Hey all!

I bought my 350Z in November and after 15k miles I am on my third transmission.
While its all been replaced under warranty, I have decided I dont want to keep the car with all the problems it has (sucks too I love the car).

Tonight, I am going to test drive a 2001 S2000 (Certified, 9500 miles! car fax approved) to see if its for me.

I have the feeling I should have gotten an S2000 to begin with.

Please, let me know what things I should look for.

Are there any ongoing issues with any of the S2000 model years?

1-How long do tires last on average, do they feather, can you rotate them front to back?
2-How reliable are the transmissions?
3-Any oil usage?
4-Does the seat shift or rock back and forth like my Z?
5-How is the paint? Do people recommend a clearbra? I have one on the Z, but it still chips wherever it isnt covered...
6-Are the axles strong? I just had my Zs axles replaced for clicking under warranty.

Thanks guys... this whole situation sucks bad for me, and I could really use some help. Alot of the guys in the Z forums get pissed at me for complaining so much, but I have had so many problems. I think my neigbor, who has an 03 Z is also pissed that I want to sell.. but even he has been hit by the dreaded tire feathering several times.

And... is the car fun?

 

1 - depends on your drivng habits and brand/model of tires. Stock S02's last less than 15000 miles. Rear S02s low on tread can cause problems in the wet. No feathering. Cannot rotate front to back as front wheel sizes differ from rear wheels.

2. Weak drivetrain in these cars - high rpm clutch drops can cause some problems. Some 1-2 clunking/grinding when cold on some cars. Some instances of "clutch buzz".

3. Oil usage varies - many owners report not using a drop, others report a little bit of oil usage.

4. Seats are adjustable sliding front/back, and backrest tilts like most car seats. If you are referring to a convertible 350Z when you put the roof down, no our seats do not need to move to give clearance room.

5. I have had no issues with the paint. Don't know if the quality of USDM cars varies to our ones.

6. Not sure.

Yes it's fun. Go take a drive and decide for yourself. I think there a few ex-350Z owners on these forums, although I'm not one of them.

 

I own both cars and yes both cars have problems but as far as your problems it seems you had one of the very very bad ones. For those questions you asked it all depends on the car you get.

1-depends on you
2- they are not as strong as the 350Z
3- depends on the car
4- my s2000 passenger seat makes this stupid noise, My 350Z seat are very firm no rocking.
5- paint is leap and bound better then NISSAN!!
6- axles are not as strong. remember the car was made with little torque so it was not meant to have strong axles or tranny.

 

Once you test drive the s2000 you'll know which car you want. My list of problems with my '04 Track starts off just like yours, and then goes a little further. I sold mine at 28k miles because there was no way in hell I'd keep it w/o the warranty.

Looking back, I should have gotten an AP1 to begin with and saved lots of money.

1-How long do tires last on average, do they feather, can you rotate them front to back? A: I got 15k out of my rears, the fronts are still fine. I don't see any feathering yet, my Z fronts feathered every 5k miles.

2-How reliable are the transmissions? A: I'm at 15k miles now and still have the same tranny! My Z tranny was change at 5k miles, and I was ready for another one when I sold it. S2000 tranny doesn't make half the stupid noises the Z tranny does.

3-Any oil usage? A: My Z burned 1qt per 1000 miles, now I add .25qt in between oil changes(every 3750 miles).

4-Does the seat shift or rock back and forth like my Z? A: nope, my Z seat shifted around while driving too.

5-How is the paint? Do people recommend a clearbra? I have one on the Z, but it still chips wherever it isnt covered... A: No chips-ahoy anymore!

6-Are the axles strong? I just had my Zs axles replaced for clicking under warranty. A: The Z axles keep getting replaced not because they break, but due to some design flaw. I'm pretty sure it's a wheel bearing problem on the Z because I was getting brake pad knock-back on the rears during normal driving. The S2000 axles aren't nearly as strong, but we aren't making much torque.

 

Great answers guys... thanks for honesty too!

By shifting seat I mean that my seat rocks and shifts in place... its a defect that the dealer tried and failed twice to fix. I applied a fix I found on a forum, but it still does it some.

Do axles tend to break a lot? I dont plan on doing a 6.5k rpm drop launch on slicks..

But is that what it takes to break a 14.0 in the 1/4 on these cars?

As far as the tranny being strong, The Z tranny is strong I agree, but built very sloppy. It feel sloppy and is easy for even a seasoned driver to misshift. Also, on both of my previous transmissions, I developed a grind going into 5th and 6th, even at idle, while the car is at speed.

I dont plan on towing, and at most will add an S/C in the distant future, so I dont expect a deisel strength tranny, but will it LAST.

- How many S2000s experienced that grinding, and what years?

 

[QUOTE=BoostLE,Jul 13 2005, 02:55 PM] Once you test drive the s2000 you'll know which car you want.

 

Good driving. People have hit 13.7 stock before.

 

I replaced my '03 350Z Track this past February with an '05 S2000 -- sold the Z last October.

My Z had 13k miles or so when I sold it and I didn't have any issues, aside from the tire feathering "issue", which I feel has to do with the OE tires more than anything.

Good luck on your s2000 purchase!

 

I should also point out that the clutch buzz is just an annoyance and not an indication of anything broken - I'm pretty sure it is the springs within the clutch and later model clutches help fix this annoyance.

Our seats do not have any fitment issues that cause them to unwantedly move.

Also check out the FAQ thread at the top of this page.

 

yup im one of the guys who traded in his 03 350z track in for a s2k as well, i can honestly say that is probably the best decsion i have ever made. i had the same problems with my car as you do as well, after my 2nd tranny i said that was enough. Pretty much what everyone says is true, I wouldnt worry about the axels being that weak, given its not a tq monster like a cobra or a vette, but for the power it has they do just fine. I havnt had many problems with my s besides some stupid dealer mech. doing stuff but over all great car. By the way I would recommend that you do look at a 02 or up s2k if you can swing it, the glass top is soo nice and dont have to worry about it fading.