You don't buy any NEW car for resale... they are all the worst possible thing to invest in if you are concerned about that. If resale is important then buy a two or three year old car where the original owner has already taken that hit. We have had ZERO problems with our Z so far. Some of the "problems" you are hearing about might be due to the way some of these cars are being driven... if you need proof of that just check out some of the other threads on here. (ie: topics regarding the first time you redline your Z... or my buddies put scratches all over my new Z... or I was racing a Mustang GT the other night in my Z... stuff like that. You think anyone would want to buy those used cars?)

 

I am not too worried about resale value since I plan on keeping the car for quite a while (unless the tire feathering keeps up), but if I was buying a used 350Z I would definitely be worried about getting a lemon. There does seem to be an abnormally high number of people with problems. I have had quite a few with my Z, tire feathering, gas door that won't open, grease streaks, rattles, loose axles, etc. I was definitely expecting better than this when I bought the car. My previous car was also a very early 1st year model - a '95 240SX, and in the 50,000 miles I owned it I had NO problems at all so I wasn't too worried about the Z. The problems that we are having wouldn't be so bad if Nissan would be more receptive to them.

 

YOU HAVE AN 04! I said in my original post, my problems are from '03s. Just look at all the people with problems. Way too many of us for one forum. The bad thing is that it's across most of the www. People saying they will never buy another Nissan product again. Believe me, this 350z does not even come close in build quality compared to the other Zs I've owned. It wouldnt even hold a candle to it. I've been to a few Z meets already (35+ 350z) and I've talked to many owners who have experienced similar problems. Deny it all you want, the 350z is a nice looking car with TONS of problems. We used to make fun of c5 owners for all the rattling they had at 40mph +. Now most of us are the ones with it


lol so untrue. You actually think driving a car the way it was MEANT to be driven will cause problems? Even if that were true, it's still not a valid reason why we're getting the tranny problems, rattles etc... Peoples trannys are failing within a few thousand miles. How does racing a mustang GT cause problems? Totally false statement

 

Exactly. Well said. You're the 6th or 7th person I've heard mention loose axle. There are probably many others that don't know what the sound is...or don't care

And I agree with Nissan not being more receptive. They used to actually care about customers a few years ago. Funny, before I got my Z I was thinking of an S14 w/ SR25 swap. I kind of regret not doing that now

 

Here are the problems I've compiled. I dont have all of these problems. They are a few I've seen over and over again on 350zforum.com, zcar.com and of course this site.

Common 350z problems
1. Tire feathering
2. Grinding transmission
3. orange peel
4. paint chips easily
5. rattles throughout the interior
6. window streaks
7. Bose problems (touring model)
8. bumpers,mirrors, gascap and GFX usually are way off in color.
9. car pulls to right
10. Shift **** doesnt line up (think this is a TSB)
11. Gas filling problems https://my350z.com/forum/showthr...&threadid=50348
12. Moisture in headlights
13. Whine when travelling between 70-80mph. Supposedly the differential

Less common problems These are problems more than 1 peron has had
1. Body panels not lining up. (do a search, several of us have this problem IE: hood, hatch etc)
2. vibration at 4500-5k RPMs
3. hatch doesnt always open
4. gas cap is misaligned
5. loud "clunk" when brakes are pressed sometimes https://my350z.com/forum/showthr...&threadid=50682
6. Imperfections in bumpers https://my350z.com/forum/showthr...&threadid=48692
7. excessive "clunk" noises from drivetrain
8. Loose axle nuts (related to *some* clunkiness)

I have all of the "common" problems. The problem is not all of you may think of them as problems. Therefore, you classify your Z as being problem free. I would bet you money, that the paint on all '03 Zs are thinner in the front then the '04s. Hence resulting in chips. How do I know? THere are paint measuring devices out there. ALso, EVERY 350z I've seen has had orange peel. And 4 of the ones I've seen in person have had misaligned shift ***** (this is a TSB I believe). Drive on a straight road for 7 seconds and see if the car pulls to the right a little. Mine always does at the 6 second mark. This is a problem in '04s too. (I thought Nissan was going to work out all the bugs guys?). Bumpers/mirrors/gfx/gascap is AGAIN a common problem on almost every 350z I've seen. Most noticebale on CS and DB

Less common problems:
Look closely, very closely at the body panels. I was relieved when I found this to be normal amongst our cars. I met a lady in a wawa parking lot with an '04 enthusiast. And I checked the body panels on her car. Exactly like mine. Mismatches everywhere. Hatch is not *perfectly* lined up. Ever see that lexus commercial when they roll the marble through the lines of the car to show how perfectly lined up it was? You can do that to a Lexus in person. Not a 350z.

 

If you're concerned about future resale, then get rid of it now, before the "word" gets out even more.

 

[b][b]

WELL SAID.
99.9999% of the people go to work and come back alive, the one misfortune motherf*cker got shot going to the bank will make tonight's new.

 

"YOU HAVE AN 04! I said in my original post, my problems are from '03s. "

Ooooh my goodness. When I wrote that I was speaking of EVERYONE with a Z, which are MOSTLY 03 owneres oviously. I only added in at the very end just for the hell of it, that I have not had a problem. GEEEEEEZZ.

Sure, theres a decent amount of people with problems, and that sucks a$$, but there are MANY more, THOUSANDS MORE with no problems! And like peopel have said before, it isa first year car! Almost EVERY first year car has problems. And like you said, I have an 04, with not a damn problem.

 

Doh,
Buddy, they won 2 championships for you. Nice job at leaving the stadium.

 

Well put!

If you keep your Z for several years (at least 5 or 6 like I plan), the value of the car should be comparable to other sports cars. If you plan on trading in a year or two, you should have leased.

As far as the problems mentioned, they won’t be an issue years from now. The “feathering” problem can be fixed with an alignment, it is not a design problem. The transmission problem is fixable, too. The people who have the problem are having theirs replaced. If you have a bad transmission it will manifest itself now, if it breaks 5 / 6 years from now will be for a different reason.

Let’s remember, this is a mass produced car, things break. There are problems will ALL cars. That is why the manufactures have WARRENTIES! Nissans are quality built cars, I’d rather have a Nissan built sports car than one built by GM/Ford/Chrysler any day.

Dude, just relax and enjoy your Z!

Peace

 

I'm thinking there is a deeper issue here and you need a talk with Dr. Phil or Dr. Ruth (your choice). IT IS A CAR!!! Get over it! Unless you can find those pills that bring you back to reality, do everyone a favor and sell your Z. You are never going to be happy with it. Obviously it's not working for you. The only drawback is you are going to be walking everywhere from now on. Then you'll be on www.nikeforums.com cryin how the soles are feathering to one side and I'm sure they will love your market research there. I have a secret to tell you. Not every Z owner is on this forum I know it is hard to beleive, but it is true. The ones that are here (including myself) are the pickiest bunch you will ever meet. With that said, OF COURSE YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT EVERY LITTLE PROBLEM!! That doesnt mean that every single problem is happening on every single car.

 

Yea it's all in my head? Jeff Holt sir I have owned a few of the original Zs when they were brand new. I've been a z owner for over 15 years. With that said, here is a list of problems and unhappy people
-------------------------------------------
General Unhappiness/complaints etc :

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50894
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=46438
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=23012
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50039
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=44492
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49387
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=47782
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49350
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49351
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=43090
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50534
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50555
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=48134
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=46259
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49991
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50327


ARBITRATION:
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49730
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=43512
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=45675

--------------------------------------------
Gas cap
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49452
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=48222
---------------------------------------------
Tranny:

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=47127

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=45516

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50718
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49271
tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=39553

trannny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny


tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

tranny https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny


----------------------------------------------
Whining noises:
whining noise https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50689



whining https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

whining https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny


whine https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=44064


whining noises https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50317
--------------------------------------------
Clunk noises/rattling:

clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

clunks https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

clicks and clunks: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=48948
rattles https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=46739

*** FIX*** https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=18670

clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

clunky https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny

clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

one clunk fix https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

clunky https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

popping nose/clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

clunk (axle) https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

breaking clunk noise

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

clunk https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ighlight=clunk

rattling sound https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=43209


clunks https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=48038
---------------------------------------------
Tires:
tires https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50499
feathering https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=46241

tire feathing returns https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=48443

tire feathering again https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50174
--------------------------------------------
MISC:


gas filling prob https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=50348

rear hatch not opening https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49419

grease streak https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=45805

grease https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=49815

paint https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=40510

orange peel https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ghlight=tranny




All in my head still? I think not. There are literally hundreds more I didnt post. Not counting all the others on the various Z forums. I think those of you with the Z are overlooking the problem(s) as a type of denial.

 

Might want to just get over this whole "orange peel" thing. Every car I've owned that was a 94 model or newer has had orange peel in the paint. Yes, even my once incredibly expesive 840ci (that car is proof that Bimmer's resale value's suck, BTW). It's the paint process used these days, so please stop complaining about it like it's going to go away.

 

orange peel is the least of my problems

 

Stabber: You have provided a rather comprehensive list of complaining posts on the forum, but its not at all clear whether these complaints will lower the resale value in 3-5 years. My guess is that most of the items on the list won't have any impact on resale. So far the biggest potential problem in terms of cost is the transmission. Most of us haven't had transmission problems. Others get them fixed under warrantee.

Resale value is usually determined by how many people really want a Z and what are the available alternatives in the same price bracket. The S2000 is comparable in price and value. They also had transmission/synchro problems over the first two years and had to hassle with the dealer to get it replaced. Very few mention this when talking about the S2000. The third generation RX7 had many reliability problems but is now usually considered the best sports car out of the 90’s. Its resale is high. Whenever an M3 wins a race the reliability issues are forgotten and the resale price increases.

What $30,000 car do you think will be worth more than the Z in 3-5 years?

 

I, for one, am not disputing you. I’m sure there are ‘hundreds’ of Zs with problems. But with 38,844 sold through October 2003, I’m sure Nissan (or any manufacture) can live with those numbers. (2-3% of 38,844 = 776 to 1165)

My point is, unfortunately, this is within the norm. All of us want a trouble free car, but there aren’t any. And of course on a site like this we’ll always hear of the horror stories. There won’t be many posts everyday of another month pasting with NO PROBLEMS. Personally I’ve had no problems, almost 5 months (I realize that is a short time).

Sh** happens –that’s why there are new car warranties.

Peace

 

How many of these problems are YOU having? I'm saying that you are seriously over reacting. For someone who has owned so many cars, you should know best that car depreciate. The bottom line is NO. None of this is going to effect your resale value any more or less than normal depreciation will. And as for being in 'denial'...it's called reality. Cars depreciate, get over it all ready. I never said the Z was perfectly hand crafted without a single flaw. What do you expect for $30k?

 

Good post.
Thank you as well Marhot

 

I've never made a post that I haven't had any of these problems and I'm sure the other 97% who haven't had major problems haven't posted their non-problems either.

 

So my 03 has a total of zero of those problems. Paint everywhere matches, shifter is fine, no rattles, no streaks, no feathering, nothing. Front paint is actually holding up perfectly as well which I was worried about with all the talk about it but I've had no problems so far. Also figure that people who do have a problem are more likely to come to a message board to either research it and/or vent about it than someone who doesn't use the internet much and has a 350z with no problems. I think we see a higher concentration of issues on the various boards for this very reason. And the people that aren't having problems are starting threads about how they don't have problems. Sorry your car has issues but the fact remains that most people don't.