How reliable are they?

Beatboy · 11-26-2009, 04:28 PM

It's my first post here. I want to get rid of my 01 330 ci which I have spent over 15,000 in repairs on since I bought it in 04 for 30k. I looked around to see what car I can find right now that looks as sexy as this one but also performs, and honestly... I can't find any! God, if it was reliable and they made the same exact car now, I would buy it, hands down!

But...

That's not the case. BMW's have proven to me how unreliable they are. I take it to the shop for 1 problem, I leave the shop with 3.

So.. on to my point.

I want to get the Z because I think it's a decent looking car with great performance. But I want this car to be my everyday car. I'm gonna drive it in the rain, snow, blizzard, etc. I need this car to last me 10 years. Is that too much to ask for? I'm aware of the 350z, but never really liked the body. The new 370 is much better imo.

Can any owners of the 350 vouch for the z's reliability? Consider the fact that I'm gonna drive it like a sports car, not like a Cadillac.

elmz · 11-26-2009, 05:23 PM

I owned a 350 for 4.5 years and I never had any problems with it. But that was just me. All cars will have some problems, but Nissan's are very reliable. And I seriously doubt you will ever spend 15k in repairs for a Z.

6MT · 11-26-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatboy

It's my first post here. I want to get rid of my 01 330 ci which I have spent over 15,000 in repairs on since I bought it in 04 for 30k. I looked around to see what car I can find right now that looks as sexy as this one but also performs, and honestly... I can't find any! God, if it was reliable and they made the same exact car now, I would buy it, hands down!

But...

That's not the case. BMW's have proven to me how unreliable they are. I take it to the shop for 1 problem, I leave the shop with 3.

So.. on to my point.

I want to get the Z because I think it's a decent looking car with great performance. But I want this car to be my everyday car. I'm gonna drive it in the rain, snow, blizzard, etc. I need this car to last me 10 years. Is that too much to ask for? I'm aware of the 350z, but never really liked the body. The new 370 is much better imo.

Can any owners of the 350 vouch for the z's reliability? Consider the fact that I'm gonna drive it like a sports car, not like a Cadillac.

This car is pretty new. I don't think that there is anyone (or only one or two) that have gone over the 10,000 mile mark yet. So to ask if they're reliable or not is a bit premature.

FYI, I have just over 5000 kms on mine with zero problems & absolutely no "issues". As for the reliability question.... ask me in a year or two.

EDIT: The 350 is a vastly different car than the 370 (engine, etc., etc..).

Endgame · 11-26-2009, 05:36 PM

You may want to look at the reliability of the G37s as they have the same engine and a 'similar' tranny...

stan618 · 11-26-2009, 06:31 PM

bought an 03 350z when it first came out and sold it last june. not one problem although i only put 17000 miles in it lol...

Beatboy · 11-26-2009, 06:52 PM

Also, how are they on bumps and pot holes???? There are a lot of those where I live. I try to avoid them as much as I can, but every once in a while at night I'll miss one, and it'll ruin my night

So I'm hoping this car can take a little bit of a beating as far as road conditions go.

spearfish25 · 11-26-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatboy

Also, how are they on bumps and pot holes???? There are a lot of those where I live. I try to avoid them as much as I can, but every once in a while at night I'll miss one, and it'll ruin my night

So I'm hoping this car can take a little bit of a beating as far as road conditions go.

You'll lose your teeth if you hit one. Not to mention that the sport tires and rims probably won't stand up to much pothole mayhem. Last March when I got mine in Chicago, I was dodging potholes like crazy.

370Zsteve · 11-26-2009, 10:41 PM

I hope you are ok with a car that has no luggage room. Ten years sounds like a hell of a long time to own just a sports car as a daily driver. You ever gonna get married?

fullmonty · 11-26-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatboy

Also, how are they on bumps and pot holes???? There are a lot of those where I live. I try to avoid them as much as I can, but every once in a while at night I'll miss one, and it'll ruin my night

So I'm hoping this car can take a little bit of a beating as far as road conditions go.

About as well as any other sports car. If you hit it at speed it will shake you alittle but other than that its not hard to get used too.

KillerBee370 · 11-27-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatboy

It's my first post here. I want to get rid of my 01 330 ci which I have spent over 15,000 in repairs on since I bought it in 04 for 30k. I looked around to see what car I can find right now that looks as sexy as this one but also performs, and honestly... I can't find any! God, if it was reliable and they made the same exact car now, I would buy it, hands down!

But...

That's not the case. BMW's have proven to me how unreliable they are. I take it to the shop for 1 problem, I leave the shop with 3.

So.. on to my point.

I want to get the Z because I think it's a decent looking car with great performance. But I want this car to be my everyday car. I'm gonna drive it in the rain, snow, blizzard, etc. I need this car to last me 10 years. Is that too much to ask for? I'm aware of the 350z, but never really liked the body. The new 370 is much better imo.

Can any owners of the 350 vouch for the z's reliability? Consider the fact that I'm gonna drive it like a sports car, not like a Cadillac.

HUH? 10 YEARS??! I don't think I've ever owned a car for more than 3 or 4 tops. If you don't expect to start getting into the nickle and diming after 4 or 5 years of everyday driving... well...

Slynky · 11-27-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerBee370

HUH? 10 YEARS??! I don't think I've ever owned a car for more than 3 or 4 tops. If you don't expect to start getting into the nickle and diming after 4 or 5 years of everyday driving... well...

Owned my CRX (the one in my siggy) for 20 years! And,as to potholes, hit a nice one in my RSX and warped the 5Zigen (right front) and can't find a replacement for it now.

j.arnaldo · 11-27-2009, 12:02 PM

Cold fact: Per CR stats, Zs are "Much Better Than Average" on engine, AT, cooling system, electrical system, etc. They just have a few little annoyances with the power window motor(s), hatch door, MT, etc. These nuisances WON'T leave you stranded on the road; they'll just give you a pain every now and then; and, then again, not expensive at all.

Beatboy · 11-27-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

Cold fact: Per CR stats, Zs are "Much Better Than Average" on engine, AT, cooling system, electrical system, etc. They just have a few little annoyances with the power window motor(s), hatch door, MT, etc. These nuisances WON'T leave you stranded on the road; they'll just give you a pain every now and then; and, then again, not expensive at all.

Oh, believe me the problems you are mentioning with the Z are not problems at all in my book

In fact, I wish I had those problems with my car, and only those problems.

My car is currently at the dealership getting repaired for a broken control arm and power steering pump. I was left stranded on Monday when I went to get back in my car and drive home and I couldn't turn the steering wheel without looking like a complete idiot.

Two weeks before that, the car was in the shop for a cranking noise coming from the steering column and smoke coming through the vents when coming to a stop. The smoke was fixed and the steering wasn't. Mind you, just a month before that the engine was fixed for oil leaks and they replaced my cracked radiator that was causing a big vapor cloud every time I would come to a stop.

My windshield wipers stop working in heavy rain if they are set on "auto," which basically is supposed to wipe your windows at a speed according to how much rain is falling on the windshield. This left me stranded a few times on the side of the road. I figured out how to fix it - turn the car off, wait a minute, then turn it back on.

As for owning for 10 years. I don't see why people are surprised. Some people still own their 300zx's from the early 90's. And I don't know if I can afford or will be able to afford buying a brand new Z every 4 years.

Anyways I hope to own a Z soon cause I don't know how much longer this BMW is going to last me. The Nissan dealer told me they'd give me 6,500 for a trade in value... at which point I

Well, hopefully with these last repairs it's going to last me long enough to make up my mind.

kenchan · 11-27-2009, 12:37 PM

CR has no idea wat cars are. they are great for appliances and home goods.

marcussoori · 11-27-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

This car is pretty new. I don't think that there is anyone (or only one or two) that have gone over the 10,000 mile mark yet. So to ask if they're reliable or not is a bit premature.

FYI, I have just over 5000 kms on mine with zero problems & absolutely no "issues". As for the reliability question.... ask me in a year or two.

EDIT: The 350 is a vastly different car than the 370 (engine, etc., etc..).

I have 15k miles on mine, and zero issues yet! I drive hard, but wash the car often, wax every three months, and change the oil and filter every 3750 miles (even though it's no longer necessary)...

FWIW

11-26-2009, 04:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Beatboy Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 7 Drives: 2001 330 Ci silver Rep Power: 16	How reliable are they? It's my first post here. I want to get rid of my 01 330 ci which I have spent over 15,000 in repairs on since I bought it in 04 for 30k. I looked around to see what car I can find right now that looks as sexy as this one but also performs, and honestly... I can't find any! God, if it was reliable and they made the same exact car now, I would buy it, hands down! But... That's not the case. BMW's have proven to me how unreliable they are. I take it to the shop for 1 problem, I leave the shop with 3. So.. on to my point. I want to get the Z because I think it's a decent looking car with great performance. But I want this car to be my everyday car. I'm gonna drive it in the rain, snow, blizzard, etc. I need this car to last me 10 years. Is that too much to ask for? I'm aware of the 350z, but never really liked the body. The new 370 is much better imo. Can any owners of the 350 vouch for the z's reliability? Consider the fact that I'm gonna drive it like a sports car, not like a Cadillac.

11-26-2009, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
stan618 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: los angeles Posts: 30 Drives: 09 370z manual sport Rep Power: 16	bought an 03 350z when it first came out and sold it last june. not one problem although i only put 17000 miles in it lol... __________________ 2009 370z pearl white 6 speed sport pkg

11-26-2009, 10:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	I hope you are ok with a car that has no luggage room. Ten years sounds like a hell of a long time to own just a sports car as a daily driver. You ever gonna get married? __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

11-26-2009, 05:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 17	I owned a 350 for 4.5 years and I never had any problems with it. But that was just me. All cars will have some problems, but Nissan's are very reliable. And I seriously doubt you will ever spend 15k in repairs for a Z.

11-26-2009, 05:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	You may want to look at the reliability of the G37s as they have the same engine and a 'similar' tranny...

11-26-2009, 06:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Beatboy Base Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 7 Drives: 2001 330 Ci silver Rep Power: 16	Also, how are they on bumps and pot holes???? There are a lot of those where I live. I try to avoid them as much as I can, but every once in a while at night I'll miss one, and it'll ruin my night So I'm hoping this car can take a little bit of a beating as far as road conditions go.

11-27-2009, 12:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	Cold fact: Per CR stats, Zs are "Much Better Than Average" on engine, AT, cooling system, electrical system, etc. They just have a few little annoyances with the power window motor(s), hatch door, MT, etc. These nuisances WON'T leave you stranded on the road; they'll just give you a pain every now and then; and, then again, not expensive at all.

11-27-2009, 12:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	CR has no idea wat cars are. they are great for appliances and home goods.