i am used to driving a 485rwhp 98trans am and i am needing to sell it. so my choice is a 350z. i am only wanting to spend as high as $21,000. i have been on the internet alot looking around and have found out that it equals out to a very nice 2003 maybe 2004. i want something with low miles and options that i know i want. but since 2003 was the first year is there any major problems that i should know about before i buy one? thanks

 

Hey man, check this thread out it has some of the things that people have noticed about the 03s and 04s.

https://my350z.com/forum/2003-2009-nissan-350z/287637-how-reliable-is-the-03-04-350z.html

Other than that do a search and you'll find what your looking for.

 

I have an 03 and have only had the tire feathering problem but I have a late 03. Some of the earlier 03's also had crank sensor/oil issues. The 04.5 is supposed to be pretty good and have most of the issues worked out.

 

Setting a budget is a smart move. For general pricing, check eBay. Then shop locally if you want. $21,000 should get you a 2003 or 2004.

 

If you are used to the power of a 485hp LS1, then I think the Z will disapoint you.

 

I bought a 04.5 as a Daily Driver to keep the miles off my LS1. The Z is a step down in power. Hey it's a V6 not a V8. However, it has pretty good torque. It will be a bigger step down for you than me. You need to test drive one. I still have my 407HP LS1 with special suspension and love it for the mountain roads. However, the Z is almost as good for mountain roads stock but doesn't have the same torque out of the corners I love. In town the Z is much easier to deal with on a daily basis. I can't see myself getting rid of either car anytime soon. Mileage on the freeway is a mpg or two better in the Z. Around town you'll get about 4-5mpg improvement.

However, even though my LS1 is 10 years old it looks and runs better every year:



Z last year:



I'd take the Z as a daily driver any day. I can't say I'd use a Corvette or Viper as a daily driver .... But, I might upgrade the LS1 someday to LS7. ;-)

BTW - I have a 04.5 and have had no problems with her at all.

 

I came from big HP cars as well (550 - 980 rwhp Vipers) and I have to say the Z does not disappoint at all. Take it for what it's worth, a great handling great looking sports car, in fact the Z is the most fun car i have ever owned.

 

^^ Z with a front condom.. eww

 

I love sbc engines, especially the LS series, but after having owned one myself and having several family members with them, I can confirm that the F-bodies handle similar to a wet noodle. The Z easily outhandles the F-body. Straight line acceleration vs an LS1 however, is not a pretty sight for the Z.

 

^^Gotta disagree. I've run a couple of ls1 ta's and the difference isn't that great. As a matter of fact have shut down after fourth and still had them behind me, but not by very much. As far as that goes there isn't much difference between them and the new mustang GT. Really it could go either way. This is stock for stock though and on the street.

 

I try not to street race, but I have been wanting to run a new GT. I'm not impressed with them, but then again I've never like stangs much. I don't think they can keep up with a LS1 fbod, should be close with the Z. My brothers T/A put down 350rwhp / 360ft lb. with just headers, catback and a tune...A stock Z isn't going to touch that. Thats almost a 100hp hes got on us.

 

Yeah because the 350Z is a mid to low 13 second car stock and traps north of 105mph...

Honestly the handling is not bad.. and despite typical thought they do damn well for a solid axle car.... Where does the 350Z fall in this list?? I've seen various track test between the S2000 and the 350Z and I seem to remember them being pretty close.

In 2001 Road and Track ran some cars around Thunderhill Park.
360 Modena -2 minutes, 7.65 sec
Corvette Z06 - 2 minutes, 8.39 sec
550 Maranello - 2 minutes, 9.25 sec
911 Turbo - 2 minutes, 10.73 sec
BMW Z8 - 2 minutes, 13.30 sec
Acura NSX - 2 minutes, 14.15 sec
Camaro SS - 2 minutes, 16.46 sec
BMW M Roadster - 2 minutes, 17.28 sec
Boxster S -2 minutes, 17.46 sec
Honda S2000 - 2 minutes, 17.66 sec

Fact is in a parking lot full of cones.. sure you guys have all the bragging rights in the world. On an actual road course the F-body does well and is far from the joke that people seem to think it is in the handling department. I haven't even mentioned the 1LE, SS and WS6 optioned cars that have better handling... a 1LE car would certainly embarass the times listed by the SS and would even be a very close race against the NSX. Does that apply to every track in the world...no. As I said it's not a fact that F-bodys can't handle..just a perception.

 

You would be correct... The fastest bone stock S197 GT has gone 13.4 @ 104mph I think it was... while the fastest Camaro has gone 12.8 @ 108mph... your average S197 can come close to a slow LS1 car but when you compare averages there is a gap in bone ET and MPH. It takes a tune, pullies & CAI on the stang to make up the gap usually.

Not to say a bad driver couldn't change the outcome though.

 

That doesnt really prove that the car can handle. All of the cars underneath it are significantly underpowered compared to SS. Even the NSX which beat it by 2 seconds has less power. The reason the SS is faster on a road course is because it compensates for lack of handling by overtaking less powerful cars in the straights. If it were equal to these other cars close to it on the list in the handling department, it could acheive equal times with the same amount of power. Take away the straights, put it in a solo 2 competition where power isn't as important as ability to carry speed, and the handling abilities of the F-body start to become more aparent.

 

Power to weight ratio my friend... The NSX is no slouch in that department and also has incredible handling abilities.. If you think about it the M roadster has more power than the NSX and didn't do very well at all compared to it. Does that mean the M roadster handles poorly?

If I am not mistaken isn't the Camaro in the same class as the 350Z for Solo II?

I am not saying the 350Z and Camaro have equal abilities... the 350Z is superior in the handling department. I just think the difference is less than anyone is willing to acknowledge.

 

Thats all I was getting at. I'm mostly in agreement with you. The thing I dislike the most about Fbodys has always been that with the weight ratio and the amount of torque, the rear end comes around hard and fast on you. It can be a fun thing, but it can also get you into trouble real fast. Maybe understeer is just as bad, but I havent had enough experience with it to know. The Z seems to be as neutral of a car as I've driven so far. I wouldn't hesitate to take either car in a road race, but I'd rather have a 88-96 vette than either of them....but thats just me. I just sold my c4 to get the 350z and I'm still having withdrawls.

 

I think the SS / WS6 are A stock and the Z is B stock

 

I picked up my 05 base model for $21,000 9 months ago from Nissan. It was a certified used car and only had 5,000 miles on it. They're out there you just have to look...a lot. But if you are against having a base model then i would say 04 is the way to go based on what I've heard in the forums.
And like others have said, i think getting rid of the trans am for a z will dissapoint you when it comes to hp, but if you like driving the twistys then the z will make up for it.

 

As long as we are on the same page its all good on my end.

 

Without the condom (below). Whenever, I go on club events I put the bra on for the ride. With those guys kicking up rocks around the turns I've learned it's better to be safe and wear a condom.