Heard that the 2004.5's have most of the issues with the 03's. How can I tell by looking at a used private party Z (assuming all I know is the VIN # and that the owner says its a 2004).

Thank you

 

A 2004 is essentially the same as a 2003. A 2004.5 has several revisions that make it different - including solving some common problems.

2004 Nissan 350Z Coupe/Roadster (Coupe VINs up to D*4T160000,E*4T060000) (Roadster VINs from D*4T102001 to D*4T110000 & from A*4T002001 to A*4T010000)

2004.5 Nissan 350Z Coupe/Roadster (Coupe VINs from D*4T160001, E*4T060001) ( Roadster VINs from D*4T110001, A*4T010001)

If the letter before the 6 digit serial number is "M" instead of "T", it's a 2004.5 because it was produced at the Oppama plant.

 

2004.5 dont have any of the issues that the 03's have so thats the one you want. my 04.5 has knee pads on the center council which the regular 04 did not have.

 

That was exactly what I was looking for, I will make sure too look for the knee pads and the M in front of the serial number, as well as differences in VIN digits. Thank you very much

 

Those aren't 100% indications. Some early '04 cars started getting the knee pads. Some with "T" in the VIN are 04.5s, so you have to check the sequence number to see it fall in the range I provided.

 

Same issues, same trans. Only good difference is the revised spring rates, but that has nothing to do with the tire feathering.

Both of my car can't hold an alignment for siht, my 03 was just aligned and my 05 need to go in as the tires have started to feather.

 

I've read everywhere that a simple alignment will not do, because of the camber settings being set to give the Z better cornering/handling, which sacrifices tire tread life by wearing the insides faster than outsides (feathering). Any normal car needs alignments, of course your 05 will as well, depends how you drive it. The 03 was just known to have more issues with premature tire wear because of the camber settings, which were changed. If your 03 doesn't have them, then congrats. From what I have heard, 03's are notorious for that.

 

All sports cars have "aggressive" camber settings, that's what makes them handle so well. Compared to some, the Z's is not that great. Camber wear tends to just wear out the inner edge, feathering is somewhat different. Toe-in will fix the feathering problem, but the other problem is that the Z just doesn't hold an alignment well. I'm getting my checked/adjusted annually. Every time I've taken it it, I've gone from toe-in to toe-out.

 

Ah, I see. ^^^

 

That's c-o-n-s-o-l-e, 'bike', not council (NOR counsel, for that matter!) And, yes, I own a '04.5, and, so far, all she's needed is a new power window motor--driver's side. The passenger's side one is starting to act up, too...sigh...NO feathering, though, neither oil-consumption issues, no starting problem, no cooling system issues. S-w-e-e-t ride!

 

Very nice color! How many miles do you have on it?

 

Be smart. Skip 2004 and 2004.5. Get a 2005.

 

^^^ If that's your measure to judge by, then you should always buy the current or previous year. Wait 5 years and see what happens to the ratings for the 2005-2007 cars - they'll have the same black circles as the '03 and '04 cars plus a few different ones.

 

Is that chart from Consumer Reports?

 

Honestly, I just listen to what other people say about their cars. I've heard great things about the 2004.5 and 2005 and those will be the two I look for.

 

I disagree with this.

My experience has been very good for owning a slightly used early 2004. No transmission problems, recently replaced the OE suspension with aftermarket (at 70k miles), the Bose system is fine for my needs, no issues with the brakes (course, I've updated to Hawk HPS pads), squeaks and rattles are very little (not nearly the amount I've heard others gripe about), and the paint is decent.

My only complaints about the paint is that the front end is a rock chip magnet and the previous owner didn't take good care of the paint for that first 8 months of the car's life.

Otherwise, I've taken care of all TSBs and have only had trouble with two items:
1. Fuel tank sensors
2. Window motors

Both of which were replaced under warranty.

Just take a good look at the car you're interested in purchasing and if you're really concerned about it take it to a mechanic for a once over.

 

I have a 2004.5 and the fuel tank sensor doesn't work. By any chance do you know what they did so I can do that too?

 

Check the Maintenance forum. There are threads in cleaning the sensors. If that dont help then the sensors will need to be replaced

 

Can happen on any of these cars to include G35 sedan and coupe. Like mentioned above, clean it.

 

Easiest was to tell the difference is the center instrument panel color. The 04s have a black soft feel paint amongst other interior improvements. We did this because we launched in Europe at that time and had to better the interior...and wanted only one interior spec for the entire world