thinking about getting a 350

[mikejorg]

I've read about the alignment problem, has anyone had a huge problem with that?Any advice would help. I've had two pathfinders and I'm sticking to nissan i just want something that i can drive now and so far i've heard nothing but good.

[bmike818]

get an 06 or later

[alsz]

As with many other cars, the Z does not have camber adjustment. At least the 04-05's don't. I tore through my front set of RE040's within 20K. Most of the wear was feathering on the inside. The OEM tires aren't good for more than 20K anyway. I would suggest getting a lifetime alignment. I think most dealers offer it. Other than that, the Z will make smile when you drive it. Happy hunting and good luck.
Modified by alsz at 4:01 AM 1/26/2008

[matt_2036]

The tire feathering problem was with the 03's and some of the 04's. There was a tsb sent out, and Nissan fixed it for free. some have complained of it recurring. You can tell when you test drive one because you will hear a moan from the front of the car that gets louder the faster you go up to around 45, then it dies down. Wide tires and coilovers that drop your car between .5 and 1.5 inches also will solve the problem. So imho go ahead and get an 03 or 04 if you are going to mod. They are around 200 lbs lighter then the later models, and even though they have 13 fewer hp's they have 14 more foot lbs of torque. Plus most of that 13 hp can be regained with a $280 plenum spacer.

[alsz]

Interesting, I wasn’t aware that Nissan had acknowledged the problem nor the fix. Great info Matt, I will check with my local dealer to see if that fix is still available. Your description of the problem is right on. Thanks

[merlin3]

I wouldn't worry so much about the tire feathering as it's fixable. I'd worry more about trying to get a later 03 transmission if you're looking at an 03.

[samej82]

That roadster is beautiful!

[mikejorg]

also how much is everyone payin for insurance??

[alsz]

Thanks!

[matt_2036]

Full coverage with a 3 million dollar umbrella pollicy cost me $500 every six months. But it is not my dd.
Modified by matt_2036 at 4:03 PM 2/5/2008

[donjuanmon]

Full Coverage with Nationwide at $1015 per year. The insurance on it is cheap considering what people think I pay. The previous car I had was an '05 Honda Civic, and that car cost me like $800 more per year. The acura prices are even worse. I'll stick with my nissans and infinitis! lol

[NSRsheets]

^ I pay around $900 a yr for insurance through Nationwide.

[ALX International]

i agree 06 or later is the way to go. 07 = more power

[matt_2036]

Yes o7=more ho but also = less torque engine oil burning issues, and and ugly *** bulg in the hood. If you want a reliable car that you are going to do mods to get an 03 or 04. If you are keeping it stock and driving it every day, got whatever

[black08]

kids in the back seat cause accidents accidents in the back seat cause kids Keep it a two seater.

[bmike818]

Yes o7=more ho but also = less torque engine oil burning issues, and and ugly *** bulg in the hood. If you want a reliable car that you are going to do mods to get an 03 or 04. If you are keeping it stock and driving it every day, got whatever

I guess the hood is hit or miss. I personally like the bulge on the hood, in my opinion it completes the car. but hey everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Dont forget the HR has a 7,500 redline. We all know that we reach redline pretty fast in these cars so an extra 500 in the RPMs is a blessing.

Besides the 07 is the fastest stock Z33

[BlackSmoke]

I have 7500 miles on mine and they are hard driven miles and I have absolutely no problem with alignment. I am concerned however my speed car driving has really eaten the tires that is the only draw back, but no feathering or alignment issues. And get a 6 spd alot more fun.

[BlackSmoke]

I pay $73 / month for full coverage with gap.

[northhoustonser]

is there hp differences in the 07's and up as there is in the 03-05's?? if im not mistaken the enthusiast z's had less power than the track z's previously correct?? is it the same case in the 07's and up??

Also, how bad are the oil burning issues on the new z's???

[jabber87]

i have an 03 touring 6 speed, the only big problem i have had is that i had to have the transmission replace (thank God it was covered under warranty) and havent had a problem since. i havent had a problem with the tire feather either, i bought an extra set of rims for track days to burn off the original stock tires. now i run the bridgestone potenza RE960AS and havent noticed any uneven wear yet.

[BlackSmoke]

wow I hear a bunch of people complainng about oil burning. If any runs their car hard ALL the time it is me and I have absolutely no problem with oil burning. The power from the manual I was told had more hp than the Auto. And with the addition of better intakes and cat exhaust I guess it is a bit better but never the less I think it had more power than the auto from my test drive. The Grand Touring I have is basically a luxury track model, or a Nismo without the badges and, wing, and road noise.

[gofast]

Hello Matt,

I had a similar problem with my 04 Z. When I bought my car I had the dealers take off the stock Z rims. They were replaced with TSW 20" NOGARO rims with Toyo tires that were on a nother Z on their lot.

After about 11k my right rear tire went flat. At the dealership they told me that the inside of the tire was defective. It took them two days to get it replace. When I got he car back I noticed that there was a big change in the amount of weight used to balcance out the tie.

So I though in the deraler rush to sell me the car the tires were not balanced out properly.

My conserns are I plan to keep driving on the the NOGARO & Toyo tires.

What sould I keep me eye out for?

[nissanpartsnow]

Hello Matt,

I had a similar problem with my 04 Z. When I bought my car I had the dealers take off the stock Z rims. They were replaced with TSW 20" NOGARO rims with Toyo tires that were on a nother Z on their lot.

After about 11k my right rear tire went flat. At the dealership they told me that the inside of the tire was defective. It took them two days to get it replace. When I got he car back I noticed that there was a big change in the amount of weight used to balcance out the tie.

So I though in the deraler rush to sell me the car the tires were not balanced out properly.

My conserns are I plan to keep driving on the the NOGARO & Toyo tires.

What sould I keep me eye out for?

The technician probably did not index the tire. Most tire manufacturers put a green dot on teh tires heavy spot. This allows the tire tech to mount it properly so the amount of wheel weights is minimized. I would ask the dealer if they indexed the tire.