I sold my Z, and I feel no remorse.
Ever since I bought her, I kept running into problems. I wont bother listing the usual things you see on this board over and over. I just hope that people who are thinking about buying a Z think twice. This was my first new car, and I've been traumatized by the whole experience. I hope nissan steps up and fixes all of the problems being found with this car. If they do, i might buy another one down the road...
goodluck to all
-ed

 

The VAST majority of Z owners are EXTREMELY happy with their decision to buy this car. This owners opinion is certainly the the exception and not the rule.

 

bonz,
Do you have any problems with your Z?
If so, when did you get your Z? I had an early production, so I guess that could be a contributing factor. I just feel like im getting ripped off by Nissan because everytime I went to the dealership, they would tell me stories of other Z's with the same problem. "Oh yea, you're the 3rd Z we're replacing the transmission on" back in march

 

I see a lot of transmission issues with Z's in the service dept at out dealership. Let me tell you, people are destroying their trannys. The techs aren't stupid, what wears tells the tale and 99% of the problems I have seen come through are driver error. This is a sports car. An unforgiving tranny does not mean it is defective. The Z will never shift like an Accord or a VW or something. I have ground second once, yes. And I knew why. I did not push the clutch firmly to the floor because I was speedshifting. On some cars you don't have to, I know, but I think many people are just not used to a more unforgiving car. The ride, the tranny, etc. Now stuff like the window streak, yeah, annoying, but also fixable in less than 45 minutes. Rattles? Come on, what car doesn't? Mostly fixable, go ride in a new VW. Yikes! They sound like they are falling apart as you go! Anyways, hope you are happier with what you get next. Not all things are for everyone.

 

It is hard to tell the overall quality of a car from reading forums.

Every person with a problem posts their story. Some are hoping for advice, some just need to vent.

What you don't see is how many happy owners there are. Not too many people post "Hey, just checking in, no problems so far!" posts. (and thank goodness).

I have been on several internet owner's groups over the years. If you go by public postings there are NO good cars produced on Earth. Every car has some issues. Even the Mercedes forums are full of gripes and lemon-law stories. Any car company can make a clunker I guess.

If you Z was bad, I am sorry ot hear it. But I wanted to post this reply for the people considering a Z in the future.

 

its ok, I love the Z, but I was just fed up with the service, and other problems I encountered with this car. Like i said in my first post, I might consider buying another Z in the future (06) when they fix the bugs.

 

The only problems I have are the front tire feathering (did the wheel swap which solved that for now and will get new front tires later for a better fix) and the window streak. Leaving that alone for now.

I was a preorder so mine was one of the newest ones. Took delivery in 9/02. VIN ......1596.

 

My VIN is 14xx and I have no mechanical problems so far.

 

Sorry to hear you had bad luck.
Pre ordered in August. VIN 5393
Tire Feather & Window Streak.
I LOVE MY 350Z!
Wouldn't sell her for nuthin'.
4th Z since 1976 and no problems (to speak of) with any of them.

 

I too sold my Z 5 months ago for a new Honda 2000. Best decision I ever made! Not one problem since then. I have also spread the word to anyone here in Denver to avoid this car like the plague! There are tons of them lined up on the new Nissan lots!! Nuff said.

 

My girlfriend bought a $13K Saturn Ion(a first year model) at the same time I bought my Z six months ago, and has had zero problems. I paid 2.7 times that much for my Z, and have had more mechanical problems than all the other new cars I have ever bought COMBINED(the Z was my forth). However, I still have my Z because there isn't anything else out there in coupe form that has the total package of the Z(styling, performance, history, etc.)

 

yea im not going to front and say it wasnt hard for me to part with my Z, but I was just fed up. If nissan fixes the bugs I'll buy another one, but until then I'm just going to wait. That new GTR is looking mighty tasty (if it ever comes out)

 

why do you guys only list the last coule of numbers for your vin.... and what does it mean... my last 6 numbers are 112697 ... can anyone tell me what it means?

 

Your Z was the 12,697th Z made and it is WITHOUT side airbags.

 

hahaahah how did you figure out the sideairbag part

 

what car doesn't rattle??? this is for potato head... my friends s2000 doesnt rattle and its 3 years old... my friends m3 doesn't rattle and its 5 years old.... my friends dodge neon doesn't rattle... this chattering is very annoying and ... nevermind... everyone has different views i guess

 

The last 5 numbers (in your case 5 since it is more than 10,000) are the production numbers and the 6th number (the first one listed from left to right) is either a 0 or a 1. If it is a 1, no bags. If it is a 0, bags.

My VIN last 6 numbers are: 001596. Mine was the 1596th off the line and I have the side airbags.

 

cool! I am glad you live in a utopia! I have been around a ton of BMW's and let me say, that 90% of them squeak and groan all day! People trade them in because of this! I test drove an S2000 before I bought the Z. It rattled down the road like crazy! Maybe you are referring to a smooth highway in the S2000 that has been freshly paved. Well my Z is perfect on those roads, too. Not even gonna go the way of a Neon, pal.

 

1- Go to http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/search.php?s=
2- Type in "rattle" in "Search by Keyword"
3- Select "-- 996 Forum" in "Search Forum..."
4- Click "Perform Search"

Rattles in a car that costs over 2x as much. Heaven forbid.

Or... go to http://www.alldata.com/ and look at all the TSB's for the S2000 and M3. Is the grass greener on the other side? Does David Copperfield really know magic (or is he just an illusionist)?

Tire feathering? Research and read up on suspensions and suspension design. Read up on bumpsteer that Mustangs encounter when lowered. Read up on how toe changes w/ suspension travel. Read up on how the front wheels will toe-out under acceleration in an RWD vehicle.

After you do all that, start w/ a clean slate (i.e. rotate tires off rim or get new tires) and tell your alignment guy to add more toe-in. Nissan's alignment specs may be off. Adjust as necessary. It may be a trial and error and lengthy process.

Michael.

 

Man, I have to agree. If you read other Internet forums, you won't so much as buy a bicycle!

However, I have to say that my 2001 BMW 5 series is as sweet now as the day I picked it up. I just hope my '04 Z comes close. I almost ordered a 330 ci instead, but opted for the Z since I've owned three in the past.