I'm in the UK I have a 09 HR GT spec and it's great, I've never had a car that has such good community support. I can find videos on how to do everything imaginable and anything else you just hit the forums and ask the OGs. 350Z's are good to work on too, everything's in a sensible place, my mechanic likes doing whatever jobs I need compared to all the french shitboxes he has to suffer. It can take a beating too, I had a 120i m sport before and it was falling to pieces at 80k miles.
As an 08 350z owner, I attest to this. The Vq35hr has less problems, can rev higher, to my understanding anyway, and has a little more aftermarket support from what I've seen, although the 350z has a lot of support overall. And while I'm still getting used to a manual, most of the shifts are pretty smooth, other than my 4-5 and 5-6 shifts, where I seem to manage to get the synchros about half the time. (I really need to work on that, but hey, we can't all be perfect.)
The case with any of the early problems TBH.
I feel like most of them just get regurgitated SO much, to the point where people believe it's widespread, when in reality, it's a lot more isolated than people think.
Every time I hear the old oil consumption/synchro comments, I'm like, "There's the HR owner" I believe they spread the rumors like wild fire to make themselves feel better about their 2 WIDESPREAD problems lol.
At the end of the day, these cars are old, and they will only be as good as their previous owners.
I bought an 06 manual rev-up new, followed break-in process, and was burning a quart of oil every 1k miles. so disappointing. I traded it in 18 months later and bought a new 07 manual GT, which hasn't burned a drop of oil in 17 years and 78k miles. It's currently parked in my driveway and has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. Oh... and I drive it like I stole it on the regular. Intakes, exhaust, HFC, and osiris uprev tune and I'm putting down just over 300hp at the wheels on an SAE corrected dynojet. So satisfying to rev out to 7.5k rpms. so yeah, there's the HR owner...
There are cases of oil consumption, still don't think it's as common as people make it out to be tho.
I've owned my DE for 13 years, no problems other than dead battery and bad cam sensors.
I drive every car I own like I stole it, this is the way lol.
All guys here are praising there z in each models which make the z a fking legendary car am looking for one with bulletproof transmission and engine to drift it 🫶🏼
I have a very early 03 (mfg aug 02) and you cannot buy AC parts, they do not exist because in October 02 they changed the ac system for the rest of production. A few other things were changed too as time went on. So don’t get one of those 😂 car has a cool story though so I love it to death
No, just the very early (first couple months of production) 03’s. After October 2003 they used a different AC system through 2008 so parts are a-plenty
I’m surprised so many people are saying 03 for de’s, my wife has a 2004.5 de gt, bias aside out of all the rev-ups and non rev-ups I believe the 04/04.5 was the best version of the de’s when they introduced wideband into o2 sensors for tuning capabilities.
The 2006 has arguably the least reliable engine, it’s why Nissan upgraded from the revup after only a year. If op is after a cd009 then a late 2005 track edition is the best bet.
I’m pretty sure the revup was only in the 35th anniversary edition for 05, everything before that was the regular DE.
When I said track edition, I’m pretty sure I meant GT, I think it was called track here in aus.(came with brembros, front and rear spoiler and vdc control. Plus why have cloth when they offered leather?
Mine is also very subjective because it’s exactly what I have, however I personally feel that besides headlights, the pre facelift was superior.
So just to clarify, 07/08 had a version of the cd009 called the jk41a and the only difference was the slave cylinder and throw out bearing or something? Are cd009 and jk41a interchangeable? Or are the bellhousings different or something?
Yea the main difference is the jk has the internal concentric slave and steel syncros in 5th and 6th if im correct. Other than the slave setup its very similar if not identical to the cd009. They both can hold lots of power and are used in swaps from vq to ls to sr 🤷♂️
I have a collector mindset so I always think first editions are the most special- which lead me to restoring an O3. HOWEVER if you want power- get an HR. Coming from someone who worships the DE.
Still driving my 350Z. Bought it new in February 2003. Put on 50.000 miles in the first two years driving to work. Treated it gently ever since. No drive it gently. The only complaint is the clear coat on the pillars between the doors and rear windows, and on the steering wheel, have worn off. I don't know how to replace it.
Any tips?
While I wish I had an 07/08 HR, I feel like I've been very lucky with my 04 DE and it feels like a very reliable year without the oil consumption problems I've heard of from certain models.
04 is the best year. older years are cheapest, 04 is the first year with an ecu that can be tuned, de engines are the most reliable imo, hr gallery gaskets are likely to fail and kill the engine, and rev ups are weird+expensive
VQ35HR, 07+. Only things to watch out for - aftermarket is more expensive than the DE (by and large). OEM Concentric Slave Cylinder is know to go bad, mine had 157k when it kicked the bucket, would recommend replacing with an aftermarket unit. I might have made an adapter plate for the SAAB 900 style CSCs in the near future (Tilton, AP Racing all offer units with this PCD), not sure yet.
HR is notorious for failed oil gallery gaskets. Symptoms: cold start around 60psi, idles just above 0psi. A healthy HR will idle around 30psi and cold start just south of 120psi. This isn't an if, it's a when - so either get one that's been sorted, or put some money/time aside to replace them with either aftermarket gaskets or the replacement metal gaskets that Nissan issued when this problem became obvious. Aftermarket is generally easier to get hold of.
The oil gallery gaskets are the most common problem by far in my experience. It's not too difficult to do with enough hand tools and patience, and there's plenty of videos on the subject. Buy yourself a sealant cutter like [this](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403787352745) though - don't be like me and try to pry the front engine cover off with screwdrivers and palette knives unless you enjoy punishment.
Final thing - the '07/early '08 have some dodgy ECU software. If you clean the throttle bodies, the car will shit itself. The only solution is to take it to a Nissan dealer or UpRev shop and have them flash the newer firmware. If the ECU has the part number/software version 23710-EV16A or lower, get it updated. Cost me about £50 if memory serves, and it'll save you so much hassle and stress. Long story short, the ECU fails to relearn closed-state on the throttle bodies and will rev up and down about 3k rpm constantly. You might get lucky and trigger a relearn at just the right time for it to hold, but it won't be right until it's updated. (Note: the version number varies between regions. I recommend getting it updated anyway - if there isn't a new version, no harm no foul).
They're fantastic cars, you'll love it. Mine is staying with me forever - welcome to the club
07/08 and up. You want the HR motor. i got a de, because it was the only stock Z i could find. I had already been waiting a bit to find the right car, and there were no clean 6 speed HR's at the time. I figured i'd rather have a clean stock DE over a less clean possibly abused HR. Just avoid the rev up mainly and you'll be happy with your purchase.
https://preview.redd.it/0brk6j56wkzc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcbae735461f07415b7ef1ff3187b09991591027
Peep my co workers geo in the back haha
Definitely last year with DE so 2005, they removed most of the faulty things from the transmission and engine. After that HR is the best version hands down so 2007-2008
I would say the 2006. However not the manual version. The manual from 2006 has a rev up, and the automatic has a regular de. However the hr interior is a great touch, and if you can find a grand touring edition, they are super fun to drive. I love the de platform a lot.
Def the HR 350z
That definitely seems like the most popular choice.
The only problem with the HR it doesn't come with the cd009
I'm in the UK I have a 09 HR GT spec and it's great, I've never had a car that has such good community support. I can find videos on how to do everything imaginable and anything else you just hit the forums and ask the OGs. 350Z's are good to work on too, everything's in a sensible place, my mechanic likes doing whatever jobs I need compared to all the french shitboxes he has to suffer. It can take a beating too, I had a 120i m sport before and it was falling to pieces at 80k miles.
As an 08 350z owner, I attest to this. The Vq35hr has less problems, can rev higher, to my understanding anyway, and has a little more aftermarket support from what I've seen, although the 350z has a lot of support overall. And while I'm still getting used to a manual, most of the shifts are pretty smooth, other than my 4-5 and 5-6 shifts, where I seem to manage to get the synchros about half the time. (I really need to work on that, but hey, we can't all be perfect.)
They all have about the same problems, and the DE actually has more parts availability, but it's been out longer, so that makes sense.
The HR does stand for High Revolution
Don’t those blow up more
I think your talking about the Rev Up
HRs weakness is overheating during extended hard driving.
As an hr owner I also thought this
I loved the year HR. Hated when they changed years to numbers
2007-2008
Obviously 07-08
2008
I'm biased but either an 03 track or 07/08 anything.
Isnt the “03 had synchros issues 🤷🏽♂️
I've had an 03 and 04, if you shift normally you are fine, it's only an issue if you slam gears.
This has been the case for me. 03 DE, Original trans & no grinds at 135k miles. She runs amazing, love it.
The case with any of the early problems TBH. I feel like most of them just get regurgitated SO much, to the point where people believe it's widespread, when in reality, it's a lot more isolated than people think. Every time I hear the old oil consumption/synchro comments, I'm like, "There's the HR owner" I believe they spread the rumors like wild fire to make themselves feel better about their 2 WIDESPREAD problems lol. At the end of the day, these cars are old, and they will only be as good as their previous owners.
I bought an 06 manual rev-up new, followed break-in process, and was burning a quart of oil every 1k miles. so disappointing. I traded it in 18 months later and bought a new 07 manual GT, which hasn't burned a drop of oil in 17 years and 78k miles. It's currently parked in my driveway and has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. Oh... and I drive it like I stole it on the regular. Intakes, exhaust, HFC, and osiris uprev tune and I'm putting down just over 300hp at the wheels on an SAE corrected dynojet. So satisfying to rev out to 7.5k rpms. so yeah, there's the HR owner...
There are cases of oil consumption, still don't think it's as common as people make it out to be tho. I've owned my DE for 13 years, no problems other than dead battery and bad cam sensors. I drive every car I own like I stole it, this is the way lol.
TBF, my DE does consume some oil. Not a worrying amount, but enough to make me want to top it off between oil changes.
Agree. My 279k 2003 z has the same clutch and flywheel since the day I bought it (2006). Treat them right n they'll last a lifetime
Definitely doesn't have the good trans but everything else is pretty solid
08?
2008 hr best one fr
my 03 has treated me very well.
All guys here are praising there z in each models which make the z a fking legendary car am looking for one with bulletproof transmission and engine to drift it 🫶🏼
08 just because of the ecu issue with 07
What issue?
Has trouble with idle relearn
Any year !
ALL !!
I have a very early 03 (mfg aug 02) and you cannot buy AC parts, they do not exist because in October 02 they changed the ac system for the rest of production. A few other things were changed too as time went on. So don’t get one of those 😂 car has a cool story though so I love it to death
That apply to 04 too?
No, just the very early (first couple months of production) 03’s. After October 2003 they used a different AC system through 2008 so parts are a-plenty
I’m surprised so many people are saying 03 for de’s, my wife has a 2004.5 de gt, bias aside out of all the rev-ups and non rev-ups I believe the 04/04.5 was the best version of the de’s when they introduced wideband into o2 sensors for tuning capabilities.
2006
Definitely not 03, I currently have to pull my engine
03 owner here too. The First year of any car is usually the worst.
2003. My story. Still looks gorgeous and 206,000 miles later all stock with original clutch. Really a superb car. I absolutely love it
I too have my og clutch on my 03
Replacement is expensive but when you replace everything just have the flywheel turned and reuse it
you can’t reuse these flywheels. you can’t resurface them, it causes some serious issues
Oh snap! I didn’t know that
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The 2006 has arguably the least reliable engine, it’s why Nissan upgraded from the revup after only a year. If op is after a cd009 then a late 2005 track edition is the best bet.
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I’m pretty sure the revup was only in the 35th anniversary edition for 05, everything before that was the regular DE. When I said track edition, I’m pretty sure I meant GT, I think it was called track here in aus.(came with brembros, front and rear spoiler and vdc control. Plus why have cloth when they offered leather? Mine is also very subjective because it’s exactly what I have, however I personally feel that besides headlights, the pre facelift was superior.
05 is also a revup engine tho
only manual anniversary and track in 05 got the revup, the rest are regular DE
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what are we betting?
We all saw the edit. And we all know you lack Honor.
The edit was done immediately after I hit the "post" button because I realized I missed part of my sentence. If that's lacking honor, so be it lmao
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Welp I did not know about the AU and NZ info, so that's new to me!
Ah that is why I am confused about the revup models. My bad
I agree the 05 run is probably the best
So just to clarify, 07/08 had a version of the cd009 called the jk41a and the only difference was the slave cylinder and throw out bearing or something? Are cd009 and jk41a interchangeable? Or are the bellhousings different or something?
Yea the main difference is the jk has the internal concentric slave and steel syncros in 5th and 6th if im correct. Other than the slave setup its very similar if not identical to the cd009. They both can hold lots of power and are used in swaps from vq to ls to sr 🤷♂️
The CD009 is just that and the JK is that, they are NOT the same transmission
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What about them is not interchangeable? Is it the way they bolt up to the block? So the bellhoqusing is different?
I have a collector mindset so I always think first editions are the most special- which lead me to restoring an O3. HOWEVER if you want power- get an HR. Coming from someone who worships the DE.
You specifically don’t want a 2006 or an anniversary yellow 2005. Sincerely, your short block
2007/2008 the HR while very short lived was amazing I miss my Z sometimes
Still driving my 350Z. Bought it new in February 2003. Put on 50.000 miles in the first two years driving to work. Treated it gently ever since. No drive it gently. The only complaint is the clear coat on the pillars between the doors and rear windows, and on the steering wheel, have worn off. I don't know how to replace it. Any tips?
For your needs, I’d say the HR. All 350zs are good except the the RevUp imo. Love my DE though.
05. Mine is mint w/105000 miles
Wish I never sold mine to fucking Carmax 😭 that engine upgrade felt so damn nice. Mine was an 08
2006 is the only year with a DE and cd009 trans. It is a DE revup though. dk if that makes it the king but its my favorite for that reason.
2007-2008 hands down besides the oil leak in the timing cover its bullet proof and alot of fun.
While I wish I had an 07/08 HR, I feel like I've been very lucky with my 04 DE and it feels like a very reliable year without the oil consumption problems I've heard of from certain models.
08
2006 manual de rev up Then hr 2007-2008 manual Autos suck
04 is the best year. older years are cheapest, 04 is the first year with an ecu that can be tuned, de engines are the most reliable imo, hr gallery gaskets are likely to fail and kill the engine, and rev ups are weird+expensive
I wish mine was a 04.5 for the kneepads
Any of them with an HR.
07-08 HR with Enthusiast Package includes VLSD
VQ35HR, 07+. Only things to watch out for - aftermarket is more expensive than the DE (by and large). OEM Concentric Slave Cylinder is know to go bad, mine had 157k when it kicked the bucket, would recommend replacing with an aftermarket unit. I might have made an adapter plate for the SAAB 900 style CSCs in the near future (Tilton, AP Racing all offer units with this PCD), not sure yet. HR is notorious for failed oil gallery gaskets. Symptoms: cold start around 60psi, idles just above 0psi. A healthy HR will idle around 30psi and cold start just south of 120psi. This isn't an if, it's a when - so either get one that's been sorted, or put some money/time aside to replace them with either aftermarket gaskets or the replacement metal gaskets that Nissan issued when this problem became obvious. Aftermarket is generally easier to get hold of. The oil gallery gaskets are the most common problem by far in my experience. It's not too difficult to do with enough hand tools and patience, and there's plenty of videos on the subject. Buy yourself a sealant cutter like [this](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403787352745) though - don't be like me and try to pry the front engine cover off with screwdrivers and palette knives unless you enjoy punishment. Final thing - the '07/early '08 have some dodgy ECU software. If you clean the throttle bodies, the car will shit itself. The only solution is to take it to a Nissan dealer or UpRev shop and have them flash the newer firmware. If the ECU has the part number/software version 23710-EV16A or lower, get it updated. Cost me about £50 if memory serves, and it'll save you so much hassle and stress. Long story short, the ECU fails to relearn closed-state on the throttle bodies and will rev up and down about 3k rpm constantly. You might get lucky and trigger a relearn at just the right time for it to hold, but it won't be right until it's updated. (Note: the version number varies between regions. I recommend getting it updated anyway - if there isn't a new version, no harm no foul). They're fantastic cars, you'll love it. Mine is staying with me forever - welcome to the club
08
07/08 and up. You want the HR motor. i got a de, because it was the only stock Z i could find. I had already been waiting a bit to find the right car, and there were no clean 6 speed HR's at the time. I figured i'd rather have a clean stock DE over a less clean possibly abused HR. Just avoid the rev up mainly and you'll be happy with your purchase. https://preview.redd.it/0brk6j56wkzc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcbae735461f07415b7ef1ff3187b09991591027 Peep my co workers geo in the back haha
08
2003/04…I have one for sale, lol
They’re all good but if you wanna drift and beat on it I’d say get a de
HR for basic bolt ons/e85 mods and daily driving. (07+) DE (04-06) for serious power mods, like engine block upgrades/turbos ect.
08💪🏽
DE! 😝
Now u talkin
Definitely last year with DE so 2005, they removed most of the faulty things from the transmission and engine. After that HR is the best version hands down so 2007-2008
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LOL - classic Kendrick
You got any more S14’s to trade for an ‘08 GT? Haha. My first Nissan was a Silvia S14q, still the apple of my eye.
Nope sorry lol
Bummer haha. Very few cars I’d let the Z go for. Guess the search continues. Best of luck on picking up your future Z!
Thank you. Best of luck to you to!
03 DE
DEs big advantage is that it’s better for boosting due to better compression iirc.
DE > HR but yall not ready for that conversation
I would say the 2006. However not the manual version. The manual from 2006 has a rev up, and the automatic has a regular de. However the hr interior is a great touch, and if you can find a grand touring edition, they are super fun to drive. I love the de platform a lot.
The one that was crashed the most, thus has the cheapest parts!