I would stay away from a new model year eclipse, you never know what random issues will pop up with a new model.

I think the real question you should be asking yourself is if you can afford the consumables. As a random example, my wifes 45k mile Pathfinder is on original rubber and brakes, I had to replace both on my Z at 20k miles (this could also have something to do with the way I drive as well).

Chris

 

Just turned 212,000 miles on my 2000 maxima with no major issues other than replacing battery, starter, fuel rail and plugs.

My 85 300xz turbo had 145K miles on it when the odometer stopped working and that was 2 years before someone hit me and totaled the car.

The Nissan 3.0 and 3.5 liter engines have always been rated as among the best built engines of all time. I would expect the tranny, or cars structure to fail before the engine. I will always own a nissan as long as they build a solid V6.

 

The Acura will have the best MPG I assume but your losing in the looks and HP column. The Eclipse has had terrible reviews on MPG and dont forget they both are FWD not RWD which really really rocks!!!

DR

 

I thought this was discussed many times before, maybe I read it elsewhere. If I remember correctly. The Z was built to last ATLEAST 200,000 miles. Keep it mind Nissan engineers know how the Z is going to be driven.

 

Dude....
get the RSX if you are on a budget and plan to be a student for the
next 6 years. You get a 4 seater, high revving, low maintenance car, w/
low insurance, great mpg, and almost no recalls! You can't beat that. Now
if you plan on having a beater also get the Z. Just for the Z factor

 

the engine is great in the z. my concern is with the tranny holding up. i dont think the transmission is good for much more than 100k, but the engine should last at least 150k.

 

I have 48k and turbo

 

I Dont Know I Cant Get Any One To Look At It. The Local Dealer Told Me That The Exhuast Blew My Motor. I Laughed At Them. What I Can Take Is That The Timing Chain Is Broke. They Keep Telling Me That There Is No Compression. Duh The Timing Chian Is Broke There Will Be No Compression. Everyone In Service Kept Telling Me That I Was Running Nitrous And Racing My Car So I Tore It Up. I Asked Them How They Knew This With Out Fact. They Told Me That They Heard I Was Racing My Car. I Told Them To Run A Test For Nitrous On My Car. They Never Called Me Back Or Did Anything So I Went And Picked My Car Up And I'm Taking It To Another Dealer Monday. Pat Peck Has The Worst Customer Service I've Ever Seen Even The Gm Cussed Me And Hung Up On Me. I Would Never Go Their Again. It Makes Me Feel Bad To Even Own A Nissan.

 

Man, so sorry to hear that. I would put the stock exhaust back on if you have it and take it to another dealer. If that is all you have done to the car you should be OK.

If you have done other mods, then take those off if you can.

I have had a voided motor warantee before so, I feel for you. It doesn't take much for them to claim abuse and not cover or even want to look at the car. Hopefully, they haven't put that in the computer or your toast.

May have to ante-up for that timing chain and prove to them in court the car wasn't abused. If you did race the car.... you have to pay to play. At least that is what I finally had to accept.

Good luck !!!

 

I don't drive a Z but damn, some of you guy sbarely drive. I do about 30-35K a year.

 

yeah i had problems with the trans too but the car is not suppose to break within a month. i feel like i was sold a lemon just because its a 350z doesnt mean that it cant break like a regular car. i took great care of my car. i got a lawayer fighting now and a tv crew is going to the dealership i bought the car at. its time for them to answer some questions since they have been blowing me off.

 

I would assume that a 350z could last a very long time since it shares the same block with the maximas, I would not get a RSX Type S since I have one and it has tranny problems. I just got my RSX back from the dealer after the tranny fix but it still doesnt work right.

 

and....the Eclipse is an ugly car. I would go with a 350 if I were you

 

I'm sure the VQ will last 200k...but the rest of the Z is just not of the same caliber as those older max's you see lasting 10 years and doing 200k. Yes you can prob get 200k out of it in ~5yrs...if it's all highway....but something tells me that corrosion resistance, electronic gremlins, and crappy trannys will cause an otherwise premature death to most Z's. Sad...but it is what i believe.
NzZ

 

I really doubt its going to corrode easier than other Nissans. I imagine many of the electronics are the same as well.

 

The way they collect water under the doors, along the rear hatch, etc. is certainly inferior to prior nissans. And the electronics are simply more sophisticated (and consequently more problematic) than those of Nissans past. I love the Z, but there's no way in hell this car is going to last 10 years the way my family's 96 max did.

 

If u drive it like a grandma then it should be able to last all the way to 300k