drewbie

Already been there so talking from experience. Girlfriend, then baby, fast car went ( WRX STi ) and sensible car came in. Didn't care as had more to care/worry about. Always promised I would get one back ASAP. Once prams were out of way got a brand new Cooper S (05) as a start back onto the fast road. Went for Cooper but just not enough power at all. S was such good fun round town as you can really give it full welly - not something you can do in a Zed. Ride was very harsh though - you can read the writing on a grid plate through your arse ! No issues on quality ( steering racks were prone to failure ) but a few rattles - should be at home after the Zed ! Swapped in in the end for a new 350Z GT Roadster which I have been after since they come out. Circle of life etc, your just at a different point. Enjoy whatever you end up with, but enjoy your family more - they're what count, and when you finally get both it's heaven.

just awesome. love how this top end ICE stuff looks, can't believe you have donje it yourself. RESPECT!

Hi Bud, Welcome to the club. I've only been a member for 8 months since I bought a new Zed. Great people. Friendly meets. Fantastic advice. What's the Zed you've got ? PS If you every meet 'bigphil' don't reveal your credit limit on your card. He will offer you beautiful shiny things that you won't be able to resist, the bigger your limit the more he shows you things you didn't realise you MUST have. I told him as was a recovering bankrupt, if he ever finds out about the £20k + limit I think I'll end up with a full race spec rebuild !

I'm with martin on that one. I work my a**e off, pay mounting bills, sort out a family, I'd go mad without the Zed. Whatever it costs I need it !

Hi Johnny The oil pressure isn't SPEED dependant, it's RPM dependant, ie the faster the engine is revving the more oil it needs and therefore the higher the pressure. At full revs the oil pressure gauge will be topping out too - whatever gear or therefore final speed. At idle the oil pressure will fall right down. Quick test that all's OK is just to slowly rev engine in neutral and watch the pressure steadily climb. Final point is too watch dealer on services - mines used standard oil from stock on last one and then had to drain it all and replace when I pointed out it should be at least semi-synthetic - personally I use full synthetic due to the extended service periods. Hope this helps.

Awesome article that will save me over £50 a wheel from now on. Thanks for taking so much time and care to write it. I have given it the wife and expect her to get to work once she has finished the weeding. I've added it to the detailing work I've given her for tomorrow - don't worry, I'll be coming back from the pub periodically to check it's going to be up to the Welsh drive out std.

that sounds v.bad I've hit the rev limiter a couple of times since having mine and had the engine cut the power for a second - usually whilst trying to beat another car to a fast get away and leaving me look like a right div. Comes straight back though and let's me keep playing. Really sorry your Z ownership experience has been so negative. I got mine 6 mnths ago after wanting a sports car for decades. Lovin' my choice, still just keep going out for pointless drives. Get Well Soon !

Looking good.......and what a colour .....so much more appealing than the safe choices of black and grey! (editor notes the author may be biased).

Can't say I have spotted mine doing this - it's been so wet anyway, but my Audi deposits water underneath the car if I've been on a decent run. Apparently it is the Air Con condenser. Removes water from the air as it cools it and then when you stop and turn off the engine it drops it onto the floor just under engine on drivers side. I didn't beleive them at first but after 3 yrs and no fluid levels ever been topped up i guess they right. Maybe this, but get it checked out if your concerned, especially with it being brand new. Hope you get it sorted.

Bugger, that's spoilt my plans. I should have checked. Sorry. In that case I'm going to use Pirelli P Zero Rosso Assimetrico. Even better than the Goodyears but pricey. For details of independant tests on most tyres for dry and wet grip, together with road noise and wear properties use www.mytyres.co.uk .

Independant tests from Germany etc show the grip and braking power of the 'stones R40 to be particularly poor. Not dangerous, just poor. I have to agreee with them having had a few sticky moments when not particularly pushing it. The grippier the tyre the less miles you'll get out of them. Sticky rubber is very soft and therefore wears out. Hard rubber doens'tt grip so well but lasts ages. You pay your money and make your choice. Certain Goodyear Eagle sports models are awesome in wet and dry. I have had them on other hogh performance cars and been amazed at the increase in grip levels, especially wet grip. My cars only got 4k on the clock at the minute but I'll be getting them on mine very soon. They're not cheap though !

Hi Guys Just a word of warning from an ex Insurance manager. Any modifications made to your cars - and from what I've seen almost every member has changed something - has to be notified to your insurers. If you don't they can refuse to pay out. New wheels,spoilers,lights, stereos, etc etc all make the car more desirable and statistically more likely to crash - hence increase risk. When I worked for a very reputable firm they refused to pay out for a write off as when they saw it they realised it had different alloys to std! BE WARNED. PS don't shoot the messenger - and I have since left and now make an honest days pay in a different area.

I got a Panasonic Vierra Plasma 42" - totally awesome on any picture source. You have to watch dealers. They often use HD sources in the shop to give best picture. A lot of poorer screens only show up their faults once you connect them to a std aerial or sky. Everyone that comes round can't believe how good the picture is even on std TV - they often think I'm on a Sky HD channel ! If you want a big one - 36"+ - then it has to be plasma. LCDs show up pixels and can't cope with fast moving pictures like sports etc. They ghost. OK if you want a smaller TV as you can't see it so easily. Got it attached to a seperate Sony 5.1 digital surround for full effect. Not found any TV with good enough speakers.

Martin, looks good. Is it from ESR ? May have to treat my roadster to one. I'll wait to see it in the flesh in Wales. Less sure about the wheels

MY stands for 'Manufacture Year'.

That's why I got a roadster..............a much more exclusive club

Always thought the original one was effeective, small, thin and unobtrusive. Each to their own I guess. Thread on the under wear much more interesting.

I have used autoglym leather cleaner and the leather conditioner on my last few cars and the leather has kept perfect. Especially with air con the leather can get very dry and you need to put the oils back into it - it's just dead skin after all. Use conditioner 3 times a year. Really quick. Just rub on and leave. Clean it first with cleaner if necessary.

Cheers, I'll give it a go. Good weekend project.

A few pieces of cardboard did the trick, but don't exactly look the part on a brand new sports car. Maybe it'll have to do until I can get it in to Nissan.

Hi Guys I have a newish GT Roadster. Trouble is when I crank up stereo the subwoofer is making the rear plastic panel vibrate and distort the sound really badly. Ruining my cruising ! The back rear panels seam split into two main parts just above the subwoofer. They don't seem to fit too tightly on mine and I think this is were the problem lies. Will take it in under warranty if I have too but wondered whether there had been similar issues out there.

Thanks to everyone who's responded and made me welcome. I have just ordered my LEDs from Holdcrofts. I take the point that I can't see them, but I'll know they're there ! And yes, I'm still grinning - apart from wet roundabouts and tight bends when it turns to a more serious and pale look as my back end tries to overtake the bonnet. Roll on a hot, dry summer.

Hi Beavis Only just joined today and seen the drive in Wales. Sounds great. I would love to be included if it's not too late. I trust fuller details will be issued nearer the event. Drewbie

Hi to All Just saying Hello as the newest member of your excellent site. I finally cashed in my savings last year and bought a new GT Roadster just before the upgraded model came in - didn't mind as got a cracking deal and upgraded vented sports seats. I do miss the new LED tail-lights though. I have read they are easy to replace, but where can I get a pair from ? If anyone knows I'd be grateful of some info. Thanks