How reliable generally is the Z?
 

Hey guys,

So I've had my Z for a little under a year now, bought it new, and I thought it would be a great car to pay off, hold on to, and maybe go a little crazy with mod wise. Now I'm having second thoughts honestly, It's going in tomorrow for transmission number 2, I have the annoying ECU ring, the (beautiful) paint is paper thin, and it generally just seems a little raucous.

Now to be clear I'm not gentle on a car. I love driving, I never leave a car stock, and I'm going enjoy it, consciously understanding that maintenance will be required, that things will fail quicker, and that it's going to cost some dough. That said, I don't just beat the dog **** out of it either. I know on it's face the comparison seems ludicrous, but my last car was a used 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 running 320hp (100 over stock), on 20 psi and it held up like a god damn tank. Over the 4 years that I owned it, I put some serious hard miles on it, at the track and otherwise and I never had a single problem, not even a clutch.

Now I'm not closed off to the possibility that I'm over reacting a little, it's just a synchro that went out, and in a metal forge making thousands of parts I realize that 2% are going to fail prematurely and that's just how it is. I also have no science to back up the feeling, no reports of reliability or anything like that but I can't help but wonder a bit.

Am I alone here?

Are you alone on having transmission problems? I would think so considering I don't believe it to be a problem that runs rampant.

Well Consumer reports gave our cars an "more worse than average" rating on reliability but it has solid ratings on the transmission reliability.
My car has not had a single problem yet so I guess you cant believe everything you read...

http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...ars-grind.html

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-o...tml#post878192

Definitely not alone.

If im having constant issues while under warranty I would trade it in and get either another z or another car.

Yeah the 2011 mustang itch is growing for sure

Well that sucks big ones. Try one more tranny. Then I wonder about the lemon law on that to.

Yep there are a couple of guys that went that route. I would probably look into used S2000's.

I wouldn't go by ANYTHING consumer reports says... They def have certain manufacturers in their back pocket... 15+ yrs ago they rated some Mitsubishi TV as THE BEST... My parents bought it and it failed a little over a year later... I know that could also be the 2% you speak of and who knows... But I find their reviews and opinions to be a little off most of the time. Good luck with the synchro... Hopefully it's just that and you'll be good to go.

my 350z last 122,000...only repair it had was basic maint....oh and one window motor....the 370Z seems to be put together way better....hoping to push this one past 100k also

Yeah it kinda kills me cause I love the car and ive been thinking about doing an FI build on it but I have to commit to the car before I pull the trigger on anything like that.

Out of so many hundreds Z cars made, you will always find a lemon. But I would not judge all the 370Z the same, just because one or two have a problem. It was the same with the 350Z, a lot of guys had problems but was luck of the draw.

The paint is another animal however my MB has no problems what so ever.

If I ever get rid of the Z I will go with a Lexus IS-F or a BMW M3. Maybe on of these days I can afford a GTR or M6.

Some cars rock, and some are piles, and they could roll off the line the same day.

My G20 is a piece of ****, but lots of people say they are reliable.


*Edited for clarity

I've been driving mine for a while now... I don't have any issues.

I'm not easy on my car either and haven't had any trans problems, but my paint does suck.

How many miles do you have on your car?

Little under 14k, most on the highway.