Thinking of getting a 350z.
Discussion
Recently I got a new job I had been after for for a couple years, including a nice big pay rise over my previous job, so I'm wanting to treat myself! Currently drive a diesel although I'm only 23 so too young to be worrying about MPG! Its worth between £5.5-£6k so after a straight swap price wise. Just wondering what people who own and drive them everyday think of them? Reliability, comfort, excitement etc. Unless anyone knows a alternative? Many thanks!
Supposedly just about the most reliable performance car going.
I've always fancied one. I test drove 2 different ones a couple of years ago and really liked them. The first one I drove had crap front tyres but the second one drove more like I expected. The automatic blipping of the throttle on downshifts struck me as a nice touch.
I ended up with an rx8 (no difference ehh), which I actually really liked. I thought it drove better than the 350 (which I thought drove very well so that's an achievement). I had a really positive experience there but not everyone does. I went into rx8 ownership thinking as if I'd spent £8k on a 350 (the rx8 was £2k) and was just going to pay interest free installments in the form of extra fuel and repairs. I came out quite a bit ahead all said and done and I didn't hold back with the pennies on fettling the rx8 (although I did most of the work myself).
Anyways, just a different way of looking at things!
I've always fancied one. I test drove 2 different ones a couple of years ago and really liked them. The first one I drove had crap front tyres but the second one drove more like I expected. The automatic blipping of the throttle on downshifts struck me as a nice touch.
I ended up with an rx8 (no difference ehh), which I actually really liked. I thought it drove better than the 350 (which I thought drove very well so that's an achievement). I had a really positive experience there but not everyone does. I went into rx8 ownership thinking as if I'd spent £8k on a 350 (the rx8 was £2k) and was just going to pay interest free installments in the form of extra fuel and repairs. I came out quite a bit ahead all said and done and I didn't hold back with the pennies on fettling the rx8 (although I did most of the work myself).
Anyways, just a different way of looking at things!
MjetSport said:
Recently I got a new job I had been after for for a couple years, including a nice big pay rise over my previous job, so I'm wanting to treat myself! Currently drive a diesel although I'm only 23 so too young to be worrying about MPG! Its worth between £5.5-£6k so after a straight swap price wise. Just wondering what people who own and drive them everyday think of them? Reliability, comfort, excitement etc. Unless anyone knows a alternative? Many thanks!
I had one for four years from new and was just a bit older than you at the time. I really enjoyed it, it's a fun car and very forgiving. Quite heavy feeling in the controls etc which I liked. I did have the gearbox rebuilt under warranty after about a year and it was starting to grind in 5th and 6th again by the time I got rid. Supposedly a problem with some of them, not all. It averaged about 21 mpg according to the trip computer no matter how I drove it. For the first 2 years it was a daily and perfectly good for that. Comfy seats, Bose stereo etc. I did get through rear tyres but in the dry it was too much of a temptation to get the back out, in the wet the traction control stayed on.
Never owned one, but I am currently struggling to think of a significantly better performance bargain.
Bulletproof. Big 6 cylinder engine. Good manual box. Still looks fresh, to my eye at least. Doesn't have the image problems associated with many of its Jap contemporaries.
Around £5K buys a sub 100K miles example that's been looked after. Plenty of aftermarket stuff if that's your thing.
I can imagine I'd feel rather chuffed drifting around in a £5-6K example. Relatively subtle aftermarket exhaust to enhance the meatiness of the V6 for me please.
I regard it as a 'man's car'. Having spent the last few years driving little 2-seater roadsters, this clearly isn't a priority to me. I do admire the hairy-chestedness of the thing though.
I remember reading something saying that you should look for a UK rather than JDM example, I forget the reasoning behind this- lower spec something or other?
Bulletproof. Big 6 cylinder engine. Good manual box. Still looks fresh, to my eye at least. Doesn't have the image problems associated with many of its Jap contemporaries.
Around £5K buys a sub 100K miles example that's been looked after. Plenty of aftermarket stuff if that's your thing.
I can imagine I'd feel rather chuffed drifting around in a £5-6K example. Relatively subtle aftermarket exhaust to enhance the meatiness of the V6 for me please.
I regard it as a 'man's car'. Having spent the last few years driving little 2-seater roadsters, this clearly isn't a priority to me. I do admire the hairy-chestedness of the thing though.
I remember reading something saying that you should look for a UK rather than JDM example, I forget the reasoning behind this- lower spec something or other?
I bought an S2000 instead, as I test drove both and wanted a "sharper" driving tool - not to take anything away from the Nissan though, it seemed to be a good car, but felt heavy, in every possible sense - a good car though and if I had to do the comparison again I'm not 100% sure the Honda would win.
I recently had the decicion of a 2 seater sports car down to the BMW Z4 3.0, Nissan 350Z, or the Honda S2000.
I decided the 350Z was just too heavy/Lardy for a sports car.
The Z4, something about this, just didn't excite me, too boring? Even though I'm sure it's a great drive.
So I went for the S2000 which turns out to be fantastic, handles perfectly, plenty of power for the weight, and mighty fun getting to the power at the top end.
No traction control aswell which I think adds that little bit of excitement/bravery when you put the foot down!
I decided the 350Z was just too heavy/Lardy for a sports car.
The Z4, something about this, just didn't excite me, too boring? Even though I'm sure it's a great drive.
So I went for the S2000 which turns out to be fantastic, handles perfectly, plenty of power for the weight, and mighty fun getting to the power at the top end.
No traction control aswell which I think adds that little bit of excitement/bravery when you put the foot down!
One of my colleagues has one, feels like a cruiser from the passenger seat rather than a sports car but I haven't driven it. Love the sound of the engine.
Did make me giggle when he bought a clutch kit (slave cylinder went, apparently quite common) and two tyres. The bill would have bought my MX5 and four tyres for it! Although of course they are a completely different prospect. Both my colleague and I are the same age as you.
Now I've had a drop top I wouldn't have a fun car with a roof, it's just such a laugh blaring around with the roof down, in your position I'd go Z4 probably
Did make me giggle when he bought a clutch kit (slave cylinder went, apparently quite common) and two tyres. The bill would have bought my MX5 and four tyres for it! Although of course they are a completely different prospect. Both my colleague and I are the same age as you.
Now I've had a drop top I wouldn't have a fun car with a roof, it's just such a laugh blaring around with the roof down, in your position I'd go Z4 probably
I considered the 350 before buying a 3.0 Z4 but I just couldn't be having the very VED and fuel costs. Sure, you have to consider the overall costs when buying a car, but I really don't like chucking so much money straight to the government.
It does look damned good though, in fact, the ones in the burnt orange colour look sublime.
It does look damned good though, in fact, the ones in the burnt orange colour look sublime.
They don't have terminal problems and are generally pretty robust.
However they do have their fair share of niggles non of which are particularly cheap to sort. A quick look on the 350z owners club will reveal these.
That said I've had two and immensely enjoyed them both. Great car for British roads and traffic conditions IMO.
The later 313 is the to have.
P.s as others have said a z4 in a cheaper proposition. Slightly different animal though.
However they do have their fair share of niggles non of which are particularly cheap to sort. A quick look on the 350z owners club will reveal these.
That said I've had two and immensely enjoyed them both. Great car for British roads and traffic conditions IMO.
The later 313 is the to have.
P.s as others have said a z4 in a cheaper proposition. Slightly different animal though.
Just sold mine, it will be missed, one of the best cars I have owned. People often dismiss them as too heavy, and on a short test drive it's quite easy to see why. But it's a bit of a slow burner in my opinion, takes time to get used to it, and while it is a relatively heavy car compared to most 2 seaters, there is plenty to like about them. I owned mine for 15 months, sold it for slightly more than I paid, and think the total ownership cost including a big service and sorting a few problems was about £50 a month, that's cheap motoring. That excludes fuel and insurance but even fuel was better than expected.
Pros
Bags of character
Sense of occasion
Great noise
Quick
Quite practical as long as you don't need to transport one big item
engine mostly reliable
Well equipped and comfy cruiser
Cons
Does feel heavy to drive
Not the most precise car to drive.
Most are at the age they need a few things doing, mine had a wheel bearing, window motor, cam sensor go.
Pros
Bags of character
Sense of occasion
Great noise
Quick
Quite practical as long as you don't need to transport one big item
engine mostly reliable
Well equipped and comfy cruiser
Cons
Does feel heavy to drive
Not the most precise car to drive.
Most are at the age they need a few things doing, mine had a wheel bearing, window motor, cam sensor go.
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