2004 Nissan 350Z Review
Fuel Economy
20 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Nissan's crown jewel. For the money, the 2004 Nissan 350Z is one of the best performance buys on the market.
Pros
Smooth and powerful V6 engine, excellent handling, available drop-top version, a bargain compared to anything that can run with it.
Cons
Rough ride on Track model, some low-grade interior materials, lack of luggage space, poor rearward visibility.
What's New for 2004
Nissan adds a roadster to the 350Z lineup. Available in Enthusiast and Touring variants, the 2004 Nissan 350Z roadster offers the same performance and handling as the Z coupe but with the added fun of top-down driving. In other news, satellite radio (either XM or Sirius) is a new option this year for the Touring version of the coupe.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Fast & Furious - If that is ALL you want
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast 2dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
Review
I bought mine new in mid '04 so I actually got the 2004.5 model with the softer suspension. Its been traded in thanks to the cops. It was my 3rd Z car. Downsides: very expensive insurance, NO CARGO SPACE AT ALL. I totally hated the car for that as I am a musician so just forget taking ANYTHING with you. Oh lets not forget unnecessary razzing by the cops (got me jail time!). Interior was well put together, and thought out but littered with cheap plastic. When I traded it in after 3.5 years no one wanted it, and those that did wanted to give me $14k when I paid $40k! Car was in the shop a few with bad rear bearings, leaky rear fluid, tire problems, check engine light, & 2 sets of brakes.
Favorite Features
Handling, performance, and styling are all top notch. Favorite feature was both its corner turning, and head turning ability (initially). Good mileage (21mpg) for a race car. Comfy ride if you trash the stock tires. Car stops on a dime! Saved my life once when SUV in front hit a stopped car @ 70mph.
Suggested Improvements
287hp wasn't quite enough, but the new model fixes this. More cargo space! BOYCOTT THE POTENZA TIRES! ( LOUD road noise, poor wear, + hydroplaned @ 30mph causing $6000 in damage!). Better paint that doesn't fall off when the wind blows. 2 sets of brakes in 30k miles = bad. Better wearing interior.
Showing a little age
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Nissan 350Z Performance 2dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
Review
Just hit 57,000 miles. Replaced the original tires with Nittos. Great tire and highly recommended. Had the fuel sensor go out about 5,000 ago. $800 repair. The drivers side window went out 500 miles ago. Other than that I am pleased. 28-30 mpg on highway road trips and no other problems (fingers crossed).
Favorite Features
Power, speed and exhaust sound. Good gas mileage for a sports car.
Suggested Improvements
Brakes wear out quick, way too much carbon dust. Starting to nickel and dime me at 50K in miles
It is what I wanted
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
Review
The comfort, visibility and storage are all lacking. That said, it's a sports car! I expected what I got and I love it. I have had mine a month and I still love it. It is very difficult to get in and out of. You need to be in good shape. It goes like a rocket, it is probably the hottest car I have owned.
Favorite Features
Styling, acceleration. I like the ease of putting the top down. I like the looks of the car top up or down, but the visibility is bad with the top up . Rear visibility isn't too good top down either.
Suggested Improvements
Better upholstery. I am replacing the top at 4 years, 41,000 miles. I will probably have the cloth seats reupholstered in leather, something I wouldn't do if the cloth seats weren't worn and faded. The wheels accumulate a lot of brake dust. The car still looks clean, but i have to wash the wheels.
Beware
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Nissan 350Z Enthusiast 2dr Roadster (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
Review
What a fun car! It goes fast, looks good and it attracts attention. However: 1. The paint is poor quality. Faded quickly and had a few "stains" that the dealer couldn't get out. 2. The brakes and rotors needed to be replace at 30k miles (mostly hiway and hardly used) My Lexus coupe had 130k on the original brakes and still had 40% left on the front when I got rid of it. 3. Electronics: 3a-The auto transmission stopped shifting after a heavy rain. 3b-The auto-up windows go back down rather than stay up. 3c-The airbag sensor went out. 4. Tire wear is only fair. You can expect only 25-30k if you drive the car easy. But, it sure is fun to drive!
Favorite Features
I love the way the top folds into the car but does not use any trunk space. I get my golf bag + shoes + walking cart into the trunk.
Suggested Improvements
Brakes - There is no way the brakes and rotors should have to be replaced at 30k. 95% of my miles are hiway.
Nothing compares
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Nissan 350Z Touring 2dr Hatchback (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
Review
I'm sold from the first day I started up my wife's new car. I love the sound of the exhaust, the styling, the sleek ride. No car compares for the price. Never been told by so many people how beautiful a car was. I love cruising through the mounts like a bullet.
Favorite Features
Mpg 20 city, 27 hwy, exhaust, console, awww factor, the whole package
Suggested Improvements
These Bose speakers are bogus. More styling in the stereo system, cooled seats (PHX, AZ gets hot)
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2009 Nissan 350Z
- 2008 Nissan 350Z
- 2007 Nissan 350Z
- 2006 Nissan 350Z
- 2005 Nissan 350Z
- 2004 Nissan 350Z
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