extent).

A 370 would be a good car to mod as well but if you have a high car note you may not be able to afford the mods. Overall the 370 is a better car all around. The aftermarket is pretty good and you dont see 370's every time you turn your head.

It really depends on what your goals are for the car and how much you are willing to pay. The 350 will be cheaper as far as car and mods go. The 370 is a better car but more expensive. IMO I think a 350 looks a little better. It has a more sleek look. I like the 370 too which is why ill be buying one very shortly (350 was totaled Sunday).

Also keep in mind that the 350 will more than likely have more "wear and tear" due to their age. Which is another reason Ill be getting a 370 rather than a 350.

Find your three options and test drive them. You should end up with your answer. It's way better than asking some random people on the interwebz how to spend your money.

Oh, IBTL. :tiphat:

I agree, taking them all for a test drive should help you determine which car suits your needs/wants. I personally would say go with the 370 if u can afford it. :D

I started my recent journey looking at 350s. I soon discovered the affordable ones were tired and maybe not well cared for, especially the interiors. Then there is some mystery noise in the rack that is common, expensive to fix and sure to return in the fixed rack.... not a deal breaker but would drive me nuts.

I started looking at cleaner newer 350s, I think their interior refreshed was 06. i was dancing around 20k. it wasn't that much more to get into a good used 370 which to me is more car. The ease/cost of money is probably better on the 370 which could be a factor now and WILL be a factor by the time you sell to do something else.

25-30k will buy a lot of cherry 370s

Your budget margin sounds pretty wide. A 98 eclipse GST/GSX in good condition is probably around 5K and a used 370 in good condition is around 25K depending on trim. If you can afford a 370 that would be your best choice IMO. You could pickup a 350, but you'll probably regret it later especially when you know you could have bought a 370.