Advice buying a used 370z

mrocco · 07-31-2016, 02:21 AM

Hello. My 2003 350z Touring was totaled a few weeks ago. I'm on the hunt to buy a used 370z. I considered staying with 350 but don't think I want to reach back to 2009. I usually buy used but only a few years old.

What suggestions does anyone have regarding 'gotcha's' in buying a used Z. For example, are there certain years that had certain problems more than others? Or is there a certain year that some new feature was added? It's very slim pickings with what I'm looking for. My requirements are a) Touring b) Silver (K23), Manual Transmission, black interior and low miles.

The good part is I'm not in a hurry so I can take my time.

Thanks for any suggestions...

Zbrah · 07-31-2016, 04:33 AM

Here are a few things to read up

CSC
Master cylinder
Steering lock
Oil consumption
Rear differential bushings

These are known issues with the 370 and most of them likely will burn through your pockets. Rarely does Nissan honor any warranty claims unless you're still under their 3 year warranty then you have a small chance getting anything covered. I'm sure I missed some stuff and other people can chime in, but do some Google searches so you know what to expect.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

victort · 07-31-2016, 02:11 PM

get the newest one you can afford

mrocco · 07-31-2016, 02:55 PM

Thanks Zbrah, that's the kind of thing I needed.

victort - is that because you think they've worked out various kinks each year?

Right now I'm looking at a 2014 touring sport and a 2015 touring...

SouthArk370Z · 07-31-2016, 03:01 PM

Some of the early problems (eg, ESCL which has bitten a lot of people) were fixed by MY 2012. Going by reports on this site, the CSC for all years is prone to failure - plan on having it replaced. ZBrah gave a pretty good list, but, judging by what I've read on this site, the items other than the CSC and ESCL are not all that bad (although they can be expensive to fix).

This site has a large membership and even minor problems are frequently posted. Try searching the site for various car parts ("clutch problem", "brake failure", &c). I don't like the site's search so I will head to one of the major web search engines and add "site:the370z.com" to my search string. Eg, CSC problem site:the370z.com

jliu · 08-01-2016, 10:47 AM

I was at the dealership for some minor issues and one of the advisers mentioned that the CSC issue has been fixed for the more recent year cars. I am wondering if anyone out there who has a 2014 or later Zs has any CSC issues?

Chuck33079 · 08-01-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jliu

I was at the dealership for some minor issues and one of the advisers mentioned that the CSC issue has been fixed for the more recent year cars. I am wondering if anyone out there who has a 2014 or later Zs has any CSC issues?

Many people have, some with less than 1k miles on the car. He's full of ****. It's the same part, and keeps failing.

jliu · 08-01-2016, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Many people have, some with less than 1k miles on the car. He's full of ****. It's the same part, and keeps failing.

Is it just a "wear" item? What exactly is causing it to fail? It seems so random.

Chuck33079 · 08-01-2016, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jliu

Is it just a "wear" item? What exactly is causing it to fail? It seems so random.

All the internal seals are plastic.

sgosh · 08-01-2016, 11:24 AM

For what it's worth, my 2016 had its clutch pedal not release during a spirited (not ridiculous) launch, and that was within the first 1000km of ownership. I had to back off the throttle and it slowly grabbed.

It's never done it again (I've got 12,000 km on it now), but the fact that happened at all suggests the issue has not been addressed for >=2014 models.

However, there's no consistency as to when it permanently fails. I've read of anywhere from 1,000 to >70,000 miles mentioned by members....

Zbrah · 08-01-2016, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jliu

I was at the dealership for some minor issues and one of the advisers mentioned that the CSC issue has been fixed for the more recent year cars. I am wondering if anyone out there who has a 2014 or later Zs has any CSC issues?

The next time you see that service advisor, let him know to shine your balls while he's there blowing smoke up your ***

JARblue · 08-01-2016, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgosh

For what it's worth, my 2016 had its clutch pedal not release during a spirited (not ridiculous) launch, and that was within the first 1000km of ownership. I had to back off the throttle and it slowly grabbed.

It's never done it again (I've got 12,000 km on it now), but the fact that happened at all suggests the issue has not been addressed for >=2014 models.

However, there's no consistency as to when it permanently fails. I've read of anywhere from 1,000 to >70,000 miles mentioned by members....

That was your master cylinder ... not the slave. They are both shitty and prone to failure. Slave usually fails catastrophically, stranding you on the side of the road. Master sometimes fails and then pressure may return.

MagmaRed370z · 08-01-2016, 01:17 PM

Agreed on all the above. Buy the newest one you can find and take it to you mechanic to analyze the common problems stated above.

madeinjapan · 08-01-2016, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrocco

Hello. My 2003 350z Touring was totaled a few weeks ago. I'm on the hunt to buy a used 370z. I considered staying with 350 but don't think I want to reach back to 2009. I usually buy used but only a few years old.

What suggestions does anyone have regarding 'gotcha's' in buying a used Z. For example, are there certain years that had certain problems more than others? Or is there a certain year that some new feature was added? It's very slim pickings with what I'm looking for. My requirements are a) Touring b) Silver (K23), Manual Transmission, black interior and low miles.

The good part is I'm not in a hurry so I can take my time.

Thanks for any suggestions...

are you on zilvia ?

mrocco · 08-01-2016, 02:25 PM

Very interesting. Thank you all for this fantastic input. I had the clutch replaced 2 years before the accident, then just 3 months ago about $2,300 in repairs that were generated when it sometimes wouldn't start. something about spark plugs and the part that was bad required replacement of a bigger picture part. I know nothing about mechanics, but totally trust my mechanic to do what needed to be done to keep her at 100%. The plan was to drive her another 10 years minimum. Forgot to consider some dumb person would run a red light and wipe out my best laid plans. It's definitely expensive to maintain a z car.

I just found a 2014 touring sport <11K miles for 27K and a 2015 <4K miles for 31K. Both are at dealers. Both meet my 4 conditions!

I don't know what zilvia is but on my way to check it out right now...

07-31-2016, 02:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
mrocco Base Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 18 Drives: 2003 Nissan 350z Rep Power: 9	Advice buying a used 370z Hello. My 2003 350z Touring was totaled a few weeks ago. I'm on the hunt to buy a used 370z. I considered staying with 350 but don't think I want to reach back to 2009. I usually buy used but only a few years old. What suggestions does anyone have regarding 'gotcha's' in buying a used Z. For example, are there certain years that had certain problems more than others? Or is there a certain year that some new feature was added? It's very slim pickings with what I'm looking for. My requirements are a) Touring b) Silver (K23), Manual Transmission, black interior and low miles. The good part is I'm not in a hurry so I can take my time. Thanks for any suggestions... CWfl11 likes this.

07-31-2016, 04:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5452	Here are a few things to read up CSC Master cylinder Steering lock Oil consumption Rear differential bushings These are known issues with the 370 and most of them likely will burn through your pockets. Rarely does Nissan honor any warranty claims unless you're still under their 3 year warranty then you have a small chance getting anything covered. I'm sure I missed some stuff and other people can chime in, but do some Google searches so you know what to expect. Good luck and welcome aboard! TonyZ34 and CWfl11 like this. __________________

07-31-2016, 03:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Some of the early problems (eg, ESCL which has bitten a lot of people) were fixed by MY 2012. Going by reports on this site, the CSC for all years is prone to failure - plan on having it replaced. ZBrah gave a pretty good list, but, judging by what I've read on this site, the items other than the CSC and ESCL are not all that bad (although they can be expensive to fix). This site has a large membership and even minor problems are frequently posted. Try searching the site for various car parts ("clutch problem", "brake failure", &c). I don't like the site's search so I will head to one of the major web search engines and add "site:the370z.com" to my search string. Eg, CSC problem site:the370z.com sgosh likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

08-01-2016, 11:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
sgosh Base Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: New Westminster, BC Age: 55 Posts: 234 Drives: 16 370Z 14 X6 12 TL Rep Power: 11	For what it's worth, my 2016 had its clutch pedal not release during a spirited (not ridiculous) launch, and that was within the first 1000km of ownership. I had to back off the throttle and it slowly grabbed. It's never done it again (I've got 12,000 km on it now), but the fact that happened at all suggests the issue has not been addressed for >=2014 models. However, there's no consistency as to when it permanently fails. I've read of anywhere from 1,000 to >70,000 miles mentioned by members.... __________________ History: Pontiac-> Honda-> Datsun-> Toyota-> Chevy-> Acura. Currently: Acura, BMW and Nissan. Last edited by sgosh; 08-01-2016 at 11:27 AM.

08-01-2016, 01:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
MagmaRed370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: USA Posts: 1,468 Drives: 14' 370z Sport Magma Rep Power: 13	Agreed on all the above. Buy the newest one you can find and take it to you mechanic to analyze the common problems stated above. __________________ Sold: 2014 Magnetic Black Base. Current: 2014 Magma Red 370z Sport \| ARK Grip Exhaust \| 25mm HR Spacers \| GTR Button \| DRL Mod

07-31-2016, 02:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
victort Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192 Drives: MB Rep Power: 16	get the newest one you can afford

07-31-2016, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
mrocco Base Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 18 Drives: 2003 Nissan 350z Rep Power: 9	Thanks Zbrah, that's the kind of thing I needed. victort - is that because you think they've worked out various kinks each year? Right now I'm looking at a 2014 touring sport and a 2015 touring...

08-01-2016, 10:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
jliu Base Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: N. CA Posts: 107 Drives: 2014 370z Touring Rep Power: 10	I was at the dealership for some minor issues and one of the advisers mentioned that the CSC issue has been fixed for the more recent year cars. I am wondering if anyone out there who has a 2014 or later Zs has any CSC issues?

08-01-2016, 02:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
mrocco Base Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 18 Drives: 2003 Nissan 350z Rep Power: 9	Very interesting. Thank you all for this fantastic input. I had the clutch replaced 2 years before the accident, then just 3 months ago about $2,300 in repairs that were generated when it sometimes wouldn't start. something about spark plugs and the part that was bad required replacement of a bigger picture part. I know nothing about mechanics, but totally trust my mechanic to do what needed to be done to keep her at 100%. The plan was to drive her another 10 years minimum. Forgot to consider some dumb person would run a red light and wipe out my best laid plans. It's definitely expensive to maintain a z car. I just found a 2014 touring sport <11K miles for 27K and a 2015 <4K miles for 31K. Both are at dealers. Both meet my 4 conditions! I don't know what zilvia is but on my way to check it out right now...

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