Z33FairLady_Z

iTrader: (9)

hey guys, i am going to purchase my Z soon. but i cant decide if i should go with 03 or 04. i keep hearing that there are some problems with 03. but 03 is cheaper than 04. what r some problems that i will have if i go with 03?? i will appreciate any reply. thank you

jakesford

i bought my 03' with 46k miles, it has a couple minor problems but i bought nissan's 100k mile bumper to bumper warranty so no worries...

Z33FairLady_Z

iTrader: (9)

what kind of minor problems??

jakesford

there are grease streaks on my passenger window, and it pulls slightly to the right...both of these have TSB's out. I got the touring and my Bose headunit skips alot. I'm going to get an aftermarket radio so no biggie, still getting it replaced before so i have a working stock radio.

Transmission had no grinding and shifts really well, it might have been replaced ...

the Nissan warranties are pretty good, its bumper to bumper, no deductable, 24/7 road side and towing, free loaner cars, free paintless dent repair... $1600 through nissan dealer for 4yrs or till 100k miles...

Z33FairLady_Z

iTrader: (9)

does lot of 03 model has problem with griding?? and did u purchase your car from the dealer?

FairladyZX

iTrader: (19)

Go for an 06'. It's not worth saving a few $ gs'.

J's Z

iTrader: (2)

I have an '03 with absolutely no problems.

xray2

iTrader: (1)

Unless that 03' is 18k I'd save my pennies for a fresh 06' or an out the door 05'.

oman

Dude I OWN A 03 NOT ONE PROBLEM, PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS ON HERE COMPLAINING HOW ALL THE 03'S HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANNYS AND GRINDING, THESE PEOPLE ARE OLD ASIAN MALES WHO ARE RETIRED AND LIKE TO WATCH LATE RERUNS OF MATLOCK AND MURDER SHE WROTE!

BUY A 03 DONT SPEND 2 GRAND MORE FOR THE SAME CAR, THIER ALL THE SAME JUST DONT BUY BASE!!!!!!!!!

davidv

iTrader: (2)

I recommend that you buy by mileage instead of model year. In other words, a 2003 with 20,000 miles is a better deal than a 2004 with 40,000 miles.

Act of God

I'd buy the 04 just to get the better colored interior console

ZlleH

iTrader: (7)

Definately get a 2004 model at this time since it still has enough warrenty left over for you to do all the TSBs before the warrenty ends. Believe me, If I didn't have 9 months warrenty left to do all the TSBs that are out there, I would have been paying the price. But if you do find a 2003 model and able to talk to the owner and see that he has done all the TSBs, then go for it.

MagicPie

I have to agree with oman forums tend scare people into buying the very car they care so much about and spend so much time talking about.
If your getting a good price on the '03 18-19K I would go for it.

I recently bought a '03 and its fantastic, I havent had any tranny issues but its not a big deal if I do. I got til 60K before the factory drivetrain warranty goes out and I have read alot doesnt appear nissan is making a big deal about replacing them, if they do- just be american and ***** til things go your way

SuperSportZ

I bought an 03 touring with 5,000 miles on it about 3 or 4 months ago. I currently have 13k on it. Between then and now I have fixed the grease streaks on the windows, fixed the driver side door lock lever (it was sticking in one position), had the front tires replaced and alligned, and are waiting for the parts to fix the clicking in the rear end.

Despite these fixes I love my car. My nissan dealership is excellent and very helpful. Its like the tech guy is on my side whenever I have a problem. He is the one who actually pointed out me needing the new tires and allignment when I took it in for the door lock problem!

I say if you find a 03 with warrenty left for a decent price go for it and just have the fixes taken care of. The only thing I wish the 03 Z had was the softer suspension of the 04+ Zs. It gets kinda choppy sometimes.

430ztt

Just buy an 04 Enthusiast.....Daytona Blue.....6MT.....


WAIT I have one for sale

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135635

24000 miles never had any feathering or tranny grinds or axel clicks, etc....I just want my loan paid off for the car....$22,000

Fletch69z

iTrader: (50)

I have an 03 with no problems also but if it were just a couple thousand dollars different I would go with an 04 just to have a newer car. When I bought mine the 04's were all still new and the 03 was the only used car I could get, .

ZlleH

iTrader: (7)

I find the feelings are mixed. People wish they could get the 03 suspension because they have better suspension handling with sacrifice to ride choppiness. It comes down to what you are looking for. People say the 2003 suspension was choppy but that is what you pay for for better handling.

drj

I've got a DB '03 Touring. 14.5k miles. Had the usual new car 350z glitches, all fixed properly under the warrenty. No problems since the beginning. Whatever you decide to do, get one with all the maintenance records so you can check it out yourself. BTW, I live in SoCal (OC) and my Z is on the market -- decided to finally go after my dream of owning a 289FIA Cobra. If you are interested, drop me a PM, I have pics.

Plazman888

I agree with this. I just bought a 2003 and fortunately was able to take care of all (or most) of the TSBs a week before the time limit ran out. If you buy a 2003 that hasn't had those problems taken care of, I doubt they ever will (at least not for free). I was able to get the grease streaks on the windows and the hatch not popping up fixed for free. I wish I had had more time to figure out if there's a problem with the transmission. Either make SURE these things have been taken care of, or get it in writing that they will get taken care of for no charge, or think about going with an '04. That's my advice.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Which did you decide would be more suitable? 2003 or 2004?