steela2110

iTrader: (12)

My younger brother is thinking of buying a 03 350z.

The Z that I have is an 05... And I am not too familiar with the 03's.

Can you guys tell me what to look for in the 03's? We are going to test drive a used one from a guy in the bay area tomorrow.


Thanks

Chris

NISMO_558

iTrader: (1)

search much?

jray8

In short, tire feathering, tranny problems, window grease are the major ones i can think of. However, there are some members who claim their Z's are immune to these nuisances. Just make sure to check the tire wear and listen for any tranny noise while test driving. Problems or no problems if someone wants a Z they usually get it regardless, good luck

steela2110

iTrader: (12)

My bro has been searching for a while now....


Here is the one we are going to test drive tomorrow...... any thoughts:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

jray8

first check the inner tires for irregular wear, then test drive and make sure the tranny is not noisy or shifts weird, although the 1st to 2nd shift is sh*t in any Z. check all the fluids and make sure to get a carfax if possible. 22k miles for 14k? make sure to question the reason for the sale at such a low price

tylerxfire

iTrader: (15)

i bought a 03 it had 20k on it when i bought it and i have had zero problems knock on wood, and it is now boosted...love it more than life itself..lol don't regret it for a sec, just make sure its a good car like anything else do ur research on it and look it over real good, and drive it and make sure..ur not gonna see any difference from a 03 to a 05 imo..

davidv

iTrader: (2)

I bet your brother can do a good job researching his own car.

steela2110

iTrader: (12)

**** YOU

reserved

iTrader: (18)

As I learned recently at great expense, check that the transmission shifts easily into 5th gear. Although there was no TSB on the transmissions from 03, there was definitely a design flaw which was subsequently fixed. Nissan replaced the transmission in these cars under warranty, which of course would now be expired in an 03.

OlDad

My first Z was a red 2003 Touring with six speed. I had no problems with it. Six months later I came across a black 2003 Enthusiast, lowered and with tinted windows (black is what I wanted all along). I traded the red one for the black one a year and a half ago. It has 48,000 miles now as my daily driver and I have had no problem with tire feathering and as far as I'm concerned, it shifts great. The only thing I've done to the Z is change the oil and replace the battery.

reserved

iTrader: (18)

Happy to hear everything worked out so well for you. I'm just alerting the OP to a potential (and well documented) transmission issue with 03's.

zcoupe

very minor differences between the 03 and 05.
i suggest you get a car fax report

NoHyperbole

Don't you ever direct something like that at davidv again. He is an esteemed member of this board and does not deserve that type of treatment.

His comment about your brother was spot-on. Anyone who is considering buying a 350Z and is not interested/excited enough to do his/her own research about what will be the biggest purchase he/she has made to date may be bad candidate for this type of vehicle.

reserved

iTrader: (18)

^ isn't asking questions here part of that research process????
Maybe if I had done the same thing, I could have saved myself several thousand dollars before I bought my 03.

reserved

iTrader: (18)

28677 and counting.........

reserved

iTrader: (18)

And still not one meaningful contribution

liven Z life

iTrader: (1)

the rims on the one hes looking at are ugly as hell. the 04.5 saw a supposive fix to the tire feathering issue and i think maybe the window motors. at 22,000miles hes prolly already had the tire issue fixed but ya never know.

tylerxfire

iTrader: (15)

my 03 has been good to go like i said, no feathering, tranny feels great, not one problem and 33k now...i wouldn't waste money getting a 04 or 05 rather than an 03 for any reason...just go by miles and previous owner and what is good and what is not...03-05 u are not gonna see a difference imo...but get a touring imo also!!!