NeilMH Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Having had a Westfield, then 2 Caterham 7s in succession and then an Elise - for the first time ever I took my time looking around and testing different cars. What I wanted was the same feeling of an "event" that I got with those cars but without some of the compromises. I worked my way through a reasonably long list and ended up with two short list contenders - Alfa 147 GTA or 350Z. In particular I wanted emotional content, a good compromise between ride and handling, an engine that sounded good, performance levels not dissimilar to what I had before but with some creature comforts. I had a leaning towards the 350z because I had driven one on a Jonathan Palmer day and I loved it (it was torrential rain and I barely spent any time facing the way I was supposed to be going). My concern was how would it drive on the road and in particular would the roadster be wobbly compared to the coupe. To cut a long story short, I've bought a roadster and I love it. It's completely standard, low mileage, full history. My particular preference is for the standard size wheels and 45 profile tyres which I have (due to the 1950s style East European type rutted roads we have in this area), but I drove another on 20s and was surprised by how good the ride was even on that set-up. I also found that the roadster seems to drive in a very similar way to the coupe - but I understand that the 350 was always designed with a soft top version in mind. One thing that has surprised me is that you seem to get a good reaction from other drivers - even the tyre people seemed unusually pleasant - in a similar way that I had with the Caterham.... so far anyway. It seems to be a car that people like/don't resent. The only thing I've done so far is to change the 040s to 050As (ATZ) - the backs were near the legal limit anyway. Anyway - it's good to be here. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Welcome to the forum. Good to see another member from surrey. There are lots of us now. A number of us are getting together for the good wood breakfast club on the 5th dec. You should come along and meet the gang. Glad you are loving the car, they are great fun. I know what you mean about the roads, you would think given they make so much off council tax in this county that they could at least invest back in the roads. Got any pics of your new toy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Hi Neil, I am pretty sure we have met somewhere else. Did you get the drop links sorted. Roadster rule btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 I don't have any decent pictures yet Will -- but as soon as I do, I'll find out how to post them. I used to go to the Goodwood breakfasts on a regular basis. If there is any way I can get to the December one I will. It may be my imagination but I am convinced that the roads in Surrey are significantly worse than those in Sussex or Hampshire - it makes a nice change not to be cringing and gritting my teeth every time I see a rut that I can't avoid. In the Elise (an S1) it always looked as if I was trying to get heat into my tyres! Hello Martin - not yet - I may even leave it until the spring - it seems like its not a big deal. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Surrey is trying to overtake Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITZ@CougarStore Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Welcome to the forum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry3167 Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Hello and welcome m8! Im guessing youre from Caterham, if so..im in Hooley!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Here's the link to the breakfast meet in case you fancy signing up. viewtopic.php?f=93&t=42422&hilit=breakfast Roadsters own, had mind for a few months and still absolutely love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 Thanks for the link Will. Jerry - yes I'm very near to Caterham (Old Coulsdon). Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT4 Zed Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Blooming Surrey lot though ! Soon be able to walk from one end of the County to the other on a line of Zeds ya really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 hi from another Surrey based Z owner, we are all from the best area arent us Surrey boys and gals. ope you enjoy your car , I do like the roadsters , could even think about swopping my Red Coupe for a Roadster. enjoy and look forward to the sun next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 It was fate. On my way down to test drive the car, on the Surrey stretch of the A3, I was passed by three 350Zs in convoy (sort of), which is probably quite a rare event. Or maybe not...... Only thing that I have found that takes a little bit of getting used to is the gear change - it's quite unique - easy but very precise almost as if it has a metal gate. The way its sprung also seems slightly unusual around 4/5/6th - you have to be accurate with it. And - if I was being really picky the throttle response doesn't always seem perfectly linear. I presume these are normal quirks. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 The gearbox takes a bit of getting used to but you will be fine soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 When was this.....? There wasn't a 370 involved was there? It was fate. On my way down to test drive the car, on the Surrey stretch of the A3, I was passed by three 350Zs in convoy (sort of), which is probably quite a rare event. Or maybe not...... Only thing that I have found that takes a little bit of getting used to is the gear change - it's quite unique - easy but very precise almost as if it has a metal gate. The way its sprung also seems slightly unusual around 4/5/6th - you have to be accurate with it. And - if I was being really picky the throttle response doesn't always seem perfectly linear. I presume these are normal quirks. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 Saturday 6th November - about 9.30am. There could well have been a 370 - I wasn't a pucker 350/370 observer at that stage - I will now be paying a lot more attention as to the differences between the two so that I don't embarrass myself! I test drove on 6th and picked it up on 13th Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racinggreen Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Welcome to the forum. Good to see another Roadster here . Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwanageDave Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 From a x seven owner and also a lovely little robin hood.seems the way to go with the Zed, I am looking to buy another hood in the next few weeks tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 My hood was in good condition but a bit faded. I have just been treating it with Renovo. What a fiddly job the reviver bit is. However careful I was it still involved me leaping about like a frog on a pogo stick with a wet cloth and kitchen towel to remove dripping black goo from the paintwork/windows etc. Even when you can't see a single potential drip they seem to materialise as if through an alien force. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Hi Neil & to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Welcome to the forum and hopefully to meet up on the breakfast club run on the 5th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Welcome to the crazy place, superb colour choice I have to say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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