Hello,

My name is Patrick and I live in Miami, FL.

I am looking at a used car and I am down to two choices, one of which is a Z. I just had a quick question, I've read that some 03s have tranny problems, is this true? is there a certain year i should avoid? I'm looking at a couple so far i've got a 03 and 04 6spd enthusiast to go look at this weekend.

I appreciate the info as I find owners are the best ones to ask

 

How old are you?

 

25...

 

Yes it is true.

 

What does this matter?

 

Also look out for tire feathering...
From the sticky at the top:
https://my350z.com/forum/2510832-post10.html

 

It matters most, above all other things.

 

i may be new here but i've read some stuff. it matters because if i'm a teen he would ban me form buying one =x

also im not looking at a base, i;m looking at an enthusiast, or touring as tracks are almost impossible to find.

also thank you for the idea of looking at feathering. any tips of things to be wear of are appreciated.

lastly if i get an older one that does not have the LED rears (which i believe started in 05) how difficult is a conversion?

 

Get an HR.
Period.

/end thread.

 

^ troof on the teen comment.

Honestly I'd try to get an '07. The engine feels MUCH better than the '03's

I had both.

 

If you can, go for the 07+ for the HR.

 

The best years to own are 2005, 2007, 2008 and the 2009 (only 350z Roadster is made)

'03 and '04's have a tire feathering issue.. this was fixed half way through 2004.
The 2006 has an oil consumption problem.

Other than that the Z's are rock solid... Good Luck!

 

chances are it will be an 04-05. im aiming somewhere between 250-300 a month, maybe a little more, thats why i wanted to know things i should avoid in the older models. i could afford like 400 a month in payments but i'd be strapped otherwise and be stuck w/ it being stock forever.

 

still a noobie..but obviosuly the HR is so much better than the DE, however.. in australia..used car values.. for a 03-04 z coupe track, goes for around 30-40 thousand dollars... the 07 and up with the HR motor, go for around 45 thousand and higher.. ireally cannot justify the average 10 thousand price increase for an extra ~18 kW increase and the rev up, and higher red line.

 

It really depends bro. I have an 03 that has no tire feathering or tranny issues. I would just test drive the car and make the call.

 

i too am looking to buy a Z. earlier today actually i went to a nissan dealer and they had an 04 performance model and a brand new 08 enthusiast left over. i drove both and the 08 ***** on the 04 in every possible way. looks better, nicer interior, nicer wheels and like someone else said the engine is noticeably stronger. they were going to let me have the 08 for $23K otd!!! but i just cant do those payments. im hooked on the 07-08's now. im having them find me an 07 enthusiast. we were talking price for the 07 and they said probably around $17.5K otd depending on mileage

 

How many 06s had that oil problem? 2 out of 3 or 1 out of 3? When I got mine I did not have the problem, so I wouldn't say 3 out of 3.. I don't know if it was fixed prior to me buying it, it had 1 owner before me but back then looking at the carfax it never said any thing was touched.

 

The LED tails are the same size and swappable between the model years.

Also, I wouldn't think about buying a car based on what you'd pay per month... think big picture instead i.e. how much interest are you forking over over the life of the loan?

You will not be disappointed with any model year. True, the 07 and 08 are faster. But that doesn't make the 03-05 slow by any means. Love the car for what it is, because there's always going to be something faster out there.

 

find the 350z 04.5, I have enjoyed mine for 50k. Plus it had the best lb/hp ratio of all years. and a tried and true motor/ no oil issues, no feathering....

however, you will most likely enjoy any model

 

I'm talking out my azz here a little, since I don't HAVE an '03, but...

I would suggest looking for a used one that DOESN'T have new tires on it, look at them to see if they are feathering. If so... well, you have your answer.

Sounds like of the ones you are looking at, an '05 will be the better bet.