Hi every1,

I need your opinion on this one...

I have a good deal to buy a 2003 Nissan 350Z Touring Edition.
EDIT: It was built in August 02'

It has:
6spd manual transmission
it has all the options, only thing it does not have is Navigation System
14,900 miles
Silverstone (platinum silver)
Everything is stock, but the wheels
Also one of these two wheel types: I know they are 18 inch Konig with engraved signature
Helium Silver (Ultra Light Weight Wheel)
http://www.konigwheels.com/images/137_b.jpg
or Blatant Opal
http://www.konigwheels.com/images/198_b.jpg

The price is $27,701 OTD.

The dealer said sometimes a light comes on b/c of the tire-pressure (probably b/c of the bigger wheels he said). Not sure about this, I will ask him more questions about it... But it runs good without any problems...

I assume that I have to pay for a set of new front tires b/c of the Tire feathering problem... I also assume that all the 03 models have the Tire feathering problem...as I read it on this somewhere on the forum... Please correct me if I'm wrong...

Is this a good deal? Would you buy it or not and Why?

Thanx to any1 who reply's...

Jaki

 

I really don't think I would buy it if I was in your shoes. Given the early build date, you are potentially buying a car's lifetime of tire problems. For a few grand extra, you could get a new Touring model that won't have any of the issues that plagued the '03's, particularly the early ones. 27K for a 2 year old car Z isn't that good a deal anyway.

Additionally, a Z is one of those cars that you just never know how it was driven by the previous owner. They could have put 5 years worth of mechanical wear on the car in that 15k miles. Even if you drive a lower than average number of miles, you have less than 2 years of warranty left. And the car "has a light that just comes on sometimes"? That alone would spook me.

 

I'd rather have a new Enthusiast model for 29k than a used Touring for about 28k...

 

I won't tell you what to do, but here's what I think...

If you look the car over and it is in good shape that's not bad. If you are not able to judge the condition, please buy a new one. Try to get them to reduce the price (on either a new or used car)

I know people talk about getting a new enthusiast..but the enthusiast has very little equipment..it's a substantially cheaper car than the touring, and it's like comparing apples to oranges. IF you can live with an enthusiast, then you should consider getting a new one..weigh the advantages and disadvantages carfeully.

Now as for people who say it's an early build date, tons of probs, etc etc they are full of it. Brand new 04s have tire feathering, tranny grind, rattles galore, etc. These are all minor issues. The only substantial improvements have been in window grease streaks (which nissan will fix for free), bose radio (again nissan will update it for free), and the knee-pad/softer suspension update. People act as if all of the Zs problems are gone for MY04...these folks are downright delusional. I just drove a brand new 04 Z at Sterling McCall yesterday, the tranny was notchy just like an 03, it had rattles just like an 03 as well.

Please don't take my advice at face value, look on this board and see the number of BRAND NEW 04 Z owners that have almost every problem that early 03 owners did.


NzZ

 

I agree with kcobean, better to get a Z with a later build date. It's not a bad price but keep in mind that some early 03s have serious issues, not just tire feathering but tranny problems as well. See if you can get the dealership to pull up any service/maintaince records to see if the car has been brought in for warranty work.

 

I think the number of 04s with problems are significantly less than the early 03s. That's kind of expected with all first year cars especially sports cars. Of course there's 04s with the same problems as well as 03s with no problems whatsoever.

By the way, no problems at all with my 04 so far.

 

Nah, I disagree. This whole first year car thing is BS...Nissan just didn't do a very good job with working out the Z. I haven't seen probs with any other car I've owned, 5 of which were first years. And most 04s barely have any miles on them to have probs in the first place. And there are plenty of 03s with no problems as well.
Not trying to devalue your opinion, but no one has presented even one piece of evidence to suggest that the 04 quality is actually improved. Until someone does that, it's just a myth. I think given a few mos, people will see that the 04s are really no better than the 03s in the area of quality...but hey, I could be wrong. It happens a lot. :-) I hope they have improved quality.

NzZ

 

The car looks great and performs with no problem. I asked him about the car history and he showed me the papers, no major work has been done on it...

If the car has different wheels on it, does that void my Nissan warranty on the car for the tire-problem and even Nissan replacing my tires for free? The touring edition comes stock with 18's and this 350Z has the same size just not with stock wheels...

 

Yes, I believe the non-stock tires voids the tire-warranty extension that was just put in place.

 

This is a no brainer; go buy a new Enthusiast.

A used, early edition 14,000 mile Z with only the word of a car dealer? Not a chance.

 

DOES IT FEATHER AT THE WHEELS?

haha just ask urself that