350Z opinions required
Discussion
Hi all,
Been doing a lot of pondering over what my next car should be and I spotted a black 350Z on my way home from work the other night and thought it looked pretty awesome.
The specs, price, age and mileage look quite tempting with what's on the used market but after asking around it seems I don't know anyone that has actualy had any experience with one. All I got reminded of is that the V6 is actualy from a Renault.
So what do people think of them? my biggest issue is with the engine but i'm sure Nissan wouldn't just drop it in without tweaking a few things here and there.....
P.S. not interested in the convertible if it makes a big difference.
Been doing a lot of pondering over what my next car should be and I spotted a black 350Z on my way home from work the other night and thought it looked pretty awesome.
The specs, price, age and mileage look quite tempting with what's on the used market but after asking around it seems I don't know anyone that has actualy had any experience with one. All I got reminded of is that the V6 is actualy from a Renault.
So what do people think of them? my biggest issue is with the engine but i'm sure Nissan wouldn't just drop it in without tweaking a few things here and there.....
P.S. not interested in the convertible if it makes a big difference.
Solid as a rock, but as with any cars make sure you go for quality rather than milleage, etc.
http://www.350z-uk.com
Plenty of info from fellow enthusiasts.
http://www.350z-uk.com
Plenty of info from fellow enthusiasts.
Just acquired one myself...
For the 'money v performance v wot can go wrong' equation there's not a lot to touch it. I did a fair bit of research on various potential cars, and the Zed's list of 'gotcha's' is incredibly small.
The 350z-uk.com site is indeed extremely useful and friendly , a whole easy to find what to look for section too.
For the 'money v performance v wot can go wrong' equation there's not a lot to touch it. I did a fair bit of research on various potential cars, and the Zed's list of 'gotcha's' is incredibly small.
The 350z-uk.com site is indeed extremely useful and friendly , a whole easy to find what to look for section too.
I ran one daily for over two years, even taking it across Europe and spending a week driving it around the Ring
In short, a great car - just what you'd expect from Nissan. The engine is solid, no worries there - it also sounds utterly wonderful. You'll always get the Renault comment, but from what I remember the VQ35 was always a Nissan design. That said, even if it was Renualt, mine was awesome
I had a black one, Kuro Black would you believe, and for the 5% of the time that it was clean, it looked the bees knees
If I were to be picky, I'd suggest the interior was ok, but pretty low-rent. Some of the plastics used were just nasty, and took an age to clean. Saying that, it was a very simple cabin, nicely laid out and easy to drive for extended periods.
Great car, and with prices the way they are, a bit of a bargain too.
In short, a great car - just what you'd expect from Nissan. The engine is solid, no worries there - it also sounds utterly wonderful. You'll always get the Renault comment, but from what I remember the VQ35 was always a Nissan design. That said, even if it was Renualt, mine was awesome
I had a black one, Kuro Black would you believe, and for the 5% of the time that it was clean, it looked the bees knees
If I were to be picky, I'd suggest the interior was ok, but pretty low-rent. Some of the plastics used were just nasty, and took an age to clean. Saying that, it was a very simple cabin, nicely laid out and easy to drive for extended periods.
Great car, and with prices the way they are, a bit of a bargain too.
I would simply echo all the comments above, had mine for a month now, 7 year old 40k mile GT and it feels unburstable. Everything is heavy, solid and strong. I bought it in a similar vain as the poster above having done plenty research into the pitfalls of a sporting 2 seater and the 350 just doesn't have any major issues at all to be honest. Servicing is reasonable, tyres won't break the bank and I even squeezed 35mpg out of a long trip up the motorway last night very comfy with cruise set at 70
My only issue so far, and this is pedantic, is the tyre roar over some road surfaces is pretty bad although I'm hoping a special cover for the rear load space and some well researched tyre choice will cure this.
My only issue so far, and this is pedantic, is the tyre roar over some road surfaces is pretty bad although I'm hoping a special cover for the rear load space and some well researched tyre choice will cure this.
Summed in a nut shell. GT model has leather seats and Bose sound system (although it's not a massive improvement). The standard spec has cloth seats (still good though) and normal sound system.
Standard Sat Nav is awful - you can get an aftermarket one from the 350z-uk site.
JDMs (imports) have more options, in terms of spec but for UK version its just 2 different specs (GT and standard). Both have Brembo brakes.
Tyre noise is normal with the horrid Bridgestones. Switch them for a better quality tyre (again, see 350z-uk) and you'll notice a world of difference. Around £160-£200 per corner for decent tyres if you buy them online.
No major issues really. Buy on condition rather than milleage and age. There are power hikes between some years, but realistically nothing major (not worth forking an extra few thousand out for).
If you're into engine mods, you can't gain any major performance unless you look at forced induction (£6k+); imo, not worth it. The zed isn't supersonic, but it is quick.
Interior lets the car down, but you can't have it all (esp for the price). Interior is still well made, just feels a little cheap compared to its rivals. All that goes out the window with a squirt of the fun peddle and the howling noise though.
Standard Sat Nav is awful - you can get an aftermarket one from the 350z-uk site.
JDMs (imports) have more options, in terms of spec but for UK version its just 2 different specs (GT and standard). Both have Brembo brakes.
Tyre noise is normal with the horrid Bridgestones. Switch them for a better quality tyre (again, see 350z-uk) and you'll notice a world of difference. Around £160-£200 per corner for decent tyres if you buy them online.
No major issues really. Buy on condition rather than milleage and age. There are power hikes between some years, but realistically nothing major (not worth forking an extra few thousand out for).
If you're into engine mods, you can't gain any major performance unless you look at forced induction (£6k+); imo, not worth it. The zed isn't supersonic, but it is quick.
Interior lets the car down, but you can't have it all (esp for the price). Interior is still well made, just feels a little cheap compared to its rivals. All that goes out the window with a squirt of the fun peddle and the howling noise though.
Hi, I've had mine for nearly 5 years and it has done 85,000 miles. All of them with no trouble at all. There are a few known issues but none of them that serious I believe. Running costs are low and I get 25-30 mpg with around 35 on a run. It's withoubt doubt the best car i've owned.
The difference between the GT and non GT is leather interior, cruise control, Bose stereo I believe.
Mine will be going on the market this week, i'm probably going for a 370z. If you are looking for a 54 silver GT with Sat Nav let me know.
The difference between the GT and non GT is leather interior, cruise control, Bose stereo I believe.
Mine will be going on the market this week, i'm probably going for a 370z. If you are looking for a 54 silver GT with Sat Nav let me know.
Seriously? a GT just has leather and a better sound system?
I was expecting something a bit more performance based to be honest, like a bit more power or at least better alloys :P
I still like leather and a good sound system though so I think I probably will aim for one of them =)
Are there any other types other than the GT? without going into after market kits from Nismo and the like.
I was expecting something a bit more performance based to be honest, like a bit more power or at least better alloys :P
I still like leather and a good sound system though so I think I probably will aim for one of them =)
Are there any other types other than the GT? without going into after market kits from Nismo and the like.
A bloke in my street had one, I did not see him drive it often but when I did I noticed the noise was not great, an aftermarket exhaust would probably do wonders for the car. The standard system seems pretty quiet and the exhaust note itself is a bit flat. The interior is pretty low rent too, but for a 3.5L V6 Jap option it's not a bad choice of a car.
Watched a lot of youtube vids last night of all kinds of 350s with mods and I defiantly think i'm gonna slap a Nismo exhasut on if nothing else.
I think the sound is pretty good stock but the Nismo exhaust gives it that crackling sound after being revved
Is there a proper name for that sound out of interest? :P
I think the sound is pretty good stock but the Nismo exhaust gives it that crackling sound after being revved
Is there a proper name for that sound out of interest? :P
Edited by Animala on Tuesday 5th April 08:59
great car, as already said the engine is proving to be very reliable (and there does seem to be some arguement over whether its a renault or a nissan design but it really doesn't matter).
Exhaust is a bit timid at tick over but you do get a nice howl when pressing on in stock form. (can be rather addictive!)
Plenty quick enough in real world terms and mid range grunt is exceptional in my opinion. I always liked the gearbox and the driving position although it is slightly cramped if you are very tall.
Silver and grey are seemingly the most popular colours but personally I think it looks more striking in blue (), black or gold (depending on how much you want people to stare!).
GT gets leather, cruise and Bose and but will cost you a little more (but I suspect will be easier to sell on). The leather seats do sit a little higher in the car than the fabric though if headroom is an issue...
My only warning is that it is a big car and feels like one too. They handle superbly but if you want light and nimble, it ain't that, and the boot is not as pratical as you think it might be for a car of that size (its shallow and is a funny size).
Exhaust is a bit timid at tick over but you do get a nice howl when pressing on in stock form. (can be rather addictive!)
Plenty quick enough in real world terms and mid range grunt is exceptional in my opinion. I always liked the gearbox and the driving position although it is slightly cramped if you are very tall.
Silver and grey are seemingly the most popular colours but personally I think it looks more striking in blue (
), black or gold (depending on how much you want people to stare!). GT gets leather, cruise and Bose and but will cost you a little more (but I suspect will be easier to sell on). The leather seats do sit a little higher in the car than the fabric though if headroom is an issue...
My only warning is that it is a big car and feels like one too. They handle superbly but if you want light and nimble, it ain't that, and the boot is not as pratical as you think it might be for a car of that size (its shallow and is a funny size).
Animala said:
Completely different in a good way?
Nice name btw ;P
Thanks!Nice name btw ;P
I've added a Blitz Nur Spec T system to my car, together with a different Y-pipe and high-flow cats, so it's much louder and more aggressive. Sounds fantastic, but not exactly conducive to making discrete progress at anything over 2,500 rpm. It's lovely inside the car though!
If you want a nice noise without a ton of volume then both Nismo and Milltek seem pretty popular. They're expensive though: Milltek is at the lower end of the scale and costs around £800. A Nismo is about £1,200 (very much exchange rate-dependant) and an Amuse R1 Titan will set you back £2,500!
If you're thinking about tuning then speak to Abbey Motorsport, they seem to be pretty much the southern oracles when it comes to these cars.
Cheers,
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff