z350convert Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Have looked over 5 cars now to get a feel of what to expect. A couple of them have been a little noisy as clutch is released in neutral, just sitting with the car idling. Do they sometimes have a noisy thrust bearing? Found out today, there is no cam belt to worry about every 3 or 4 years - well done Nissan. What do you guys manage on fuel consumption around town with a light right foot and what would you get on open rural roads when you are having fun? What are the pros and cons convertible v fast back please? I told you I was going to be b nuisance! Now here is a funny thing - member from my current club sent me this..."Swapping a Westfield for a 350z... You'll regret it. I had a similar thought with a S2000. It lasted six weeks before it got sold and a westfield was in the garage. In 2004/2005 when the 350z just came out and reversing camera's were a great selling point I almost got one. But the Alfa 156 was a far better drive and much nicer car. Thanks to the depreciation of Alfa Romeo you'll probably get a lot of car for your money! Good luck with your decision, but hire a 350z for a weekend, it's like a Almera to drive!" I can't comment yet because I have yet to drive one, hope to tomorrow, but you can!!! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveRS Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Welcome along Clutch noise is normal at idle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Lots of fuel consumption info here:- http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/65389-london-to-edinburgh-on-one-tank-results-p3-p4/page__hl__edinburgh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arran Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Clearly the bloke knows nothing about 350z's, they are a very composed balanced drive with plenty of get up and go. Looks great, has a great interior setup and quality. Then there's the noise. A Westfield is fine if you want flies in your face but if you want a nice GT car then the 350 can't be beaten especially £ for £ Drive a nice example and you'll soon release he's talking @*!# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 A couple of them have been a little noisy as clutch is released in neutral, just sitting with the car idling. Do they sometimes have a noisy thrust bearing? What do you guys manage on fuel consumption around town with a light right foot and what would you get on open rural roads when you are having fun? What are the pros and cons convertible v fast back please? 1 Normal 2. Around 20 in towns and 26-28 when pushing it a bit. 3. Roadsters look great with the roof down , a bit awkward with it up. Hoods can leak a touch around the top of the window and shouldn't be operated below 5 degrees. Road noise is obviously a bit higher than on a coupe, they are also one insurance group higher. On a more positive note, roadsters are fairly uncommon and tend to hold their value better. Finally, you can get more luggage in a coupe although there is some extra available space in the hood storage area (kinda awkward to get at though) Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 you won't regret buying a z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Who the hell cites a reversing camera as a good selling point for a car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taras Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 lol. How can you compare a Z to an Almera? What is your budget and location? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4RE Leather Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Now here is a funny thing - member from my current club sent me this..."Swapping a Westfield for a 350z... You'll regret it. I had a similar thought with a S2000. It lasted six weeks before it got sold and a westfield was in the garage. In 2004/2005 when the 350z just came out and reversing camera's were a great selling point I almost got one. But the Alfa 156 was a far better drive and much nicer car. Thanks to the depreciation of Alfa Romeo you'll probably get a lot of car for your money! Good luck with your decision, but hire a 350z for a weekend, it's like a Almera to drive!" I can't comment yet because I have yet to drive one, hope to tomorrow, but you can!!! Thanks Coming on here quoting Almera to a Zed is akin to going into a Glasgow Rangers pub on your own dressed in the green and white hoops shouting down you go down you go!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 sorry wrong emoticon, that should have been Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z350convert Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 I LIKE THIS OWNERS CLUB!!!! Thanks for all the feed back, I look forward to meeting you sometime soon. By the way I am in West Wickham, Kent and once I can sell my Westfield in the early Spring (Feb/March hopefully) I shall be looking to spend 6 - 7k ish. Not a huge budget I know but it will be for my Sunday dawn patrols and blatting down to see my grandchildren etc. Not an everyday car with that fuel consumption! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arran Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I run mine everyday it isn't really that bad I find, 20-23 round town so £50 lasts me about 8 days doing about 15-25 miles a day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 ....but hire a 350z for a weekend, it's like a Almera to drive!" Dammit. Did I buy the wrong car? So this guy's telling me if I'd bought the Almera, I could of had exactly the same driving experiences and grin factor of the Zed, but with cheaper running costs, cheaper tax, more seats and more praticality? I never even knew Almera's were RWD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z350convert Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 Well I know. The view this chap expressed was well meaning I am sure but I can't understand it. This is the follow up note I got.... "The S2000 had no torque and not a true drivers car. It was too heavy, too cumbersome and too detached from the road. Looks great and at silly RPM, so silly speeds, it impressed, but just didn't feel as sharp as I feel it should. A bit about me, raced go karts for ages, ran a go kart track in my last unit. Raced motorbikes from 15yrs old for 5 yrs and had gsxr 1000 Ducati 748 and a 916... As well as several others. But that's where I'm coming from. My road cars were a 1976 mini 1275 as a first car, had it 8 years and had pretty much every fast road component and twin webers that spat flames by the time it was stolen! Had many other cars at the same time including Alfa 156 GTA, MGBGT, MG Midget (which I loved and put several engines in and ended up with a MG Metro 1530cc turbo when I sold it). So my driving likes are raw components and feeling an organic part of the car. I found the 350z a bit of a plastic toy to impress lady's and blokes down the pub. I didn't find the ride accurate and delicate enough... Basically same kinda story as the S2000. I borrowed my mums 1985 911 for a few months, that was amazing to drive. So I feel it is a personal preference. I feel everyone's choice in car will be different. In a few years I may want comfort, warmth and a smooth magic carpet style ride and buy a Jaguar. I just think most people that sell a Westfield want another one..." I still fancy a 350z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Lol if he thought an s2k was heavy a zed had no chance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 I think in a nutshell what this guy is trying to say is, if you want the out-and-out excitement of a go-kart, motorcycle or seat an inch off the floor driving experience of a Westfield, you're not gonna find it in a 350Z. I've had (and still got) some of the bikes he mentions, and they're fantastic at what they do. They're sports bikes. My Ducati has a dry clutch, with an open clutch cover. Unless you knew this, you'd think it sounded like it was about to fall to pieces. Sounds like a socket set in a biscuit tin. It's my toy, it's not a commuter bike. At the end of the day, it's horses for courses. I use my 350Z everyday and do about 1000 miles a month. I love it. I've had many cars and after about 9 months, I start getting bored and looking at what I can get next. I've now had my Zed 9 months and I'm now looking at what I can get next for it. (Yes I have Zeditis). Take some out for a test drive. See if it ticks YOUR boxes on the list that YOU want from a car. It's a great car. And I'm sorry, but when did impressing ladies and blokes down the pub become a bad thing? Did I miss that memo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Welcome Along Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z350convert Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 Yes I have seen the future..and it's Z shaped I looked at another one today but couldn't get my hands on it to drive because it was in the showroom in Wallington, Surrey. Have been passenger but not the driver yet, but they feel great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-monster Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I bought the first one I test drove. If you can get a 57 plate onward car they have the 313 engines and a rev limit to make the gods @*!# themselves, and a noise thats thrilling too. You won't regret it, it's a car that rewards for both smooth driving and hooning, and is an excellent mile muncher. It's presently sitting in the driveway in the rain and even now I'm in disbelief that I own such an awesome car. I've given myself goosebumps just looking at it. Go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arran Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 Cmw cars in wallington? Orange droptop by chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEMAN Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I bought mine a couple of months back. I was the first one ive ever had a look at, test drove it, and bought it ! Whent from a jag to the 350z & love the car. Its given me the fun factor again........... Just bear in mind the higher road tax on later cars. And welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bockaaarck Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 (edited) No need to tell you that the driving experience from the Westfield will be different but as much fun in its own way. The Zed for the most part isn't going to touch the Westfield in 0-60 stakes but the grunt, effort and sound of getting there will. The Zed won't be as nimble as the Westfield as it is fundamentally a GT car, so you can't drive it with your arse hanging out in quite the same way. That being said, managing and accounting for the weight and GT set up when making 'progress' is a pleasurable challenge in itself, especially because the balance of the Zed is so good. For scooting out along decent A roads with a few challenges, twists and turns the Zed really is good fun and it's rewarding when you get the opportunity to drive it in those circumstances. For a car with a keenness to 'get up and go' and a ratio of power, balance and poise which can be exploited to sublime proportions when driven well, when roads and conditions allow, its cracking value for money. I think its that final element which at the end is important. For the money you're looking to spend you will get a car that will have a character and will be a lot of fun to own and drive. Plus there's a great forum and social side as you can probably tell Edited December 22, 2012 by Bockaaarck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z350convert Posted December 22, 2012 Author Share Posted December 22, 2012 Yes that's the one. Cmw cars in wallington? Orange droptop by chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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