Hey guys, I am really interested and in the market for a 350z ATM. I found a couple of them and they are cool and all, but there was a specific one I liked. The problem isn't with the paint, the interior, engine, etc. The problem is the shifter.

I test drove it and it felt like I was driving a tractor, the shifting was ridiculously hard. You had to really PULL and PUSH the shifter into gear. I was told this is normal on the Z, but I didn't believe it being this hard. I test drove an 08 and it was MUCH easier and silkier to shift. All the gears could get into gear with 1 finger and 5th gear was very easy to find.

On the 07 I wanted to buy, the shifter wasn't easy to move, it felt very very stiff and as if it was somewhat grinding, I didn't hear any noises or get a grinding feel, but it was stupid stiff. The car had some mods and a young driver, I didn't mind it, but do you think a certain driving style can really affect this? Would the 60 month/60k mile powertrain warranty cover something like this? It is a good price and has low miles (20,000) but I don't think a shifter should be so stiff to make your arm red after 15 minutes of driving from the pressure needed to change gears.

 

Welcome. 350Z shifting, like other vehicles, is unique. Some describe it as "notchy," others "resistant." Its a judgement call.

If you are test driving, pass on the Z if you do not like the shifting.

 

Well, I was just informed it had a Short Shifter? I didn't even know they make SS for Z's, they are short already stock? Didn't feel much shorter than my friends 08 stock shifter. Would a SS make it stiff?

I understand the Z is unique, I know what you mean, but this is stupid stiff, not notchy or resistant, it feels almost like the gears are grinding, or the synchros are messed up, I have no idea but can a SS cause it to be stiff like that?

Also, would this be covered under Powertrain warranty?

 

Of course it will cause it to be stiffer, the less amount of leverage you have the harder it will be to shift. If you're trying to break a bolt loose, what do you do? Get a longer wrench... same applies to the transmission, all your young seller-friend did was shorten his wrench.

 

I guess, it's little weird. He says he bought it like that from an owner who had it for 1500 miles, then sold it/traded it in, and the dealer never told him. If I know I can fix the shifter or nothing is messed up, I guess that's fine. But now I'm worried, if anything DOES happen to the transmission or engine (oil consumption or w/e), is it covered under powertrain warranty or just bumper to bumper which already expired?

 

If u r that concerned about it u probably shouldn't buy it!!! No matter how STUPID cheap it is or STUPID stiff the shifter is lol