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Long ramble, but can you Z and then come back?


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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

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Hi Stewart,

I would definitely recommend getting another Z, but have a little more patience with any niggling bits and pieces that require attention. If you're lucky, you're 8-9k budget could stretch to an HR. I paid 10k for mine 6 months ago but occasionally they pop up in your price bracket. Lots and lots of good advice on here from a friendly bunch of people, and some good traders too.

With regards to finding a local specialist to work on your car, I can't answer that one, as I am more than willing to travel for an hour or more to use a trusted and recommended garage that really knows these cars. I use cougar store in Leicester for mine. They are on this forum, along with plenty of others, which other members will also travel miles to go and see.

Look forward to seeing your new Z soon ;)

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As long as you are realistic about what you want from a car, and take what the z truly offers into account. It really is a cracking car for the money. Great v6 with bags of torque. Looks that haven't rly aged. Yea it squeaks a bit but it's a nissan, you can't have everything

Get one and enjoy it ðŸ‘

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As Steve said , you should be able to pick up an HR for around £9k. I paid 9 something 12 months back.

First off, fit a decent exhaust system. This increases enjoyment levels 10 fold, but freezes yer face off, as you always have to have the window open for that epic chorus!

Then maybe a nice set of wheels and some suspension mods. It all depends on what floats yer boat and how big your wallet is.

Its the best car I've ever owned, and I love every minute driving it :cloud9:

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For your budget you should be able to get one with fairly low mileage so shudnt reely need much wrk other than regular services, I bort my 56 plate with 43k on the clock and full service history about 3 wks ago for 9k, So far I love the car

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I want another Zed, but every time I think about getting another one I look at all the other cars out there and I just think that I want to experience different cars in my life.

 

Doesn't mean we're not still looking at swapping the Mini for one though...

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Not trying to hijack my own thread

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201503231972746/sort/ageasc/radius/1500/body-type/coupe/channel/cars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/price-to/10000/page/1/postcode/pe114sl/seller-type/trade_adverts/model/350_z/make/nissan/usedcars?logcode=p

 

Now, the VW I have is very close to the same mileage and is very neat. Can I expect a big lazy V6 and a Nissan to run happily at that sort of mileage, I know it's a little bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' type question. But this would leave a little fund to start some mods sooner rather in time.

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Not trying to hijack my own thread

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201503231972746/sort/ageasc/radius/1500/body-type/coupe/channel/cars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/price-to/10000/page/1/postcode/pe114sl/seller-type/trade_adverts/model/350_z/make/nissan/usedcars?logcode=p

 

Now, the VW I have is very close to the same mileage and is very neat. Can I expect a big lazy V6 and a Nissan to run happily at that sort of mileage, I know it's a little bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' type question. But this would leave a little fund to start some mods sooner rather in time.

 

That's a revup model isn't it. Known to use a bit of extra oil. It looks in good condition though and has a full service history.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Bumping my own thread for a little bit of advice on an 8k 07 HR model. Ticks a lot of boxes, 51k miles, black etc.

 

But is a Cat C due to an engine replacement after the original engine inhaled water and blew. The Cat C in itself doesn't bother me massively, I plan to keep the car for many years, but I'm wondering if anyone knows the car?

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£8K for a water-damaged car? No thanks.

 

Whilst I'm pretty open at buying any Cat A-D car after repair, one thing I will not touch is anything with water damage. That's the kind of thing that can cause huge grief in the long run, with issues cropping up completely unrelated to the original thing that went pop.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Haven't really had time to do anything to it as yet, but here's my recent addition. Wasn't too keen on the spoiler when I picked it up but it is growing on, the exhaust though is an after market one and I've loved that from the start :)

 

350Z%20Front_zps78sj7l4y.jpg

 

350Z%20Rear_zpsubmwc0li.jpg

 

Trying to put a little aside for a promised trip to the Cougar Store for some treats next month, see me hunting through the technical section for some tips. Some minor detailing also needed, missed out on having it done whilst at Tradelink after an eventful visit. So if anyone has any recommendation for providers in the South Lincolnshire area please shout out.

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Welcome, and nice zed!

 

If you can get up to Lincoln, Newton and Bailey are an independant Nissan specialist in the city centre who have had plenty of dealings with zeds, they used to look after my 350Z! If not, as recommended by other and you mention yourself, Cougar Store in Leicester are great!

 

I'm originally from Stamford and to my knowledge, there aren't any places down in South Lincs that would cater to your needs....

 

 

Niki :D

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