A Nissan 350Z should be at the top of your shopping list if you’re a car enthusiast looking for an affordable, stylish, and powerful ride. From 2003 to 2009, this stylish model was a sight to behold. The 350Z, known as the Nissan “Fairlady Z” in Japan and imported to some nations like New Zealand, maintains its graceful silhouette even after 20 years.
Although the Nissan 350Z is often considered a reliable and fantastic secondhand buy, like any automobile, some years and models are better than others. In this post, as part of our ‘Best & Worst Years‘ series, we briefly overview all the Nissan 350Z years and let you know which one deserves your attention.
The worst years to avoid the Nissan 350Z are from 2003 to 2005. The best years to buy the Nissan 350Z are from 2006 to 2009. This result was concluded from trustworthy sources such as NHTSA, Edmunds, J.D. Power, and Kelley Blue Book.
Worst Nissan 350Z Years To Avoid
Unfortunately, the 2003 model year of the Nissan 350Z continued the car’s shaky start for a long time. Some model years are reliable, while others aren’t.
Presented below are the years of the Nissan 350Z that are best avoided; in the following part, we will discuss the reasons for this recommendation.
- 2003 Nissan 350Z
- 2004 Nissan 350Z
- 2005 Nissan 350Z
3. Worst Year: 2005 Nissan 350Z (4.08 Rating)
Due to numerous issues, the 2005 Nissan 350Z is one of the years to avoid. Its engine and airbags are the top-most complaints. At around 6,000 miles (9656.064 km), the car’s vinyl top wears out and needs replacement, while the average cost to fix this issue is $1,400.
Having issues with the camshaft sensor and the airbag light going on are two of the worst things that may happen to this vehicle. You might also hear ticking if your gasoline damper isn’t working properly.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 2 recalls and 83 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.8/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
2. Worst Year: 2004 Nissan 350Z (3.63 Rating)
The 2004 Nissan 350Z was another difficult model that also received many complaints. Most of the 350Z’s models face camshaft and crankshaft failure, and this model is no different. The worst problem with this model is its airbags deploy on its own.
Moreover, the convertible tops won’t work, which is a problem that frustrates many owners. The 2004 Nissan 350Z also stalls and goes into limp mode when the vehicle reaches 108,000 miles (173809.152 km).
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 3 recalls and 142 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.9/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
1. Worst Year: 2003 Nissan 350Z (2.87 Rating)
The 2003 Nissan 350Z was the first model to introduce the 350Z into the market. We suggest our readers avoid the debut model year due to its infinite problems. Till date, the 2003 model year experienced the most problems and recalls, suggesting its place as the number 1 worst year.
The 2003 Nissan 350Z had a lot of complaints about the engine stalling due to a malfunctioning position sensor for the crankshaft or camshaft. After only 18,000 miles (28968.192 km) on their 2003 Nissan 350Z, some owners found the tires worn out, while others heard rumbling sounds from the front tires.
Manual transmission synchronization problems are another problem facing transmission glitches. Sometimes, the automobile would refuse to start because the “service engine soon” warning light would come on for no apparent reason.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 4 recalls and 272 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.8/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book 4.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
Best Nissan 350Z Years To Buy Used
If you’re looking for a Nissan 350Z that’s more reliable than the models we’ve discussed earlier, keep reading. The best years of Nissan 350Z are:
- 2006 Nissan 350Z
- 2007 Nissan 350Z
- 2008 Nissan 350Z
- 2009 Nissan 350Z
4. Best Year: 2007 Nissan 350Z (4.39 Rating)
Coming to the best years, With its new freer-revving V6 engine that makes 306 horsepower, the 2007 Nissan 350Z is worth buying. You can get the 2007 Nissan 350Z in two body styles: coupe and roadster. There are five available trim levels: base, Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring, and Nismo. The coupe is the only vehicle available in the base and Nismo trim levels.
The automatic transmission gearing has been revised to maximize the engine’s wider power band. Every 350Z roadster now comes standard with side-impact airbags and Bluetooth connectivity. Nissan no longer offers the Track trim level; however, the 350Z Nismo special edition has taken place. The Nismo is the most refined 350Z ever made, thanks to its race-ready chassis and extensive aerodynamic improvements.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 73 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.9/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
3. Best Year: 2006 Nissan 350Z (4.44 Rating)
One of the greatest performance buys you can get for the money is the 2006 Nissan 350Z. With the introduction of the 2006 350z, Nissan set a new bar for the whole 350z series. Grand Touring trim was the new standard, and Performance trim was discontinued.
An aero modification and the highly sought-after Brembo brakes made the 2006 350z a true performance machine. Several mechanical updates have been made to the vehicle, including a new speed-sensitive steering rack, larger brake rotors for vehicles without the Brembo brake package, and an increase in horsepower to 300 for all cars with manual transmissions.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 52 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.8/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
2. Best Year: 2008 Nissan 350Z (4.55 Rating)
The 2008 Nissan 350Z is an affordable sports car that everyone can own, coming in both coupe and convertible body styles. Among all-time’s underappreciated sports cars, the 2008 Nissan 350Z ranks high. Plus, even though the present Z generation debuted in 2003, both the design and the style are classics that will last forever.
With its small size, agile handling, powerful V6, and rear-wheel drive, it’s a joy to drive in nearly every condition. The v6 306 horsepower engine is among the best, and the vehicle’s sturdy construction is second to none.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 1 recall and 24 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.8/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
1. Best Year: 2009 Nissan 350Z (4.85 Rating)
Although The Nissan 350Z coupe was discontinued in 2009 and replaced by the new 370Z, the 2009 Nissan 350Z is the top 350Z model. The 2009 Nissan 350Z ranks among the market’s top-performing affordable sports car options at its price point.
The four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brake systems are the best feature. Furthermore, even at high speeds, the 2009 Nissan 350Z maintains an outstanding road and steering feel and handles precisely around turns.
The 350Z roadster is still a genuine sports vehicle because of its small size, lively V6 engine, precise handling, rear-wheel drive, and balanced chassis. This Z generation is almost over, but it hasn’t stopped people from admiring the design.
Reviews, Ratings, Recalls & Complaints:
- NHTSA: 0 recalls and 5 complaints.
- Edmunds: 4.7/5.0 consumer reviews.
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.7/5.0 consumer ratings.
Common Nissan 350Z Problems
Even though the Nissan 350Z is a reliable sports car with no major flaws that make fixing it uneconomical, it still has its share of troubles. These are the most typical complaints for the Nissan 350Z years.
- High oil consumption.
- Fast transmission synchrowear.
- Broken fuel dampers.
- Timing chain guide failure.
- Tensioner failure.
- Driveshaft clicking.
- Chipped plastic and faded paint.
- Tire wear and noises.
- Faulty crankshaft position sensor.
FAQs
Is the Nissan 350Z a reliable car?
The 350z has a stellar reputation for reliability in its market segment. Depending on the model year, the Nissan 350Z has above-average reliability. It was highly recommended by all drivers on Cars.com, resulting in a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating. Only minor concerns should be addressed before proceeding with the purchase.
Is Nissan 350Z expensive to maintain?
The yearly maintenance expense for a Nissan 350Z is $452, as reported by Repairpal. The price increases when you take it for a spin on the track. However, it requires little maintenance for regular driving. Since the engine, gearbox, brakes, and tires are all shared components with other Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, their pricing is comparable to that of the Maxima and Altima.
How long does the Nissan 350Z last?
A Nissan 350Z should last approximately 250,000 miles (402336 km) on average if properly maintained and serviced regularly.
Final Words
The Nissan 350Z has been around long enough that even the most recent, feature-packed versions are reasonably priced. We suggest looking for one from 2006 or later, as these have better engines and more features as standard equipment than older ones. Those who are really into cars will seek models with manual transmissions, but an automatic will do if you’re more interested in a stylish, inexpensive, quick vehicle.
