What are some of the differences between the 2003 and 2004 Z?

 

I don't think there are any.

 

One is older than the other.

 

I heard some rattle noise issues were solved like the instrument cluster..

 

There are actually a couple differences:
- there are pads on the sides of the lower center console for your knees
- the center console storage is electrically operated
- much better reliability ratings

That's all i can remember...

 

alex12 is about right. I think they added another electrical outlet for 04 as well.

The big difference is just getting out the first year production bugs.

 

center stack went from light grey to almost black

 

There's also a power connection in the passenger side dash that isn't in the '03

 

Yeah, I knew there were some production bugs in the 03 that were fixed in the 04 and thats basically what I was asking about. I simply couldnt remember them.

Wasnt there also something about the front alignment in the 03?

I ask because I noticed that according to kbb, the 03 is substantially less expensive than the 04, even if the 03 has many less miles than the 04, like a 10k mile 03 costing less than a 30k mile 04.

As long as the differences dont matter to me, like an extra electical outlet, I figure Ill go with a low mileage 03.

 

Probably the biggest difference between them was a modified suspension. The '03s had a pretty harsh ride and tended to "porpoise" on the highway. A re-tuned suspension was released the '04's that softened the ride.

The center console was given a little padding - people complained about how hard the 03 console was.

The plastic door handles on the inside were replaced with metal ones because the plastic kept breaking.

 

I think each year of the 350Z got just a little bit heavier.

03<04<05<06

 

Where is the additional electrical outlet?

 

In the 04 and I assume later model years - one power outlet is on the passenger side of the dash, down about knee level. The other is behind the seats on the deck that the glove box and cubbies are built into.

 

I heard the major change was the suspension redesign on the 2004.5 and up models. They said this was the fix to the infamous tire feathering problem.

 

Naw, it didn't help because I have a 2004.5 and it had feathering. The suspension change was to soften the ride some.

 

This is true and although it didn't help with the problem, it did cause a difference in performance. This is only through hear-say, but I belive the 04 and 05's does not handle as well as the 03 due to the suspension change. Am I wrong?

 

passenger side
where the glove box is supposed to be

 

The seat belts have an extension on the 04's as well, makes it easier to grab & you can adjust it to fit your needs. Yes, the 2nd pwr outlet was added as well. It has a flip down cover, so you have to really look for it...And of course the Nav cover is just a "flip up", not sliding in to cubby. Mine doesn't even open very well, button seems to not work very well. But, I don't use it anyway, plans are one day to take cover off & put DVD screen in? C-Ya

 

Mine doesn't have the extra outlet

 

Seems that everyone forgot the really really big upgrade for '04....standard heated mirrors.