Consumer Reports' Obsession

PapoZalsa

Those owner's probably never had a Z before. I have owned a 300ZX, 350Z and now the 370Z. Now when I bought this car there were certain things that I already expected like the blind spots.

I don't know where they get that reliability BS when the current model is not even 3 yrs old.

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2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT
Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

OldGuy

Unfortunately, all those criticisms, which come from actual owner survey respeonses, do have varying degrees of validity and will factor into the value equation, one way or another, when we try to re-sell or trade. That's the nature of the market and that's also the chance you take when you buy a new(er) model. Frankly, though, in areas like paint quality, sticking hatches and whining ECU units, being items complained of in Owners' responses, I had expected better from Nissan.

m4a1mustang

Well, I'd avoid an '09 if I was buying used simply because all the issues with the '09s seem to have been solved in 2010+.

No way in hell would I put up with that ECU whine again, or waste my time fighting with a dealer to try and replace it with a 2010 ECU.

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shadoquad

Yeah, good thing you didn't replace it with just some other first model year sports car.

VCuomo

I wouldn't write off every '09 Z. Mine doesn't have the ECU problem at all. And all of the things that CR said owners rated the car low for are present in all 370Z model years.

dad

They named the Ford Mustang as best sports car.

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We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

m4a1mustang

Mileage and age of driver?

I know mine didn't start until after 8k, and only really younger folk who can still pick up those high frequencies can hear it. My dad thinks I'm crazy because he can't hear it. Well he can't hear anything to begin with.

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PapoZalsa

Mine is 09 too and I don't have an ECU problem.

__________________
2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT
Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

spearfish25

First, anyone buying a car based solely on Consumer Reports probably doesn't know much about buying cars. I'd have a quick look there, but I wouldn't put too much credence into their evaluation. Second, if you have a 2009 and have addressed the stuck hatch, ECU whine, and other issues, you have no problem when you go to sell it. You just tell the buyer you took care of all that for them. Third, I plan on driving my Z until the wheels fall off, so resale value means squat to me.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

kenchan

i only look at magazines and articles to look at pictures.

spearfish25

and reading is for the deaf.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

kenchan

CR to deaf ears. yet i can hear perfectly.

b1adesofcha0s

What is this ECU whine everyone keeps talking about? Also what is a TSB? Is it like a recall that the dealership will fix for free? Should I take my car in to get all of those issues fixed?

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Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) | Uprev Tune by AAM Competition | Berk Exhaust
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kenchan

if you dont know wat it is, chances are your car doesn't have it. it's an audible high pitched tone like a CRT TV.

ProfessorDave

OK, so first, a statement about survey data: those who mailed a survey are most likely to respond if they have an extreme response. Very positive or very negative. Those who have moderately positive or negative opinions don't respond.

Second, CR only sends its survey to their readers. Readers of CR are generally concerned about specific issues, such as economy. No surprise then that the CR readership would endorse the Miata vs. the Z.

Finally, I drove past the CR testing track daily for a year while I was an intern. The employees arrive in Subarus, Hondas and Toyotas. They don't know sheet about how to test a performance car, nor can they understand how an enthusiast might not mind too much going to the dealership to get things fixed under warranty, vs. the Legacy owner who would raise holy hell if they had to bring the car back for a TSB.

On a person note, I paid attention to CR for many major purchases I made as a young adult. The only one that paid off was a Maytag washer/dryer. Every other purchase was crap. I think CR's use of the scientific method is about as helpful as pulling a condom over one's foot in an attempt to have safe sex.

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Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB
Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT