RE: You Know You Want To: Nissan 350Z

[bockaaarck]

russy01 said:

Nice but not particularly involving to drive. Really is more of a muscle car thn something which is going to cut a B road up.

Compared to a Mondeo it will feel like a hard edged sports car but compared to say an s2000 or MX5 it feels fat and heavy and unwilling to turn in. (Need masses more lock).

In the end I chose the S2000 as it was miles more fun to drive, although I'm sure the 350z would be more comfy for everyday duties, but more expensive to run.

Still massive bargain at these prices and masses more fun than your typical 2.0 hot hatch.

Having driven an SL55, AMV8 and a Gallardo over a period of time, I have been surprised how the 350 compares to those particular cars, in terms of 'bang for buck'.

Although as you say, compared to an MX5 / S2000 you will sense the 'weight' and have to drive accordingly. The Zed won't match the instant' chuckability' of the MX5 / S2000.

[visaking]

After 4 years and 35k miles of ownership, numerous track days plus 2 trips to the ring, I still love driving it. It does has heavy controls, but you soon get used to them. It really is a lot of fun on the track.

Only parts I have replaced are brakes (1 x set of discs, 2 x pads), tyres (2 sets of bridgestones), one wheel bearing (after a ring trip!) and a clutch.

I now only use it at weekends and I love the reassurance that I can leave it untouched and start it with no hassle at all in one/two/three weeks time. I haven't reset the mpg calculator for 2 years, its average hovers around 27mpg all in, including track, fast b roads and motorway cruising.

In my experience insurance is considerably lower versus comparable performance cars. Shop around for servicing, even main dealers prices vary hugely from year to year. 350z-uk.com is the best resource for everything to do with the Z.

Luggage isn't that much of an issue, I've had a road bike(dismantled) in the boot together with a weekends luggage. Interior plastics do scratch easily, the drivers seat bolster wears and the bose sometimes skips on cds on startup but you kind of forget about these issues and get into the rhythm of the drive.

I wouldn't be able to find a substitute that ticks all the above.

[otolith]

amstrange1 said:

Can't say I really get the weight comments, it's hardly a barge - but maybe if they'd made the steering lighter people would feel differently?

It's definitely not the weight of the controls - I think the steering in the Elise might well be heavier than the Z's. It's been suggested that ours must not be typical and that a geo might remove some of the feeling of directing a charging hippo. May get that done, though to be honest it's really the wife's car and she seems pretty happy with it as it is.

[heraldspecial]

Had my JDM FairladyZ for three years now, it's my daily driver. I've managed to avoid accidently switching trip computer to MPG. It's tiptronic - great for when the M25's at walking pace, changes gear a lot quicker than I could - and it's got a snow setting - which works great.

Suppose I'll have to change it some time...

[Hair Flick]

russy01 said:

Nice but not particularly involving to drive. Really is more of a muscle car thn something which is going to cut a B road up.

Compared to a Mondeo it will feel like a hard edged sports car but compared to say an s2000 or MX5 it feels fat and heavy and unwilling to turn in. (Need masses more lock).

In the end I chose the S2000 as it was miles more fun to drive, although I'm sure the 350z would be more comfy for everyday duties, but more expensive to run.

Still massive bargain at these prices and masses more fun than your typical 2.0 hot hatch.

I've also owned the S2000 which was a fantastic car. The other half keeps wanting to get another S2000 at some point or another 350z. Out of the two I much preferred the Z, it is just a much better all round car.

Now I loved the S2000, especially the engine, but the engine is also a limiting factor. VTec Yo is great but only kicks in at illegal speeds, its really not suitable to the road. When off VTec its a great car but its very tiring on long distance runs.

At the time I was tracking the Zed I was regularly getting out of the way of spinning off S2000s or getting them to indicate to let me pass. The power, balance and stopping capability of the Zed is simply better in my experience.

I would own both again but the s2000 would be for summer short distance fun whereas the Zed would tick all but the top down box... but I could get a soft top Zed.

[405dogvan]

Probably already been said but the alarm bells ring when he says he "wishes he didn't have to sell it" and then says he'll part-ex for an S2000

Why people are selling a car is one of the most useful things you can ever know because there's always a feeling that the car is about to go bang and they know this and are shifting it, sharpish...

Also - he says his brother 'works for Nissan' and you leapt to 'a Nissan Tech'. He could be anything from a cleaner to an accountant and not know which end of a spanner is the sharp one

[Porkie]

Amanitin said:

pilchardthecat said:

over_the_hill said:

someone who gets a fuel card or mileage paid

Or who would rather spend it on fuel than depreciation on a shiny new diesel

VERY well said, sir (or madam).

Agree!!!!!!

much rather spend money on fuel/fun rather than depreciation

Some people are so blinkered/blinded by MPG figures.

[TameRacingDriver]

Dan_1981 said:

Needs to be a GT spec really doesn't it.

I also wish the convertible was so damn ugly.

Yeah, absolutely hideous

[300bhp/ton]

TameRacingDriver said:

Dan_1981 said:

Needs to be a GT spec really doesn't it.

I also wish the convertible was so damn ugly.

Yeah, absolutely hideous

I know it's your car, but the vert really doesn't look as good as the coupe by a huge amount IMO. It totally loses it's profile and shape. But I think this about most verts tbh from any car makers.

PS wheels don't help either And weren't you selling this to buy a diesel hatchback or something.

[TameRacingDriver]

Well I like it.

I know what your saying about the shape though. But I would never say mine looked hideous.

What's wrong with the wheels BTW, I think they suit the car, and it still rides and handles just fine (believe it or not).

I will be selling it, but not until spring / summer (whats the point trying to sell now when its buried under a foot of snow), but it won't be for a diesel hatchback - just something with cheaper insurance, tax, tyres and less thirsty - probably an MR2 or something.

[zabba]

I much prefer the look of the coupe, but when Nissan were offering 48 hour test drives back in 2006 I got given a roadster, slightly disappointed at first but have to say that with the heated seats on and roof down, listening to the sound of the engine and exhaust was fantastic, especially down narrow streets where the sound bounced off the buildings.

If anyone hasn't seen it, it's welll worth watching the Nissan promotional film on youtube called "The Run", a remake of the Rendezvous film.

[TameRacingDriver]

zabba said:

I much prefer the look of the coupe, but when Nissan were offering 48 hour test drives back in 2006 I got given a roadster, slightly disappointed at first but have to say that with the heated seats on and roof down, listening to the sound of the engine and exhaust was fantastic, especially down narrow streets where the sound bounced off the buildings.

If anyone hasn't seen it, it's welll worth watching the Nissan promotional film on youtube called "The Run", a remake of the Rendezvous film.

This is why the Roadster is the more fun car for me, the noise is brilliant with the roof down. Also, convertibles are always more fun on the road, FACT!

[Dagnut]

300bhp/ton said:

The z28 can also be improved like the Mustang with aftermarket parts I admit. Although in the US you could buy one with an upgraded handling kit as standard anyhow (not in the UK, although I've never been able to find out the exact spec of the Euro/UK models suspension). However it certainly isn't wallowy and will keep pace with most things/anything comparable on any British road I've driven mine on. For instance, in the dry on the country lanes round my way, I'm certain my z28 would be equally as capable as my Impreza Turbo is, only difference being once the road does open up the Scooby wouldn't see which way the Camaro went.

That said I will admit the standard brakes are not sufficient for the speed/power of the car and need upgrading.

Size, ok it is bigger. But nothing too OTT, well no bigger than a saloon car. If you can manage a 5 Series, XK8, Mondeo then you'll have no issues.


But this is getting a little off topic. Lets just say I'm a fan of the 350z and like them very much.

As a matter of interest have you spent any time in a Mustang? or a 350Z for that matter?

[big_boz]

TameRacingDriver said:

Also, convertibles are always more fun on the road, FACT!

Seconded, I once borrowed an '80s (i think?) american GM thing called a cavalier which was a soft top in the Caribbean, no relation to the european Cav, It was utterly rubbish, but also the best car on the planet at the same time.

[BruceBogtrotter]

405dogvan said:

Probably already been said but the alarm bells ring when he says he "wishes he didn't have to sell it" and then says he'll part-ex for an S2000

Why people are selling a car is one of the most useful things you can ever know because there's always a feeling that the car is about to go bang and they know this and are shifting it, sharpish...

Also - he says his brother 'works for Nissan' and you leapt to 'a Nissan Tech'. He could be anything from a cleaner to an accountant and not know which end of a spanner is the sharp one

Right.....

Anyways this one has been sold!

[MadDog1962]

With those miles it should be selling at Shed money.

[tmJak]

I've owned a 350z for 5 years. The power really shows in 3rd and 4th gear, it keeps going where my older cars would have been slowing down (Type-R). My tyres last 20,000k, but I suppose grippier tyres would not last as long - I have Falken 452's. Brakes last a good 2 years, and if you don't want to take it to a track then EBC's are cheap options for fast road use. Insurance has been around £500-600 between ages 24 - 29, and fuel around the 24-25mpg. Some clutches don't last long, mine wore out at 50k - however some 350Z specialists only charge about £300 labour.

When I've tracked the car I was predictably made to look like I was standing still next to M3 CSLs; but the car held itself against other cars in a similar league to the 350Z (although a driver of a diesal Astra van kept overtaking me - can't put a price on driver ability!!).

Hope I've not bored you and this post helps someone looking to buy in.

[PointnShoot]

heraldspecial said:

Had my JDM FairladyZ for three years now, it's my daily driver. I've managed to avoid accidently switching trip computer to MPG. It's tiptronic - great for when the M25's at walking pace, changes gear a lot quicker than I could - and it's got a snow setting - which works great.

Suppose I'll have to change it some time...

I've been looking a Zeds for a while and wondered what the auto version is like (can't drive a manual these days) and was sizing one up against the Audi TT mark I 3.2 DSG. Any issues to be aware of? (I know it was a JDM option only etc but I've seen a very nice specced one on Auotrader)

[Dagnut]

PointnShoot said:

I've been looking a Zeds for a while and wondered what the auto version is like (can't drive a manual these days) and was sizing one up against the Audi TT mark I 3.2 DSG. Any issues to be aware of? (I know it was a JDM option only etc but I've seen a very nice specced one on Auotrader)

If you have to get an auto you could go for the 35Ogt skyline, basically same car with a couple of small back seats....most you see are autos

[300bhp/ton]

Dagnut said:

As a matter of interest have you spent any time in a Mustang? or a 350Z for that matter?