I'm looking at the early 350z (03-04), since you can get one for less than 15K nowaday. Anybody has any opinion on this car? I'm mostly concerned with reliability.

6/12/2009 1:54:51 AM

traub used to have an 03 or 04 track edition...and he used to beat it like a rented mule...im talking like he used to drive that thing day in and day out like a race car, but i dont really remember it giving him many troubles....they are def fun cars to drive around though

6/12/2009 2:37:30 AM

I'd be cautious of the earlier years. I know some of them had serious transmission problems. One of my friends has an '03 and has never beat on his car. And yet, he's on his 3rd transmission. Nissan's paid for both replacements but its a serious inconvenience to need that kind of work. Also the interior quality is so so. The interior of my friend's shows more wear and tear than my 1992 Integra.

6/12/2009 8:40:56 AM

do it!!!!!!!!!!!

6/12/2009 8:45:45 AM

^^ +++

I would hold out for at least an '06 year model. I believe all the appropriate revisions were made to increase reliablity with that year model.

6/12/2009 8:53:17 AM

Get the track edition... better brakes more hp etc..

6/12/2009 8:54:52 AM

the visibility is pure shit in those cars. kinda dangerous imo

6/12/2009 9:06:33 AM

That's probably the case. I don't recall that from driving one, but then again i have an S2000 with ginormous blind spots (with top up).

6/12/2009 9:12:59 AM

i drove an 04 track edition for a couple weeks. cool car. 3rd gear likes to grind on them eventually

6/12/2009 9:13:29 AM

^^ right, but nobody ever drives them with the top up!

6/12/2009 9:43:16 AM

I do when its raining.....sometimes

6/12/2009 9:44:18 AM

according to the brilliant minds at s2ki if you go 90+ in the rain you won't get wet.

6/12/2009 9:57:13 AM

YOU DRIVE THAT THING IN THE RAIN?!

6/12/2009 9:57:34 AM

I've had a 2004 350Z roadster for a little over a month now. Reliability wise it's been fine.

The Z (both hardtop and convertible) have some serious rear blindspots though.

6/12/2009 10:19:24 AM

DO IT! It's an awesome car and lots of fun to drive! Ask ^ how much fun it is.

6/12/2009 10:37:09 AM

^^^^I'm pretty sure its true, lol. it is quite an upright windshield.


Are there any good aftermarket exhausts for the 350Z. Seems like an obvious answer, but I don't recall ever seeing/hearing one.

6/12/2009 10:51:47 AM

Stein's sounds great...looks stock but we don't think it is stock. Not sure what kind it is though.

6/12/2009 10:54:13 AM

Get a G35...same car, better design.

6/12/2009 11:26:24 AM

If I go 75+mph in the porsche with the sunroof off, I don't get any rain inside (even in a cats and dogs downpour). Aerodynamics FTW!

[Edited on June 12, 2009 at 11:33 AM. Reason : .]

6/12/2009 11:32:52 AM

^^I like the Z better

6/12/2009 11:44:51 AM

The G has a nicer interior and is a more useable car son.

MORE USEABLE SON.

6/12/2009 11:46:29 AM

the g35 is heavier though....

6/12/2009 11:59:22 AM

Generally that is the case when you add luxury to something son.

ADDED LUXURY.

6/12/2009 12:00:12 PM

More useable? what does that even mean? Can I not drive the Z as often as the G35?

and you don't buy a weekend fun car because its practical.

6/12/2009 12:07:42 PM

Let me lay it out for you a little bit more clearly son:

1. MORE USEABLE SON.
2. ADDED LUXURY.

6/12/2009 12:26:37 PM

usable meaning the G has a "back seat"....technically.

6/12/2009 12:27:15 PM

the back seat in the g35 isn't terrible minus the lack of head room.

6/12/2009 12:28:56 PM

the best part about the Z is the exhaust note!!!!!!!!!!111111!!!1

it sounds fast...but isnt

6/12/2009 12:34:34 PM

Quote :

"Let me lay it out for you a little bit more clearly son: 1. MORE USEABLE SON. 2. ADDED LUXURY."

again...

Quote :

"More useable? what does that even mean? Can I not drive the Z as often as the G35? and you don't buy a weekend fun car because its practical."

(and 'more clearly' indicates you were going to say something else... not copy paste your nonsense)

6/12/2009 12:38:28 PM

Quote :

"(and 'more clearly' indicates you were going to say something else... not copy paste your nonsense)"

Obviously you don't know the meaning of "more clearly" son. I'm sorry that this has been so difficult for you to understand son. Maybe one day it will make sense.

Maybe one day son.

6/12/2009 12:40:44 PM

The Z came with 3 engines, one is known for problems.

03-04, interior kinda low rent, 6spd known for grinding 3rd, 287hp
05-06 engined changed to Vq35DE-revup 298hp, interior was alot better, but the engine is known for using oil
07-08, best interior, and engine changed again to VQ35hr 306hp, this is the best engine

6/12/2009 2:34:50 PM

Quote :

"Are there any good aftermarket exhausts for the 350Z. Seems like an obvious answer, but I don't recall ever seeing/hearing one."

Quote :

"Stein's sounds great...looks stock but we don't think it is stock. Not sure what kind it is though."

As far as I know (I did not install it), my car has the Nismo exhaust. A co-worker with a stock 2008 Z says the exhaust sounds different.

[Edited on June 12, 2009 at 2:39 PM. Reason : .]

6/12/2009 2:38:48 PM

as far as transmission problem, is that with auto or manual?

6/12/2009 3:19:14 PM

manual.

and of course, if you're considering an automatic why are you interested in the car

6/12/2009 3:27:16 PM

^it's not for me. My sister is looking for one. To think about it, maybe she needs to get a G35.

6/12/2009 7:54:47 PM

just get a wrx

6/12/2009 11:02:15 PM

Doesn't Nissan make some junk?

That's what I thought.

6/12/2009 11:42:16 PM

^^^ Tell her to get the altima coupe then.

6/13/2009 2:09:52 AM

Quote :

"If I go 75+mph in the porsche with the sunroof off, I don't get any rain inside (even in a cats and dogs downpour). Aerodynamics FTW!"

that is baller! you ppl need to post more cool shit like that

6/13/2009 2:35:08 AM

I have a 350z. I love it. Lots of power. Beautiful car, lots of attention. Awesome exhaust tone. Car has 40K miles, never gave me a single problem.

About the blind spots - Get those blind spot mirrors. They are amazing. I don't even have to turn my head while changing lanes.

6/13/2009 8:18:12 AM

^did you buy it brand new?

6/13/2009 1:21:34 PM

The 350z and Infinity G35 coupe have almost identical 1/4 mile and 0-60 times (only .1 sec difference), consumer reports also gives a better report for the G35, since they are almost the same I would consider a G35 coupe.

6/13/2009 6:18:53 PM

if those are your two metrics, then yes...get the G35 coupe.

6/13/2009 6:34:14 PM

expensive to maintain and overated

6/13/2009 7:43:54 PM