Build Quality Issues

Jaws12

Since discovering the gapping problem with my factory installed splash guards, which are all being replaced under warranty because they are "deformed" according to my tech, I really have started going over the car with a fine tooth comb.

I have been checking the body panel fitment and have noticed that space seperating the panels on the rear quarter in front of the rear wheels is misaligned. I actually spent an hour gently pully and pushing to get the panels to line up. I hope they stay in the position I got them to.

That, along with my off-center passenger side exhaust tip, makes me wonder if anyone else is disappointed in the build quality. I have ZERO rattles, no mechanical issues, just body fitment issues.

Am I alone in this?

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2009 370Z Touring, Sport, 7AT, Mats, Splash Guards,Leguna Blue/Black

kannibul

I think the gaps for the rear-hatch are too large, but, what do I know...

Cars are built with tolerances in mind. Perhaps it wasn't fitment, but the heat working those panels out of place...

m4a1mustang

Other than a rattle the build quality is top notch. Beats the crap out of my old Mustang.

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cave vulture

Any ideas where the rattle in the hatch area comes from? I have the same problem.

Island_370

You bought an inexpensive, but very sporty, sports car. If you want high fit and finish and sport, buy a Porsche, Aston Martin, and Audi R8 or an AMG.

Sorry.

The 370 is great and very well built--for what I can tell so far. But I am not expecting perfect body panel gaps, perfect dashboard alignment, etc. If I want that, I would not have bought a Nissan.

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dad

In Depth: 2009's Highest-Quality Cars - Nissan Z - Forbes.com

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We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

tbonesteak

If you think the 370 is bad, u should see my SL550 that i use ONLY for work. HAAAAAA it costs 100k and build quality is.......hmm. let's say poor is an understatement. i hate that car with passion. Most horribly engineered car in every aspect.

azn370z

Actualy the Japanese cars have fairly good fit and finish. The 370 is supposed to be better than the 350z. Before I bought my z I examined every gap and panel allignment. You don't have to buy a Porsche to get good fit and finish.

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2010 k23
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nicknick

Your one of those. Those people that believe, the more you for something then it just has to better. Just to let you know, this way of thinking isn't necessarily true.

nicknick

Exactly.

Island_370

I do not think that if it is more expensive, it is automatically better. But I do firmly believe that one should not put more quality into a product than the consumer is willing to pay for. People that are willing to pay $100K for a car are willing to pay for more quality.

To me, the 370 is a great value by a combination of performance, reliability and quality for a very good price. If I wanted full leather, lower road noise, etc...I expect to pay more.

Have we met? Just curious why you are making gross blanket statements about me and seem to think you are in a position to give me advice on life.

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Autobahn Country Club (North and South Tracks), Blackhawk Farms, Grattan, Gingerman, Mid-Ohio, Putnam Park, Road America, Sears Point, Thunderhill, VIR and "The Ring"

nicknick

I think you are confusing the term quality. quality as i see it means that something has been built to exact specs, will last a long time and has no mistakes. A full leather interior is simply a feature and has nothing to do with quality. just because a car has more features does not mean it is better quality, it just means it has more features, that's it.

antennahead

"Have we met? Just curious why you are making gross blanket statements about me and seem to think you are in a position to give me advice on life."

Unfortunately, that seems to exist on any forum, concerning any product or hobby........... how you handle such issues can define you.
John

dad

There is such a thing as "overpriced"! Which the Z is not!

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We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

Jaws12

Reading the replies to my original post is making me a bit annoyed.

First of all, I agree with the fact that "Quality" has nothing to do with features.

I have owned all of the high-end sports cars accept Aston Martin, Lambo, and Ferrari. I currently own a 2008 C2S Cab and I have owned many P-cars, Vettes, AMGs, M cars, XKR, Maserati, etc... I am fortunate enough to afford whatever car I choose.

If you think quality has to do with features than Porsche would have awful quality. Unless you pay crazy prices for options they come pretty bare bones (manual seats, crappy stereo, no bluetooth, no heated seats, etc...). But the car screams quality because it is put together well.

Vettes have terrible quality and they are priced much higher than a Z. Crappy interior, outdated NAV/Stereo, awful seats, etc... They rattle and squeak like crazy. Great car, great fun, but quality is sad.

I bought the Z as a daily driver that is fun, comfortable, and reliable. I can leave it at the airport or shopping mall and not panic about whats happening with it. But it still is a $40k car (fully loaded) or at worst a mid-$30ks car) and should be assembled as well as an Infiniti or Lexus in the same price range, considering it is made in Japan in the same factory as the G37 I believe. To me the car's greatest selling points are the bang for buck factor and the beautiful lines of the car. Great value. But if it isn't put together well it ruins the experience, and, quite honestly, the competition in this pricepoint is fierce (RX8, Camaro SS, Base Vette, G, Z4, Mustang GT, Genesis Coupe, 135, etc...) and, while I chose the Z and feel it is the better of all of the competition, I expect to have a car that is put together well.

After 1 week, I have had the original car replaced because of a huge paint defect from the factory, the factory splash guards not fit properly, the body panels not aligned, crooked exhaust tips. All minor and easily fixed, but makes me worry about reliability and longevity.

Sorry so long, but I don't like when people where blinders or feel the need to justify deficiencies so they dont feel inferior. Expect quality and demand it, you will be suprised how much you get.

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2009 370Z Touring, Sport, 7AT, Mats, Splash Guards,Leguna Blue/Black