Azure Blue 350Z
Discussion
Recently collected my latest car, a 2004 350Z in Azure blue with the GT pack, 73k miles.
Since selling my Mk 5 Gti I had really been struggling as to what to get, it's a weekend only car and had been thinking about the usual suspects around a £7k budget, 350z, s2000, Z4 3.0, 944 etc. Then this 350Z popped up fairly local so went to have a look and found it was in good condition with full service history and pretty much every receipt since new, including the original sale receipt.
A deal was done for just over £6k.
It's very different to my previous hot hatches and Exige, a lot more weight and initially I felt a bit disappointed after a drive down a tight b-road on my way home, it just felt too big and heavy. However, a few more drives later and I am really enjoying it!
It has recent Falken tyres which wouldn't be my first choice but they seem acceptable enough, and the backbox has been replaced due to corrosion with a Scorpian system that sounds pretty standard with no drone. It does need new front brakes and trying to decide what discs/pads to go with. They start at about £200 but thinking I might go for some BDA discs at £350 and some Brembo pads.
I don't have much planned, it has had a recent Geo and feel great on the road. I think they look good with wheel spacers, but worried it might upset the handling. Also considering some Berk hi flow cats to liven up the sound.
Anyway, here are some pics!
Since selling my Mk 5 Gti I had really been struggling as to what to get, it's a weekend only car and had been thinking about the usual suspects around a £7k budget, 350z, s2000, Z4 3.0, 944 etc. Then this 350Z popped up fairly local so went to have a look and found it was in good condition with full service history and pretty much every receipt since new, including the original sale receipt.
A deal was done for just over £6k.
It's very different to my previous hot hatches and Exige, a lot more weight and initially I felt a bit disappointed after a drive down a tight b-road on my way home, it just felt too big and heavy. However, a few more drives later and I am really enjoying it!
It has recent Falken tyres which wouldn't be my first choice but they seem acceptable enough, and the backbox has been replaced due to corrosion with a Scorpian system that sounds pretty standard with no drone. It does need new front brakes and trying to decide what discs/pads to go with. They start at about £200 but thinking I might go for some BDA discs at £350 and some Brembo pads.
I don't have much planned, it has had a recent Geo and feel great on the road. I think they look good with wheel spacers, but worried it might upset the handling. Also considering some Berk hi flow cats to liven up the sound.
Anyway, here are some pics!
daviebroon said:
Stunning looking car. How does it fare with 70+k on the clock?
I was looking at the 370z recently, but was ££. I assume this is completely different to 'normal' hot hatches that are FWD in all ways? more of a GT?
The 350Z is completely different to 'normal' hot hatches. It is a RWD, GT car. I was looking at the 370z recently, but was ££. I assume this is completely different to 'normal' hot hatches that are FWD in all ways? more of a GT?
daviebroon said:
Stunning looking car. How does it fare with 70+k on the clock?
I was looking at the 370z recently, but was ££. I assume this is completely different to 'normal' hot hatches that are FWD in all ways? more of a GT?
Mileage doesn't seem to have affected it, feels very well set up. I had it up on a ramp yesterday and looks like it's had a few suspension bits changed already and track rod ends.I was looking at the 370z recently, but was ££. I assume this is completely different to 'normal' hot hatches that are FWD in all ways? more of a GT?
Nice car in the best colour!
I sold mine a month or so ago and miss it. The Rays had been painted an anthracite colour which looked great with the Azure blue. I was running stock discs with Ferrodo DS2500 pads which worked well.
Think these are a good buy at the moment, more of a mini muscle car than sports car or refined GT in my eyes, but seem to hold their value now and have sensible running costs.
I sold mine a month or so ago and miss it. The Rays had been painted an anthracite colour which looked great with the Azure blue. I was running stock discs with Ferrodo DS2500 pads which worked well.
Think these are a good buy at the moment, more of a mini muscle car than sports car or refined GT in my eyes, but seem to hold their value now and have sensible running costs.
amstrange1 said:
Nice car in the best colour!
I sold mine a month or so ago and miss it. The Rays had been painted an anthracite colour which looked great with the Azure blue. I was running stock discs with Ferrodo DS2500 pads which worked well.
Think these are a good buy at the moment, more of a mini muscle car than sports car or refined GT in my eyes, but seem to hold their value now and have sensible running costs.
Thanks, I remember seeing yours for sale but someone got there first. I might give the DS2500 pads a go, had them on a EP3 Type R before and liked them. Do you know how much the standard discs were? Pagid discs are cheap, but not sure if they are any good.I sold mine a month or so ago and miss it. The Rays had been painted an anthracite colour which looked great with the Azure blue. I was running stock discs with Ferrodo DS2500 pads which worked well.
Think these are a good buy at the moment, more of a mini muscle car than sports car or refined GT in my eyes, but seem to hold their value now and have sensible running costs.
Running costs do seem reasonable, obviously 25mpg that I've averaged since having it isn't great but I knew that and only do a small mileage a year.
I'm worried the clutch will need doing at some point which is expensive, I understand they normally last about 40k miles, but mine has never been done at 73k. That seems to indicate it has been driven carefully but at the same time makes me think it hasn't got long left!
Update time after a year ownership.
I've really enjoyed Zed ownership, it's definitely a mini GT car rather than a sports car, and once you accept that you can enjoy it for what it is. It's just got back from a 4 day road trip in France with the girlfriend and it was perfect for that, cruises very comfortably and can take quite a lot of luggage and shopping as long as you use soft bags and work around the boot strut.
The V6 has a lazy character but sounds lovely, especially down narrow streets with the noise bouncing around. I also love the fact it is relatively rare compared to most rivals.
It is quite a heavy car, not outrageously so but combined with heavy feeling controls, it does not feel up to attacking a tight B road like my previous hot hatches and Lotus.
Ownership has not been completely plain sailing. I've had 3 problems, firstly a cam sensor went lighting up all the dashboard lights and reducing power. Then a wheel bearing went, and at £300 was an expensive fix. Lastly the drivers electric window stopped working, whilst stuck down. I managed to fix this by taking the assembly apart and cleaning up the motor but was a time consuming job.
Costs:-
I've averaged 28.1 mpg which is better than expected, the highest I saw was 32.8mpg on an M25 trip averaging about 65mph.
New brake pads and discs - approx £200 fitted
Major service inc wheel alignment - £380
Replacement cam sensor and fitting £150
New wheel bearing and fitting £300
I've decided to sell the car as I want something a bit lighter, possibly a MR2 roadster, Integra or hot hatch of some kind. I will definitely miss the Zed, but looking forward to trying something else.
Anyway, a few pics
I've really enjoyed Zed ownership, it's definitely a mini GT car rather than a sports car, and once you accept that you can enjoy it for what it is. It's just got back from a 4 day road trip in France with the girlfriend and it was perfect for that, cruises very comfortably and can take quite a lot of luggage and shopping as long as you use soft bags and work around the boot strut.
The V6 has a lazy character but sounds lovely, especially down narrow streets with the noise bouncing around. I also love the fact it is relatively rare compared to most rivals.
It is quite a heavy car, not outrageously so but combined with heavy feeling controls, it does not feel up to attacking a tight B road like my previous hot hatches and Lotus.
Ownership has not been completely plain sailing. I've had 3 problems, firstly a cam sensor went lighting up all the dashboard lights and reducing power. Then a wheel bearing went, and at £300 was an expensive fix. Lastly the drivers electric window stopped working, whilst stuck down. I managed to fix this by taking the assembly apart and cleaning up the motor but was a time consuming job.
Costs:-
I've averaged 28.1 mpg which is better than expected, the highest I saw was 32.8mpg on an M25 trip averaging about 65mph.
New brake pads and discs - approx £200 fitted
Major service inc wheel alignment - £380
Replacement cam sensor and fitting £150
New wheel bearing and fitting £300
I've decided to sell the car as I want something a bit lighter, possibly a MR2 roadster, Integra or hot hatch of some kind. I will definitely miss the Zed, but looking forward to trying something else.
Anyway, a few pics
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