Have always lusted after a Z ever since I saw my first 240Z. Now its time. Doing initial research on the 350Z and due to limited production numbers Consumer Reports doesnt have any reliability data. So asking for
opinions from members: what year 350Z was/is the most reliable. I am focusing on the 2008 as it was the last of the 350Z. Also considering the Coupe in Touring or Gran Touring trim but would opt for a roadster
if mileage and price were right; and if the roadster doesnt have any problems with top leaking, reliability etc. Is there an aftermarket hard top for the roadster. Thanks in advance.


Update:

Have refined my search to 07/08 Coupe in the Touring or Grand Touring trim, 75K or less miles. Going to sell two cars and a motorcycle to finance purchase for cash. So in about 3 months should be sitting in my Z in the driveway making Varoooom noises.

 

My 06 DE Roadster has 108k and runs like new. I got it at 40k, 0 downtime, only replaced consumables and canvas top at home. Hard top was only aftermarket and no longer available. Absolutely reliable.
Get an independent inspection before buying including compression check.

 

Each year of the Z33 have their foibles from early cars with horrid suspension to Rev-Up's propensity to use oil (but not all of them, just a generalization) and on to the much vaunted HR models '07-08 with bad CSC, engine galley issues.

The point is, none are infallible and each model you look at should be considered carefully; that is, look at the owner of the car. Did they treat it right, service on time, records of same, etc. Just know that at some point or another, whatever you buy may/may not suffer any of the issues you read about. Just be ready to deal with them (time & $$$) if/when.

Would much prefer to buy an ‘03 with higher miles that was carefully maintained then one with unknown service history driven by a broke hooner more interested in a fart can exhaust than maintenance.

 

thanks for info, I have an excellent mechanic who is great at that.

 

Good suggestions all, but as for your question on the reliability of the Z Roadster, I'd tread carefully. The top is an extremely complex mechanism and if any one factor (seats, switches, sensors, latches, motors, etc.) doesn't work perfectly, the top won't open or close. There's no way to manually operate the top and there's little doubt that the ZR has the potential to have problems down the road. I'd still love to have one, but the closer I look, its harder it is to convince me.

 

Ya, it seems that during my search the Roadsters seemed less expensive than a comparable Coupe but after reading numerous posts here about top issues I think I can understand why. Even I were to purchase a Roadster for a couple of thousands less than the same Coupe, I would need to have the top checked out by a competent mechanic (even a dealer) to hopefully head off issues that might occur at the worst of times (Murphys Z law). So its a Coupe for me.

 

As Mic says, every year has its idiosyncrasies and certain parts that are more prone to failure than other years. I have a ZR like JHC. I drive it when there's no rain in the forecast. When there's inclement weather, I drive my G. If the Z is going to be your only vehicle, it's probably better to get the coupe. I have 108K on my '05 and it needs a new top, which is a consumable item, but no issues as of yet (knock on wood). If you have the troubleshooting skills and can read the wiring schematic in the FSM, I think you'll be able to diagnose any issues that arise.

It is hard, dare I say impossible, to beat the feeling of carving up some twisties with the top down in the Z.