TRDs 350Z GT Roadster

[TameRacingDriver]

I've just bought a 350Z Roadster. I figured if a car is going to make me bankrupt, like my 172 has done, it may as well be something a bit more special.

I'm loving it. Yes more a GT car than Sports car, but I love the torque, noise and comfort.

Fantastic car. Loads more fun than the Clio. Downsides - High road tax £475, heavy - 1600+ KG, thirsty - 22 MPG (not surprised, though), probably no faster than a decent hot hatch these days.

Plus sides - Best sounding 6-pot I've heard. Fantastic RWD handling, surprisingly nimble for what it is. Does sports car and luxury in one package.

Stuff to do - clicky axle (a bit of grease needed), repaint cubby button, renew droplinks.





I have video of the noise but not a good idea to post it publicly!

Edited by TameRacingDriver on Saturday 22 September 23:37

[C.A.R.]

These are lovely, it's good that you've accepted that it is more a GT car though because they're so damn heavy!

What annoyed me about my gen7 Celica and from what I can see in your pictures is the obvious omission of a sat-nav tv screen in favour of a rather clumsy looking cubby hole. On the Celica it was like operating a bin lid; just didn't look great, I'm sure with a bit more thought in both instances the space could have been better designed!

[TameRacingDriver]

Yip looks a bit tacky. Plus the button on the cubby hole is scratched to hell, looks rubbish, will need repainting.

Definitely a GT car. Handles well considering its mass, but ultimately, you can feel that weight. Love the noise, though. Still much more fun than a hot hatch.

[Mastodon2]

I presume it's got an aftermarket exhaust on? The standard ones sound disappointing.

[TameRacingDriver]

Mastodon2 said:

I presume it's got an aftermarket exhaust on? The standard ones sound disappointing.

Apparently its a Cobra exhaust.

I posted a vid on youtube and a link on 350z-uk but was advised not a good idea, despite IMO not being particularly OTT driving, and it sounded lovely on the vid. I can upload it somewhere and send you the link if you wish?

[Rosscow]

Nice, love the yellow!

Disappointed but not overly surprised that it has the same climate control switches and heated seat buttons as my old '04 X-Trail!

[Mastodon2]

TameRacingDriver said:

Apparently its a Cobra exhaust.

I posted a vid on youtube and a link on 350z-uk but was advised not a good idea, despite IMO not being particularly OTT driving, and it sounded lovely on the vid. I can upload it somewhere and send you the link if you wish?

Good to hear, Cobra make some decent stuff at a reasonable price, and as far as I'm concerned if you are getting 22mpg then being able to hear the V6 properly is part of getting your monies worth from the petrol

As for the vid, sounds cool but if the driving is er, exuberant, it might be better to keep it for the private collection!

[tbc]

that gold/yellow leather on the seats makes me wretch, dreadful

[tbc]

that gold/yellow leather on the seats makes me wretch, dreadful

[tbc]

that gold/yellow leather on the seats makes me wretch, dreadful

[Meoricin]

TameRacingDriver said:

Apparently its a Cobra exhaust.

I posted a vid on youtube and a link on 350z-uk but was advised not a good idea, despite IMO not being particularly OTT driving, and it sounded lovely on the vid. I can upload it somewhere and send you the link if you wish?

Could always just post the sound alone.

[hughcam]

tbc said:

that gold/yellow leather on the seats makes me wretch, dreadful

Please go troll on a cake forum or something. Anywhere else apart from car forums and/or pistonheads.

Car looks great O/P! Whats the acceleration like in comparison to the 172?

[Dave Hedgehog]

hughcam said:

tbc said:

that gold/yellow leather on the seats makes me wretch, dreadful

Please go troll on a cake forum or something. Anywhere else apart from car forums and/or pistonheads.

Car looks great O/P! Whats the acceleration like in comparison to the 172?

why is he trolling?

people put forth their cars for critique and comments from other forum members, we all have different taste and automotive requirements so it is inevitable that opinions will vary

in this case i agree with tbc, stonking car with vile coloured seats

[TameRacingDriver]

OK, I've done a more "politically correct" video here, a bit shorter, straight to the point.

Well, as politically correct as revving a 3.5 litre engine to the red line gets anyway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn3jdx1ObH0&fea...

[TameRacingDriver]

The seats are an acquired taste, I'll say that much. If I got them retrimmed it probably wouldn't be that colour, but they don't look so bad in the flesh in fairness.

[Dave Hedgehog]

TameRacingDriver said:

OK, I've done a more "politically correct" video here, a bit shorter, straight to the point.

Well, as politically correct as revving a 3.5 litre engine to the red line gets anyway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn3jdx1ObH0&fea...

sounds brilliant

[TameRacingDriver]

Dave Hedgehog said:

sounds brilliant

Cheers

It was the sound that sold it to me!

[TameRacingDriver]

hughcam said:

Car looks great O/P! Whats the acceleration like in comparison to the 172?

Not much in it up to about 60 from a standing start (Clio was about 6.6 secs versus 6 for this one). However, above that, you can really feel the extra power, although on the road you wouldn't be pulling a big lead until the speeds got highly illegal. Above 100 leptons it FAR quicker, but of course I've never tried officer!

Its the mid range acceleration that is the biggest difference, in 5th gear the urge even from 30 mph is like the clio in 3rd.

[rumple]

Love the car, love the seats.

[Pique]

Thinking of doing a similar switch OP, (182 -> 350Z) do you miss the handling of the Clio? Does it feel like a boat by comparison?