How reliable generally is the Z?

Marcus Ryan · 01-03-2011, 06:34 PM

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?

plato · 01-03-2011, 06:47 PM

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

Chriz · 01-03-2011, 06:51 PM

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...

Marcus Ryan · 01-03-2011, 06:54 PM

5th and 6th Gears Grind

6th Gear grind

Definitely not alone.

kenchan · 01-03-2011, 07:03 PM

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

Marcus Ryan · 01-03-2011, 07:06 PM

Yeah the 2011 mustang itch is growing for sure

SPOHN · 01-03-2011, 07:13 PM

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

kenchan · 01-03-2011, 07:14 PM

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

steveg78 · 01-03-2011, 07:17 PM

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.

GZ3 · 01-03-2011, 07:35 PM

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

Marcus Ryan · 01-03-2011, 08:35 PM

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.

PapoZalsa · 01-03-2011, 08:54 PM

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.

ImportConvert · 01-03-2011, 10:01 PM

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

TypeOne · 01-03-2011, 10:48 PM

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?

Marcus Ryan · 01-04-2011, 12:18 AM

Little under 14k, most on the highway.

01-03-2011, 06:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Marcus Ryan Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 77 Drives: 2010 370Z M6 40th Rep Power: 15	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?

01-03-2011, 06:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chriz Track Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston TX Posts: 626 Drives: '10 370z PW 7AT Rep Power: 17	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... __________________ PW 7AT w/Sports Pkg Hook Em!

01-03-2011, 07:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
GZ3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 3,296 Drives: Z Rep Power: 22	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 __________________ 09 GT-R 12' 370Z 7AT HANDED DOWN 12'+13' 5.0 SOLD

01-03-2011, 08:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	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. __________________ 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 Last edited by PapoZalsa; 01-03-2011 at 08:57 PM.

01-03-2011, 10:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7627	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 Last edited by ImportConvert; 01-03-2011 at 11:59 PM.

01-03-2011, 06:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
plato Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 88 Drives: 2010 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 15	Are you alone on having transmission problems? I would think so considering I don't believe it to be a problem that runs rampant.

01-03-2011, 06:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Marcus Ryan Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 77 Drives: 2010 370Z M6 40th Rep Power: 15	5th and 6th Gears Grind 6th Gear grind Definitely not alone.

01-03-2011, 07:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	If im having constant issues while under warranty I would trade it in and get either another z or another car.

01-03-2011, 07:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Marcus Ryan Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 77 Drives: 2010 370Z M6 40th Rep Power: 15	Yeah the 2011 mustang itch is growing for sure

01-03-2011, 07:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 46 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Well that sucks big ones. Try one more tranny. Then I wonder about the lemon law on that to.

01-03-2011, 07:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Yep there are a couple of guys that went that route. I would probably look into used S2000's.

01-03-2011, 07:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
steveg78 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MD Posts: 569 Drives: 09 370Z PG M6 +Sport Rep Power: 17	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.

01-03-2011, 08:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
Marcus Ryan Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 77 Drives: 2010 370Z M6 40th Rep Power: 15	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.

01-03-2011, 10:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	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?

01-04-2011, 12:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
Marcus Ryan Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 77 Drives: 2010 370Z M6 40th Rep Power: 15	Little under 14k, most on the highway.

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