Check out the June issue for a write up on the 03 350Z. Looks like they had the tranny replaced, greese streaks on the window, tire feathering, and the window roll-up problem.

Of note was the statement "Nissan was aware that the tranny was the weak link in the 350Z"

Ok so you are aware of it...do something drastic to help the owners out with 03's besides replacement. BTW my 04 goes in next Tuesday to be looked over for a grinding noise at start up.


My dad always told me never to buy the first year model of anything.

 

You didnt. But I did and have no problems.

 

I heard a horrific grinding noise the other day when trying to start my car. It hasn't happened since then (2 months ago), but it scared the crap out of me.

 

Hmm, mine seems to make a slight grinding noise at startup too, more so when the car hasnt been started in awhile.

 

I have a 03 and had a number of minor fixes. The passenger side motor was replaced because of slow movement and sometimes inop.The other warranty replacement was the Bose amp. Others were only adjustments. I think the next time I get a car. I would wait for the 2nd yr model.

 

+1

 

I read that write up, it was really good. I'm happy they saw through the "teething" problems (that will happen with any car in the first model year) and enjoyed the Z for what it is.

 

Tranny replacement is not a problem?

 

You know my car also makes a slight "grinding noise" but its not, I dunno, its hard to explain. Everytime I start it though (like when I go out in the morning or when I get off work, don't really recall 'the noise' when I start it after only a short downtime) I hear it and I've heard it since day one, granted its only a month old and only has 1,400 miles on it but still.

I always wondered if it was a normal noise. If I have to have the tranny swapped that is going to SUCK because this is my daily driver.

 

It's like there is someting spinning and trying to engage. Then it engages and stops making the noise. I'll post when I find out what the problem is.

 

Well technically yes that was a problem among other things the '03 Z had wrong, but so far my dealer has given me no crap about fixing or replacing any of the '03 glitches.....so to have the Z when it was still very rare to see was worth the potential problems of a first year car

It was a pain to deal with at times, but b/c they have been fixed it's not a problem to me


besides if I would have waited to buy an '04 I wouldn't have been able to get the Brickyard color

 

I agree with BigMoe. Enjoy it. I haven't had any problems with my 2003 Track. I took it in soon as the word was out about the feathering, and they checked, aligned, etc free. Nissan here is always ready to help. So enjoy it. I'll keep mine for at least 100,000 miles or ten years which ever comes first. Got 8,300 miles on it now, and they're are not just driving, but some down and boogie miles too. Putting a APS TT in it and a jwt cam shortly. Keep it a step above those other vehicles on the road, most of them anyway.

 

No tranny problems... but there was a "creaking" noise in the back... they replaced the two axles/driveshafts.

Anyone else have that?