There are very few people that would get rid of the car for the rather minor problems. Most I believe would get rid of it because of financial reasons or the reality of paying for something for 5 to 7 years has set in. No matter what large purchase you make there's something in us that makes you want something a bit less once you've acquired it.
The Z is a great car for the money but any car can have some problems - a friend of mine bought a new BMW years ago and the whole front right tire/hub left the car the first week he had it.
Maybe feathering isn't so bad after all. (BMW DID give him another car)

 

There's also the simple rule of 'Supply & Demand'. A lot of people want to buy a 'used' vehicle that has already taken the immediate hit on depreciation. Buying a 6 mth - 1 yr old car is a good idea for some. If people want those cars there will be people willing to supply that demand.

 

Since you asked about the Rx-8, let me chime in. The 350Z and Rx-8 will both be great fun cars. Both have a legacy of building exceptional sports cars. Without a doubt, Nissan and Mazda have traditionaly built the best Japanese sportscars. The 350Z will give you a different feel due to its low end torque. My 94 RX-7 will throw you back in your seat in just about any gear due to the low end torque. You are not likely to get the with the Rx-8. The RX-8 will offer you a far more refined engine. the engine is so smooth that the only way you know its time shift is the beep that comes on near 9K RPM or looking at the Tack. The testers said the engine was as smooth at 9000 RPM in 2nd gear as 2000 RPM in 6th gear. Thats pretty impressive.

If you saw the comparison with the G35 coupe and 03 Cobra, the RX-8 got a 10 for fun to drive, tranmission and 2 other catagories and it came in first place in the overall rating.

The Rx -8 also will have tremendous aftermarket support and rotaries love turbos, the renisis is not going to be any different.

All of the tests said that the RX-8 is a hardcore sportscar and its a true sportscar with 2 extra doors. In terms of looks? Well I like the looks of the Z and the 8, hard for me to pick which I like better.

If you have any need to be practicle the RX-8 will win hands down. Mazda did an amazing job of engineering with that car and the back seat has plenty of room. Also, the RX-8 is a much better deal, at 25-32K, its priced far below the 350Z.

Eitherway you can t go wrong.

 

I wonder why you're even looking at the Z? The key words that stood out was "luxury sports car." Have you looked at the G35 coupe, it's supposed to be more of a luxury sports car.

Really if your comparing the Z to the RX330 (great looking SUV by the way), maybe your emphasis is more on luxury than sports? In which case neither the Z or the RX8 are going to make you happy.

Again if you're looking for a car that has both luxury and sports in abundance, I don't think you're going to find one at the 30k level. Meaning you will have to decide one way or the other...

 

Well, I am afraid, you are in the BMW teritory A 325 with a stick shift would be very satisfying, at roughly the Z's price point. If you want an auto, then a 330 would be choice. One thing is certain, in my mind, there is no other manufacturer that offers a luxury car with sports character built-in to the genes. I truly love my 330Ci, it is a great all around performer. With an SUV, you definitly not get the sporty feel.

 

not everyone has thease problems i have one of the cars build after sept and so far 2 problems greese ont he windows and driver seet has a clunking noise and thats it im at 5300 miles and the tires have almost all of there thread still on them so whatever car you buy just remeber you are going into a lottery and bad luck can happen

 

WOW..I bought my Z in NOVember. I have NONE of these probs.
II got the Bose "fix" done and think it sounds great!
My car is solid...no rattles - oh except for the seatbelt rattle - but then THATS what the CLIPS on the pillar are for!!!

Great car - best car I've ever had the pleasure of driving. It puts a huge smil eon my face everytime she roars to life.

RX vs Z? what are you schizophrenic? You the only thing those two share in common are the fact they have two wheels! If you can even THINK aboiut driving a SUV....you have NO business in a HARDCORE SPORTSCAR!!!!


Aggghhhh! "Luxury" SUVs...I pray I NEVER become one of these vapid, soulless, wastes of humanity driving these lane hogging, motorcylist killing, environment wasting cages of steel....

 

I thought he meant RX-8.

Im lost.

 

They have four wheels.

 

I, on the other hand, pray YOU never post another narrow-minded, prejudicial statement like the one you just made concerning people who own and probably enjoy (rightfully) driving SUVs. Do us all a favor: keep your asinine comments to yourself!

Oh, and thank you Captain Obvious for that astute comment regarding what the seatbelt clips are for. Up to this point I thought they were hooking up a tow-rope and dragging a skateboarder. Gosh, thanks for clearing that up for me. You saved me the replacement costs!

A proud "vapid, soulless, wastes of humanity driving these lane hogging, motorcylist killing, environment wasting cages of steel" driver!

 

I think the primary drawback of the RX-8 compared to the Z is its power. Because of its relative lack of lowend torque and a peak horsepower thats about 20 less than the Z, it's about a half second or so slower than the Z. It will likely be more refined, and it's certainly more practical from a seating stand point. It will probably handle as well or better in cornering because it only weighs 3000 lb or so.

What will really be interesting is the new RX-7 that is supposed to be coming out in 2005 or 6. It's supposed to be only 2700 pounds with the same horse power as the RX-8. (I suspect it will have slightly more.) It's also supposed to be available as a convertible.

 

the more i see the rx-8, the more i'm interested.. for those of you who suggested that i should get a porsche.. haha sorry that's out of my price range... ($30k-$40k). To me, the rx-8, rx330, 350z are the only cars that are worth that money.. im not interested in bmws haha.. because they're not as powerful as the new japanese cars coming out. thanks for your suggestion though.. =)

 

I think a lot of people are selling because they perceive the Z to have lots of problems by reading our rants on Z websites, too. First time buyers have no idea what teething problems newly introduced cars can have and they're spooked by what I and a bunch of other Z fanatics get wrapped up in trying to get our cars perfect.

As far as I am concerned, the only problem that has confounded me is the tire wear, a professional alignment(by my dealer) has cured mine, I believe. Nissan has been slow to respond to our pleas/rants/logical reasons for addressing it. All of the other problems are not uncommon for newly introduced cars.

 

say what you will, but SUV drivers are the diametric opposite of sports car drivers.

I used to ride motorcycles but finally gave up after being hit the SECOND time by one of your cell-phone talking, I'm indestructible in my land-tank SUV driving brethren. The sad thing is how your ppl BOTH TIMES claimed to have not seen me, and really showed little remorse. I had a buddy a few years ago who paid the ultimate price when a lane hogger in her cage decided to pass around a blind turn. He never knew what hit him....and the scary part...this ***** RAN!!! (we got her tho')

This is the end of discussion for me. However, for anyone on the fence between a sports car such as the Z and an SUV....do yourself a favor - just get the SUV...

oh and fotodad, unload the Z and enjoy your SUV lard-***.

 

I can understand your position considering you lost a friend to the driver of an SUV. However, to make a blanket statement that all people who drive SUVs hog the road and have little regard for other drivers is completely unfounded. I live in a neighborhood where the driver of a Lexus convertible sports car (I forget the model) consistantly zips and speeds down the street where my kids play basketball and cross the street to go to a friend's house. Now, do I think that all Lexus sports car drivers or even sports car drivers in general drive recklessly in residential areas? Absolutely not! There are idiotic, unsafe, self-centered, offensive drivers everywhere, driving all sorts of different vehicles from SUVs to sports cars. Simple truth: DRIVE SAFELY AND DEFENSIVELY.

End of discussion for me, too.

By the way, how did you know I was trying to lose weight?

PS I've tried to speak logically to the Lexus driver in my neighborhood, but he didn't understand logic. Hmm, maybe a conclusion can be drawn from that. All Lexus drivers are...

 

Have you looked at the Infiniti G35 sport coupe?

 

fotodad, one of my best friends (who happens to also live near me) owns a g35 coupe.. he told me he got it for 45k out the door and i dont think im willing to pay for that.. personally, i think the g35 coupe is too big. as for the suv vs. sports car talk.. i want to either get a sport car or an suv, not a g35 coupe because even though it's a coupe, it's big and wide.. reminds me of a sedan which i already got. thanks for the suggestion. after riding inside his car, i dont really like it that much.. dont know why, just don't. anyways, thanks a lot guys! any other suggestions out there?

 

It was a based on the problems I had with the Z, I previously owned an '02 M3 and sold it after having it for about 4months only because I made money off the resale. I decided to try the Z out, and well a bit dissappointed but I guess I expected it because of course there is a $18k dollar difference, but I didn't expect the shitty service and problems from NNA and my local NIssan dealership. The paint chips were horrendous, the gearshift rattles and whine and of course the icing on the cake was the tirefeathering problem. I could deal with the other problems but when its starts costing me $$$ every 4000 miles its time to go. Well then of course came the resale value of the car, I've never taken such a big hit on any car I've ever owned. I really think making this car a 2seater really hampered it but oh well thats another story. I'm turning in my NNA customer survey and well it ain't going to look pretty, maybe that'll help out the rest of you.

 

Vincey2kr1,

Sounds like I'll soon be in the position you were in not long ago...looking to sell the Z. If you don't mind my asking, what did you get for your Z and what model was it? Did it sell quickly or did you sit on it for awhile, or did you trade it in?

Thanks!

 

vince and fotodad, im sorry to hear about you guys' situations.. the reason i started this thread is because of preventing this from happening. I hope you guys get your problems fixed soon.. after hearing about what you guys said, it certainly made me think twice before getting a Z.. i feel bad to capitalize on your hardships, but thanks a lot and good luck to you guys