From what I can see these cars have excellent reliability, aside from the know issues with the tranny and oil consumption.

However, I havnt been able to find many threads where high mileage is discussed and if its a good idea to purchase a car with 70-100k miles.

Im coming from a 200k mile 1995 M3 so I am VERY weary of maintenance costs

 

High mileage is ambiguous without a reference. In this situation we have a reference: a BMW with 200,000 miles. A 350Z with 100,000 miles will be less expensive to maintain than a BMW with 200,000 miles. I will put my money on it.

 

i wouldn't be worried about anything major besides tranny issues a long ways down the road probably after 150,000-200,000 miles... just think about how many 15 year old 300zx with 250k+ still on the road

 

The VQ seems to be very reliable, but high milage Z's arent that common. I think mike has almost 300k.

 

My current Z has 95,000 kilometres on the clock (2004 Track) and there doesn't seem to be any issues related to age as yet.

My Nissan service centre advised me that one of the few things that comes up in old Z's (from a service point of view) is that window motors can give out, but otherwise they're a pretty solid car.

Because they're a Nissan, service costs are very reasonable indeed.

The aforementioned tyre issues aren't necessarily related to age, scalloping on the edge of the tyres is an alignment problem. Every Z owner, regardless of the age of the car needs to be conscious of their wheel alignment to prevent this problem.

If you get the car, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as the rest of us do. Look after it and it'll look after you.

 

I've researched throughout this website extensively before purchasing the Z; there are quite a few people in here that have owned the car since it debuted and besides all the problems (mentioned above) from between 03-06, mileage was never an issue.

 

Well, I'm planning to keepmine to at least 200K.

I have an '06 Enthusiast 6mt. It uses a quart every 3500, but I'm OK with that.

bill

 

Issue year on a given model is critical. Try to stay away from the '03 and '06 models, in general (few bugs in 'em, I've read in these threads). So far, it seems '05, '07 and, of course, the '08 are the best. The pattern, according to CR is that with each new model year, the better it's gotten, with the exception of the oil-consumption prob' on the '06 one. My '04.5 Touring Coupe's turned out to be v-e-r-y reliable, thank God. So far, I've only had to replace the driver's side power window motor. S-w-e-e-t babe, my beaZt!

 

I own one of the first Zs ever made, and the transmission was replaced at very low mileage, the tires feather, and the interior rattles. Other failures include the throttle sensor, window smudging, gas door failure and a few others. I have fixed 95% of these issues and I'm relatively happy. If Nissan hadn't done some of it under warranty though, I would think twice before buying.

EDIT: By first Zs ever made, I mean one of the very first 20 by VIN number, sold in 2002.

 

I also have one of the first off the line in 02, somewhere around #1,2XX at about 35k miles now. The tranny is still original but grinds every once in a while. The interior rattles, the driver window sometimes doesnt work, and aftermarket wheels seemed to solve the feathering problem...at least for now. Even with these "minor" issues, I get a smile on my face every time i drive it

 

i have an 03 touring, it does rattle inside but not as much, the tranny only grinds on 5th gear and thats if i race the car or try to do it fast.. its got 115K miles.. no issues at all... its the best car ive ever had.. the 19inch wheels does help with noise etc..

 

Im looking to buy a 2008 350z with 142,306 miles for $8995. is there anything i should be worried about, any drive train problems.

 

I have an 07 base z with 50k miles. I have upgraded the suspension a lot and have upgraded differential. The one thing that failed for me was differential bushing that connects to sub frame. I upgraded the engine mounts, trans mounts, and sub frame bushings when my differential bushing went. All were polyurethane except for differential bushings that I decided to go with solid. I had one window motor go bad. Other than the differential bushing and window motor the car has been great.

 

im about to get an 07 with 52k on wednesday! i cant wait! im gonna see how it rides but coilovers are on my wish list before anything i think.

 

kw variant 3. Get those they are great that's what I got

 

'07 Touring Roadster here with 108k miles.

New radiator @ 76k
Transmission cooler house @ 108k
Brakes/oil/plugs as normal

They seem like pretty reliable cars if treated decently.

Today I ran into a guy at the dealer who had, get this, an 04 roadster that he bought brand new and the thing has 275k on it. He said the transmission (a manual) needed replacement but otherwise, just regular maintenance.

I'd take it somewhere that will do a thorough inspection on the car so there are no surprises - take the seller with you and adjust what you are willing to pay accordingly. Better to spend $50 on an inspection than buying someone else's problem. Good luck!

 

I'm looking to buy a 05 350z with 80,000. It's only $9,200. I drove it and everything felt solid. The only thing is for a a few seconds while it was idling in neutral there was a slight grinding sound. Should I stay away from the car?

 

pay a mechanic to look at the car, nobody can answer your vague description from behind a keyboard

 

I'm guessing it's a manual, right? And that was the only time you heard it, when it was idling in neutral?

 

These. ^^^ A PPI pays for itself the first time you have to fix an ANTICIPATED repair (as opposed to an unanticipated one.)

Also, ask seller if service records are available.

On the sound, is it actually a grinding or more of a rattling sound? If the latter - and this is just speculation - it could be just the usual (par for the course) gear rattle. Kind of sounds like pebbles in a cement mixer.