I will be buying a 350Z this month, but want to make sure I avoid some of the manufacturer defects that often come with a new design, such as the 2003. Should I avoid the 2003 or 2004 and go with a 2005 or 2006 for any reason? Does anyone know of some common problems that occur in certain years of the 350Z and in what year where they resolved?

 

how much are you planning on spending?

 

Yep, definitely depends on your budget. I would definitely get the 06 out of those choices.

 

Read them all. It includes how to cure cancer and the meaning of life.

 

I would rather have an 04.5-05

 

no bias there ^. Haha.

From what I have seen, the 2006 AT seems to be the one with the least concerns you are discussing. That being said however, it's anyone’s guess. A brand new car with 1 Kilometre/1 Mile on it and an extended warranty could also be considered the safest route.

Best of luck....

 

Saskatoon? Craziness. Out of curiosity, are there many Zs there? The farthest West I have been in Canada is like the other side of Yonge Street in Toronto. Hmm...maybe Guelph for Univ.

 

Buy the Jan 09 issue of Road & Track magazine. It has a comprehensive 2003-2006 owners survey that points out the good....and the bad for each model year.

VERY informative.

 

What's the name of the magazine that posts independent reliability data? Consumer something...

 

To be honest, no bias. I just wouldn't want to risk having to deal with the oil consumption issue. Not only that, but the rev-up doesn't seem to be faster if you look at the 1/4 times. Now if were talking 07+, different story.

 

Thanks for all your replies. I will spend ~$25-$27k CDN. In Canada I can get a 2006 touring for $27k, or a 2003 for <$20k. As for Saskatoon, that is ~2500 km West of Toronto, or 600 km east of Calgary, and no, not many 350Z's here. The driving season is really only May-October if lucky! The only month we can't get snow is July!

 

I've got an 06 Enthusiast for sale.

 

wow, you start a thread about problems to look out for, and you conclude with 03 or 06 as the model years your looking at.

 

Fewest issues/complaints seem to be on 05s. Main issue on 06 is oil consumption.

Best bet is to have whatever you buy checked by good mechanic.

 

took awhile, but we got there. Well said...

 

move along folks, nothing to see here
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