USED Nissan 350Z - The common problems & should you buy one?

Front-engined, rear-wheel drive, what's not to love? Well, there could be plenty to not love, because the Nissan 350Z is now over 20 years old. So if you're seriously considering buying one, we do a deep dive to find out what goes wrong with, all the common complaints, what they're like to drive, and whether we think you should buy one.

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Skip ahead:
00:00​​​​​​​ - Intro
00:18 - What is it?
04:44 - Exterior issues
07:04 - Interior issues
09:45 - Practicality and features
04:01 - Safety
14:42 - What's it like to drive?
17:54 - What goes wrong?
21:28 - Should you buy it?

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#nissan #nissan350Z #350Z jdm #japan #japanese #cars #automobile #carslover #carshow #review #carreview #carexpert

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Listen to the podcast!

[mrnicktoyou]

I remember sitting in a 350Z at the Melbourne Motor Show back in the early 2000's. It felt so futuristic at the time. It still looks it actually.

[なでしこの手帳_海外の反応]

The fact that we can buy 300hp car at a affordable price is wonderful

[Mattawy]

The fact this is posted just now and I want to buy one is perfect timing. I am subscribing. Very well presented info too. Good job mate.

[nukesdabomb]

As a Z enthusiast, I just wanted to add: the most common issues are Door handle failure, dash cupholder failure, bleeder valve. Good mention about the Gallery gasket failure and CSC failure. I would recommend VQ35DE engine owners to be careful pulling the dipstick slowly, otherwise you get a bad reading of oil, most owners ive spoken to check it when warm. These cars are capable for every application, but get massive hate because of how the exhaust sounds when straight piped.

[davidwild]

I don't know why I'm watching this. My back is so stuffed that I wouldn't be able to get out of one, even if I did buy it.

[spdaltid]

Thanks Guys. I know, on paper, the 370Z is the better developed car. But, the 350Z look has just aged so much better without the manga inspired design cues. A Nismo would be very nice in the

[KansaiBoruto]

recently purchased 03 track, black with tan leather interior, drive it to work everyday and it is simply a joy to drive.

[Maverick-cllt]

You need to come test my 260Z. Almost 50 year old car and a daily driver.

[KnightIndustries]

Love the Z'ds, always have since I was a teenager. When I stopped having to do the daily school run for my daughter and 3 of the neighbours kids 3 years back I was really considering a 370 or a G37/Q60 Infiniti. Prices were a bit silly then and I also thought long and hard that there is my son (who has special needs) and of course his school mates in the same boat. The reality was that even though that most times it's me and my young bloke in the car (he loves the Zed too btw!) often there would be his friends who will probably never drive either (so there would be three in the car), so I bought what I believe to be the '4 Door Z'..the 2012 Lexus IS 350 ;-). ..and we love it!

[juki]

i love the old design, the new one is just as good. Although the only 350s i see are completely rinced out and victims to the backyard modders, and i see way fewer than i used to

[davidkirk]

Similar drowning spark plug problems with my V6 Stagea.
As an amateur mechanic the replacement gaskets took 6 hours.
Lots of patience required.

[TalooshDaBoss]

great reviews man, the wheelbase being so much smaller then the g35s is the best part internally

[stephenmoore]

I Love Redriven, Adam and Jim, you guys are awesome.
If you want a 350Z that's more practical, get the Infiniti G35 aka Skyline. It came in 2 and 4 doors with the same engine and tranmission. That's the way I'd go because it even the 2 door has back seats and I have a kid.

[bullymaguire]

I love these and was considering buying one until I raced one with my IS350 F Sport (which I don't consider fast) and beat it handily

[MrJohnRhee]

i bought a 21 year old XR8 three months ago. Wish me luck

[paulsimpson]

I owned one in 2005 and it developed a rod knock at idle at about 100, 000km. My local Nissan dealership told me they’re not designed to last beyond 100, 000km and refused to fix it under warranty. They even sent engineers up from Melbourne to inspect and said the knock was a characteristic of the vq35 engine. Never owned another Nissan!

[Jez]

To me the 350z is the perfect middle ground. The chassis has potential to do any kind of motorsport, and can be a reliable, comfortable fun daily given preventative maintenance. It's not full of electronic complexity like today's cars, and it's not full of mechanical complexity like the TT 300zx. I feel like these are now in the same space the S13 and R33 were 10 years ago, parts are affordable and plenty

[brucepritchard]

I bought an 06 Track 350Z a couple of years ago. Same colour as previewed car but with the tan interior. It is a fabulous car and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

[reitsmaassociates]

Have owned three of them! - my first back in its release year of 2003 - a manual Track coupe - loved it for about 4 years then sold it to buy a house . In 2018 I bought a low km manual only yellow anniversary model(2005) - enjoyed that too as a weekend car for a few years before selling for somewhat more than purchase 😊. Missed it so much I bought an obscenely low clicked 2004 automatic (yes sacrilege automatic)350z track in black with an as new orange interior and optional factory rays wheels - love it auto and all . It is truly an amazing car even when compared to my recent/current daily/work cars which have included (Alpine A110, mk8 GTI, New defender 90 d250s, Volvo V60, VW Arteon, Tesla Model 3) but most weeks I will still choose to take the 350 :). - fab honest review as always - cheers from Brisbane

[fritzmckellar]

Had a 2003 years ago and sold it. I very much regret it. Last year I bought a 2003 Track from a Nissan master mechanic for only $10, 000 Canadian LOL. The car is mint. Came with a pricey Nismo stainless exhaust too, sounds sooo good, accentuates that VQ growl w/o being obnoxious.

I've since spend another $5k in preventative maintenance (used CD009 tranny, new crank/cam sensors, knock sensor harness, hatch shocks and springs, clutch and heavy single mass flywheel). This car is so fun to drive - IF you know what it is, a cheap, reliable, sporty GT car.

In this era where speed cameras and heavy fines exist for any kind of spirited driving, this car makes an awesome and honest DD.

Yes, the rear strut tower bar does suck and is 100% the worst design feature.