Buying a Used Nissan 350Z: Everything You Need to Know
Buying a Used Nissan 350Z: Everything You Need to Know
Car News
Yes, absolutely buy a used Nissan 350Z. It’s a superb sports car with all the right ingredients: raucous soundtrack, rear-wheel drive, acute steering, excellent grip and two seats. It also has stunning looks, with a nod to Datsun Z cars (now cult and collectible; Datsun was Nissan’s earlier name), but still intensely modern.
The 350Z is built on Nissan’s FM platform, which stands for “front midship.” It means the engine is not over the front axle, but further back for better overall balance. The Trio.5-liter V6 is a excellent engine, primarily making two hundred eighty seven horsepower and two hundred seventy four lb-ft of torque, with all that juice going to the rear wheels. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual. Its shift act is rock hard, but still a joy to operate. If an automatic is a necessity, then the 5-speeder option will be okay, just not as involving.
The steering wheel adjusts for height only, and the instrument cluster moves with it. The coupe’s trunk houses a ample strut bar, hindering the chance of putting in anything but a few soft bags. The Roadster’s trunk (thanks to it being a convertible) is even smaller. There’s no glove box. But if you wished practical, you’d buy an Accord, right?
Launch
There’s only one generation, but improvements were made almost every year of its existence. The coupe hit very first, in late two thousand two as a two thousand three model, in base, Enthusiast, Spectacle, Touring and Track trims. Base still has 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control and powered accessories. Enthusiast adds xenon headlights, auto-dimming rearview mirror and cruise control, plus (crucially) traction control and a limited-slip rear differential.
Spectacle brought a more sophisticated driver aid in the form of Vehicle Dynamic Control, as well as 18-in alloys. Touring is the convenience choice; power adjustable and heated leather seats join a more upscale audio system. The Track version has front and rear spoilers, lighter alloy wheels and upgraded brakes. There is no auto option for this trim level.
The Roadster landed in spring 2003, as a two thousand four model, in Enthusiast and Touring trims.
This marked thirty five years from the original 240Z’s debut, so Nissan made a limited run of 35th anniversary 350Z cars with three hundred hp, Brembo brakes (supplier to companies like Ferrari), special 18-in alloys, aerodynamic package and two-tone leather seating.
In the regular models, two thousand five brought heated side mirrors, height adjustable driver’s seat and tire-pressure monitoring. The automatic transmission was also programmed to rev-match the engine on downshifts.
For all manual versions, three hundred hp became standard, along with 18-in alloys and HID headlights. It also witnessed a slight facelift with a remodeled front bumper, plus fresh front and rear lights. Switches on the inwards brought a fresh navigation system, fresh cloth seating and updated controls for the air conditioning.
Spectacle trim was phased out, but Grand Touring phased in for both assets styles. It made the Touring trim more performance-oriented with an aero kit, Brembo brakes and upgraded (lighter) RAYS alloy wheels in a staggered formation. The front wheels are 18-in for crisp steering, while the rear wheels are 19-in for better traction. The Track version also has this wheel setup.
Bluetooth joined side airbags as standard equipment, but the big story is a powerfully revised Trio.5-liter V6 that’s slightly taller than before, so now there’s a modest spandex hood bulge. Going by the specs, power is three hundred six hp for both manual and automatic versions. But this was when the Society of Automotive Engineers switched its power measurement methods. The fresh engine truly makes about twenty hp more than its predecessor.
Meantime, torque dropped to two hundred sixty eight lb-ft, but the power band became broader, with ninety percent available from two thousand revolutions per minute. It used to be around four thousand rpm, when things got interesting.
The Nismo (brief for Nissan Motorsport) coupe substituted Track trim, with an even more pronounced aero kit, a re-welded bod for greater rigidity and a track-tuned suspension. It’s super stiff and super noisy. Excellent on the track, hard going for the commute.
This was the last year of the coupe before being substituted by the 370Z. The Roadster stayed until 2009.
Recalls
The most recalls for any one model year was four, for 2003. These were for clutch parts, fuel filler parts, an improperly soldered circuit board for the crankshaft position and camshaft position sensors and some aftermarket lighting. Recalls for two thousand eight were for airbag software issues.
What to Look For
Let’s embark with the essentials: get an pro inspection, and make sure there’s a total service history.
The cabin doesn’t have a fine reputation for durability, so check for worn materials, especially the bolsters of the driver’s seat. Do the electrified windows work? If it’s a coupe, inspect the gas struts holding up the rear hatch. Roadster? The fabric roof should be in decent condition.
Moving outside, the nose is prone to stone chipping. Early models might have uneven tire wear due to bad alignment. The 350Z came from the factory with Bridgestone tires and are as good a choice as any. While you’re in the area, look for scuffed alloy wheels. And lower compression arm bushings are a common failure.
The engine’s oil pressure sensors are sometimes problematic, so keep a regular eye on levels. The clutch usually lasts 40,000 miles. If you have to switch it, a brainy budge would be to upgrade the flywheel at the same time. Brake discs last for toughly 35,000 miles, and brake pads last for around 12,000 miles. Moving up to high-performance brake fluid and braided lines is a good idea.
Values
A two thousand seven Touring coupe would be a sweet spot. On Autotrader, we found one with 88,000 miles priced at $13,750. Kelley Blue Book might value that a little lower, unless it’s in excellent condition. Our site has around forty pages of 350Zs for sale, embarking at $Five,750.
Autotrader Says
Yes, absolutely buy a used Nissan 350Z, but be ready to walk away if something doesn’t seem right. There’ll be another one down the road.