Yep, 2 whole days, and already looking to upgrade my '05 6MT. It's completely stock now.
It will be a daily driver, nothing more serious than that, but I want to make it more fun to drive.

My thoughts - sort of in order
Fluids, Air Filter (might upgrade the filter, but not a new intake)
Tint - whoever put the tint in originally didn't do it well
Rotor/Brake (painted calipers, preferred) Basic upgrade, don't need anything race ready
Suspension - Eibach, G/Z, etc. Don't need to go too low, 1-1.5" is fine.
Wheels/Tires - Maybe go with 19" OEM, and possibly paint them

Thoughts on how to make that work with that budget?

 

IMO I would do:
Sway Bars
5/16 Spacer
Exhaust
Coilovers

 

You can get the tint done for under $200
I've seen OEM Rays go for $500-1000, just gotta keep an eye out for a good price.
You can get the Akebono BBK for around $1700 from vendors on here
Springs can also be had for around $200 on here.

 

sway bars are a good upgrade, strut bar is worth the money too

 

Coilovers
Sway Bar
Strut Bar
Endlink

If you have anything left over save up and get some wheels.

 

Coils
Sways
5/16 spacer
Z-tube
K&N
Exhaust
Oem 19's

 

this...in that order

 

judging by your goals and budget...
Used OEM 19's or used 350z v1 track 18's w/tires
MD MREV2 or used Non-Rev lower plenum(if you're a later '05 w/RevUp, if not then MD 5/16 spacer)
1pc cf drive-shaft
Eibach Sportline springs w/Tokico HP shocks & struts
Stillen sway-bars

later down the line add...
MD 5/16 spacer(if not already installed)
A'PEXi drop-in filter
ECU re-flash
SPC front and rear camber kit

*this list is by no means ideal but with your budget and goals in-mind you'd get a lot from this setup.

 

My bad, I missed the '05 6mt part, yes go with the MREV2 or a used non-revup lower plenum, don't get the 5/16 spacer until after you get either of the lower plenums.

 

Depends on what you find as fun.

If it were me, I'd probably go:
- Tires (hankook ventus rs-3's are nice, or kumho xs, or sumitomo htrziii or kumho spt last longer)
- BBK (get used brembos off 350z, not as important for street driving, really only necessary for autox/track)
- coilovers, probably bilstein PSS
- new control arms (probably hit $2-3k right here)
- tie braces (except that front lower one, pita to remove oil canister with it on)
- mrev2 + spacer + intake
- driver seat
- corner blancing
- bushings
- exhaust
- ECU tuning

 

Appreciate all the input guys! Looks like I have some homework to do.

I've got some great info here for the things I'm looking for...

Brakes (aftermarket BBM, mainly just need better rotors, and calipers that are painted, or I can paint)
Suspension - likely springs and shocks, since they are 1/2 the price of coilovers, maybe some sway bars as well. Could definitely use better cornering than stock.
Wheels/Tires - some good OEM 19" will suit me fine
Tinting and Stereo will probably put me over the top for now (or at least a month or two)

Later I'll look at performance - not going to crazy (famous last words).

Thanks again! Keep em coming.

 

I would recommend,
Coilovers
Swaybars
Endlinks
SPC Camber kit
OEM 19s
Spacers