FWIW, since some people were in disbelief before about how the 350Z previously had average reliability in CR (due to the various probs on 03 models), I just noticed that the 03 got a below average reliability rarting in the latest April auto issue of Consumer Reports.

From the chart, on the 03, the systems that had worse than average reliability were transmission, suspension (got a solid black dot, worst possible mark; WELL below the average), paint/trim/rust, and power equipment. Seems like CR's survey results are pretty much on the mark if you ask me.

So far, the 04 has better than average reliability. They predict for 05 an open circle==average reliability. So they still recommend the car.

 

The 2003 350z also is on the CR list of used cars to avoid, oddly the 2005 350z has the Consumer Reports "Recommended" check mark next to it.

 

Intellichoice gives the Z a pretty good rating too.

 

Nothing odd about it at all. It acknowledges that the first yr Zs had tire feathering problems, the vast majority of which were fixed by a subsequent suspension update; don't know how early in the '04 model year they changed the suspension setup, but my build date is Mar., '04, and Doug Stewart has confirmed that I have the newer version of the suspension.

BTW, I got the car in late June of '04, and had completely worn out the new tires by the end of December (driving w/hard cornering on a lot of twisty blacktops), but the wear was the most even of any car I have ever owned (approaching 20 vehicles).

I also had an '03 G35 6MT coupe, and had uneven wear on the stock Pilots.

Bottom line for me is I have no major complaints w/my Z (elec. rear window defroster won't work anymore; auto forward feature on passenger seatback only works when it's above 40 degrees). Those things are a little annoying, but no biggie.

 

That's dissapointing that they know about the problems and gave it a poor rating as a result. It really can't help resale values in the future.

My car is fine though so.....sucks to be the people that have all the probs (which I did) and haven't gotten them fixed and kept papers documenting as such for the future.

 

My 03 is in the shop right now again. I saw oil leaking on the engine. Broken valve cover gaskets. Not a big problem, but still....
Tire feathering, New tranny at 17k miles, all the TSB fixes. It is annoying and has been more trouble than any other car I have owned and they were all at least 5 years old when I had them.
I don't disagree with the bad rating but.... I deal with it

 

I saw that issue. The suspension had the worst rating. Because of the tire feathering. My different tires doesnt have the tire issues and I never had a TSB on the suspension. The OEM tires are to blame. Overall I would say my Z is reliable. I've read a previous issue where they put a Ford Focus in the same class as the 350Z!? Yeah a Focus is a sports car? They were saying negative things about the Z on how it has a hard ride. Sometimes I question Consumer Guide

 

Whats the build date?

 

I just read the article. I believe when Nissan cleans up the TSB'S, the CR ratings will pick up again for the Z.

 

Thats what they are supposed to do. They're not looking to keep the resale valued inflated by lying about the reliablility of the car, its to keep the consumer informed of what they may be getting into. The whole point is to report what went wrong. If you were looking at an '03, wouldn't you want to know about any problems before buying?

 

I have an '03 with almost 40k miles...

Experienced a little tire feathering and changed tires at about 20k miles from stock tires to S03s with a 4 wheel alignment... I now have about 20k miles on these and no signs of feathering... Therefore, like someone else said, the problem might have been just alignment and poor quality stock tires...

I love this car and it hasn't given me any headaches!

 

I bought this car because I trust Japanese reliability. My other car is a Nissan/Infiniti Q45 with 105K and nearly flawless reliability. They are basically great cars and the first year of any new car will have glitches to work out. That is why I waited to 2004 to buy my Z!

 

From everything I've read I think its the CRAPPY stock rubber. I can't believe they still haven't changed it yet.

 

Exactly. They should just report the stats, not inflate results just to keep resale values high.

To me, although the rating doesn't help resale value, there's not necessarily a strong link between resale value and depreciation. A number of BMWs and most Mercedes along w/virtually all VWs have lousy reliability yet have good resale values.

 

Exactly. Don't buy the first year of a new model.