Hello All,

I am new to this board and looking to purchase a used Z tomorrow. I just sold my TSX and very excited to join the Z family, but set that aside i found 2 Z's around my area both posted for sale from a Honda dealership:

Specs on the 03 Z:
Silver/27,500 miles/manual/touring model asking price $23,995

Specs on the 04 Z:
Silverstone/ 28,700 miles/manual/also touring model Asking price $24,995

I heard the 03's has many problems, didn't really read about the 04's... I know i'm a newbie and i can do a search via search button, but it's almost midnight here, and i need to go to work. So can anyone please be kind and take some time out to compare pro's and con's. I don't want to regret getting a 03 if i run into problems in the future. also what is a good price to offer. Thanks in advance.

 

I would go with the 04. They made some changes to the second batch of cars produced for 04. You should be fine with either one, but for the extra $1000, I would pick the 04. Let us know what you decide. Good luck!

 

the 03 has less miles and costs less AND hahahahaha has the console that tucks into the dash and doesnt just pop up... i hate the pop up ones... glad i have an 03 model, i havent had a single problem with mine. looks like its still under warranty anyway... at least on the powertrain for sure.

Welcome, BTW.
Let us know which you get.

 

Considering that the mileage and price are almost the same, I would offer $22,150 for the 2003. If you stick with your offer, I bet the dealer will accept it.

 

hey guys i am sorry the 03' is actually priced at $21,780, that's a good buy. But afraid of tranny problems i have read about many issues about 03 and 04's.. just worried. I will defitnitly get the extended warranty if it's 21,780. I would probably offer 22,000 out the door with the extended see what they say first. Thanks.

 

I would go with the 2004, but that is just my opinion.

Did you already look at the cars? sure there is not dings, scratches, etc?

 

looked at the 04 just found the 03 on autotrader today...

the 04 looks pretty perfect and loved the silverstone... there were scratches here and there, no used car will be perfect. but they are willing to buff it out. driver leather seats were in mint condition. normal wear and tear. but seems like the 03 looks little cleaner. but i will go see it in person tomorrow.

 

Offer $20,450 for the 2003.

 

What's the build date on the '04? If it's 10/2003 or after you've got an "04.5" They made some suspension changes, added side knee pads and changed the front tow hook size vs. early '04s

regardless.. if they both drove identical (ie. shifts with no grind, motor sounds ok, no front tire noise at high speeds).. I'd go for the '04

--mike

 

david 20,450 out the door?

yeah for sure i like the 04 more, but the price is 3-4 k difference.. with about the same mileage but i did see the chart that david posted in the other post, i see that 03 has many probablems. Will see if i can get that 04 for 23500 or 24 out the door. i will stick with it..

also found 03 ppw 350z with 24k miles... for 24000 out the door. but that's a auto... really taking that in consideration also. this will happen before thursday for sure.

 

+1

 

O yeah where can you find production date on the car? door jams?

 

don't get an automatic, you'll regret it in the Z

 

Some people had problems with '03 but then again I know a lot of people who haven't had any problems, it's all luck I guess.

If you get a '03 I say go for a Track

 

yes, sticker on door jam..

All things being equal and assuming both cars didn't have any major problems.. The '04s had some nice small improvements..

all the ones i mentioned above for 04.5 only
also the belt holder so your shoulder belt won't flap when you drive with window open..
and front + rear cig lighter (for a radar detector!)
the key is nicer
and you still probably have ~1 year or 6300 miles left on your bumper-to-bumper warranty vs. ~1 month or 7500 miles..

--mike

 

just get the 03' its way cheaper and has less miles

 

+1

2004.5 and later Z's seem to have fewer problems with feathering.

- John

 

I wish ppl would learn how to do a search vs just starting a thread. This 03vs04vs05 is everywhere in this forum. Regardless, I'll give you my $.50 opinon.

Like everyone stated, the 03 and 04 does have problems. You stated that you would get an extended warranty, good idea, but only if you are willing to have your car in the shop and pulling teeth to have the dealer admit that theres a problem. (Tranny, tire feathering, paint, window motor, rattles, grease streaks, engine shutting off when put into nuetral at 80mph, etc...) Some of those problems are one time fixes so its not that bad. Maybe you're lucky and you have a good dealer. Also remember that rattles are only cover up to a certain milage so I hope you like rattles.

Because Nissan did some changes to the 04.5 and up its consider "softer". Basiclly, the handling of the 03 04 is better. So if you want performance, get the earlier models, but it comes with a price. Someone here stated that the 03 04 will down in history as the best performance 350s. I conqure.

Lastly, welcome to the forum, hope you DO get a Z, but investigate to make sure you get what you want. And when you do your investigation, please, please just search and explore the forum first. This forum has been around for a while and every question that you may have has already been asked and answered a million times.

 

sorry i know i should have used the search but i was reading + i wanted some input on the side.

 

I have an 03, had the window grease and it was fixed. I had the rear axle clicking and it was fixed. My cd player/headunit broke once and was replaced. I had tire feathering and they did a "fix" and i bought aftermarket wheels, the feathering seems to have gone away. Everything else on the car is fine, i love the car. I would go with whichever car is cleaner b/c imo it seems the 04's have just as much if not more problems depending on how lucky u are.