Please help, looking to finally get myself a Z :)
#23
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Yeah that's the exact price range I bought my car in. $13,750.
I got an '03 because it was slim pickings with the '04s under $14k. I did all my shopping on cars.com and found a Z that fit all the specifications I wanted (manual, color, wheels, interior color) and drove over and test drove it and eventually bought it.
Well there's bound to be more problems on an 2003 because its the first model year....basically tire feathering is rampant and so are electrical problems. Other than that just make sure your Z is in good condition, because they're very reliable as far as the engine goes.
My '03 Enthusiast has 70,000 mi, and runs perfectly - and still does - except when I bought it the battery cables were very loosely connected to the battery and it caused a power surge and destroyed my internal computer 7 days after I bought it (Nissan doesn't use relays to prevent this from happening).
Shop Cars.com for all the listings in your area, and then find the best one, and make an offer or drive over there.
I got an '03 because it was slim pickings with the '04s under $14k. I did all my shopping on cars.com and found a Z that fit all the specifications I wanted (manual, color, wheels, interior color) and drove over and test drove it and eventually bought it.
Well there's bound to be more problems on an 2003 because its the first model year....basically tire feathering is rampant and so are electrical problems. Other than that just make sure your Z is in good condition, because they're very reliable as far as the engine goes.
My '03 Enthusiast has 70,000 mi, and runs perfectly - and still does - except when I bought it the battery cables were very loosely connected to the battery and it caused a power surge and destroyed my internal computer 7 days after I bought it (Nissan doesn't use relays to prevent this from happening).
Shop Cars.com for all the listings in your area, and then find the best one, and make an offer or drive over there.
#24
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Woah, how can I tell if the battery cables are loose so that doesn't happen to mine? Like if I go to check it out. And also, how's the tire feathering? I'm mainly worried about the feathering and electrical problems.
Thank you so much
Thank you so much
#25
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Ok, I know we're both from Indy, but, I gotta ask...REALLY?
#26
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No idea, I had looked at them before it happened and they didn't look loose.
But that's probably because I'm no expert mechanic.
Although the lifespan of an ECM is 5 years. So if you got an '03 that means 2003 + 5 = 2008, so they're very close to needing replaced anyways in all '03 cars.
And that's not just 350Z, that's any vehicle made by Nissan.
But that's probably because I'm no expert mechanic.
Although the lifespan of an ECM is 5 years. So if you got an '03 that means 2003 + 5 = 2008, so they're very close to needing replaced anyways in all '03 cars.
And that's not just 350Z, that's any vehicle made by Nissan.
#27
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ill sell ya mine if u want it. shoot me a decent price. i jus went over 100k and have never had a problem with it. only time in the shop was for a window motor goin out and its fixed now.
#28
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You pop the hood, and open the lid marked "battery" and try and wiggle the connections
Tire feathering/tire roar is a problem on the 2003 models. There were some suspension issues. Seems like people have kept this problem in check with frequent allignments (how frequent I dont know). The 04.5 model year they fixed the feathering issue with some upgraded suspension parts, and upgraded the window motors (one big electrical problem with the 03). I dont know what else they did for the 04.5. 05 model has the 009 Tranny, previous models have been known for syncro problems.
Last edited by WhiteNoiz; 09-01-2009 at 01:24 PM.
#29
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I've actually seen some posts on forums as I look around, and been thinking about the RSX Type-S. Wouldn't touch an rx-8 with a ten foot pole, rotary isn't the way I'm going to roll. I've just driven rear wheel drive and really enjoy the feel much more than a front wheel drive, although I haven't ever driven one. A while back my friend totaled his rsx while I was in it going around a rounded 90 degree turn at 85 mph, and all i remember was the car just going straight forward into the trees.
Couldn't tell if you were sarcastic about the RSX hah, since it's a Z forum
Couldn't tell if you were sarcastic about the RSX hah, since it's a Z forum
#30
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13-14k can get you a good 04 with low miles. I just bought mine 3 weeks ago. I got a 04 touring model, Pikes Peak White with only 46k on it for 12,750 and he also flew me to his house to buy it. The car is in immaculate condition. He was asking 14,000 but he was in a bind and i knew it so i waited till he didnt have a choice.
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