I'm getting a new car, and I have been researching 350Z's for a few weeks. It seems like everyone who has a Z replaces the transmission every 25k miles (especially in the 03's). Is this pretty much a given with these cars? Has anyone had a truly reliable Z? Considering the ratings on them, I have been shocked at how many problems people are talking about.

 

It all depends on how you drive..If you cant drive a MT well you are destined to **** up your clutch.

 

On earlier year models they were a problem. I haven't seen them be as much as an issue from 04.5+, I'm not sure what year exactly they started using the 009 tranny.

Each year has it's quirks it seems like

03- tire feathering, tranny
04- window motors, tranny
05- 25th anniversary- oil consumption (M/T)
06- oil consumption (M/T)
07- Slave cylinder leakage
08- Out of the ordinary reliability

At least they got it right before they ended the production line. I'm sure the 2009 convertible is fine also.

 

Thanks for the replies. That sounds like what i have read so far. I definitely know the 04's have window problems- i haven't test drove an 04 with both windows up yet, because, well... they wouldn't go up.

I've been pretty disappointed... I really wanted to get a Z, but i can't afford to address a lot of transmission problems.

 

Window motor problems are common in the early ones. I have an 03, and mine haven't needed replacing by me, though.

 

Just buy a Z that's within warranty. Anything under 5 years/60k miles is eligable for a transmission replacement if the transmission is indeed faulty.

 

i have an 06 ith 26,000 miles no tranny problems.... no oil consumption...
Dont drive like a douche and you wont have a problem

 

Yes. Statistics show 90 percent. So the RSX would be a better choice.

 

I have an "04.5" with 30k miles on her. So far i have not had any transmission problems (5AT), tire feathering, or window motor problems. I don't drive like an ***, just some spirited driving here and there when i'm in need of an adrenaline rush.

*knocks on wood*

 

My Z was built in July 2002, one of the preorder cars. NO transmission problem whatsoever (46k now). I couldn't believe how some people went through so many transmissions, is it the way they drive??? My S13 I've had since new, has well over 230,000 miles, still on original clutch and the transmission's never been touched. Must be the way people drive.

 

+1 yep, just learn how to properly use the stick and you should be fine!

 

I bought a used 06 with 38,000 miles when I test drove it the transmission felt weird and was tough to get in gear. The dealership I bought it from let me take it out by myself so i took it by the nissan dealership they took a look at it and said if I bought the car to bring it back and they would replace the transmission under warranty. I ended up buying the car and got the tranny replaced the next week, so I wouldnt worry if you bu a car with warranty

 

True^^^
If its the car you really want i would recommend it.. just get a warranty and youll be all good...

 

I have an 03 G35 Sedan 6 speed mt with 78K on it. I use it for Auto Cross and have about 5 track days on it. I have no tranny issues what so ever. I have changed all fluids in advance, and only use nissan fluids (except brake fluid). If you get an Infiniti the warranty is a bit longer.

 

'04 - zero transmission problems (50k miles...and more mods than I can count at this point)...in fact the slow passenger side window is the only thing that has mechanically gone wrong on my car since the day I bought her new in fall 03

 

03 with both window motors swapped. ( its the same motor on all z's ) Tranny was swapped 45k ago under warrenty and i beat on my car daily.
Just buy one and have fun. The cost of ownership really isn't bad, just a little more pricy than a civic

 

06 im on my 3rd transmission lol, thanks for the warranty haven't paid a dime, always a weird like whistling noise too. i might be goin back for my 4th? lol. i don't have a problem with getting new ones

 

It's the car I want. I went a test drove 5 different s2000's today: an 00, 02, 03, 04, and 06. I didn't have near as much fun in all of them combined as I did in one 04 350Z.

 

I beat up my engine and tranny every day. The stock clutch is a pos. JWT Clutch and Flywheel. 36k miles on it still doesnt slip. I think one day i made around 20-25 passes at a test and tune last year back to back never slipped. My tranny does grind a little going into 6th though. But I make sure I shift good .

 

just broke 75000 km's on my G. . .replaced the factory clutch at 50000 km's. . .blew at the race track (drifting).

I race my car almost every week in the summer. . .no tranny problems whatsoever. . .replaced the tranny and diff fluid with Redline fluids when I replaced the clutch. . .

I drive the car pretty hard but I also take care of it. . .(if that makes sense )