djsk2

Hello all. First time posting here.

I'm thinking about buying used 350z soon.

My question is, is 2003 350z THAT bad? I know tire issue(alignment), tranny noise, etc.....But how many people here has trouble free 2003?

I test drove one today (Touring model) and except for worn out tire, it drove fine without any problem.
Plus, most 350z still has remaining warranty so many common issues can be taken care by dealer...right?

I'll be test driving more 350z in the next few days, so any suggestion is appreciated.
Buying new 2005 is not an option because of my budget.

Thanks

FairladyZ

I traded in my 2003 and it had no problems.

dlperrien

i have the tire noise. i just got a letter from nissan stating the 03's will have lifetime alignment, so nissan knows there is a major problem...

FairladyZ

Usually when they say liftetime they mean that there will be no more problems. Think about it if your are a seller and you knew something had a MAJOR PROBLEM, costwise for your company how smart would it be to offer a lifetime fix? You would be a complete idiot and put yourself out of business because of all the fixes buy millions of people.

They are also banking that the consumer will not have his/her car for a lifetime either.

nick120580

I am in the same situation as you are. What prices are you finding?

A_16

No issues here, granted they may have been solved b4 i bought my 03 used, but none so far......just the standard issues

ZlleH

iTrader: (7)

Make sure you still have some warrenty on that 03 so you can get some issue fixed before the warrenty runs out. Here is the list of things I had to get fixed with my 03:

1. tire roar (all 03)
2. air condition engine growl (early 03)
3. driver side window ticking noise (they just put some nissan grease thing in the door panel, don't think it really worked)
4. Oh, and there was also a recall on the BOSE amplifier as well.

TalonZ

I have one of the very early -03 models (Track), and other than the tire alignment, I've had zero problems. Once the alignment was reset, I've had no problems.

The car is fun to drive and, even though there's a million of them out there, it still turns heads.

I received a letter regarding the tire alignment from Nissan the other day. I don't think it offers lifetime alignments. I think Nissan extended the alignment / tire replacement offer to the end of Oct '05 for -03 models. After that, you're on your own.

MovingViolation

I have an '03 delivered in Nov of '02 and other than the feathering have had no problems. Got a proper alignment along with some new tires and even that problem is now gone.

MADDOG`

While not exactly "trouble free" (what car is???), my 2003 has not given me any significant problems. All the items I've had repaired (greasy window rollers, alignment, seat mounting bracket & fuel system update) have all been under warranty or a technical service bulletin with no problems returning in those areas.

I would expect that I will probably have to do something about the front suspension. I have had one alignment and that seemed to take care of the problem until just recently. The dreaded "growl" is back but the dealer (who's been great to work with) says they just can't fix the problem.

There just doesn't seem to be enough adjustment parameter to totally eliminate the problem with the front alignment issue. Remember, though, there is a lot of negative camber built in to the stock specs. I'm looking into a set of specs with a Hunter Automotive rep I know. He helped me with a set of custom specs for my lowered '95 Impala SS. If there's a solution I'll post it, however, our preliminary discussion leads me to believe there's no hope of going beyond what Nissan is doing.

My solution to that will be the Nismo suspension kit. I will get a 15mm or so drop and more room for adjustment.

Hope this helps!

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

I just posted yesterday my exp with my 03 Brick. Link:

https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/137964-32-month-26-000-mile-report-on-03-brick.html

MRballer350z

I just picked up a 03' touring Z about 6 weeks ago. Thus far, I have a few issues in which I am going to see the dealer about this next week.

1. I believe my differential is bad (Lots of "clunking" noises coming from the rear when driving 5-35mph) -- very abnoxious.

2. My bose CD player is skipping on me and chewing up my CDs.

3. Heavy rattle from my rear view mirror when driving on the freeway

4. Passenger side door rattle. (on/off)

Other than the one major diff issue, the other issues don't bother me too much and I'm sure the dealer will fix them. The car turns lots of heads, and drives very well.

rolling

iTrader: (2)

mabey your actualy VERY LUCKY, mabey the previous owner put a aftermarket LSD (nismo, cusco, ect.) in which case that noise is normal,

one test you might try is turning off the tsc/ Vdc if you have that...
and do a good burn-out see if you leave 2 even patches heheh

rolling

iTrader: (2)

I love my 03' only problem is a couple rattles, and very minor window streaks
not bad enough to have the door taken apart for and risk more rattles/ damage

andyisphat2004

iTrader: (1)

i had the tire feathering fixed at about 5k miles and now have 48k on the car without anyother problems. (other than the window motor, and i blew my main fuse but that was due to my audio set up) no major problems though

cvt

iTrader: (1)

i have an 03' and after 3K i found i had the window grease problem. i'm not sure if i have the feathering yet but my center consile door was damaged and there was a loose undep panel...all fixed by warranty. so far so good...

MRballer350z

This is possible because I bought the car with several upgrades, however the previous owner gave me the reciept with all the mods that were done to the car and it didn't show anything with the diff and he didn't mention anything either. He thought it was an exhaust rattle issue.

I guess the only real way to find out is to take off the diff casing and see.

That would be pretty cool, although I'm not sure I can handle that clunk noise any longer.

Fletch69z

iTrader: (50)

I have an 03 and love it. I notice a little bit of tire noise when slowing down from 30 but my tires aren't unevenly worn. I love my car and wouldn't trade it for anything (except a skyline, ).

iyah

iTrader: (6)

I just got my 03 a month ago, I love it I haven't noticed anything wrong, I really haven't and compared to all the other cars I'v driven its like heaven. Not I'v tried to find all these problems on the car but so far its riding great n/p at all. God I love my car. =( I left it at the airport =( I'm on vacation.

z053nassin

I got my 03 enthusiast about 2 months ago with 20k mileage, and No proplems so far except some rattles inside. You always get attentions from people wherever you go.