Grassroots Motorsports
Issue link: http://grassrootsmotorsports.epubxp.com/i/397024
We had to have a 350Z. Since its introduction in 2003 as a more focused replacement for the aging and increasingly bloated 300ZX, the 350Z has been heralded as a huge step in the right direction for Nissan's sporty cars. Although it's ultimately overshadowed on the stop- watch by the insane GT-R, the 350Z–and the 370Z that replaced it in 2008–is widely regarded as Nissan's purest driver's car. It's also getting inexpensive. Depreciation has pushed early 350Z values toward–and even below–that magic $10,000 mark, a price point that suddenly makes a used car a serious option for a lot of shoppers. Increasing popularity and availability on the secondary market, inherent pedigree, and admirable performance? With a resumé like that, a 350Z simply had to join our project car feet. We just had no clear idea of what we'd do with it once we got it. Our 2003 NIssan 350Z appeared as if by magic. Our friends at Balanced Performance hooked us up with it after one of their cus- tomers decided to sell it. We studied up on our 350Z buying tips (see the August 2012 issue of GRM for a complete 350Z buyers guide) and made the deal. At the time of purchase–summer of 2013–the car was quite Grassroots Motorsports 109 DATA SHEET project: building a competitive 2003 Nissan 350Z for SCCA Solo Street Touring U autocross. part 1: sizing up the competition (this issue). Part 1: Have Depreciation and a Class Reassignment Made This the Nissan 350Z's Time to Shine in Solo? story by j.g. pasterjak • photos as credited PROJECT CAR: NISSAN 350Z dawn of the Zed , First we'd need to determine a plan. tom suddard photo power