2007 Nissan 350Z 313GT
Discussion
amusingduck said:
8bit said:
No worries 
I actually tried to buy my LCR back recently but the guy I sold it to had sold it on already. Oh well.
Sorry to hear you're not so enthused on your new car though. N/A and S/C delivery are very different to turbo, I spent the first while in my Jag wondering if I'd done the right thing as the lack of that low-rev whack of torque made the car feel slower than it is. Took me a good while to start driving it properly, i.e. keeping the engine spinning quickly enough to be making lots of torque.
Know what you mean about being afraid to rev an engine though, after some of the issues my LCR had I was almost too scared to drive it!
Supercharger would be good though, get on it
I've thought about the possibility of buying her back one day but I'm thinking of keeping the 350 instead and buying a hack for daily duties. It's a shame your buyer sold on so soon. That's exactly what I miss. That shove you get from low revs. While this has more torque, 260lb/ft vs. 200lb/ft if memory serves, you don't get it one lump. As you say, it's more about keeping it the power band up high. I feel antisocial doing that as its so damn loud above 4,000rpm! I actually tried to buy my LCR back recently but the guy I sold it to had sold it on already. Oh well.Sorry to hear you're not so enthused on your new car though. N/A and S/C delivery are very different to turbo, I spent the first while in my Jag wondering if I'd done the right thing as the lack of that low-rev whack of torque made the car feel slower than it is. Took me a good while to start driving it properly, i.e. keeping the engine spinning quickly enough to be making lots of torque.
Know what you mean about being afraid to rev an engine though, after some of the issues my LCR had I was almost too scared to drive it!
Supercharger would be good though, get on it
Supercharging is a distant dream at the moment. Housing in the SE isn't cheap so saving has to take precedent. Once I have a house though...! Doing some pricing up yields costs of around £10,000 for a bolt on kit plus fitting, mapping etc. to £15,000 up for forging the bottom end too and installing low compression pistons. People have stuck on a S/C and run as is fairly reliably but I'm not so sure... The HR engine in the 313 is considerably stronger than the earlier DE/Rev-up engines of the 280/300ps engines but even so.
Plus at that cost the car would have to be a looooong term keeper to make it worthwhile. Not sure if I can deal with that sort of commitment! Perhaps I should just jack it all in and buy the 1970 'Cuda I've always hankered after
Interesting to hear your perspective of this, I have owned both a LCR and 350Z previously.
Both fantastic cars, but very different. LCR was let down by being front wheel drive and very understeery. In that respect I found the 350Z much more fun to drive being RWD. Power delivery is more exciting on a turbo engine, but ultimatley the linear delivery of a NA lump makes it easier to drive.
I always thought the 350Z was a class above the LCR. Suprised you think otherwise, but each to their own!
Both fantastic cars, but very different. LCR was let down by being front wheel drive and very understeery. In that respect I found the 350Z much more fun to drive being RWD. Power delivery is more exciting on a turbo engine, but ultimatley the linear delivery of a NA lump makes it easier to drive.
I always thought the 350Z was a class above the LCR. Suprised you think otherwise, but each to their own!
CaptainSensib1e said:
Interesting to hear your perspective of this, I have owned both a LCR and 350Z previously.
Both fantastic cars, but very different. LCR was let down by being front wheel drive and very understeery. In that respect I found the 350Z much more fun to drive being RWD. Power delivery is more exciting on a turbo engine, but ultimatley the linear delivery of a NA lump makes it easier to drive.
I always thought the 350Z was a class above the LCR. Suprised you think otherwise, but each to their own!
The 350Z is undoubtedly a class above, but I was so fond of the LCR that it's like losing a family pet and having to adjust to the new one. Sure this new dog is well trained and hasn't got arthritis, but there was something about the old one that was endearing, even of it did sBoth fantastic cars, but very different. LCR was let down by being front wheel drive and very understeery. In that respect I found the 350Z much more fun to drive being RWD. Power delivery is more exciting on a turbo engine, but ultimatley the linear delivery of a NA lump makes it easier to drive.
I always thought the 350Z was a class above the LCR. Suprised you think otherwise, but each to their own!
t on the carpet from time to time. I'm sure I'll come round in the end. Also, I like metaphors.
Edited by Alias218 on Thursday 30th October 14:25
Interesting, I haven't really gelled with mine either, although I do enjoy driving it, it is just lacking something I need. It's at home on faster roads and nice open B roads, but when they get a bit more windy it starts to struggle with the weight. I'm undecided what to do, I think I will sell and go back to a hot hatch but I'll miss the character of the zed. Another option is a 3.0si z4 coupe, but need to drive one again to see if I can get over the awful steering feel they have.
JackReacher said:
Interesting, I haven't really gelled with mine either, although I do enjoy driving it, it is just lacking something I need. It's at home on faster roads and nice open B roads, but when they get a bit more windy it starts to struggle with the weight. I'm undecided what to do, I think I will sell and go back to a hot hatch but I'll miss the character of the zed. Another option is a 3.0si z4 coupe, but need to drive one again to see if I can get over the awful steering feel they have.
It is definitely a GT car. It such a shame it's as heavy as it is. There's an awful lot of aluminium in the cars, makes you wonder where the weight comes from! I've thought about going back to a hot hatch, but I don't want to downsize the engine. Maybe I'll find a myself a big engined diesel instead.Alias218 said:
It is definitely a GT car. It such a shame it's as heavy as it is. There's an awful lot of aluminium in the cars, makes you wonder where the weight comes from! I've thought about going back to a hot hatch, but I don't want to downsize the engine. Maybe I'll find a myself a big engined diesel instead.
I like the idea of a 130i hatch, similar in that it's RWD and has a 6 cylinder engine, but as my OH has a practical car, I'd like to make the most of that and stick with a two seater. I'm too risk adverse to run a boxster, so my main options are an s2000, and the z4 coupe.Long time, no update.
The car is now approaching 50,000 miles. I'm not quite sure how I've managed to rack up 15,000 miles in one year but there you are. The car has been implacable in its reliability with absolutely nothing going awry thus far. The Japanese reputation is well deserved, it would seem.
The car is now approaching 8 years old and while she doesn't look it, she does need a good old spruce up! First thing on the list of things that pissed me off to my core was the door card grab handles. As I have mentioned previously, the old coating was akin to PVA glue in its predilection towards peeling off. In other words, it was crap. Whoever in the Nissan durability department decided that this material was sufficiently robust needs to quietly take themselves to one side and seriously consider Seppuku.
As you can see, crap. It really didn't take much to have it come off.
Better on the passenger side, but also less used.
Off they came to reveal what looked like (although probably weren't) 3D printed innards. Would be cool if they were!
Off I popped to my nearest painting booth to prepare the parts for new paint (Halfords rubberised black enamel and accompanying white primer, in case anyone is interested).
The passenger side part I wet and dried back, with a bit of general thinners to remove the old primer. It seemed as though the thinners may have been having an effect on the plastic so I promptly stopped that, gave the part a good wash and wet and dried a bit more.
As a result, the driver's side part had to make do with wet and dry, leaving some old primer that I naively thought would be fine.
It wasn't. For the next two hours I chased my own tail spraying primer, revealing reactive areas, rubbing back to plastic and spraying more primer. Eventually I got the prep to a state that was satisfactory. If ever there was a lesson to be learned, it was that preparation is 90% of the job. I administered a slap on the back of the wrist and continued.
Much better!
A few coats of the rubbersied enamel (so chosen to emulate the original finish) et voila! Looking good. In reality, this was done over several days to allow for ample drying time. While I tried (and failed) cutting corners in prep, I took my time over the top coat to ensure a good finish.
Back in the vehicle, and much better looking for it. I was quite pleased what £20 and some patience could achieve.
After a month or so of use in vehicle, I have to day that the durability of this paint is being called into question somewhat. While it's holding up for the most part, I can see this being a mid-term solution. Constant use of their products doesn't seem to be part of Halfords' M.O. so a more permanent solution may be required. However, I think you'll agree that for now the finish is far better than before.
Since this, the seats have also been treated to a bit of Turtle Wax Cleaner and Conditioner which gave them back their lustre. I also didn't realise just how filthy they were! Up next is a good service, plus those
wheels still need doing. The house can take one for the team I think, as they really do need restoring!
Any ideas on what finish I could have? I was thinking bright silver outer rim, with darker silver spokes and inners. Anyone who says all black or anthracite can go and join that Nissan fellow in Seppuku corner
I can also declare that I am really beginning to enjoy the ownership of this car! It really is very quick, and the sound it makes never gets tiring. Even over a year on, I can't get enough of it. Plus my mate has bought an E46 M3 which makes for an entertaining stable mate
I can report that the difference isn't night and day as some would have you believe. I enjoy every drive and very much look forward to as many years of ownership as space and funds permit! A house with a garage is on my Christmas list this year.
Here's some gratuitous photos!
Thanks again for reading.
The car is now approaching 50,000 miles. I'm not quite sure how I've managed to rack up 15,000 miles in one year but there you are. The car has been implacable in its reliability with absolutely nothing going awry thus far. The Japanese reputation is well deserved, it would seem.
The car is now approaching 8 years old and while she doesn't look it, she does need a good old spruce up! First thing on the list of things that pissed me off to my core was the door card grab handles. As I have mentioned previously, the old coating was akin to PVA glue in its predilection towards peeling off. In other words, it was crap. Whoever in the Nissan durability department decided that this material was sufficiently robust needs to quietly take themselves to one side and seriously consider Seppuku.
As you can see, crap. It really didn't take much to have it come off.
Better on the passenger side, but also less used.
Off they came to reveal what looked like (although probably weren't) 3D printed innards. Would be cool if they were!
Off I popped to my nearest painting booth to prepare the parts for new paint (Halfords rubberised black enamel and accompanying white primer, in case anyone is interested).
The passenger side part I wet and dried back, with a bit of general thinners to remove the old primer. It seemed as though the thinners may have been having an effect on the plastic so I promptly stopped that, gave the part a good wash and wet and dried a bit more.
As a result, the driver's side part had to make do with wet and dry, leaving some old primer that I naively thought would be fine.
It wasn't. For the next two hours I chased my own tail spraying primer, revealing reactive areas, rubbing back to plastic and spraying more primer. Eventually I got the prep to a state that was satisfactory. If ever there was a lesson to be learned, it was that preparation is 90% of the job. I administered a slap on the back of the wrist and continued.
Much better!
A few coats of the rubbersied enamel (so chosen to emulate the original finish) et voila! Looking good. In reality, this was done over several days to allow for ample drying time. While I tried (and failed) cutting corners in prep, I took my time over the top coat to ensure a good finish.
Back in the vehicle, and much better looking for it. I was quite pleased what £20 and some patience could achieve.
After a month or so of use in vehicle, I have to day that the durability of this paint is being called into question somewhat. While it's holding up for the most part, I can see this being a mid-term solution. Constant use of their products doesn't seem to be part of Halfords' M.O. so a more permanent solution may be required. However, I think you'll agree that for now the finish is far better than before.
Since this, the seats have also been treated to a bit of Turtle Wax Cleaner and Conditioner which gave them back their lustre. I also didn't realise just how filthy they were! Up next is a good service, plus those
wheels still need doing. The house can take one for the team I think, as they really do need restoring!
Any ideas on what finish I could have? I was thinking bright silver outer rim, with darker silver spokes and inners. Anyone who says all black or anthracite can go and join that Nissan fellow in Seppuku corner
I can also declare that I am really beginning to enjoy the ownership of this car! It really is very quick, and the sound it makes never gets tiring. Even over a year on, I can't get enough of it. Plus my mate has bought an E46 M3 which makes for an entertaining stable mate
I can report that the difference isn't night and day as some would have you believe. I enjoy every drive and very much look forward to as many years of ownership as space and funds permit! A house with a garage is on my Christmas list this year. Here's some gratuitous photos!
Thanks again for reading.
Edited by Alias218 on Thursday 5th December 19:05
jr6yam said:
Do the grab handles come off easily?
My drivers side has 1 scratch, and it really annoys me
They do come off easily, just be careful not to break any clips. A deft touch is required. Just pull them up from the back at the join with the leather armrest. I took out the armrest too on the drivers' side but it wasn't really necessary. I used a plastic trim tool to get it started and then my fingers to ease it out the rest of the way. The window/mirror control multiplug is a bit of a bugger to release, but don't be tempted with a screwdriver!My drivers side has 1 scratch, and it really annoys me
If you're thinking of doing both sides, the upright handle needs removing. The aluminium trim can be prised off from the bottom (again using a plastic trim tool) and then eased off by hand. There are then two 10mm bolts holding the handle on.
I have thought about bronze, but I wonder whether they'll comlliment the car as a whole. Google hasn't come up trumps with regard to the standard Rays so it's hard to visualise it.
Edited by Alias218 on Tuesday 21st April 11:45
Glad you're bonding with the 350. I had a GT4 for 18 months and never loved it. I wished I'd bought a cheapo 911 (my plumbs were too small, my pockets too shallow), or my mates M3.
I know wrapping is a dirty word sometimes, but good prep, adhesive and patience, and I think wrapping high traffic parts like handles can give them a longer life. I did the back of my car key as an experiment 10 months ago and that's still perfect. Bearing in mind it sits in my pocket with change, phone, gets chucked about, if done right, the wrap can be very hard-wearing. I used 3M vinyl.
I know wrapping is a dirty word sometimes, but good prep, adhesive and patience, and I think wrapping high traffic parts like handles can give them a longer life. I did the back of my car key as an experiment 10 months ago and that's still perfect. Bearing in mind it sits in my pocket with change, phone, gets chucked about, if done right, the wrap can be very hard-wearing. I used 3M vinyl.
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