Ok, I've searched on here enough, but I don't have a DEFINITIVE answer. I realize the 03 and 04's had their growing problems...feathering and tranny grinding are the heavy complaints. It APPEARS that under the recalls, the alignment issues have been taken care of by Nissan in MOST cases. But there seems to be a lot of resentment still, some alignments just don't appear repairable?

Would current owners of these models care to state whether this is true? I'm dying to get into this car, but can't afford the 05.

Is the 03 worth getting into?

Thanks.

 

i got an 04 enthusiast 2 weeks ago and it has absolutely zero signs of any of the problems stated above. i know i have only had it two weeks but the tires are almost ready to be replaced at 14k miles and the wear is perfectly even with no roar at all.

 

I'd go 04

 

Gotta agree with Brickyard Rat, if you can swing it get an 04.

 

I have an 03' Touring with 50k miles and no problems, well actually my passenger side window motor needs to get replaced...

 

Reliability data above from 350Z owners. Compiled by Consumer Reports.

 

Consumer reports is an absolute joke. They critized the Elise because its peddle's were too close together. They must not even knoe what heel-toe downshifts are

 

how much r u willing to spend?

 

I'd like to stay in the low 20's.

So, that Consumer Reports review is pretty harsh...would you say this is accurate?

 

I picked up a 03 track a few months ago and have had no major problems with it...only little minor things typical of a 3 year old car....

 

that report claims 0 - 60 in 6.2 and 14.8 1/4. Are the Roadsters that much slower?

 

consumer reports is definitely bias...they only like certain kinds of cars. Sometime i think they don't know what they are talking about..... they are good for general reference only.

 

03 power windows would go bad within the first 10k miles. i had both sides replaced under warranty. The front tires were replaced by the dealer with new alignment at 7500 miles....i'm now at 20k, those bridgestones still look brand new to me. My original tranny works like a dream.

 

it's better to biuy it as long as there are no on going problems for it, just fix the problems before you buy it unless you are going to make it into a race car.

 

consumer reports are almost always in a lawsuit as well for misrepresenting some companies product or writing incorrect views on them.....when i worked in retail i was told NOT to use them as a reliable source to recommend to customers. Just for the info i sold a variety of products/manu. (Best Buy Appliance Department) not just one that might have gotten a bad review and were trying to hide it.....

 

Bought an '03 Track last year for $22.5k w/ 17k miles. Tranny had a gring, but dealer replaced it under warranty no prob, one window motor went out (no biggie) and I have no sign of tire problems. The car has been great and I love it.

 

I have an '03 Touring with 50K miles. No problems to speak of. Tranny shifts fine and the tires wear evenly.

 

63k on my 03 Enthusiast. No major complaints after they replaced my tranny free of charge.

Had feathering, but not since alignment.

 

I have an '03 Touring with 20k miles. I bought it with 4k, and I've had the power window thing, the grease marks on the window thing, and I've brought the feathering thing to my dealer's attention. I'm kind of in dealings with it right now.

Look, if you want the car, buy the car. I don't think any of us will be able to tell you definitively whether or not you should get it. Some of us have the problems, others don't. Some of the people on here drive their cars like crap, others baby them. This car is not a Honda Civic, it was not designed to be thrashed around. Nor is it an RX-7, which needs constant maintenance. It's a fun car, but it can be problematic. Just realize that it's a car though...it depreciates, no matter what.

 

The only reason Consumer reports says the 05 is much better, is because the cars have been out for less time. Just wait until the cars have the same miles on them, then the 03's will prove just as good as any. Mine, 03 touring and love it!