A used Nissan 350Z may seem like an economical option for having a real sports car for a very reasonable amount of money if you’re in a position in life where you can justify owning a two-seat vehicle but you don’t have a limitless budget. The question is whether you should purchase a used Nissan 350Z, and if so, what should you be aware of and watch out for?
If you want a sports vehicle, the Nissan 350Z is a stylish, inexpensive, and dependable option that offers outstanding value for the money on the used market. Prices are cheap since Nissan discontinued the 350Z in 2009 and replaced it with the 370Z, which means the 350Z will soon be considered a classic vehicle. The Nissan 350Z is a thrilling sports car you can still rely on today since it was every bit as well-made and dependable as the Japanese automaker’s earlier, more practical models.
Please be sure you know what you’re buying before you ever consider spending your hard-earned money on a used automobile by ordering a vehicle history report from a reputable source, such as EpicVIN. If you’re buying from a dealer, they should offer one, but if not, acquire your own. It could end up saving you a lot of money over time.
In This Article...
Which 350Z year is the most dependable?
The 2007 350z significantly raised the bar, aside from the addition of Bluetooth and a few cosmetic tweaks. The 3.5 liter V6 beneath the hood has been updated and upgraded. The new engine is around 20 horsepower more powerful and a little bit larger than the old engine.
Nissan enhanced the suspension and added a sleeker, more robust body. 268 lb-ft of torque was produced at 2000 revolutions per minute. Before, the 350z ran at a speed of 4,000 revolutions per minute.
In general, the most dependable 350z models are from the years 2007 and 2008. The VQ35HR and other VQ engines created at this time are regarded as some of the most dependable and effective Nissan engines ever created.
The 350z’s final year was in 2008. Later, the 370z would take its place, but not before Nissan produced one last Roadster in 2009.
The 350z has gone on to sell well over 100,000 units and is still in high demand since it is more affordable than comparable high-performance sports cars. It was at the top of “best of” lists from Motorweek to Automobile Magazine from 2003 to 2007.
The 350z has also established itself as a staple of culture. It has been on the covers of driving video games like Need for Speed Underground 2 and Forza Motorsport as well as the movie poster for The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
How long is the Nissan 350Z’s lifespan?
With enjoyable handling and smooth performance from the torquey V6, the 350Z evokes its forebears. Since they are generally dependable, some may have neglected maintenance, therefore having a history file is advantageous. Regular oil changes will allow engines to run for 300,000 miles trouble-free, but beware of excessive oil thirst, especially on 296bhp units. On HRs, look for low oil pressure caused by an internal gasket failure; a replacement takes nine hours of labor.
Modifications and enhancements, whether official Nismo or aftermarket, are frequent; stay away from vehicles that have been beaten up on tracks. Engine ticking that gets louder as the engine is ramped up indicates a worn fuel dampener (there are two). Each is around 200 new or 30 used, irritating rather than incapacitating. Due to drivers who are not acclimated to rear-wheel drive, spare parts are frequently listed on eBay.
The flywheel may need to be replaced if the clutch has been allowed to slip, which would raise the cost to over $1000 plus labor. The clutch lasts for roughly 40,000 miles and is not overly expensive in and of itself. Failure of the slave cylinder is frequent, particularly on late HR automobiles, necessitating the replacement of the transmission. A new master cylinder or fluid change may be all that is required for a spongy pedal (brake or clutch).
If tires other than the factory-installed Bridgestone S02s are used, the automobiles may lose control while accelerating to the maximum and potentially confuse the traction control and ABS systems.
Examine the hood function of Roadsters, the struts on the Coup’s tailgate, and the door hinges. The manual states that it cannot operate below 8°C, therefore warm the car completely before attempting. Additionally, check the boot releases and gasoline filler.
Are Nissan 350Z maintenance costs high?
More positive news Unless you decide to make it so, 350z maintenance costs aren’t any more expensive than those of a Nissan Maxima.
Even though many car enthusiasts will buy high performance oils and maintain their vehicle more frequently, doing so is not required. Owners that maintain their Nissan 350z as they would any other vehicle won’t notice exceptionally high maintenance expenditures.
The 350z benefits from the fact that many other Nissan vehicles share parts with it, particularly the engine, which was also utilized in Infiniti and Renault models as well as the Pathfinder, Altima, Maxima, G35, Murano, Stagea, and Cefiro.
If you’re currently purchasing a used Nissan 350z, it’s a good idea to replace the battery and spark plugs as part of a thorough service.
It’s important to note that investing a few more dollars in high-quality synthetic engine oil will dramatically increase the lifespan of your engine.
Which issues does the Nissan 350Z have?
The top complaints for various model years are listed below:
- The throttle body. For select 2008 Nissan 350Z models, throttle body issues are frequent.
- damaged fuel damper
- Engine issues.
- Failure of the navigation unit.
- Crankshaft or camshaft position sensor fault.
- Low levels of oil.
- Tire Noise and Tire Wear
Is a 350Z fuel-efficient?
Is the Nissan 350Z Fuel Efficient? Around 20–30 miles per gallon are achieved by the Nissan 350Z. For a sports automobile, this is a significant amount. The motorist may get better or poorer gas mileage depending on their driving technique.
How much does annual maintenance for the Nissan 350z cost?
The Nissan 350z requires about $450 in annual maintenance on average. This amounts to about $300 of the $1,200 average yearly cost of car maintenance.
How often does the 350z need maintenance?
Basic maintenance for the Nissan 350z includes rotating the title, changing the filters, and checking the brakes every 7,500 miles, or around once per year.
Most likely, you will need to replace certain brake system parts after 15,000 miles, such as the brake fluid or pads. You must replace the spark plugs and transmission fluid after 30,000 miles.
Does the 350z use oil?
My automobile burnt quickly through the full synthetic oil when I switched to it! My 2003 350z uses an average of one quart of oil per 1000 miles, but occasionally less. I only have to make sure to keep it topped off. There are no drops (I have a garage) and no discernible smoke coming from the exhaust.
Which 350z engine is the best?
When maintained properly, the VQ35DE V6 engine is regarded as a very reliable one, with many of them lasting up to 250,000 kilometers. However, even on vehicles with lower mileage, engine seals, gaskets, and valves may need repair or replacement if you are looking for a 350Z in 2020.
How quickly can a 350z travel?
The German Autobahn is now the preferred route in the entire globe for people who want to measure the top speed of a car. Parts of the renowned roadway have no speed limits, giving sports cars and other powerful vehicles the chance to go at astounding speeds on a public road. This includes a 2004 Nissan 350Z, which was recently seen driving down a well-known highway on the CarRanger YouTube channel.
The 17-year-old vehicle boasts a strong specification list. A six-speed manual transmission transmits power from the 3.5-liter V6 engine to the rear wheels. When the engine was brand-new, it produced 268 pound-feet (362 Newton-meters) of torque and 276 horsepower (206 kilowatts). The car can be seen in the video attempting repeated sprints between speeds of 100 and 200 kilometers per hour (62 and 124 miles per hour), doing it on average in 18.4 seconds. On the road, it can reach an astonishing 155 mph (250 kph).
350Z or 370Z: Which is superior?
7 The 370Z is little quicker. The 3.5-liter V6 VQ35DE engine in the 350Z garnered a lot of attention. However, the 370Z has a bigger engine, produces 32 more horsepower and 10 more lb-ft of torque, accelerates to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds as opposed to 0.6 seconds, has better brakes, and needs just one second less to complete a quarter-mile.
Nissan Z vehicles are dependable.
The Nissan 370z is fairly reliable overall, scoring 68.8 out of 100. The exact rankings of this car in relation to various other cars are shown in the chart below, however as a point of reference, the average overall rating is 57.
This information is based on a combination of looking at the cost and frequency of maintenance, warranty coverage, and long-term reliability by looking at how long these vehicles are normally kept on the road. Keep in mind that not just compact or subcompact vehicles in the same class as the Nissan 370z are included in this comparison; all vehicles are.
You may notice that these numbers differ significantly from those in J.D. Power or Consumer Reports. Most publications look at complaints made to the dealership within the first few months of ownership (like JD Power) or solicit biased feedback from owners regarding longer-term cycles of their new cars. Instead, this study examines data from wholesale auctions and repair businesses on actual repair prices and frequency.
Can 350z handle snow well?
Although the Nissan 350z is capable in the snow, its rear-wheel drive, limited ground clearance, and inability to work in extremely cold temperatures make it less ideal. The vehicle may, however, be driven in slick winter conditions because it handles well on snow and ice.
Is the 350z simple to repair?
The Nissan 350z is a low-cost driver’s sports car’s dream, being reliable, affordable, and affordable. The prices of the 350z have significantly decreased since the Nissan brand moved on to the 370z and probable new 400z, but that isn’t the only reason you should acquire one.
The Nissan 350z is as affordable and simple to repair as any other Nissan vehicle that has been built in large quantities. They may add thousands of miles to the automobile without doing anything more than routine maintenance because of the VQ motors’ renown for dependability. All of the components may often be acquired at nearby auto parts shops or ordered online when maintenance is necessary. Due to the 350z’s widespread use, several aftermarket manufacturers produce any repair components for even a small fraction of the already low price of OEM parts.
A nice first car, the 350Z?
The 350Z excels in the first automobile category because it is unquestionably a cool vehicle.
Nearly two decades after its inception, the style is still beautiful (those “Art Deco lines are timeless, and in our view age like fine wine).
It’s strong, opulent compared to most people’s first cars, and altogether a very appealing package for first-time car owners and weekend toy shoppers alike.
And to top it all off, there is no denying that driving the 350Z is a ton of fun.
The 350Z must undoubtedly be among the most desirable sports cars available to the typical first-time buyer (let’s face it, “big league” Japanese legends like the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra are now out of reach for most of us mere mortals).