350z quality

SOUTHZZ

Have to agree regarding a previous post that some of the materials used by
Nissan on the Z33 were substandard.
The interior parts such as door barrels were especially bad.
The objective IMO was to control the the cost of the car.
A few entities,such as ZCFcovers have offered carbon covers to
fix these problems.I believe ZCF also has carbon covers for Z34 cars

vtec to vvel

All companies look at cost-saving measures. One penny saved on each mass-produced item, for example a car, can equate to millions saved. There were a few qualities about the 350Z that I do miss:

1. Better sounding stock exhaust note
2. Rear windshield wiper (apparently the other markets have them on the 370Z, but not the US)
3. Oil pressure gauge

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Quicksilvers

Yes, unfortunately Nissan had to cut their costs to make revenue on each Z33 unit sold as a lot of other automotive manufacturers now days. A lot of the small inexpensive plastic pieces are out sourced. Basically just about the whole Nissan 350Z is made in Japan and it indicates it on the window sticker when brand new that is where the quality does come from. I had an 03 and 08 350Z and overall they are reliable and dependable vehicles to own. I had 300K miles on my 03 350Z when it was traded in great car! The only negative comments I would have is I had to replace scratched interior pieces both door panels and console and the struts bar in the rear trunk. The 350Z is slower at the track comparing to the 370Z. I seen a lot of Z33 guys painting and coating their interiors as well as installing the carbon covers on the door panels it can be repaired. The exhaust note is too quiet for a Japanese sports car and installing an exhaust is a must do! I miss the oil pressure gauge that was a great perk indeed.

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Mr. Clean

SOUTHZZ

Overall,I agree with the posts on this thread.
Got to say that I am the old guy in this group.
Plenty of car history.The following may tell you a bit about my age
regarding our Z cars:
Bought new ,1970 240Z(Datsun)that year
Bought new,2003 350Z in 2002. Still have.95k on the clock.

Some similarities on both these cars:
Cheap materials used inside.You think the 350z had inferior parts.
The 240z was just awful.Plastic,cheap vinyl seats.Pieces cracked.
Same goes for the marketing.The plan was to offer a car at much lower price than
the competition. In 1970,my 240z cost 3,500 bucks.Alfa,Jaguar,BMW,Porsche MUCH higher.In 2003,my 350Z cost right at 30 grand.Same competition plan.I still have a photo
of a sign on the dealership's wall when I picked up my 350.
Said: PLACES TO GO.THINGS TO DO.PORSCHES TO PASS.

Bit more competition out there now. I like my 370Z. However,as a bang for the buck rear
drive car with parts at reasonable prices,the 350Z sure is a winner.
Ask any ricer.

Quicksilvers

I would agree as well with other posts here. One of the most important things here is Z history and heritage. Fortunately recently Nissan announced said that Z history is not going any where and they will continue to build the Z cars but we will have to see again what Nissan will have to unveil in the near future?? I always liked the 370Z model and it is a vast improvement to the 350Z. Parts are more expensive and it is more expensive to modify the 370Z as well. The 350Z can be more budget friendly on the wallet to modify than the 370Z. Since Nissan continued to build the 370Z model is a good thing for actual Z enthusiasts. In the past I had a 78 Datsun 280Z I sure miss that car people say it is the “Grandfather of the Z cars” I wish I never sold it.

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Mr. Clean

MZ DAIZY

Nobody is older than Rusty. Nobody...

370zBoyz

i occasionally like to window shop on autotrader and see what is available for the 350Z and 370Z

and i have to say the 350Z interiors all look like crap...everything has faded and been scratched off interior wise...steering wheel, shift knob, seats all torn

bmw's from the 90s hold up better