I once read in a magazine a few years back about somebody with a pickup truck that did the same thing. A burning smell from the vents during start up. The master mechanic replied by saying this was normal. Inside the dashboard are electrical/electronical components including resisters, coils, capacitors etc. Sometimes dirt or debris gets inside through the vent between the windshield and hood and it makes contact with the electrical components and causes that burning smell.

But on newer cars they are equipped with a "cabin air filter" so this shouldn't happen right? Well the electrical stuff will still get hot at start up and when it does it will release an odor through the vents just the same.

Again, why do you have a 370z? Nissan's quality is very good...on par with the other car makers. If you want a pinnacle of perfection, go try and find it for under $40k from Chevy, Ford/Mazda or other imports.

Then...should you appear to find it, find one that provides such a great experience each time the engine fires and heads snap to look at you in the Z. Furthermore, then find a 40-year heritage going back to the late sixties when the Z was brought to market.

The other options you will be looking at will include:

#1) ______________ *crickets*....


Enjoy the car, man...you're on a Z forum with great people! :driving:

Scary - should I be concerned?
 

I know what you mean by "electric smell" but want to throw something at you. Could the smell have come from the plastic in the vent system? Having a car sit all day in the heat may cause that "funny" smell. Not saying it's not an electric smell, just trying to add maybe another possibility. Which if it was the cause would take the worry element out of the picture.

I had the same problems with my 350z (2007), no problems so far...yet (18.5K miles on it as of today)
I think its fairly normal. If your unit (vehicle) works improperly, then go to your Nissan Service station. You still have tons of time/millage to do so :)

Still, enjoy your 370 Zed!

UMMMM! I think toyota has no choice but to acknowledge there series of defects. Its caused over a dozen fatalities and a heapload of damage over the last couple of months.
Not to mention both my god sister and step sister both owned toyotas. One got hit head on by a speeding van. The other got rear ended. In both accidents the airbags failed. So in my family alone there's 2 lawsuits against toyota. I've owned 4 nissans and never had a major issues and only had to respond to 3 minor recalls.

Quality issues? What are the poor quality issues in your 30-40k vehicle thaat you are so disappointed with.
You have a FMR engine layout. Something usually found in exotics that you find in most nissans.
You have a SRM manual, one of the most advanced manuals in the industry.
You have an excellent 7speed auto. The best non dsg/dct tranny out there.
You have sub 5 second and 13.1 second accel times.
You have 155mph top speed
You have carbon fiber driveshaft and other high tech weight reducing materials keeping this car under 3400 lbs.
You have a forum community that communicates and fights with nissan on a united front when there are major issues.
You have 5/60k warranty to resolve issues.

I'm not saying that the Z or G or other nissan vehicles are perfect. You will have to fight sometimes for your issues to be resolved. But I don't care what car company you go to. Its all the same with one model or another. Besides, where's toyota's sports car? No true sports in over a decade. Mr2's and celicas are cute fun to drive cars, but a true sports car? Uh uh!

EXTREMELY WELL SAID. PERIOD!!! :iagree:

I'am enjoying the car.
The point I'am making is that Nissan has had continous issues with the 350's over the years and never acknowledeged it!How many have had 350's that burn more oil then normal?So these people are just supposed to settle for "well thats the way it is"?There are other issues also over the years.
It has nothing to do with the price of the car either.
I have had many foreign cars over the years and this is my first nissan. There quality control is not up to par with other foreign manufacturers!
Nissan hasn't recognized some issues in the past with the Z car and now a new model with issues is not good quality control.My point is they will say it is a trait of there trans,paint or whatever the issue most of the time.So anotherwards the public must eat the issue!Poor business!
As for Toyota having a recall?Any manufacturer can have a recall cause of faulty parts.At least they recognize it and stand behind it.How many recalls have you ever heard of on any Z car now or over the years on the 350's?Tell me they never had any issues?Tell me there weren't and still complaints from purchasers of the past 350"s and the 370's?
There are plenty complaints on this forum to back that up.I understand no car is perfect but to my experience every other foreign brand I ever owned was a step above nissan's quality.
Thats my opinion but despite that I will enjoy the car and maybe nissan in the future will step up to the plate a few notches with the Z car for all the Z buffs!