coletrain12

Hey guys, I am currently in the market for a car and I really want a 350z. With that said, my budget only allows me to look at the 2003 models and after reading around some say they have reliability problems.

Here is one car im looking at http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1249792118.html
(And yes I will Change the Wheels on it! lol) The guy is supposed to be sending me more pics, so we will see if it was really taken care of. Would you guys purchase this car? I may can talk him down a little more past $12000.

I guess what im asking is 70-80k range of mileage a lot for a 350z? I will most likely drive this car for a good few years and it will be a daily driver. I need a reliable car and one that won't be sucking me dry of money from being in the shop all the time. I just sold my 1998 Nissan Pathfinder at 114,000miles which had no problems and my mom has a 2003 Altima with 150,000 miles that has just now started having some bigger problems. Is the 350z as good as other Nissans when it comes to longevity?

I actually do not put many miles on my car each year so im mainly looking for the 350z to last till around 150,000. Ill probablly drive it for 5 years if i had to guess. I have a friend with a 2003 350z automatic and his has given him no problems.

Thanks

quiksilver38

that one has some awful wheels, tell him you'll give him $9500 and he keeps those wheels to give back to 50 cent. ask him is the transmission has ever been replaced under warranty, if it has then it sounds ok then maybe give him $10,000. as for 150k that should be no-problem even 200K+ the only thing holding you back would, again, be transmission issues...

coletrain12

So what if the transmission has never been replaced, but he says he has had no problems with it...?

How much does it cost to fix a transmission in a 350z if it goes out? Just wondering.

G4nismo

iTrader: (8)

again, main issues w/ the 03-04's is the tranny. see what kinda driver the owner is despite him saying he babied it. w/ 78k miles on it though, i would bet the tranny has been replaced. if he says he hasn't, i would walk away. w/ that many miles on the car, its prob a matter of time that tranny is going to go out.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

This is reliable transportation.


This is a 350Z. Any questions?

coletrain12

so you are saying that if i want a reliable car to not get a 350z? Isn't that a little harsh for a Nissan?

dragonfire6

iTrader: (3)

i was in the same boat as you... looking at a 03-04 Z and it is the car that i wanted more than anything... i jumped on a good deal and never looked back... even with the wiring problems that mine has given me, i would/will/continue to spend $$ on the car and will drive it until the wheels falls off... then i'll put another set on and keep going...

the point is, any used car you buy may have unforeseen issues that will not be covered under warranty... so instead of that $600 payment on the 370, you have a $250-300 payment on the 350... it probably all equals out in the end (depending on your interest rate) but price is usually and most often the determining factor...

if the guy won't come down to a price you think is reasonable, with the possibility of future, out-of-pocket problems than find another car or start looking at a new scion/civic/focus

either way, good luck to you and if you go with the Z because you dreamed about owning one (like i did) you won't regret taking the chance... bad tranny or not...

















i'm drunk...

coletrain12

lol you may be drunk but i agree.. other than the 350z ive looked at the s2000's and rx-8's. I really think that if i do not get a 350z i will regret not getting it... but if i were to get a 350z i wouldn't regret not getting one of the other two... so with that said, i think id like to take a chance on the 350.

It really is my dream car..

KornerCarver

iTrader: (2)

I have an '03 Base and have had no problems. I think the transmission issue may be way overstated. People who don't have problems don't come to the forum and say they haven't had problems. It is only the people who complain that have problems and remember, most Z owners are not on the forum. So.......the transmission issues may just be overstated. I suspect you will love the Z and you probably won't have a lot of issues.

G4nismo

iTrader: (8)

with the s2000, have fun paying insurance (on the top 20 most expensive cars to insure) and space is even more limited.

w/ the rx-8's, watch out for oil consumption.

G4nismo

iTrader: (8)

its really speculative too. compare the tranny failure reports from 350z owners to G35 owners and you'll see.

coletrain12

Yeah I read that there were very few G35 tranny complaints compared to the 350z.. guess it comes down to how you treat it. However, shouldn't the tranny be able to handle rough treatment? considering its a sportscar..

kevin319

I got a quote from my insurance for an S2000 and 350z and they were both just $5 more then what I am paying a month.

NismoKid

I have an '03 base model and haven't had any issues. Then again, I just hit 26k miles on it yesterday and have had it all 6+ years. Original tires with a decent amount of tread left...I'm not hard on it at all.

G4nismo

iTrader: (8)

wow, you have a super clean driving record!

LVZ053

iTrader: (2)

Only issues I had with my 03 was:

Window streaks: Annoying but got use to it.
Tire feathering: Got Spc kit and alignment to fix.(hopefully)
Passenger window stopped working: Used DIY guide to fix.
Bose Radio issue: Replace under warranty then bought aftermarket when I noticed that Bose sucks.
Harsh Suspension: Replaced with adjustable shocks and springs.


Nothing major, Engine and transmission has been running strong.
I am at 60k miles and never regretted buying her.

Also the issues give me a reason to buy aftermarket parts.

coletrain12

Are the 2004 350z's any better about the transmission issues?

Here is another one im looking at.. http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/in...C&cardist=5918 got the guys to do $14,885 with tax, title, tags, and everything. He said it was $13,800 without taxes or anything. That sound like a good price for a 2004 with the amount of miles? And if the 2004's were known for the same problems as the 2003's is it worth the extra money to get a year newer and a few less miles.

Thanks,
Cole

davidv

iTrader: (2)

BarefootRacer

iTrader: (3)

My 03 just clicked over 100k miles. I havent had any trans or clutch problems. Also to my knowledge it still has the original trans and clutch and it still chirps the tires in 3rd gear!!!! Most of the tranny problems where from people that couldnt drive in my opinion. That white car is a really good price. Just sucks about the rims. I suppose you could sell those to some dude with a crown vic though and then pick up some nice 06 and up wheels. I say go for it man. Just change all the fluids and take care of the car and it will take care of you. You'll love it!!!

coletrain12

Oh and i also believe the white one was female driven.... that could be a bad or good thing though lol.

But I will be honest, I have been looking at the S2000's more often than I was before. I want to drive both and then make a decision i guess.