Goochie

 

At least it's not difficult to engage yet

I dont like the sound of that - is it a common problem ?

My Z roadster has done a little over 1000 miles, so this morning I decided to give it it's first propper drive to work on some nice empty B roads

It went very well but one thing I did ntice was that the gearbox seemed to become noticable looser and when stationary you really could hear the gearchange when I changed from one gear to the next.

I assume it is the gearbox oil that has thinned with the heat?

Is this normal?

Go on then, who is this

My boss sold a R43 Skyline GTR for a TVR Tuscan 2. He hardly ever drives the car because its either missfiring or has a flat battery. He says it is purely dangerous to drive in the wet.

Was very interested in the Z though when I popped the demo car into work

Quoted £835 a year for me and the wife (aged 25 and 24 respectively)

The 350 is more than £350 cheaper for me to insure than an S2000.

The 350Z demo car I had squeeked after just 1700 miles. The S2000 demo car was a p/x vehicle with 30k miles and had no squeeks or rattles at all.

Just wondered what other cars people considered when buying the Z ?

Obvious choices are the S2000, RX8 and Crossfire because of their roadsterness But what else attracts a potential 350Z owner ?

I've read on another car forum that it applies to cars registered AFTER today only.

I saw that reg on a grey roadster pictures in an article on the web last week (I think it was MSN cars)

Porsche used to do the same with "911 HUL" and Evans Halshaw Ferrari switch "EHF 1" from one demo car to the next.

True, the S2000 does have a lack of cabin space - mostly because of the huge transmission tunnel. However, the seats have a littl emore width mid-back.

Cant wait until the weekend to be honest, may well call the guy and ask if I can borrow it for this evening instead

I assume the back can be delicately provoked with the right foot ala S2000 ?

When pushing on through winding B roads does the Z tend to understeer first ala RX8 ?

It would be fun to try and find the car's limit on a large roundabout at some point, I assume with the ESP on it wont allow any drifting antics? Is the ESP truely off when switched off?

The S2000 has no ESP and drifted the rear brilliantly on a roundabout. Totally controlled and great fun.

Is the "limit" easy to find on the 350Z?

Have you consideered running TomTom software on a smart phone? You dont have the hassle of the wires (assuming the battery is changed), it will use an in-car kit for the sound and you take it with you when you leave the car.

I've been using a Nokia 6600 with TomTom for a good 8 months and it is fantastic, the only thing you cant do is change settings or destination on the move - but you shouldnt be doing that with any system.

All you woul dnee dto fit is a simple clamp type docking station to the dash or by suction cup on the screen.

I must say I never noticed a shift light Glad that it doesnt go "bong" like the RX8 though.

I've found all 3 are totally different to drive, to be honest. Any of them would greta but its a damn hard decision to make.

I think Mr Nissan is keen to squeeze in a sale before month end though, hence the offer of a second extended test drive.

Hmmmm.. naughty sales man told me it was an adjustable limiter - where is the limmiter set and why would you need a light when you've got such a nice rev counter and a pairs of ears ?

Seats may be a turn-off if they're not adjustable for width RX8 and S2000 have a little more width and felt a bit more comfortable.

Further to my Roadster test drive last week I've arranged a few hours in a coupe for this saturday, before I go there are a couple of things I wasnt sure of on the roadster and would try in the coupe if possible.

1) Can you adjust the width of the seat back bolsters? I found they were a little too tight for my broad back and would like the ability to get a little more comfortable.

2) How do you adjust the variable rev limiter?

3) Anything else that you think will impress me? I'll be spending the whole time with the window down driving round looking for tunnels and bridges as it is.... oh the noise !

Mike - I have set your car to our windows desktop wallpaper, hope you dont mind.

I'm waiting to test a coupe version on the 18th - the dealer has said I can have it for the whole morning Still undecided on coupe or roadster to be honest.

It will be a company car, nice rules at our place that say "have what ever you like up to £30k"

I'm in Tamworth, Staffs.

Had a Roadster on a hour unaccompanied test yesterday and I'm now smitten!

Hello to all those who discovered the 350Z long ago, when I was too busy eying up S2000's

Dont suppose anyone has a WAV or MP3 file of the engine noise I can play to my wife?