stumpmj wrote:
I'll throw my 0.02 in.
I bought an 04 350Z enthusiast new (its actually an 04.5, same updates as the 05 car). I've done about 50 track events in it. Its been dead reliable except for the driver's side window. The brushes wear and then the motor needs to be repalced. Its $120 ish for a rebuilt replacement with a lifetime warranty. I also replaced the shocks with Konis when they wore out.
As a daily driver, it needs nothing. It does have a giant aftermarket if you're into that. I get 20-25 mpg in town and 25-30 mpg on the highway. It seems to get better mileage at higher speeds. My best mileage was getting with a group going 90-100 through rural Illinois. I got 33 mpg on that tank. A/C is a bit weak but I think that my headers radiate heat through the firewall.
As a track car, it needs bigger brakes. The stock, non-Brembo brakes are pathetically small. It also needs swaybars to get rid of understeer. I keep thinking about selling it and gettign something racier (like a shifter kart or a formula ford) but I enjoy driving the car. Next up on the to buy list is a new limited slip (the viscous ones don't hold up on the track).
My drivers side window (G35) motor went out at about 70K too, not that big a deal. AC compressor also went out while under warranty.
I can't believe you could get in ANY track time on the non-brembo's, my weenie calipers & rotors were toast after 2 days. I went whole hog on 4 wheel StopTechs and never looked back - power & feel were great, and worth every penny.
A set of Hotchkiss sway bars was the 2nd best money I spent on that car, highly recommended.
I don't know what magic juice you're running on, I got 21 mpg in 70% highway driving, nowhere near your #'s.
, btw.
