PDA

View Full Version : 350z Ftw!


sykikchimp
04-20-2006, 06:42 PM
Well guys, I did it.

I bit the bullet and bought a Z.

03 Super Black Touring with Tan leather. (same color as my old 240sx)

It's everything I ever wanted the 240sx to be and more.


I avoided this purchase for a long time because I had become so attached to my 240. I loved that car. The handling and feel I was able to achieve were fantastic. I just could not imagine a veiled ripoff of my venerable car to be anything but a shadow.. nay.. a washed out facsimile of my one true love. I believed that Nissan had likely bought into the lowest common denominator rule and had likely completely stupified the car into oblivion.

I was wrong.

I will admit that the Z is a different car with a different feel. This caused me to question whether or not it was the car for me. It is slightly heavier, and it requires more effort to drive. (heavier clutch, steering and turn in feel) After my initial test drive I actually told my friends that I was "underwhelmed" with it.

What I realized is I was "underwhelmed" because I was expecting something completely different. The reality, the Z holds the same spirit and soul as the 240sx. It is GREAT.

If you are looking for a newer car to replace your old, tired, and beat up 240sx, Consider a new Z. You won't regret it.

I'll post pics soon. :) :2f2f: :2f2f:

blu808
04-20-2006, 07:03 PM
I just got home from the nissan dealership. I tried to buy a 2003 performance model. They wouldnt get the price down where i wanted it, so i left.
Great cars.

Al lagura FTW

nistech
04-20-2006, 07:20 PM
i love the 350z i almost bought one...
the reason i didnt get one is the tranny (3rd gear grinding) everyone i know who has one had to get a new tranny

aznpoopy
04-20-2006, 07:38 PM
congratulations! :)

kandyflip445
04-20-2006, 08:36 PM
I thought you were gonna buy a NSX. I love 350z's I'll have one someday lol. Hopefully in the next couple of years when I finally get BAH.

drifter808
04-20-2006, 08:47 PM
i test drove the same model you have about 4-5 months ago and its incredible. Wish i could afford it.

JVD
04-20-2006, 09:13 PM
My pop just bought an '03 track model. I'm blown away. I thought the S14 gripped with 245's all around, but this thing is unreal. I'm finding it a little more difficult to drive though. The clutch grabs very hard, unlike the other cars I've driven. I drove my brothers R32 the other day, and then the 350z, and the R32 is just so much easier to drive. I think it's just because of the worn clutch on the Syline though. He loves it too! And rightfully so.

Enjoy the car bud!

JVD.

TurDz
04-20-2006, 09:25 PM
A strong-grabbing clutch is a good thing :) Good life, good performance.

Good luck with the car...keep it clean. I know you will though!

FRpilot
04-20-2006, 09:29 PM
so no more 240 skychimp? you are like one of the original members from way back..

monkey7
04-20-2006, 09:30 PM
Nice choice! With the never ending churning of aftermartket parts, the car can be made to where you like it.

Bryants95240sx
04-20-2006, 09:42 PM
Yeah my mom and dad both had 350's there awsome. I still like the nibbleness of my s14 though. My dad has CAI,testpipes,SSV intake manifold, UD underdrive pulley and injen exhaust. Its nice.....

rossfashow
04-20-2006, 09:49 PM
congrats and have fun.. i want one..its either the g35 or 350z but ill stick with my s13 for now.

Nizzan4u2nv
04-20-2006, 10:00 PM
Congrats. Eventhough we all love our s-chassis', theyll never be as refined as a new z33. Any plans for it?

ranisron
04-20-2006, 10:07 PM
congrats on the purchase.

The only thing I don't like about the Z is the number of automatics are around these days...

keep it clean for now.

drift freaq
04-20-2006, 10:23 PM
well I am going to be joining you sykik probaby by the end of the year at the latest. I have kinda had a 350 in my sights for about 8 months now.

trsilvias13
04-20-2006, 11:45 PM
I would have join you, but I found a sweet deal on a 97 last year. After maybe modding this I would get the new revision 350z or the new g35c or the new gtr, just have to go there and put a down. Im really hoping they make a new light weight rwd like a replacement for the 240sx.

sykikchimp
04-21-2006, 02:02 AM
I got a few plans for it.. nothing crazy for a while.

I'm going to be parting out my 240. I'll get around to posting all the available stuff in the classifieds later.

SilviaNinja240
04-21-2006, 03:29 AM
Zs are nice cars I think, if I were to buy a new car, the Z would definity be on my current top 3

Omarius Maximus
04-21-2006, 04:32 AM
Yeah I love the Z, but I'm sort of drifing toward the S2000 right now as far as my next car. The Z has tons of torque and sort of reminds you of a 240 from a powertrain standpoint, but as far as agility goes, the S2000 feels exactly like a 240 with coilovers minus the bump steer and harshness. Too bad you have to put up with that damn engine. Perfect car= S2000 with VQ torque(in other words, a BMW Z4)

sean350z
04-21-2006, 06:47 AM
niiiiiiice welcome to the Z family :)

theicecreamdan
04-21-2006, 07:43 AM
so no more 240 skychimp? you are like one of the original members from way back..

he's helpin bring the Z back into zilvia, most of the members from a little ways back are getting rid of 240s, and not even getting Nissans. Good job chimp

sncs14
04-21-2006, 08:02 AM
I've been considering the 350 but i'm really leaning towards something AWD and keeping the 240. Great pick regardless.

+ 1 for wondering what happened to buying a NSX.

exitspeed
04-21-2006, 08:08 AM
I haven't had the privelage of driving a Z. Does it feel like a heavy car?

Anyway congrats on the purchase. If I got a new Z i'd hunt down that cool dark red/brown/purple-ish color. So sexy.

sean350z
04-21-2006, 08:32 AM
it does feel like it should lose a couple hundred pounds, that is my one and well i shouldn't say only pet peive of my 350. there are many little minor problems (window motors, glass grease, axle clicking, etc) that er me. such a great car though and for the money and performance you can't really beat it. glad i got a 100,000mi warranty though :)

OptionZero
04-21-2006, 10:52 AM
Did you consider the EVO or S2000, both cars as fast but purportedly with more "hardcore"-ness (evo has turbo, s2000 is far lighter + helical diff stock)

aznpoopy
04-21-2006, 11:07 AM
iirc 350z is alot cheaper then a evo or s2k, brand new anyway.

sykikchimp
04-21-2006, 11:24 AM
As far as the NSX goes.. I test drove a couple. Beautiful car, but it felt dated, and the high maintenance costs drove me away.

One of my good buddies has an s2000. While it is a fun and nimble car, it lacks the grunt and visceral feel of the Z. It's a fun car.. just to "honda" for me. haha

EVO is ugggly.. can't pimp an ugly car. :fruit: same reason I didn't even look at the Sti.

I would NOT say either car is more hardcore than the Z.. both the Evo and S2000 make concessions in their performance.. The EVO has 4 doors and 4 seats so carries more weight than it has too. The S2000 is a vert and losses a certain amount of regidity and adds a little weight. You can't even get a sunroof on the Z. The Z is the only real serious sports car for under $70,000 (aka porsche caymen/997/vette)

I wouldn't say it feels heavier.. but it definately takes mroe effort to drive. My s13 always had very light steering. Everything on the Z is tighter and more solid. The high door sills make it 'feel' a little heavier when your inside and it's not really possible to cruie with your elbow hangin out the window. :coolugh:

I don't feel it's any less nimble than the 240 was. With a set of coilovers, I could see it being even more so.

sykikchimp
04-21-2006, 11:34 AM
iirc 350z is alot cheaper then a evo or s2k, brand new anyway.

not really..

MSRP on a Z's goes from 27,650-35,850
MSRP on an EVO is from 29,140 - 36,299
MSRP on a s2000: 34,050

you CAN get a Z cheaper, but if you want comparable features and appointments.. they are all in the same price range. :)

Omarius Maximus
04-21-2006, 05:10 PM
I think the only concession an S2000 makes in terms of performance is a lack of torque, otherwise when your between 6000-9000rpm it actually is a more exciting car than the z. Its actually one of the stiffest cars out there as well, much stiffer than a 240, a z roadster and probably on par if not stiffer than a normal z coupe. Its hard to tell which of the two is stiffer because the z is softly sprung and you cant really feel the rigidity of the car when the springs absorb the majority of the movement. But both cars are aimed at different markets, and a z is a nice ass car regardless.

OptionZero
04-21-2006, 05:32 PM
for me...

S2k:
-lighter than 350z *despite* being a vert; acceleration will be similar thanks to the weight advantage
-helical diff > viscous
-looks better than 350z (opinion)
-reportedly a sweet shifter, perfectly made

-lack of torque
-gotta buy a hardtop for maximum safety on the track
-shitty wheel sizing

EVO:
-not ugly like some people think, i like the look
-interior room
-turbo thats been around a while
-smart 4wd
-better tires stock
-reportedly superior driving feel (steering, grip, ride, balance)

-reliability/warrantee as a new car (i'd never buy new, i'd go used)
-cost of replacing the stock tires

350z seems more...daily driver/pimp-like, especially since the cost of parts on a 6cyl is generally gonna be more IIRC

but hey, i need to drive these cars myself instead of just talkin to owners

Omarius Maximus
04-21-2006, 05:58 PM
Trust me when I say this, if you drive an s2000 the position and layout and feel will be very very very simialar to an S14. Its different mechanically with the shifter and the drivetrain, but I swear if it had a ka24 in it, you'd think its a structurally reinforced s14 with coilovers on it. The evo doesn't appeal to me either mainly because of lack of warranty coverage on top of a relatively unreliable car otherwise its nice. Its expensive to maintain as well. If you have to replace one tire, then you might as well replace all of them cause different tire sizes destroy the cars differentials. leaky transfer cases and bad trannys are also a problem. So far I've looked at an 03 350z, an 03 s2000, and an 05 evo GSR with SSL. Soon I'll go test drive the RX-8 since they are rebating that car up big time. It'll be one of those for sure. So far the S2000 is in the lead. Hey OptionZero, just go to a dealership and say you want a test drive. They'll let you drive it, the only negative is having to deal with the salesman but otherwise its basically free. Just drive up say your interested and bam your driving them.

fatalfury64
04-21-2006, 06:39 PM
Any of these cars are nice. I gotta say that the S2000 and Z would be my top pick. It'll be one of these if I had the money.

S14DriftR
04-21-2006, 06:56 PM
Awesome choice man, I was considering both a z33 and S2k for my new ride, was actually looking into nsx a little too. I ended up settling for an FD with low miles owned by a 61yr old retired guy that was meticulous on maintence and upkeep. i still want a Z33 someday tho.

sykikchimp
04-21-2006, 07:36 PM
I do agree the s2k is sweet.. I seriously considered it. 3 things kept me from buying it.

#1 - I dont fit. :( comfortably at least. I'm 6'4" 205lbs
#2 - no torque (this is actually the main reason I picked up an 03 over an 05 with the new high rev engines.. the 03 feels better in the low end. purely preference.)
#3 - soft top maintenance and trackability (very minor issue)

The big reason was i didn't fit. Otherwise it would have been a MUCH harder decision. Both are fantastic cars.

sean350z
04-21-2006, 08:10 PM
you made a wise choice jetti...now turn the VDC off

Boney
04-21-2006, 09:30 PM
i worked at nissan for a year and everytime i drove a z it impessed me.. its just plain confident. not to mention the improvements on the 2006 models are awesome... bi xenon redesigned headlights, rays wheels, speed sensitive steering.. great car, great choice. Need a winter car though, moving those in the snow is impossible, unless your in a warm climate :-/

sean350z
04-21-2006, 09:35 PM
i have a set of snows for my Z33 and it's def helped in those 'shit it's snowing i have to leave early' situations. not too hard to control the car as long as you aren't stopped on a steep hill then you're screwed.

if anyone debates buying a Z b/c of the climate rethink!!! it's not TOO bad of a car in the snow for rwd imo!

Omarius Maximus
04-22-2006, 01:21 AM
Yeah the Z has torque and it's just easier to drive fast compared to the s2000. I think a lot of S2000 owners get cocky about the cars specific output but fail to realize how inefficient it is considering the fact that you have to floor it to 5000rpm in the first couple of gears to actually get moving. And driving on the freeway with the engine buzzing at those rpms is annoying too. You literally have to row the car with the damn shifter to get it moving while Daily driving so in my opinion VQ>F20 for everyday use. Its hard to beat that rush you get between 6k and 9k haha. Congratulations on the car, I am still seriously considering purchasing one. Now let me go drive an RX-8.....

OptionZero
04-22-2006, 04:20 PM
i'm told the s2k gets inferior mileage to a "gas-guzzling (LOL)" z06

that's funny...that a 500hp car can be driven more easily and efficiently than a 240hp s2k.

fliprayzin240sx
04-22-2006, 05:01 PM
Ive been actually looking for my next car when/after I sell my S14. Ive been looking at either a 350 or a G35. I wanted a EVo ro STi too, thats until i checked on on insurance....NYeH...no thanks!!! S2k, my boy got one, i like it but the suspensions too stiff for a stock car. You feel every bump or what not on the road. I dont see myself buying it for that reason. Thats the reason im selling my S14. I need something more practical for a daily driver and comfortable *i miss my AC*

OptionZero
04-22-2006, 05:03 PM
i'm waiting for a used Kabura

Ricks15
04-22-2006, 08:48 PM
350's are very nice cars for the money but If I were in the market for a new performance car right now. Sadly id have to go for the Evo9 I dissagree with you guys that its ugly it not bad looking and god damnn is it fast, Id bet some of you guys would find it a bit of a challenge trying to drive it at first becasue its got so much power:naughty:

drifter101
04-22-2006, 09:11 PM
why hasnt anyone mentioned the elise? i belive the elise is less than 70,000 and is more hardcore about being a sports car than a z.

drift freaq
04-22-2006, 09:30 PM
why hasnt anyone mentioned the elise? i belive the elise is less than 70,000 and is more hardcore about being a sports car than a z.
Maybe.. because its got a little Toyota 4 cylinder engine in it, not putting out that much Horsepower, compared to the cars they are talking about?
Plus it starts at like 40k.

Yuri
04-24-2006, 02:59 PM
Here's my current daily:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/Yurikaze/evowarehouse.jpg

i love the warranty on it, 60,000 bumper to bumper(rare on an evo), 100,000 powertrain.
Handling is amazingly telepathic.
My only gripe is the $1000 every 6000 miles for the advans, hence I'm currently running Dunlop FM901's
I'm thinking when it comes time to replace it, I'll get one of the following:
2005 Lotus Elise (whenever)
2006 Evolution IX SE (this summer)
200X Mazda Kabura with the rotory. (when launched)
200X Nissan GTR (one year after launch)

NemeGuero
04-24-2006, 03:39 PM
Pics! Thread is worthless without pics!

Haha, j/k. congrats on the car mang.