# @threepiece.us on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DbS68vhGr7W
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68528010-threepieceus-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/0b7f849784.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-07-27T12:03:55.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** threepieceus (@threepiece.us) — https://gondola.cc/threepiece.us

## Caption

I almost talked myself out of a Z back in 2019. Prices were creeping up, everyone said I missed the window, and the forums were full of dudes saying to just wait for them to come back down. They never came back down.

Here's the thing nobody wants to hear — the 350Z was underpriced for years. A naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive coupe with one of the most bulletproof V6 platforms Nissan ever built, and people were letting them go for Civic money. That era is done. But does that mean the Z isn't worth buying today? Not even close.

The VQ35 is the entire foundation of this car's reputation. Rev-happy, responsive, and it sounds like it costs twice what you paid. But you have to buy smart. An '03 with a mysterious knock and mismatched panels isn't a deal at any price. The later DE and HR revisions cleaned up the oiling issues and bumped the power, and that's where your money should go if you can swing it.

And look — budget for the gallery gaskets. I don't care if the seller says it was "recently done." If there's no receipt, assume it wasn't. That's the one job that separates a solid Z from a ticking time bomb, and it's cheaper to handle upfront than after your oil pressure gauge starts doing things that make your stomach drop.

Prices aren't coming back to where they were. The clean, low-mile examples are getting scooped by collectors and the drift tax crowd alike. If you've been circling one on Facebook Marketplace for three months, stop overthinking it and go drive the thing.

Drop your So you're thinking about below.

#ThreePieceUS #350Z #Z33 #VQ35DE #JDM #WheelFitment #Stance #NissanZ #SportsCarBuying #CarBuyingGuide #ZNation #DriftCar

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 974
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 36

## Tags

driftcar, znation, carbuyingguide, nissanz, z33, vq35de, stance, sportscarbuying, threepieceus, 350z, wheelfitment, jdm

---
Copyright (c) Gondola