Consumer Reports' Obsession

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.

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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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

Montez

Sad thing is that there are many many car buyers and buyers of other things that "faithfully" believe in what C/R says-reports. Most of us as enthusiast could not give a sh*t, we get our info from here!

ImportConvert

CR is more suited to reviewing clock radios and toasters. However, you're right. Someone will read that and beat your price up with it.

Jordo!

I love my Z, but it does have numerous little issues that are frankly, ridiculous, for a new car to have.

Nissan is like the Japanese Ford, so what do you expect?
Some '09's had some electrical interference that produced a high pitched whine -- apparently attributable to the ECU.

TSB = Technical Service Bulleton.

Not a Recall, but a special note for problems or service issues that crop up that may not be immediately obvious.

Some are just details on how to do a repair others refer to problems that should have a recall associated with it, but didn't get one for whatever reason.

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Enjoy it. Destroy it.

b1adesofcha0s

Thanks! Luckily I haven't had any issues yet. Don't know about the previous owner though.

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Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) | Uprev Tune by AAM Competition | Berk Exhaust
Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) | Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

Jordo!

I would just skim over the TSB's to be prepared.

For '09 other than the ECU whine I think you have the same (admittedly, generally minor) flaws we all do (e.g., cheap windshield and paint).

But the crappy, unreliable fuel sender and now my failed secondary O2 are just horseshit

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Enjoy it. Destroy it.

christian370z

Agreed on the fuel sender, but you can't blame Nissan entirely for the o2 sensor when you are running test pipes that will expose the sensor to much higher levels of unburnt fuel and particulates (which kill o2 sensors).

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sonic370

were the ecu units a hit and miss sort of thing. or did nissan catch the problem
mid year and fix it. iv'e never had a problem with my 09.

and as far as TSB'S go very few cars go without having any reported.
and the 370's are nothing major.