In February 2023 I started browsing for a Nissan 350Z because Hagerty (Insurance) listed this model in their yearly Bull Market List article. When I saw this 2006 for sale in a local Phoenix Craigslist ad after looking nationwide for a couple of weeks, I was confused because it didn't look like other Z's I had been seeing and I thought it was a different car altogether. After looking a little closer I realized the rear bumper was different, the car had been lowered slightly, and the wheels were not factory, but those changes were enough to make it stand out from the others. I fell in love with the Le Mans Sunset Metallic color, the matching burnt orange leather seats and wanted to take a closer look at it.
Soon after seeing it, I became the third owner of this Nissan 2006 Touring Edition 350Z. The previous owner had it for many years and changed the wheels, put on big brakes, upgraded suspension bits, added slight engine modifications, changed the rear bumper and removed the rear rain wiper. He also had a ceramic coated finish applied and added clear shields along the front bumper and side mirrors. These last items really make it easy to keep it looking showroom clean.
Soon after seeing it, I became the third owner of this Nissan 2006 Touring Edition 350Z. The previous owner had it for many years and changed the wheels, put on big brakes, upgraded suspension bits, added slight engine modifications, changed the rear bumper and removed the rear rain wiper. He also had a ceramic coated finish applied and added clear shields along the front bumper and side mirrors. These last items really make it easy to keep it looking showroom clean.
The Car...
The 350Z
While not quite a daily driver, driving from city to city in the sprawling Valley of the Sun area as well as suburb-to-suburb in the Phoenix Metro area was a pleasure. It has been on drives/cruises with a local "Z" club to out-of-the-way places in the state that are well traveled by sports cars and motorcycles alike.
It hangs out easily among the other nice cars in informal car shows, like Cars and Coffee. In early 2024, it won a Best in Class award for all of the 350Z's at the 2024 Texas Z Fest in Fredericksburg, Texas.
It hangs out easily among the other nice cars in informal car shows, like Cars and Coffee. In early 2024, it won a Best in Class award for all of the 350Z's at the 2024 Texas Z Fest in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Driver Seat
Passenger Seat
Car Show
Trophy
This lists the "fun stuff" that was done to bring the car "up to date" for a nicer day-to-day driving experience.
- Installed Kenwood navigation stereo with Bluetooth, backup camera, hands-free phone use.
- Installed front and rear dash cameras along with "blinking" third brake light hardware.
- Replaced spare tire and steel wheel with new alloy wheel and tire to clear big brake calipers and fill in wheel arches.
Here is a list of all modifications, including mine and previous owners:
- StopTech brake pads (front and rear)
- StopTech 14" Aero drilled rotors (front and rear)
- Lowered 1-1/2" from factory ride height
- KW V2 "coil overs" adjustable suspension (front and rear)
- Adjustable control arms (front and rear)
- Polyurethane bushings (front, rear and differential)
- Kenwood navigation stereo with Bluetooth capability
- Backup camera, front and rear dash cameras
- Motordyne plenum spacer
- CZP 75mm Hitachi throttle body w/K&N air filter
- Japan Charge Speed rear bumper
- Ray's 370Z (Z34) forged wheels (19x9, 19x10)
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (245/35R19, 275/35R19)
- Custom spare tire and wheel (to clear brake calipers)
StopTech Brakes
KW Struts
Plenum Spacer/Throttle Body
Kenwood Nav System
Japan Charge Speed Bumper
Spare Tire
But First...
Because it was purchased as a used car, there is almost always something that needs to be done in the way of maintenance.
With any car I buy, I usually replace any fluids, like engine oil, differential fluid, transmission fluid, etc., as well as look for any driving issues, like brakes, suspension or acceleration. Maybe I'll detail the paint, the interior always gets a thorough cleaning, including under the seats and in the trunk/rear hatch, and any rips/tears/scrapes are addressed. I'll also carefully clean the engine compartment with a car wash soap, hand sprayer and an assortment of brushes. This car was no exception.
With any car I buy, I usually replace any fluids, like engine oil, differential fluid, transmission fluid, etc., as well as look for any driving issues, like brakes, suspension or acceleration. Maybe I'll detail the paint, the interior always gets a thorough cleaning, including under the seats and in the trunk/rear hatch, and any rips/tears/scrapes are addressed. I'll also carefully clean the engine compartment with a car wash soap, hand sprayer and an assortment of brushes. This car was no exception.
This is a list of the things done to the car that were in need of repair after the initial purchase.
- Went through car initially and replaced all fluids: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, differential fluid, transmission fluid.
- Fixed intake vacuum leak.
- Filled A/C system with freon.
- Replaced radiator to fix coolant leak. Replaced all radiator hoses. Replaced drive belts.
- Repaired windshield chips.
- Replaced both rear shocks and both front shocks (in struts) due to not rebounding anymore.
- Refinished all wheels - both passenger side wheels had "curb rash".
- Replaced all tires - they were over six years old when I purchased the car.
- Replaced driver side seat belt and tensioner assembly. The belt had to be coaxed back into its housing before this.
- Removed, cleaned up existing scratches and repainted center instrument cluster and compartment door.
- Removed both rear axles and performed TSB to fix "clicking" noise when changing directions.
- Removed all brake pads and cleaned and applied shim/lubrication to stop squeaking noise when coming to stops.
Radiator Leak
Coolant Flush
Mounting Rear Tire
Axle TSB
And For Fun...
When the previous owner was asked why the suspension, braking system and minor engine modifications were performed, he kind of shrugged, and said he started thinking about doing some autocross races with it. Maybe he did already and didn't want to tell me that, but, because of all of the cool suspension bits I decided to try my hand at it.
I joined the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and signed up for a few of their autocrosses. That was very cool. I also was able to participate in a Nissan Test Facility hosted autocross, in which I did very well with solely Nissan Z's.
I haven't really done any more "racing" with it, but the bottom line is that this car is not only nice to drive around town, but it handles real well on the track. Great DNA, good stuff.
I joined the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and signed up for a few of their autocrosses. That was very cool. I also was able to participate in a Nissan Test Facility hosted autocross, in which I did very well with solely Nissan Z's.
I haven't really done any more "racing" with it, but the bottom line is that this car is not only nice to drive around town, but it handles real well on the track. Great DNA, good stuff.
Car Clubs
Car clubs can be very helpful when maintaining an older car, how to fix something, where to find parts, finding model specific car shows, road trips, etc.
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Desert Z Association
Desert Z Association Home
Some car clubs are available for general older cars, but this one focuses on just Z's, 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, 300ZX, 350Z, 370Z, the current Z, any model, any year of Z cars.
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Z Club of America
Z Club of America Home
This is the national organization that focuses on all Z's, and offers motorsport events throughout the year.
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Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
Sports Car Club of America Home
Whether it is road racing, time trials, track events, autocross, rally crosses or road rallies, this is the premier motorsports organization in the United States. Membership gets you access to pits, and driving courses.
Places To Buy Stuff From
Here are a few of the places I have used when buying 350Z parts and fixing up my 350Z in some way. Some are local, some are not, but they have all helped me get the parts, supplies and labor that I needed.
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Z1 Motorsports
Z1 Motorsports Home
These guys sell many parts for the 350Z, including many OEM parts, like gaskets, covers, clamps, as well as performance oriented parts like suspensions, brake kits, etc. -
Dent Wizard - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Dent Wizard
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2416 S 19th St.Phoenix, AZ 85034(602)256-2977
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Online Nissan Parts Superstore
Nissan Online Parts Home
There is always a local Nissan dealer to go to when you need OEM parts but you will pay full retail price for what you get. When you order online you can save up to 20% on the same parts in some cases. The drawback is that you usually have to wait for the parts to be delivered. If that is not an issue it usually pays to order online even when including shipping costs. -
QuickJack Car Lifts
QuickJack Home
I love this tool and have been using it for over five years now. The one I have lets me lift my full-size body-on-frame SUV, my mid-size unibody SUV, my Z and a host of others because I can move it around and even transport it. Super good company to do business with. -
Lucid Autowerks
Lucid's Ultimate Tire Changer
This guy sells tools that become the "top" to a regular, "cheapo" Harbor Freight manual tire changer and makes it a whole lot easier to remove and install tires. I bought the kit and welded mine together, then painted and applied their decal so it looks like one you can buy fully assembled. I bought it because I was tired of tire stores damaging my wheels.