350Z owners - I want your opinions!

[daveknott5]

Why there isn't a Nissan forum on here I don't know!.....anyway, I'm thinking about a 350Z - and will definitely be looking at an 06 300Bhp or 07 309Bhp coupe model. I'd like to get some general opinions from owners past or present.

What is it like to live with day-to-day? (ride quality, road noise, comfort etc)

Would it make a good all-round everyday car? (i.e., for use on the boring commute + weekend fun and the odd trackday)

What sort of problems have you had? (e.g., trim rattles, malfunctioning CD players etc)

What's the build quality like?

What are the running costs like? (mpg, servicing)

How much does it make you grin?

What are the Bose speakers like?

Is it possible to conenct an ipod up to the stereo?

I'm looking forward to hearing your responses!

Cheers chaps!

[Puddenchucker]

daveknott5 said:

What is it like to live with day-to-day? (ride quality, road noise, comfort etc)

Ride quality & comfort is not bad for the type of car. Tyres can be a bit noisey.

daveknott5 said:

Would it make a good all-round everyday car? (i.e., for use on the boring commute + weekend fun and the odd trackday)

There are better commuter cars, and there are better track cars, but it's a pretty good compromise.

daveknott5 said:

What sort of problems have you had? (e.g., trim rattles, malfunctioning CD players etc)
What's the build quality like?

Earlier cars can suffer from buzzy or rattley trim, but it's unusually for anything to break or fall off.
Latter cars had a moderate upgrade in trim quality.
The Bose Hi-Fi has had it's problems with left speakers cutting out and the CD player skipping like a Kangaroo on Speed, when the weather is cold or damp.

daveknott5 said:

What are the running costs like? (mpg, servicing)

Hoon around and you'll get mid to low teens mpg, but on the other hand 30+mpg is easily possible on longer, more restrained, cruises. Assume around 24-26mpg as an average and you won't be far out.
Nissan servicing is generally cheap, and the cars are pretty reliable.

daveknott5 said:

How much does it make you grin?

¾

daveknott5 said:

Is it possible to conenct an ipod up to the stereo?

Definitely not on the older cars, but I can't remember if there's an aux socket on the newer 06/07 models.

daveknott5 said:

What are the Bose speakers like?

Not the best, and, by most accounts, difficult to upgrade without ripping the whole system out and starting again.

For all your Nissan 350Z questions, try: www.350zukownersclub.com (aka www.nissansportz.com)

[ZAndy]

daveknott5 said:

Why there isn't a Nissan forum on here I don't know!.....anyway, I'm thinking about a 350Z - and will definitely be looking at an 06 300Bhp or 07 309Bhp coupe model. I'd like to get some general opinions from owners past or present.

What is it like to live with day-to-day? (ride quality, road noise, comfort etc)

Just use mine for high days and holidays, but many use them for commuting and apart from the fuel and the slightly heavy clutch the're fine. Bit of road noise, due to lack of back seats etc.

daveknott5 said:

Would it make a good all-round everyday car? (i.e., for use on the boring commute + weekend fun and the odd trackday)

As above, so yes, it's great at most things but not the absolute best for any (apart from being a mini-GT )

daveknott5 said:

What sort of problems have you had? (e.g., trim rattles, malfunctioning CD players etc)

Not had mine for long, but generally very little to report.

daveknott5 said:

What's the build quality like?

Generally excellent, as previous poster says.

daveknott5 said:

What are the running costs like? (mpg, servicing)

Servicing is fairly cheap depending on your dealer, i get mid 20's MPG, and 28-29 on fast cruise.

daveknott5 said:

How much does it make you grin?

Lots! very capable and composed at speed.

daveknott5 said:

What are the Bose speakers like?

Don't know, got a non-gt, affect resale more than the sound quality!

daveknott5 said:

Is it possible to conenct an ipod up to the stereo?

No, not easily on any versions. Unless you are happy with an iTrip or similar.


Also, http://www.350z-uk.com is another great owners club website!

Edited by ZAndy on Monday 16th February 22:03

[pembo]

In general I would agree with the other comments, I've got the oldest model (53reg) but its great fun to drive and generally feels like a nice place to be. However I have completely given up with the BOSE stereo playing CD's, the only time I can get it to work is if I leave it 'till the engine is warm before I switch from the radio and make sure I'm going to be on a nice smooth road. I use it so little I actually bought a replacement for a CD I thought had disappeared and then realised it was in the CD changer because every time I'd selected that CD it played nothing

[350GT]

OK.. I don't know how much it applies, but on my g35 you can connect an aftermarket gizmoid to a 'thingy' in the boot. You can then use the steering wheel controls to control the iPod...

http://ipodcarparts.com/infiniti-ipod-interface-wa...

It;s that sort of thing...

[ZAndy]

350GT said:

OK.. I don't know how much it applies, but on my g35 you can connect an aftermarket gizmoid to a 'thingy' in the boot. You can then use the steering wheel controls to control the iPod...

http://ipodcarparts.com/infiniti-ipod-interface-wa...

It;s that sort of thing...

Sadly, won't work. The US spec stereos have an auxilary port in the back.

Bose CD skipping is a common issue due to condensation, the headunit is made by Clarion don't you know...

Clarion said:

If your unit is outside of the Nissan 3 yearr warranty then we can offer a fixed price exchange service for your Nissan Unit priced at £295.00 fully inclusive of VAT and return P&P.

We can Exchange the unit for a refurbished unit which carries a full one year warranty : Not Loading, Not Ejecting, Not Changing Disc Intermittant Playing and hashed or skipping sound.

If you have any questions or would rather deal with us direct in person over the phone then please call us on 01793 770730

If your unit is suffering from these problems then please send to - we will then send you out within 7 working days an exchange unit that can be easily installed back into the car.

CLARION SERVICE CENTRE UK

THE MILL BUILDING

THE FOX

SWINDON

SN5 4EF

Edited by ZAndy on Tuesday 17th February 19:22

[350GT]

ZAndy said:

350GT said:

OK.. I don't know how much it applies, but on my g35 you can connect an aftermarket gizmoid to a 'thingy' in the boot. You can then use the steering wheel controls to control the iPod...

http://ipodcarparts.com/infiniti-ipod-interface-wa...

It;s that sort of thing...

Sadly, won't work. The US spec stereos have an auxilary port in the back.

There are ones that go through the satellite radio option, rather than the aux. As I said, I've no idea if the setup is similar, but its nissan. Is there a satellite option at all?

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/IPod_with_350Z_Bose...

[ZAndy]

Yeah, sorry! Thats the port i meant. UK spec cars don't have it

Edited by ZAndy on Tuesday 17th February 19:24

[350GT]

Oh well.. I tried!

[Dakkon]

I had one and tracked it.

I had the left speaker issue cutting in and out when it felt like it, went into Nissan a few times, they never cured it.
Mine also had an issue with the drivers door window, would just stop working when it felt like it, every time Nissan had the car they could find nothing wrong, thankfully it always stopped working when up rather than when down.

On the track if you are really pushing you will see 6-7mpg and unfortunately the weight means you must upgrade fluid and pads, round Bedford after 5-6 laps I was starting to melt the tyres.

Otherwise it was fine, the back end steps out nice and progressively so it's is very kind in that respect, you can see 30+mpg on motorway trips, the boot is plenty big enough despite the rear strut brace.

Overall given the price they are second hand they are a bit of a bargain.

Servicing is not too bad, it never broke down, nice car.

If your buying a UK car the GT Pack is a must.

[daveknott5]

Thanks so much for the responses guys. Very helpful. A real shame that its not easy to ipod-up the car though. Makes life much more bearable on the daily commute.

[stigmundfreud]

What is it like to live with day-to-day? (ride quality, road noise, comfort etc)

• Ride comfort is excellent especially if you have the GT pack (I am talking 05 model ownership, the new cars might have that standard?). Road noise is ok, it really depends on choice of tyre, back then the OEM's were dreadful but the Pilot sports were fantastic and quiet. I found the leather very slippy so wearing a suit would see me supporting myself with legs/arms whereas with jeans no problem. For comfort, how is south coast of france to Swindon in a day with a 5 minute petrol break and ferry crossing with absolutely no aches sound?

Would it make a good all-round everyday car? (i.e., for use on the boring commute + weekend fun and the odd trackday)

• Yes, I used mine exactly for this. Major annoyance being the lack of a parcel cover from factory but you can get covers (maybe standard now).Luggage space was enough for us to do a two week road trip.

What sort of problems have you had? (e.g., trim rattles, malfunctioning CD players etc)

• can only speak of my 05 model, personally I had no issues however many owners had issues with their stereo volume on one side, hopefully this is no longer an issue (only effected the BOSE branded system)

What's the build quality like?

• Generally good although there is some awfully cheap plastic but when driving you dont really even notice it. The main issue is the paint, its waffer thin and is very susceptible to contact damage. Recommend aftermarket protective coating (a guy on the owners club specialises in this). Do not believe the bull about the super dooper wax coating the dealer will give you with a value of £300.

What are the running costs like? (mpg, servicing)

• I used to average around 30mpg, on a run this would go up, around town it was mid 20s.

How much does it make you grin?

• The car was fantastic, loved every second of ownership. Dealer network was the biggest let down this side of winning the lottery only to find the wife has thrown the ticket away. Great to drive, I often question reports on the car being dull engine wise, its a peach. It isnt uber revvy its just a nice strong linear engine.

What are the Bose speakers like?

• Personally I loved them others hated them, if you have the choice get one with them. If there is still a base and a GT pack go for the uprated pack so you get leather seats and BOSE, RAYS alloys should be standard from 06 onwards

Is it possible to conenct an ipod up to the stereo?

• new model maybe but old model required either an FM transmitter on the ipod or use of the cassette deck

I'm looking forward to hearing your responses!

• Hope it was of use

[General Price]

Had a 55 plate for 8 weeks before I test drove a MY07 in August last year.I liked the 55 plate but the newest model is a different fish altogether.I have a nismo exhaust and dual nismo air filters and the noise when I give it the gun makes me grin like a fool.

Road noise is not to bad and I get just over 20 to the gallon overall.

I have had no problems with the stereo or any rattles or niggles.Done a couple of trackdays at Knockhill and loved every second.

You can pick a good example up at the moment for the price of 2 bags of sugar which is nice for new customers but not us who have owned them for 18 months.

[H4ckedoff]

my cd player jumps like a biatch in the cold for some reason.. all ok apart from that