Hey guys, I’m in the process of purchasing a used Touring 350z DB with 9,000 miles on it. I’ve been on this site for some time and wanted to know whether this is a good or bad choice. I’ve read so many threads that talk about problems with their Z, that I’ve become very wary now. I don’t want to spend that much money on a car that is going to give me an abundance of problems. I also have a possible option to get a brand new 04 Z through CarsDirect, for a little bit more. Opinions please !!!

 

Being that this forum has reasonable people who don't just say "my car is the best", i figured i could honest and helpful answers out of everyone.

---Pauses and waits for the my car is the best response---

 

OK, my car is the best!

I would get the new 04 Z for a little bit more money. You don't know how well the previous owner treated that used Z. As for poblems, I have about 1300 miles without any problems. It may be too early to tell, but so far so good!

 

IMO:

If you're worried about resale value, then I would find a used one. Nissans (and Infinitis) don't hold resale value very well, which is bad for a new car owner, but awesome value for a used car buyer.

If you have any doubts about owning a 350, then perhaps it's not a good decision for you to buy one. I can tell you how reliable mine is and convince you to get one, but I personally don't want to be held accountable and responsible if you end up not enjoying it because of the problems you may encounter.

Michael.

 

DO IT, DO IT, DO IT...........

I have had mine for six months, and the only prob I had was with the cd player, which was changed, and amp (recall, mandatory change).....

It's an awesome ride. I love zipping into the onramps on the inside pulling tightly and giving it gas.....it corners like it's on rails. Sticks to the ground, and wants more......the tighter the turn and speed, the more downforce I feel.........this car is heaven on wheels........I drool when I get in my car everyday......and I'm a woman!

 

Get the 04. Between the issues with some early 03s plus not knowing how it was driven, why take the risk with an 03.

 

try and find a used 04, thier are some out there from people who buy it and then change thier mind, That is if you still want to save money ...

 

& if nissan doesn't get a permennent fix on the feathering you'll get free tires on the front for LIFE w/ free alignments.

 

Michael-Dallas : i would never hold anyone on this forum responsible in my head. It is my decision in the end, but it's nice to get opinions from people who know best.

The deal on the used Z was pretty sweet. Like i said only 9,000 miles, salesman printed out the car fax report for me while i was there. The owner had bought it from the dealer i was getting it from, and returned for a truck. I was really just nervous about the whole things going wrong, I am younger then most people who would get the Z, and its the first car I am buying on my own. I'm just a little nervous about things going wrong with it, but when i stand next to it in person, i cannot help but want to buy it right then and there.

I am awaiting a response from my CarsDirect correspondant. Hopefully she will email me with good news. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for the responses. More opinions please

-- By the way if she comes back with nothing, and the Z i get sucks, i blame you Michael-Dallas

 

Lemme ask you this: what other cars are you considering?

Michael.

 

Well as for problems with the car, I'm currently at 12,800 miles and I've only had the window grease which was fixed @ performance nissan. Sometimes the gas cap sticks and I get some rattles, but I think it's hte combination of loud exhaust + cranking up the tunes. Hopefully, when I dynomat the whole car, I'll be rid of the problem. Other than that I love my car. I've driven my friend's brand new e46 m3.. nice car, but I dunno why it just didn't seem to satisfy me like my Z. Maybe it's my own car loyalty but I didn't like the floatiness in the m3's shifter. I've driven my other friend's porsche 911 carrera 4 and that thing is SWEET!! Jus my 2 cents... I hope it helped.

 

If you want a Z, and can get an 04 Z for a little bit more , then, by all means, do it.

For the money, it is a great ride, assuming you understand and like sports cars.

Some folks have had problems with the Z; the earllier the model, the more likely to have problems. But you can't take the complaints you get on this or other forums as a real measure of the car. For everyone unfortunate enough to have the feathering problem, there are probably scores, or more, who are happier than pigs in ****. Heck, a lot of the ones with feathering still love their cars.

 

i want to buy a used one that's been supercharged

but im afraid he's really beat up the clutch

 

Ok guys I think I am just going to buy the '04 for $2,000 more. I am just too nervous about what the previous owner probably did to the car, and I guess I want to break it in myself. Not to mention the only thing that isn't to my liking about the Used one i was looking at was the Bone colored leather interior, my personal preference is black.

Michael-Dallas : To answer your ?, I was not even considering any other cars

 

For 2k more, I would definately get the 04. I waited to get a 04 hoping to avoid some of the problems the 03s had. Also another thing to think about, if you ever decide to sell the car later the price difference between a used 03 and 04 would be at least 2k probably more.

 

Ching says "you done good."

 

I say it depends on how much a "little" more is...but that's up to you. What I can say is that everyone that owns an 04 will tell you to get one...but they have almost all of the same problems. They still feather, they still rattle. I do believe they have fixed the window streaks, and the suspension on the 04.5 is slightly softer (it's not a night and day difference). I dunno it's up to you, but don't buy the hype of all the 04 owners with "perfect" cars. No offense to them, but many of them just don't have enough miles to have encountered these problems.

Use your intuition, it'll lead you in the right direction.

NzZ

 

Good choice!

 

Ok guys, CarsDirect.com is out of the game now. They are coming in to high with their price for an ’04 Touring Z. I am down to 2 dealerships for the new one, and I still have the ’03 on the backburner in CT. The decision has to be made either today or tomorrow. I am pulling my hair out.

- The dealership that has the used ’03 with 9,000 miles on it are very nice people, and giving me the car for $28,895 ($31,500 w/tax) with a 3 year 30,000 mile warranty on the car, and a 5.3 % finance rate.

- The dealership offering the new touring is offering me ’04 touring for $31,000 flat (coming to around $33,500 w/tax) and have not given me a finance rate yet. They say they need a deposit to actually do the work to find out my finance rate. I have not worked everything out with them yet, as to warranty and all.

Those are the 2 deals I am looking at right now. I am so damn confused. Just keeping you guys posted. As always, opinions still welcome.

 

Why don't you see if the dealership you like will find you a new one for $31,000?