Still haven't found an answer to this, through all the searching I've done. I've been looking at auctions for an 03 which I can get a good bit cheaper than an 04. I am just worried about the transmission problems it's had. All of the threads I've read on the grinding, people just said they got it fixed under warranty.

Assuming I get an 03 w/ 80k miles, I still don't get if it most likely got fixed when it had been under warranty or not? Is it something the previous owner could have just ignored for a long time, or did they all get to the point where they HAD to get replaced?

Everyone just says they got it fixed under warranty, but I'm sure there are those who weren't under warranty and found a way to fix it without paying ~$1500 to replace it (yes, I've read every Z forum's FAQ page addressing this). Would changing the trans fluid help it (also heard mixed comments on this, some saying it helps decrease grinding but doesn't stop it).

Any input would be great , thank you.

 

Sure, get an older, high mileage sports car.

Good purchase right there.

 

Well that was pretty helpful. Anyone actually willing to give some intelligent advice.

 

Save your money.



Need more intelligent advice?

 

If you are looking at a used 350Z, Nissan may - may not be able to run the VIN and see if transmission work has been completed. Generally Nissan will not run any numbers for you unless you own the car.

Why not buy a 350Z with a good transmission and avoid the hassle?

 

Thank you for the HELPFUL advice. Yeah, I'm beginning to think it may be worth it to get the 04, even though it will cost a bit more. I was just wondering what 03 owners did about the problem if they weren't under warranty. And yes, since I obviously can't ask the owner about the history of the cars in auction, I'll be running a Carfax, so hopefully it would be on there. I'd still like to know how I can check the car to see if it has the CD009 trans, since those are the first to be good.

 

07 n 08's are running low on price with low mileage how much exactly r u looking to spend that you want to go to an 03 with such high mileage

 

this is what i tell people when they say there looking to buy a Z..., it took me 3 months to settle on a car that i thought was the best deal and i found and 03 with 28,000 miles in mint condition for 14.5K, adult owned.. KBB & CARFAXED it of course then i bought a warranty FROM NISSAN(which is pretty mod friendly) for 1.4K not some usfedelis bullsh*t, i was about to buy an 03 with 75,000 miles from a kid who's car wasnt even his, he bought it from someone to sell it for only 11K though but it wasnt in nearly as good condition and the mileage was obviously a lot higher, i spent more money but I'm A LOT happier with what i picked... just don't rush into anything and make sure you do your homework

 

Just look at the number on the tranny and see what it has in it, if its got an 09 trans your good.

 

Ok good so it's something I can spot easily? I'll most likely arrive at the auction early to check out the cars I'm interested in and see them up close.

And the reason I'm asking about the 03's is because for around $9-10k I can get a near perfect condition 03 w/ 60-70k miles (what is considered in the 'low mileage' bracket in auctions for this year), and have more money for mods and such. As opposed to buying an 04 which could have more flaws, not necessarily be in the best shape and have more miles. I'd most likely have to spend a little more money on fixing any issues it may have.

That is the reason I'm looking at the 03's, since each year difference makes a good bit of price change.

I was just wondering if worst came to worst and it was starting to grind, if I'd absolutely have to change the trans or could fix it a cheaper way.

Thank you all for any help, hope that made sense.

 

Definitely. That's alot of the reason I'd like to get a much better condition 03 than a more beat-up 04 with more miles, assuming both the same price. So after you bought it, you were still able to go to Nissan and buy the ext warranty? Or was it because you were still under the factory warranty that you could extend it?

 

there was actually no warranty on it at all so i had to just buy one, but i'm covered for 60,000 miles or until the end of 2014

 

I still don't get it. I've heard most of the 350z's problems occur early on. Is that to say majority of the transmission problems would have been fixed during the factory warranty? Or have they been known to happen later on, say 50-70k miles. I'm asking because I haven't heard of that happening to anyone, but still unsure.

 

i really am not sure, i just bought the warranty so if there's any problems at all common or not, i don't have to worry about it.. you'd have to search around for the answer to that.

 

I owe '03 Track. 3rd gear grinding started at about 15.000 miles. I was covered by extended Nissan warranty but since I moved the car out of USA I could forget about any cover ... I have 30.000 miles on the clock now and still didn't have to replace it. The issue is more annoying than affecting your daily use of the car. Changing gears in RPM bellow 4000 you might never hear the grind. Problem is - driving the car hard - over 5000 I hear grinding everytime I go to 3rd.

3rg gear synchro failure is VERY common on 03s. As far as I know (looking at forums and asking Nissan techs here in Ireland) the only way fixing it is tranny replacement. Most of the owners would do that under 5 years Power-train Warranty - but you never know if the owner of the one you are looking at did....

I believe looking at the tranny number (going under the car) is not an option - never been to an auction though - so no idea if the let you lift the car.

If I were you I would stick to the 03 if it is in very good condition - and replace the tranny - it is 1500-2000$ - saved on buying older car in good condition + you have new transmission.

For me - knowing that the only way to fix it is to replace the bloody tranny I will wait until it will go into pieces before I spend my $$$ on the new one - here it is waaay more expensive !!

Good luck anyways !

 

Used trannys go for 300 to 800.

The vin number is attached to the oem tranny and the revision is on a sticker.
replacements will not have the Vin number on it.
I sold a track 03 Z at 97k miles no issues.

 

Thanks alot for your help guys, I was worried I'd get flamed but I'd rather get an 03 cheaper and have to fix the problems if it does have them, rather than paying much more to get a year or two above.

I'm going to test drive a guys 03 350z enthusiast, he says the may need replacement?? I asked why he thinks that and he said it doesn't ever slip, but you can hear the throwout bearing when engaged?? He said to just take it for a drive and see. Is that normal for Z's? I've checked numerous websites, and I've never heard of the throwout bearing noise to be for the clutch needing to be replaced....and btw he said trans hasn't been replaced and never grinds.

 

well dude im probably one person you want to talk to when it comes to the transmissions for the Z/G. I have an 03 G and the first thing i want to say is the guy before me had the car under warrenty and he always took it in for what ever problems he had. Only thing regarding the trans was the clutch he replaced. He put another OEM one in from Nissan. After i drove it for a year or longer i drove it hard one day and the pivotball snapped in half. The clutch dropped to the floor and was inoperable and i had to hardshift for an hour back home. I automatically thought it was a hydraulic problem so the first thing i replaced was the clutch slave and master cylinder. It wasn't that so then i dropped the trans and figured id replace the clutch/flywheel/pressureplate/transmission mount/clutchline/pilot bearing/throwout bearing/pivotball/and short throw shifter with aftermarket parts. The thing about the 03 trans is they come with a lighter skinny clutch arm with a longer pivotball. The other years have a thicker heavier clutch arm and shorter pivotball. When i replaced the pivotball i misaligned the gate (triangular plate connecting the shifter to the trans) and i grinded out my 3rd and 4th gears with 5th starting to give. Then i bought the cd009 from the dealership for about $1600. It came with the thick clutch arm and (weak) short pivotball. I put my longer (stronger) steel pivotball in with the lighter clutch arm and aligned the gate perfectly and now it runs like a champ. Other than all those parts i replaced theres nothing else you can replace really unless you work for amaco and you disassemble and reassemble trans all day and you wanna tear it apart and waste your money on a rebuild kit. With the syncos going out all i can recommend is making sure the shifter gate is perfectly aligned or else your going to be in a world of pain. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Wow really appreciate the info. Seems like this guy may have driven it hard, but says he just drove it to school and takes his sports bike out other places. Is it enough to just check that it shifts smooth when I test drive it? He's asking $10 for an 03 enthusiast w/ 80k, which is around what they go for in auction around here, except in auction I'd have to pay auction fee and shipping and not know the history of that car. Lots of people have told me to just check if it shifts smooth, but.....I'm not sure. As far as anything modded, only thing is pop charger w/ heatshield. Everything else stock. Thank you for the help.

 

man ... I just went threw exactly same process 3 weeks ago ... And wasn't driving my bay too hard ....replaced my slave cylinder first , still didn't work... exactly the same story - pivot ball snapped in half - what a pain to fix - 8$ part takes over 10 hours labor !!!