350Z GT4 - Ultra Yellow
Discussion
I found this thread after seeing the car at the Autosport International PHSS, and being really impressed with it - it certainly doesn't look like a high mileage car.
I had the 350Z on my short list when I got my MR2 last year, but a GT4 version will certainly be on my list when it comes to replacing it.
I had the 350Z on my short list when I got my MR2 last year, but a GT4 version will certainly be on my list when it comes to replacing it.
Craikeybaby said:
I found this thread after seeing the car at the Autosport International PHSS, and being really impressed with it - it certainly doesn't look like a high mileage car.
I had the 350Z on my short list when I got my MR2 last year, but a GT4 version will certainly be on my list when it comes to replacing it.
Thanks (again!). When I went to view it, the sales guy told me it looked like it was "reverse clocked", which I assumed was just a bit of sales banter, but he was right. It's weird really and a real thumbs up to the Nissan team who made the cabin so solid, yet comfy.I had the 350Z on my short list when I got my MR2 last year, but a GT4 version will certainly be on my list when it comes to replacing it.
Inspired by the new Kuro Black 04 plate, I figured I'd better make sure the profile of my rare little yellow beast was kept sufficiently high!
A couple of noteworthy episodes in the last few weeks with the GT4:
First up, I adjusted the headlights. They can be notoriously short on throw and while I don't drive a lot in the dark, I noticed how bad they were when getting out of my old Audi A4 and into the 350 last year. The fix is pretty simple and as ever, 350z-uk.com came up trumps. Their guide is easy to follow - the only addition I made was to stick a couple of bits of tape onto the wall so I could see the adjustment as it happened.
Secondly, I paid my first visit to a Sunday Service - at the Autosport Show in Birmingham. I must admit, the SS was a highlight for me though I was pretty quiet and not near my car too much - I was off admiring the other metal. Anyway, some pics, instead of my usual wordy guff:
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/snLCofVV.jpg)
Full NEC Hall for PH!
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/ASdGPon5.jpg)
Some brave pills must have been taken for breakfast given the sub-zero temperatures.
A couple of noteworthy episodes in the last few weeks with the GT4:
First up, I adjusted the headlights. They can be notoriously short on throw and while I don't drive a lot in the dark, I noticed how bad they were when getting out of my old Audi A4 and into the 350 last year. The fix is pretty simple and as ever, 350z-uk.com came up trumps. Their guide is easy to follow - the only addition I made was to stick a couple of bits of tape onto the wall so I could see the adjustment as it happened.
Secondly, I paid my first visit to a Sunday Service - at the Autosport Show in Birmingham. I must admit, the SS was a highlight for me though I was pretty quiet and not near my car too much - I was off admiring the other metal. Anyway, some pics, instead of my usual wordy guff:
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/snLCofVV.jpg)
Full NEC Hall for PH!
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/ASdGPon5.jpg)
Some brave pills must have been taken for breakfast given the sub-zero temperatures.
Gone, but not to be forgotten. The new owner has put up a thread detailing the mods he's done since purchase. I think the saddest thing, we'll all agree, is the loss of the smiley from the number plate... Aside from the actual selling, of course.
http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/87411-dpbaylys-start-...
http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/87411-dpbaylys-start-...
I for one quite like the mirrors and handles and I suppose the black badging sort of completes the look, though it's a bit bold. I always disliked the silver handles - they had a whiff of early 2000's electronic equipment about them - remember the rash of silver VCRs, DVD players, TVs and so on?
Body wise, I'm not a fan at all, but I think that fundamentally, adding hard edges to the design is the wrong way to go. The Nismo kit that was a factory fit option on the GT4 looks amazing. There's a link to a car with it on page one or two I think. It has a smoothed and rounded bumper and looks very purposeful, but somehow quite subtle too.
You could always argue that the wheels compliment the handles and badges, but I think they too are probably a step too far for me too. I did consider having them darkened slightly if they were corroded, but when I changed tyres the wheels were in such good condition inside, there seemed little need.
Anyway, I'm glad it's gone to an enthusiast and someone who's owned rwd cars in the past. Even if all the visual mods aren't to my taste, I'm much happier with it modded and on the road than standard and backwards through a hedge!
I must also confess I didn't go down the 159 Sportwagon route. There just seemed to be a few too many issues with the 1.9 diesel, coupled with pretty poor mpg (the main reason for going derv) and a total lack of local specialists. I drove my Impreza an hour north to Powerstation and the 350 an hour east to H-Dev for servicing, which was getting quite old to be honest. I got into an 57 plate 2.7 TDi A6 SE in the end, with a huge number of options ticked. It's not the ultimate car I desired, but I have a local specialist in Neil Garner who I trust implicitly and a large, safe and practical car in which to trundle the family about in. And a DVA Power tuned Caterham. So all is not lost...![wink](/inc/images/wink.gif)
Body wise, I'm not a fan at all, but I think that fundamentally, adding hard edges to the design is the wrong way to go. The Nismo kit that was a factory fit option on the GT4 looks amazing. There's a link to a car with it on page one or two I think. It has a smoothed and rounded bumper and looks very purposeful, but somehow quite subtle too.
You could always argue that the wheels compliment the handles and badges, but I think they too are probably a step too far for me too. I did consider having them darkened slightly if they were corroded, but when I changed tyres the wheels were in such good condition inside, there seemed little need.
Anyway, I'm glad it's gone to an enthusiast and someone who's owned rwd cars in the past. Even if all the visual mods aren't to my taste, I'm much happier with it modded and on the road than standard and backwards through a hedge!
I must also confess I didn't go down the 159 Sportwagon route. There just seemed to be a few too many issues with the 1.9 diesel, coupled with pretty poor mpg (the main reason for going derv) and a total lack of local specialists. I drove my Impreza an hour north to Powerstation and the 350 an hour east to H-Dev for servicing, which was getting quite old to be honest. I got into an 57 plate 2.7 TDi A6 SE in the end, with a huge number of options ticked. It's not the ultimate car I desired, but I have a local specialist in Neil Garner who I trust implicitly and a large, safe and practical car in which to trundle the family about in. And a DVA Power tuned Caterham. So all is not lost...
![wink](/inc/images/wink.gif)
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