Hey guys, so I am considering buying a 2004 350Z Touring model with 200,000kms on the clock.
While this car looks great I've seen the odd thought here and there regarding the potential of these cars to have problem after problem.

I don't really want to be spending huge amounts maintaining this thing, so I was wondering if I could get your thoughts on what this particular model of 350Z is like to own and maintain.

 

Spend some time reading through the FAQ's and lurking on here a bit to get a feel for the required maintenance of these vehicles. Based on my limited time on here, the un-modified VQ seems like a great engine - just keep up with regular maintenance. As for other repairs, any 15+ year old vehicle with 125k+ miles (this is what my 2005 350Z has) will need ongoing maintenance. Depending on how well this 2004 has been cared for will determine if you need to put a lot of $$ in it right away to get it to a good baseline, and then maintain it from there.

Others here (with way more Z history than I have) will also recommend that you pay to have the vehicle properly inspected before you decide to make the purchase.

Best of luck. Lurk here and there is plenty to learn.

 

Hey Cody,
I have a 2005 Grand Touring which has been my daily since 2013. I love the thing. It has mostly hwy miles but there are 195k on the clock.The Grand Touring level has a few more creature comforts but is otherwise the same as other levels. Note the enthusiast level doesnt have HID's.

Engine: Z's use a timing chain and 03-05's have the VQ35DE as opposed to the Revup or VQ35HR. The DE sometimes has oil leaks but it's otherwise bulletproof. I've done spark plugs, a cam chain tensioner, replaced a bad cam position sensor and a radiator under the hood. since I've owned it.

Transmission: What can I say.. 7 Years and my manual trans is doing great. Change the gear oil at least once a year.

Suspension: The Z's suspension is comfortable but sporty. At this age most have bushings around the control arms and differential that have worn out. You'd hear a clunky rattle if the control arm bushings are bad. The diff would make an audible clunk under power shifting. Worry about the control arm bushings. The dif wont hurt you though nice to replace. Ask if any bushings have been replaced.

Exhaust: My stock exhaust rotted out where the midpipe meets the muffler. Stick your phone camera under the back on the drivers side for a look. If the exhaust is aftermarket, never mind.

Interior: It's face value. What you see is what you get.

Good luck

 

Just a comment: the Enthusiast can have HIDs (see my .sig, I have a stock 2005 Enthusiast, with HIDs). I purchased mine from the original owner, who never modified the Z (except for the crappy muffler-shop-grade replacement exhaust - I do have an OEM exhaust waiting to go in there, though).

 

^^^ This. All trim levels except Base have HID since inception.

And, I'm pretty sure there wasn't a Grand Touring trim in MY '05 (debuted MY '06...or so I thought.)

 

How much do they want for it?