Anyone have a 350Z?

inspector · 10-02-03, 11:24

I wanted a 350Z but got a Z4 instead. Anybody have the 350Z that could tell me if I am missing out on anything?

The Nissian dealers would not let me test drive the car so I refused to buy. How is the ride? To stiff or what? Any squeaks or rattels yet?Challenged any Firebirds or Mustangs yet?

YIELAR · 10-02-03, 12:00

I own a super black on charcol 03 350Z Performance Edition with a 6 spd manual transmition. I can't say enough good things about it but I'll say a few of the high lights that come to mind. The handling is very impressive. Lets just say that a friend of mine let me drive his 2000 Vet for a summer and compared the the 350Z it handles like a pregnant lady on roller skates !

The power is very linear unlike any other car I have driven. The amount of after market bolt on parts for the 350Z are simply insane which is one of the things I really enjoy. Do a search for some after market parts for the S2000, RX8 heck even the Z4 and see how many options there are? The amount of looks I get driving it are simply incredible and you would have to drive one to really see what I mean. I have been driving down the highway and had people pull up beside me, roll down there window, and tell me how much they love my car and I'm not making this up ! I've had people as old as 80 and young as 5 compliment me on the Z. It's unbelievable really. The only thing that I am not looking forward to is parking her for the winter here in Kelowna, British Columbia. I've put 12,500 Kms on since June 15....at least I won't be racking up the kms over the winter months....unless I get the urge to go for a spin weather permitting.

I know what you mean about not being able to take a test drive in the Z. They told me I would have to wait until I bought the car before I could drive it and if I didn't like it.....they would simply buy it back from me! I took their word for it and I didn't end up selling it back.

Yielar

kgb · 10-02-03, 12:20

They got good ratings in Car and Driver....but the S2000 was slightly better

I like them both!

YIELAR · 10-02-03, 02:51

I do also like the look of the S2000 but like the upgrading potential of a V6 3.5 as opposed to the 2.0 4 banger. Check out this race between the 350, S2000, M3 and the Porshe Boxter. Enjoy.

P.S. Not dial up friendly.

[ http://auto.joins.com/upboard/pds/pd...kubaBattle.asf ]

Yielar

inspector · 10-02-03, 03:17

Great!

Now, more questions:
Is the interior holding up like new?
Any squeaks or rattels?
Do the cup holders work well?
Is it a real pain to get in the center console?
How is the trunk noise from the driver seat?
Is the ride what you expected?
Are you ready to trade it in or sell it?
Does it scream when you romp on it from a dead stop?
Are the Brembos adequet?
Been over 100mph? 120? 140?

AH

SlvrChrm03Max · 10-02-03, 04:59

Quote:

Originally posted by inspector
Great!

Does it scream when you romp on it from a dead stop?

The Z has the sweetest exhaust note that i've heard on a stock exhaust.

Deep_Freeze · 10-02-03, 06:22

Quote:

Originally posted by inspector
Great!

Now, more questions:
Is the interior holding up like new?
Any squeaks or rattels?
Do the cup holders work well?
Is it a real pain to get in the center console?
How is the trunk noise from the driver seat?
Is the ride what you expected?
Are you ready to trade it in or sell it?
Does it scream when you romp on it from a dead stop?
Are the Brembos adequet?
Been over 100mph? 120? 140?

AH

1. The interior is fine.
2. Every car has some rattles, but this car is one of the most stable and rigid cars I have ever been in. Quite impressive.
3. There are 3 cupholders in the car, one is like in front of the passenger for use by the driver. It works fine.
4. Center console is fine.
5. Well, the rear wheelwells are not well insulated, so you can hear these noises in the car. Probably done to save weight.
6. The ride is a sticking point. It rides well, the only problem is on some roads it can get a tad bouncy. There are aftermarket solutions for this, though. Ride is great for me, good balance between ride and performance.
7. Heck no, this car is outstanding and I won't sell it for anything near its price range.
8. The stock sound of this car is one of the best I have been around for its price range.
9. Don't have Brembos, hear they are good, but stock brakes are fine unless you track alot.
10. Feels like 80 at 120mph. Been to 160, nice.

Absolutely no regrets. This car has been outstanding for me. As for comparisons, those cars are really different cars entirely. This car has a flat useable power curve, unlike the more peaky cars that you are comparing it to.

Bumpers Plus · 10-02-03, 07:12

I REALLY like the new convertible 350Z!!!!!!!!

Greg · 10-03-03, 04:35

We are selling ours. Wanna buy a 03 Silverstone Track- only 2,000 miles?

Eh, its ok. After driving it and my 3 series, not a Z4, but you get the idea- I jump in my 3 series every time even though it has less power. Selling the Z for a 95 M3. The Brembos are nice, dust like crazy. The engine hits pretty hard, everything rattles, the ride is pretty harsh- but so is my 3 so no big deal. The shifter is short and pretty good, handling is pretty good- the rear end likes to get sideways. I liked the styling more when it came out than now. Paint is pretty nice, relatively devoid of orange peel. Overall- wish we had gotten the 993 instead, I rate it a C.

Ds01C5 · 10-03-03, 07:13

Quote:

Originally posted by YIELAR
drive his 2000 Vet for a summer and compared the the 350Z it handles like a pregnant lady on roller skates !

let me just say I have serious doubts about that.

YIELAR · 10-03-03, 07:33

lol. Well maybe not like a pregnant lady on roller skates but definately not like the 350. I wasn't talking about a Z06 either. Just my opinion after having driven them both.

Yielar

Aurora40 · 10-04-03, 03:14

Since this is about the 350, let me relate my co-worker's troubles. He's had the power windows crap out (they would no longer go up), had to get two new front tires at about 4,000 miles because the factory alignment was not good, took it in for a few small recalls, and now he needs a new transmission. The car has like 5,000 miles on it. But of course, this is not the average experience. And he's still quite happy with it.

I personally find the interior a bit low-rent and find the exterior styling a tad boring (especially the rear). It was a sporty car to ride around in, though. It was a bit hard-riding, and we were on fairly nice roads. It had a decent exhaust note until he riced out the mufflers, but I think my car sounded better (so did he once he heard me accelerating past him at WOT, and no we weren't racing each other). He was of the impression all the cheapy interior bits were real aluminum, which I found surprising as they are painted a metal flake (real aluminum doesn't have to be painted to look like aluminum) plus, the flashing from the plastic mold was very visible, and you can feel it on the interior door handles when you use them. The leather was an interesting color, but was like SUV leather. It was very thick and hard, and almost seems fake. And that digital gauge thing on the center console looked like a $3 watch you get in a cereal box. It's an LCD square inside a round face, but the square is all set back from the face, much like a cheapy digital watch.

To me it seemed like a nice sporty car for around 30 grand, but since his stickered somewhere north of 38 grand, it seems like maybe it should have either a nicer interior or a bit more punch (it doesn't feel like a car with nearly 300hp, but it does accelerate nicely). Sorry if this sounds like a bash, I don't mean it that way. It does seem like a decent car, but it seems to me like one that has been swept up in a lot of hype. I suspect the 2nd year sales will be a bit lower than the 1st year's, much like a Thunderbird or New Beetle. They aren't bad cars, but maybe not such great cars for the money once you take away the hype/newness factor.