2009 issues?
 

Hi,

I'm considering getting a 370z for my next company car. It will be leased for three years, but the new ones are probably a bit too expensive to lease (also I dont really like the 2013 changes). Do you guys know if there are any issues specific to the 2009 models? Im wanting to know if I will regret getting a 2009 one because maybe they had some problems that they have fixed in later years. I have read the FAQ's etc. and havent been able to find any info regarding specifically the 2009 models - I know they can have oil temp issues but i understand this hasn't been fixed in any later models.

Any information would be appreciated.

thanks,

Jason

Actually 2012's have an additional oil cooler, and there is a steering column lock issue with 2009 and 2010 I believe.

Thanks for the reply! I will look into the steering column lock issue.. funny, I read on another forum that Nissan only offered an oil cooler as an additional option as they said it wasnt necessary for normal driving, only when tracking the car.

Ok, the 2009's were more prone to oil consumption issues, they had the steering lock failure, a LOT were replaced, and there is a way of finding if it's the newer one (gotta look for it on the forum), and the rear trunk springs to pop the trunk open suck a lot of the time... There is a ghetto fix with pennies that works (coins or your 10 cent pieces) or you can go to the dealer for a free replacement if the car is under warranty...


Regarding the oil overheating issue, if you're DD-ing it, you should be ok. When I was in Texas and in 100+ degree weather I didn't NEED one, my oil temps never surpassed 190 even after spirited driving..
(I firmly believe that the OIL you use plays a HUGE role in oil temps [I only run NISSAN's ester oil, and I run cooler than almost anyone I know] But the oil debate should be left to the other 678738049 other threads)

Thanks heaps, that is all good to know. Looks like any issues (other than perhaps the steering lock one) are relatively minor, and definately able to be fixed without too much hassle? The lease company will pay for any repairs etc. so for things like the hatch not opening it shouldn't be a problem.

Oh, and for the steering lock, if it has the OLD revision (prone to breaking) you can remove a fuse (has to be done before the steering lock fails though) And that info can be looked up on the forum as well... If you need help with either, sorry I'm lazy, just shoot me a PM if you can't find them, just trying to burn some time before going back to finish my essays...

I bought my '09 new, nearly 3 years ago and have had no problems. However, I only drive it in nice weather and only have 10,200 miles on her. None of the problems mentioned have effected my car. I had an ambient temperature sensor replaced under warranty. After changing out the tires to get rid of road noise, my car has been a pleasure.
Make sure the one you buy or lease hasn't been abused, CarFax, etc.

Thanks OldGuy, sounds like there's no reason not to go for it =D.

i will be driving a lot more than you, but all maintenance issues are taken care of by the lease company anyway.

Hopefully i can post some pics here in December!

You can install aftermarket oil-coolers on earlier models (i.e. 2009); However, a 2012 model will have a small, factory installed oil-cooler already.

:eek: True.

I find that 190 deg hard to believe, I have an oil cooler and only now do I stay at 190 doing hard driving and 180 otherwise... independent of ambient temps.

I have an 09 and haven't had either of those issues. Check the VIN, I believe some where within the oil consumption range... my car is just as reliable, if not more than some of the newer ones. My car did have the crappy rear hatch shocks which were replaced last year by Nissan.

My buddy with a 2010 just had to have his CSC fixed... my feels like it did the day I bought it.

The only issue I've had (if you call it an issue) was the rear hatch springs. A few pennies cleared it right up. Other than this my Z has been flawless.

I'll be uninstalling my oil cooler soon, I'll post up pics, I BS you not though, I saw over 200 twice, one after... Drag racing on a closed course on the freeway to about 110, then coming to an immediate stop, and waiting,:tup: and the other time was when the dealershit didn't use Ester oil although I told them 10 times, but after they swapped it I went back to the 180-190 range.

EDIT: Again, I believe in their oil, or reasons why they recommend it, and the oil in my car, ONLY when using their oil, cools down a lot faster than say someone who uses Mobil 1... Even if its a test where we let our cars warm up, turn them off and wait to see how much time is needed to drop by a certain temp


To each his own. The oil cooler to me is a must because it will almost certainly prolong engine life. I don't think I will ever NOT install one on any car I will ever own from hereon out.

For the first 25K-30k miles, I had to add a quart between oil changes. I'm now at 44k, and don't have to anymore.

Issues I've had:

Rack and pinion seeping PS fluid (one of the bellows on the end was wet); whole assembly including tie rod ends was replaced under warranty.
Upper radiator hose seeping at radiator; wasn't wet; just some weird stuff growing at the site. Hose replaced under warrenty.
Rear hatch not opening on first try; new springs installed per TSB
Volume control and A/C temp control had erratic operation; sometimes turning down the volume would have the opposite effect; panel replaced under warranty.

All of these issues were taken care of before the car reached 36k miles, in one visit to the dealership. The rack and pinion issue started early on; the others happened a year or two into ownership. I just kept a running list of issues and made a point of "taking it in", before the warranty expired. I have had no issues since then.

I have an '09. 56k Miles

Its flawless. With the exception of all the panties that I drop and all the poon this pussymagnet gets me..

I use my car as a DD for my company. Essentially they only pay for the gas but my payment is cheap enough!

I have had only the hatch spring issue. Just remember however, this is a 370Z enthusiast site, and as such, we are enthusiastic about reporting every issue we have/see/hear about. This is not a representative sample, as many (most) 370Z owners do not even know this site exists.

I have an 2009 with about 50k on the odometer.

Ive had the trunk spring issue and just replaced the AC compressor for $1400. Oh, and its about to go in the shop to have the clutch fixed.... luckily i have the extended powertrain warranty. crossing my fingers is not a worn clutch from the previous owner.

I havent seen too many issues with these cars..... but they are NOT cheap to maintain.

I'm almost at 160000 kms with my '09. i've had the fuel sending unit replaced twice, wasn't reading full. the steering lock replaced, the ECM replaced, the hatch springs replaced (TBS) and now i'm having to put in about a liter(quart) of oil in between oil changes, i run Red Line and change it every 7500 kms. All in All not bad with the amount of driving i do all year round.

Here's what I have had the issues with my z I bought my z last October 2011 it is a 2009 and I still love my z with all the issues I have had with it here they are

The day I bought my car the engine had a knock as soon as I pulled off the lot I did not do it while I test drove it I did not even drive it hard I pulled right back into the dealer and they took it for diag and said that they needed to replace the engine the car had 26000 miles on it

I got back the car about 11 days later the day I got it back it drove fine but the clutch would not grab in second gear that said it should be fine after a week so it did that for months and I would take it in and they said they could not recreate the issue about a month and half ago they finely replaced the master cylinder seconds slave cylinder and clutch plates the throw out is attached to the slave so I got that too the problem was fixed

I got my ecu replaced

My back hatch opens but sometimes I have push the button a few times

My TM has been replaced due to my second gear going out I could not go into neutral it was stuck

And just a few days ago my car said service engine soon light I took it in and they said it was a low voltage but my rpms were up at 1100-1200 and its usually 800 rpms the code they gave me was p0300 which was misfiring on all cylinders they cleared the code and every thing is fine now

My car is all stock

This thread makes me so damn happy, it's like the 100 best reasons to have a warranty

Wow that sucks man. Seems like the previous owner really tore it up. The Z, like almost all japanese cars, is pretty reliable, but if its a Z, or if its a supra (using that as an example, super reliable sports car) If they are treated like crap, they will have issues.

You have a 2009, have them change the hatch springs, or shoot me a text and I'll show you how to take the dead weight out of the hatch!


(310)eight nine three-4207

As promised, pictures:
Attachment 57105
This is my standard operating temp without an oil cooler WITH Nissan's Ester Oil in stop and go traffic and my A/C full blast in Texas, about 90 degrees

Attachment 57106
This is the highest I ever saw in Texas at 100 degrees after spirited driving and coming to a dead stop into a huge traffic jam, A/C full blast as well WITH Nissan's Ester Oil


When my dealershit in Texas replaced the oil without Ester oil I saw temps of 240-260 while driving on the highway from Dallas to Austin... That's how I knew they didn't put the good stuff (they replaced it for free and my temps went down immediately.

How to fix the hatch:
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ing-issue.html