Hi,
Apologies for the long first post, but I'm really tempted to try another Z and I'm looking for some guidance. Story starts with a Boxster S, loved the car initially but after a series of massive bills for a failed air oil separator I had to move it on.
Did some research and came up with a 350Z, loved the brutal looks and that meaty V6. Had a 2004 with the GT pack and 70k miles. Ran the car for 18 months and to be fair it didn't cost me anything other than consumables a set of discs and pads, some tyres and a service. However with the need for a more economical daily I ended up trading it in for a diesel Passat estate. I have to admit I didn't feel that bad waving the Z off.
The problems I had I gather were pretty common, stereo cutting out, window motors failing and the ongoing sound of seemingly steel girders rattling around in the back over ever small bump, all minor issues that I have to admit I simply ignored after spending so much on the Boxster. Also the clutch rattled in neutral unless the pedal was right down. The car always felt to heavy and wasn't as sure footed as the Boxster, although much more planted at high speed to it's credit. I think this felt worse due to some sort of electronic shenanigans through the first couple of gears, left it feeling a little dull on acceleration initially.
But now the miles are right down, the Passat is making me feel dead inside every time I dawdle to work and I wonder if I might have been to hard on the Z. I think if I'd taken more care and used the information available here I could have had a better experience. I've had a bit of a read up on the forums already - stereo, windows all able to be fixed reasonably easily.
Car is limited through some way through the lower gears until I have ECU somethinged. I've never considered having this service on a car I've owned so I'm a little behind on the possibilities. I see that Abbey do offer such a service but they're a long way from me, I'm stuck in south Lincolnshire so I don't think we've got anything similar around here and no specialists either. Do they offer a package for the most common mods?
Rattling seems to be a compression bush? Or a banana bar, again if we have a specialist closer it's something I would really like to see fixed if I go around again.
Clutch is a weak point, aftermarket ones seem to be recommended. But the plate isn't the part I think that caused the rattle?
I put very little into the last car, if I go ahead again on a Z I plan to spend a little more to enjoy the car - but I would want to get value on any work done. I have a budget between £8k and £9k depending on the price I get for the Passat, I'd like a 06 or newer facelift model, I think the HR models are going to be out of budget. Coupe in black or blue.
All a bit of a ramble, but any sense people can make of it would be extremely appreciated. Short version is simply if you would buy one again and what would you have done to the car to enjoy it more? Cheers.
Stewart