Hi guys, I've noticed there isn’t really an introduction section so ill just quickly throw it in.

My name is Mike (Doba = nickname) 28yrs old, from Brantford Ontario, for the last decade I've been driving my 1st love, a 92' Nissan 240sx coupe, which I've really grown out of, loved the yrs together but its time for a change.

Naturally it was a choice of the 350z and the G35 coupe, being single and not willing to settle down yet, I've chosen the 350z cause I’m really into sports cars.

I finally finish paying off my business loan in February and will be looking to import, my first choice was an 03 but I’ve been reading about the occurring problems and I think i'd prefer the 04.5 + depending on price, I'm still on a budget.

Anyways I’ve got more than a few months of research to do on these forums, so hopefully ill learn more about the 350z as I go along and it will help me in making the right decision down the road.

 

I thought this was another relationship thread.

driving an 03 myself, the problems are overrated.

but I also like the better material qualities of the 04.5+

stay away from revups though... i know a large amount of people with issues.

 

eharmony.com
match.com
ect...

 

From the reading so far, the 03 looks like a hit or miss, I dont think I would count one out if the price was right.

revups?

It is a relationship thread, Im looking for another life long love to replace my own, cars are better than gf's, they're always down on all 4 and ready to go... well thats what I say anyways.

 

and they never mind if you test drive another car!

 

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Rev-up is a reference to the engine in the Z.. like in 06 cars or some 05 cars too.. 287hp to 300hp for the rev-up.. some have had problems but no more then people with the 03's tire feathering etc etc.. i have a rev-up and have had 15,000 issue free driving.. so its luck of the draw.

 

+1 on all that

the problems on the 03 aren't that bad

mine had tire feathering, new better tires, problems solved

mine had tranny problems, dealership replaced the tranny for free, problem solved

mine had grease streaks, replaced the greasy pads with the newer parts, problem solved

If you don't mind a little hassle and can find a 03 with an extended warranty and low miles, don't be afraid to get it.

04.5 is probably a better choice for materials though

 

"always down on all 4 and ready to go..."

LOL! Good point!

 

i have an 03 and an 06.

the problems that people talk about on 03s aren't that scary. the 03 had 50K miles on it when i got it and i didn't experience any oil consumption, window grease or axle click at all. my brother drives the 03 now, hence the 06, and all he's had was a bad hatch latch motor and bad crank sensor...

but i do agree that the building materials in 04.5+ are indeed better than the 03 & 04s. for the price of an 03, toss in a few more $$$ and get an 05+.

that's what I'd do

 

Good info guys, how can I physically tell the car is an 04.5 cause I’m king of leaning towards that direction, than say just being an 04 and the owner saying its the 04.5 how can I tell? the VIN?