Toyotas are excellent machines...with absolutely no personality. I will never conside a Toyota until they start building cars with character. Sienna and Solara...hot cars? Maybe for soccer moms and clueless yuppie-wannabes.

Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, all build fairly reliable cars (much more so than any doemstic product I've come across). At least Nissan, Mazda, and to some extent Honda, put some flava in their cars.

 

Ok!.... I owned a 99 corvette and I bought it new. It was in the shop more than I was able to drive it. It was in for a lot of stupid crap that chevy should of taken care of from the start but didn't and this was the third year it was out. One was a steering locking problem that happens when you are driving... safe huh . But you really never hear about it until you buy it.
I still loved the car but couldn't put up with chevy's service.
Then came the 350z ... I thought I would never buy a nissan but I drove the car and bought it on the spot. I can't compare the two cars (two different worlds) but I haven't had a problem with the 350z and I bought it when it first came out. I think it's the luck of the draw when you by any vehicle, may it be a kia or a ferrari you never know. Just follow what you really want and go from there.
Good Luck
If power wasn't what matters between 350z & corvette and based on looks I'd go with the Z.

 

Well, theSmoothDome sums it up well, but I’ll throw in my .02.

First, with this attitude you have BEFORE you’ve taken delivery, I say call off the deal now.

My opinion is that a sports car, more specifically Z ownership, is similar to a relationship, 50% of it is attitude. If you enter into it unable to see past the flaws and small things they will bug you and grow until the ‘relationship’ comes to an end. You will only become unhappier with it until you sale the car.

Secondly, there are no perfect sports cars, which is seemly what you want. It goes without saying what a POS the Corvette is. And sadly it is the only true America built sports car. I actually like the style of the C6, but if you think the Z has a lot of first year problems just wait until the new ‘Vette rolls out. And do you thing Porsche, Mercedes, etc. are all trouble free? Pleeeeeeeeease. Here check this out http://www.porscheforum.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=5 , for example. Same small stuff as here. Car forums are mainly just ***** sessions. What fun is it post everyday; “Well another day and another day free of any problems.” What a fun site this would be if we had 1,000 posts like that everyday. One of the purposes of this site is to share problems and solutions with fellow owners.

You’re a young man. Obviously you were not around in the 1950s & ‘60s; the so-called ‘Golden Age’ of sports cars. Many people consider the Ferraris of the ‘60s the ultimate sport cars. You should find someone who owns a sports car from that era. Talk about unreliable. Especially anything from England. Sports cars were loud, smelly, drafty, never sealed properly, and usually in the shop, waiting for parts more than they were out of the shop. We are, today, are so spoiled automotive speaking. I want character in MY sports car. I like loud exhaust, too firm & bouncy ride, and yes a little unreliability. That’s called –character. Like zillinois said, “Its a SPORTS CAR! The tires are supposed to be noisy, the transmission is supposed to be finicky, the ride is supposed to suck. That's why I bought the car!!! I love the bounce. “

Kid, just buy it and enjoy it BECAUSE it’s NOT a Camry. The Camry is one of the smoothest, quietest cars I’ve ever driven, but it’s NOT A SPORTS CAR.

But back to your original question “Is the 350z reliable?” Honestly, if that is the question you are asking before you buy a Z (or any sports car for that matter), call off the deal. YOU are not sports car material. No offense, but you’ll be more happy driving a 2004 Camry.


Peace and good luck.

 

you work for toyota, but buying a Z. bet that is going to go over well at work

 

I was picking up an S2000 antenna at a Honda Dealership today and saw a Z parked in the employee parking area.


thought to myself: "exceeeelllent...don't feel so guilty about getting the s2k's antenna now."

 

mr2 is a small tin can POS

 

What? My friend's Scion is falling apart! But I've had my Z four times as long and no problems

I think Toyota was way ahead in the late 80s and 90s, but the others have caught up, and/or Toyota quality has taken a down turn in the last few years. I think they've cut costs and they're cashing in on their good reputation. They certainly lost all interest from me in every way possible.

 

Uter Z

Perhaps I wasn't clear. The issues with the Z are tire feathering and transmission.

I still think I would buy Camry over an Altima. I would buy a Highlander over a Murano. 4runner over a Pathfiner.

I just would by a Z over an mr2.

I never said I am dissapointed in YOU guys. I am dissapointed that nissan not satisfying our expectations.

Toyota expectations are higher than
Nissan in my mind, but I want a sports car.


At the same time if 04s are not going to have those problems then I am not worried.

I never once said anything about anyone who visits this webpage.

 

I had a 2000 Trans Am, I lost my rear axel twice, and my push rods bent 3 times.

I am not looking to drive a Camry. I want to up shift out of a turn, top down with a reasonable amount of torque. Hello! that's a 350Z

 

 

Don't feel too bad!

Thank Jesus your not a 'Crossfire' Sales Rep!

That car's forum is LOADED with GRIPE!

Definate problems with that vehicle!

Survey (Crossfire) says..."Piece of !$@%"

 

where is that crossfire forum? i need a laugh

 

look at my sig....no rattles!~ lol...car is doing great...but as far as the tread noise is concerned i think some of us miss the variable that the car is very sensitive to the sounds coming from the outside. I can practically hear everything/even people talking! I believe they didn't build the car with the luxury of making it sound proof like a beamer/benz(luxury cars). So everything will be heard much louder than normal.

 

Both Toyota and Nissan are excellent companies. Toyota has taken a downhill turn though recently. My family is a Toyota/ Nissan family. My mom drives a 2000 Sienna and I must say the reliability is only good for my parents because my dad and sometimes me work our asses off so the engine doesn't crap out. The engines have a horrible reliability rating because they gook up and fail. On the other hand I have a 1986 300ZX Turbo that has been in the family since it was brand new and it was an order car. It has been 18 years and it has never once broken down! My dad had a 1978 Celica his first car that he bought and it was reliable and would run when you needed it. Recently I have seen a decline in Toyota though it is nowhere near as good as it used to be. And of course they make sissy cars that have no power. If the Supra was back I would have more respect for toyota. Now I will admitt during the 90s Nissan slipped alittle and quality faultered, but now Nissan is on a come back there cars quality is good and all my friends with new Nissans are in love with them. Also Nissan is a power maker company their cars have always been at the top on power stats in Japan without the Supra toyota can't even compete. Also I don't think the 350Zs problems are really bad problems. One should expect such things out of a Sports car! Tires aren't supossed to last long and all they are their to give you grip not life! The 350Z is a reliable car my friends who own them and people I know who have them are very pleased with the car. Now on the other hand the celica and MR2 owners I know want much much more power and much better engines! I am going to stick with Nissan my parents are getting a redline up the road and I will be soon to follow!

 

When I try to close a customer on a vehicle, and they're looking at nissan I usually whip out my consumer reports magazine. It shows how Toyota is awesome. honda is between Awesome and Great, and how Nissan is between Great and Average.

If Toyota's were so much better than NISSANs, you wouldnt have to be a "salesman" and "close the sale" -- the fantastic car you are selling and Toyota's wonderful reputation would sell itself. As a salesman, the important thing to stress is which car would work BETTER for that individual.. since everyone has unique needs. Its kinda crazy that you need consumer reports to help reassure yourself that Toyota is "awesome" -- whatever happened to personal experience?


I never once said anything about anyone who visits this webpage.

Not about any particular individual, but you indeed did write this:
" Look like I should've taken my own advice. I am very dissapointed in the atitude in the forum. " So yeah, you didnt say anything about ANYone, just EVERYone on this forum.


I don't know about you but my expectations are higher than that. I am totally shocked at all the problems that exist. My Roadster is on order and I'm already wondering if I made the right decision. is the 350z reliable?

You are just a confused buyer who wants people on this forum to stir up ideas and reasons to justify your choice in wanting/buying a Z33. Owning a car is very much like a relationship, if you dont want it dont do it. If you're shakey about it.. dont do it, you're just going to feel even more stupid after you've done it. You're buying a car, not a pack of gum. Do your research, test drive it, talk to people, but dont come on an enthusiast forum and expect people to help make you feel at ease after you've just ripped on the manufacturer and the car.

Remember one thing, if it wasnt for NISSAN you wouldnt have much of a choice in sportscars right now. Last I checked, the Supra was out of production.. and so is the 3000GT. Unless you have cash to throw on an NSX or can fit yourself into an S2000, I wouldnt complain so much. If Toyota is *that* good, you should consider buying a USED Supra. Its fast and well, if Toyota is as good as you make them out to be.. you wont have to worry about things like maintanance because afterall, cars are supposed to last forever.

 

I have to disagree about the toyota engine. Just last year, I donated my 94 Camry to charity. 250,000 miles with nothing but scheduled maintainence. I realize that's only one man's experience. But I've rarely met a person who didn't think their camry was near perfection in reliabliity. I never even had to jump start the car in winter and I live in Chicago! I'm sure you meet way more Camry owners than I do though. Especially now that I have all Nissans.

After buying the 350, the thing I noticed about the Camry was that it has been absolutely stripped of all sensual pleasure. There's no noise, no feedback, no beauty, just practicality. A to B perfection.

 

Not all of their engines are bad. The engines in the Celicas are reliable but they don't respond well to any aftermarket parts. The four cylinders they make are great. They are not pleasure cars just econo boxs. The V6 that powers my moms toyota though is known for reliability issues.

 

the point is that NO car mfg is trouble free and EVERY car mfg has its mishaps. look at toyota and its issues with the old 4-runner head gasket issues.. ENDLESS amounts of headache from 4-runner owners. newer 4-runners are obvious much better, i have friends that havent had any problems with the newer ones.

like i said, every mfg has its pros and cons.. use personal experience, not hear-say and consumer reports to make your judgements

 

My previous car was a 2000 Celica GT-S. It was pretty fun: lightweight, with that VVTI kick at high rpm. Sort of like driving a skittering go kart.
However, the valve lifters got me really worried at about 40,000 miles (they were clicking loudly) and I wanted more power ... so ... I got a Z.
Very different car.
Toyota probably wishes it had a Supra in its lineup, because the Z is the best-selling sports car. Toyota has shown a 5000GT (in Automobile magazine right now) but it's going to be a $140,000 supercar.
I liked Toyota service and the Celica was a dependable car (while I had it).
My Z has lots of little problems, but nothing that can't be fixed in a day by my knowledgeable dealer.
I think the roadster is a great pick and you ought to love it.

 

I've always been a die-hard Honda fan. I had 93 Honda Prelude. When it was time to trade it in, I shopped around for different brands but still ended up with another Honda (97 Prelude). When it was time to move up to a 4-door sedan, once again I did my research and shopped around. I came to a conclusion that 2000 Acura TL was a car that came with the most features for the price and got it. With any of the three cars, I never had any single problems.

Now... why do I have a Z? Fairlady Z has been my dream car ever since I was in grade school. I drove by the dealer one day and fell in love with it all over again. I've always wanted to own one and now there was my chance to own my own! Of course after owning one and having gone thru my share of problems, I am not too sure if I recommend Nissan cars to other people. But I have two Nissans currently: 2003 Z and 2003 Altima. I just like the way they look!!

Toyota is a great auto manufacturer and have a great line of products. However, there isn't a single car that I can imagine myself driving in. When I was shopping for my Altima, I went to testdrive Camry. It didn't really impress me much.

How about other Japanese auto makers such as Mitsu? Hmm... I testdrove a 98 Eclipse one time, I hated how it handled poorly. The suspension set up is too soft. Currently I am out of state on a business trip and driving around in a 2003 Eclipse.... it's definately better than the previous model but still not too big of a fan of those cars.

Mazda? Didn't like the Mazda 6 when I rented it. I guess Miata and RX7's are the only ones I may like but of course I am too big to be riding in a Miata (i.e., my head sticks out!).

Anyway.... I like my Z despite a series of problems. There are times that I have thought of trading it in for another car.... but hey, only car that I could think of trading it in for was another Z! So.... I guess I'll hold it till Nissan comes out with a TT and trade my 03 in for that!