I hate to say it but Nissan might have sold themselves short with the 350Z in terms of reliability.

When the Z32 came out 18 years ago the twin turbo was a $32k car. You could have bought a base model Vette for about the same price. My aunt has a 86 N/A and 92 TT both with less than 50,000 miles. I can't really speak on recalls and such for the Z32 but why I think their has been soooo many blown trannies, oil comsumption issues and recalls even leading up to the HR was because of the $27k base price. I believe Nissan didn't exactly put in the build quality that they should have and many owners have suffered over the years. I've even read about a owner going through 2 trannies before 30,000 miles. This has lead me to believe for the past few years that you may be better off driving a A/T Z if you don't want as many issues.

Overall the biggest mistake leading up to the Z33 was that the marketing stradegy may have focused too much on affordability.

I owned a 05 s2k for about a year and have owned a 04 STi for two but buying a new Z always seemed like a high stakes game of Russian Roulette. The issues I have read about on here have really made me think twice. I found the 350Z easier to live with compared to the s2k, along with being more comfortable and capable.

I'm not here to sh*t on 350Z owners but you can almost count on a more reliable car to come with the next generation.

 

um, ok

 

One of the reasons I bought my 280Z then 300ZX was because of the well known Datus/Nissan quality. But that changed in the 80s and Nissan hit a low point in quality several years back. They have been rebuilding and improving every year since then so it goes without saying that the 370Z will turn out to be more reliable than the 350Z.

It's not really about price, it's about the overall company quality of manufacturing.

 

Sorry to say, but you are dead wrong. The 350z is one of the most reliable Z cars there has been. The Z32 has so many trouble spots. Syncro problems aren't blown trannys, and the Z32 had its share of those problems too. It also got a ton of issues with little tiny coolant hoses leaking on the back of the engine that require you to PULL the engine to really get to them. Not easy.

My 350Z is a 07, but it has been 0 times to Nissan since I got it 13 months ago, with 9500 miles, HARD miles (Road courses, autox, hard cruises, etc).

 

I love my 2004, even with 5 tranny replacements in 35,000 miles, a window motor replacement, tire feathering that required new tires, and sorry black paint quality (I've had the hood, bumper and fenders re-painted). Oh, and black window streaks and two radio replacements (sound would cut out on one channel while playing cd's). I also have an annoying rattle coming from the rear, but only when the car is cold (first few miles).

I (currently) own Fords, Chryslers, a GM, and of course, the Nisson 350Z.

. . . .and despite all the problems that I've had with the Z, I still like it.

 

 

I was one of those guy from honda-tech who had crazy high compression vtec motor running on my civic si, hatch with type r motor with 1 seat and you know what? I would never ever go back to honda again. Speaking of Z, beautifully designed, well focused on weight distribution and plus you can't beat rear wheel drive. Plus I'm on 80k with no problem.

I believe they fixed transmission problem after 05 or 06 model. Correct me if I am wrong and you can always get your recalls fixed if you still carry warranty. PLEASE if you do not own Z, stop talking **** and go to HONDA-TECH.com

 

Seriously don't come at me like that. You don't have to own a Z to be able to read and understand the issues owners on this site owners have posted. Are you stupid?

So you had a swapped Civic that was built.. What is you're point? What do you mean?

I wasn't attacking anyone but when it boils down the $35k base price is more of a reflection on where Nissan stands in 2009.

DavesZ#3 is on the money. My title has nothing to do with reliability and reliability reflects on a company as a whole. I wasn't attacking anyone but when it boils down the $35k base price is more of a reflection on where Nissan stands in 2009.

 

You can't be serious

 

5 transmissions? that`s gotta be a driver problem, not a trannie problem.

 

The consistant problem was the 5th gear synchro

Im 51 and have owned many, many manual tranny vehicles in my life. I have owned and modified small and big block Fords, Chryslers, and Chevys. NEVER have I had so much trouble with a tranny as I have had with my Nissan.

I now have had the version 010 in the -Z- for over a year with no problems.

The sychro problem on the 2003 and 2004 Nissan 350Z's is well documented.

And yeah, I do drive the pi$$ out of the -Z-

 

350Z reliablilty is a concern for some. And how do you judge reliability? Compared to what? 350Z compared to a 4 cylinder Civic? Performance sports car to, say, the 4 cylinder Toyota? Terrible comparison.

If you want to compare reliably then I suggest performance sports car to performance sports car.

 

I'm going to agree with davidv. However, I have driven my car a hard 45k miles, and the only issue I had was a bad 5th gear synchro at 7k miles, switched out the transmission, and nothing since.
I also have crazy rear tire wear, but I think thats my fault

 

(The 350z is one of the most reliable Z cars there has been.)

lol I want what your smoking pal because the 350z was just problems after problems. I spent thousands of dollars having to fix mine because nissan's crappy warranty would not even cover even though they knew of all of the issues with the car... My next car will be the new Toyota Supra.. Better internals, better built, better reliability, better customer service, etc, etc,
Flame on.....

 

Own a DSM for a year then try and whine about the nissan "reliability". LOL
when i think of nissan i think of most bang for your buck and quality. Reliability... w\e as long as they recall and fix it for free im not complaining, it shows the company cares about their customers and is doing whatever they can to fix any mistakes they have overlooked and stuff. nissan FTW

 

Its a nissan and not a MB.

 

First and second year trannys had some issues, but once they hit the 05 tranny, it was fine. Definitely a driver issue if you continue to shred the synchros.

 

Rumors have it that Nissan wants to move the Z upscale and make room for the next Silvia. The Silvia will occupy the $22k-30k region and the Z will occupy the $35-40k region.

This makes sense really, as you don't want two cars overlapping each other. This also makes me hopefuly that the new Z will eventually come with an AWD option.

 

There has not been a car mentioned in this thread that has not had its own share of issues.

The Z has been a great car to own. I have had mine for 6 years this month and 87,000 miles. I have been on this site since day one, and I have read every problem that are associated with the Z. For the most part they are not big deals. Those that are, seem to be handled accordingly by Nissan. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

The point of the OP's topic is pretty much useless. Every model that comes out of a nissan factory is supposed to be better than the previous. They are wanting continuous quality improvement. But if you expect for things to be way different just because of slight bump in price, thats just stupid. The new Z is going to subject to the same types of issues as any other new car.

OH and FYI, after meeting with some project managers for Nissan Sports Car Group (Z, GT-R) over the weekend, even the $71K GT-R is not free from issues. Having been out less than a month, they are having issues being reported in across the country.

 

what importance does a cars price 18 years ago have to do with today? I mean soda cost a nickle back in the 1950's - but it sorta doesn't make a difference does it?

you can go on any S2k forum and find a host of issues those cars have had too....no car is immune to mechanical electrical problems, or just general "quirks". What you also will find are annecdotal posts from members ranging from "this is the biggest POS car I've ever had" to "this is the best new car I've ever had". I've had my Z since 2003, bought it new, and it's been the best new car I've ever owned. It has never been back to the dealer for a single warranty/dealer repair since the day I took it home