This tire feathering issue, sorry to bring it back "up" again, but this is my question:

Is Tire feathering such a great problem, that it would stop me from buying a Z?

I do not have the money or the time to deal with such issues as described here and other places regarding the problem.

What year Z would you recommend?

I have read most of the issues on the 03's, some on the 04's, and some on the 05's....so I need a recommendation now from an enthusiast!

Also, in the buying process, is there anything I should be espicially careful to check or look out for on the models I test drive, to see if the car has the problem, or will have the problem. I am looking at models with 0 ~ 20K miles.

Thanks for all your help! You guys have a great forum!

 

I'll be watching this one close...
Some good deals out there on some nice used Z's...

 

I don't think he wants to buy used...especially when he is very concerned about tire feathering.

The older the car, the greater the chances are of it being affected by tire feathering.

I would buy the 05 or possibly wait for the 06, which Motortrend predicts to have its interior "freshened".

 

To get picky, from my reading today I am finding that the 04.5 and 05 have the least problems.

 

Futurama

Where in CT do you live.
I have been doing alot of shopping and I can give you a good list of dealerships to go to.

I should be getting mine on monday (tomorrow)

 

Thats great, your getting yours on Monday.

I am in Litchfield county, but honestly I will go anywhere I Need to go to get the right Z. I test drove at a true stealership in Watertown yesterday, what a joke! A little Place called "County Line Nissan", it was horrific. Tried to give me the run around, but I put them in place. I test drove in rain, and will be going to another dealership on Monday to drive in the dry...

Yeah, any recommendations on dealerships would be great! Thanks!

 

Every time I say the tire feathering issue is blown out of proportion I get flamed by one or two people that have had a horrible time dealing with it. I am just shocked that there are about 5-6 threads started a month where people are questioning if they should even buy this car b/c of these types of problems. Thats what I mean by blown out of proportion.

Fact is the stock tires and the stock brake pads won't last more than 20k miles or so. I can't wait for mine to wear out so I can replace them with a better brand.

 

So its not as bad as I read it to be? Or is it, just for specific models(namely 03')????

 

There is a wide variation on feathering with 03s. A few have had no feathering and a few, very vocal, have had major tire issues. My 03 has 21000 miles on original tires with another 5000 to 10000 left; I do have minor feathering.

No, tire feathering would stop me from buying.

I'd go for an 04 or later model, though.

 

Futureama

I know what you mean about going whereever you need to go. Im doing the same thing. I shopped around @ nissan's website to look at all the dealers inventory. Then I phone shopped. I have a great deal set up for monday in Marlborogh Mass.
I havbe been shopping for a leftover 04 and all the dealers in CT would not discount them to where i wanted to buy one. Middletown Nissan was OK.
Jerry Rome nissan in Mass was ok too.

 

Going to test drive an 04' Track, blue w/nav and only 2,000 miles for 28K in Milford tommorow, well see how she rides. Any more comments on the version of Z and this damn feather...

 

Well if you want to travel to get your ride, check out www.carmax.com. You may be pleasantly suprised at the prices!

 

Tire feathering seems to be more on a car-by-car basis than year-by-year. But the newer the car, the less likely the issue will definitely be.

I have an 03 with 12k on aftermarket tires. No signs of uneven wear yet.

The Z has it's share of issues but don't let the winers here change your mind about getting one. I bought the Z and then found this site. I was totally panicked at first when I read these posts....then I realized that the complainers are the one's who are the most vocal.

Other comparable cars have their issues as well. Just check out their forums and you'll get scared away too.

An 04 Track would be a nice choice but you can get more options for less money on a different trim level.

 

I wouldnt let the feathering scare you away. I personally burn up tires at an accelerated rate anyhow, lol...

Honestly, everyone has their own theories about the feathering, but imho, once you switch to a different aftermarket tire, the problem pretty much goes away.. or at least doesnt show up untill much later than it normally would.

 

Then you might not be able to afford this car...Things like alignments, brakes, tires, oil changes, and gas are all going to be expected out-of-pocket expenses on any car and will always be higher on a sports car.

 

And for what it's worth, I had to have my stock Ford Escape tires replaced at something ridiculous like 22k miles. They were totally worn down. And given that the Z is a sportscar, if I get milage per tire change around there, I'm OK with that.

But admittedly, I was hella pissed that I had to replace the Ford tires at 20k miles.