350z Opinions?

[Pimpster]

Hello all,

Thinking of adding to my automobile collection, and just wondered what people thought of the Nissan 350Z? Especially in the blue colour, like this...

or grey too.

[kenny]

im not sure how good a car they are meant to be but i do like them

[Tom_vRS]

I really love em, especially in grey! And the sound they make is awesome!

I bet they are a hoot to drive too. And will certainly be bombproof!

[ScoobyChris]

Top Gear seem to rate it highly (http://www.topgear.com/drives/D0/F2/roadtests/01/01.html) and there's plenty of tuning houses (Nismo, HKS, etc) that can help you make it even faster

Chris

[sharkrider]

apparently it's a good car...... much better than the chrysler crossfire!

[ncarring]

I like Sunset Orange much better

[Mil]

They are an excellent piece of machinery. Had one for a couple of hours. They accelerate like mad and they handle like crazy. Interiors are nice in my opinion, low-rider seats. small windows, but even to the windscreen so it looks like your looking out through cockpit windows.

Blue one.

[Delcac]

I like Sunset Orange much better

Tart!

[Puddenchucker]

I've got one. In blue. And I ike it

They're good cars, but not without problems.

Are you thinking of buying new or used?

[Pimpster]

It'll most likely be new mate. I'll be getting the GT pack on mine. What have you got? And what are the common problems?

[Puddenchucker]

I've got the GT pack, with the standard 18" wheels.

Common problems are:

1) Front Tyre "Feathering"

This is a problem, mainly on early cars, where by the inside edges of the front tyres develop a strange wear pattern which results in a lot of noise when braking at low speed. It affects different cars at different mileages and some not at all. Revised suspension/tracking settings and different spec of Bridgestone tyre is Nissan's answer (covered under warranty). As yet the jury is still out as to whether this has cured the problem.

2) Left speaker cutting out

The Bose sound system on the GT cars can develop an intermittent problem, which results in the LH speakers(s) cutting out (on CD only - radio is fine). As yet Nissan (or Clarion, who make the head-unit) don't seem to have found a fix.

3) Soft paint

The front of the car seems particularly susceptable to stone-chipping. As a result many owners have fitted some kind of paint protection (Paint-shield, Armourfend etc.)

4) Seat leather

There have been a few reports, again, mainly on early cars, of the leather on the drivers seat side cushions wearing quickly.

5) Clutch

A few people have had clutches going poof (and taking the flywheel with them) after only a few thousand miles. I'm not aware of anyone persuading Nissan to cover this under warranty in this country.

6) Dealer service

The dealer network is a bit variable, some are excellent, some fall well short of the expected standard.

7) Speedlimits

You'll have problems sticking to them

Don't let these points put you off though. Generally, the 350Z is a fast, fun, and reliable. It also sounds fantastic.

There are plenty of tuning and upgrade bits available, if that's you thing.

The only other thing to be aware of is that a mildly face-lifted version has just gone on sale in the USA and Japan. There's no word yet as to when it will be going on sale in the UK, but My guess would be early spring 2006.

Log on to 350zuk to find out more.

[MisterGT]

I love sporty Nissans, but not too hot on the blue

I would sell the Octy, wife and kids to have one.

*Ouch ! * Someone just hit me

[bengie]

:(

wish i could buy one, i'd love to have one. look great, go slightly better than a fabia and handl nearly as well so must be fast

[WW_VRS]

Saw an Orange one yesterday on the way home - looked nice enough

[Goochie]

There is one over the road from my house. Sounds lovely cruising off up th eroad in the morning.

[Stuart_J]

Brilliant car, mates got one & Ive done a couple of track days when hes let me "play" for a few sessions.

Its very easy to drive & incredibly well balanced, even with the traction control off its incredibly predictable & breaks away in a very controlled manner.

Thats all due to change in a couple of weeks as its booked in for a Twin Turbo conversion & running .65 bar will give 361 bhp at the wheels, 431bhp at the flywheel. Standard is something like 270 at the flywheel so I think it might break away a bit more after that. Roll on the next track day

I gather the motors based on a Renault unit & who won the F1 this year

[SteVRs]

Had good reviews - won Auto Express Greatest Drives last year IIRC.

Hold their money well too

[SkodiRS]

Got to go with the met grey and the Rays alloys.

Think the interior looks a bit too plasticy though....very 280Z era....for the price....IMHO.

[Pimpster]

Thanks for all the info and opinions guys! Really helped me a lot. Gonna pop down to Nissan today and see what they can do.

The next thing on the list is insurance... which I'm dreading! Being only 21, insurance companies are a pain in the back side. So in order for me to keep paying the Octy insurance, the 350Z will have to be reasonable! Stupid insurance.

[day tripper]

Its an ugly overpriced car. For the same

[walkie]

Only 21 and considering getting a Nissan 350Z, good man, I envy you

[ScoobyChris]

Its an ugly overpriced car. For the same

[Stuart_J]

Thanks for all the info and opinions guys! Really helped me a lot. Gonna pop down to Nissan today and see what they can do.

The next thing on the list is insurance... which I'm dreading! Being only 21' date=' insurance companies are a pain in the back side. So in order for me to keep paying the Octy insurance, the 350Z will have to be reasonable! Stupid insurance.[/quote']

There have been a few nice s/hand ones on Pistonheads recently, I think its end of the summer & boys selling there toys.

re Insurance try Chris Knott

[SkodiRS]

GTR r34 skyline.

Now that's an ugly car....R33 much nicer...IMHO.

[kenny]

Thanks for all the info and opinions guys! Really helped me a lot. Gonna pop down to Nissan today and see what they can do.

The next thing on the list is insurance... which I'm dreading! Being only 21' date=' insurance companies are a pain in the back side. So in order for me to keep paying the Octy insurance, the 350Z will have to be reasonable! Stupid insurance.[/quote']

good luck mate, hope you get a good deal. i really like them