A&Q about 350Z
Q:
You might want to consider the achilles heel of the Miata: the rear suspension crossmember bracing eventually snaps in two on most all of them, and that's in areas of the country with no general rust problem. All cars have little niggles. I've worked on numerous examples of almost any non-exotic car, and I can name inherent flaws and design goofs on most anything.
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Just buy it....I just got mine knowing there might be a problem...Everytime I see mine I get more excited than a little school girl....if I do get the feathering...screw it....just means free tires for a while...kool with me
A:
Just buy the Car. It is a fantastic buy. I think these minor problems are minut compared with the over all package. This car is awesome.
Current Car- Lexus IS300
Sold the 350z:
silverstone enthusiast
Injen CAI
alpine 1004 monitor
Polk momo 6 1/4(4)
Boston Acoutic tweeters
In dash DVD
MMAT 10 inch sub w/kenwood 800 watt amp
6 disc alpine cd/mp3 changer
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Well, I wanna say buy it bc you just can't get what you get in the Z anywhere else for the money IMO, but ...
the Z and its tire CHOPPING problem to me is too much like meeting the girl of your dreams and then finding out she has a missing tooth or horrible toe fungus.
It's just well, really sad.
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"free" tires aren't really free. You have to bring your car to a dealer, have them agree that it's time for new tires and then bring it back IF Nissan approves. I don't know what your time is worth these days but mine isn't "free".
Also, Nissan will cut off the "free" tires as soon as they can by using a curb scuff on your rim as an excuse to deny the claim. I'm speaking from experience here. If you have to get "free" tires every 5K miles then it's also a pain in the ass.
A:
here here
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wait until they resolve this issue. just remember, ur paying 30 thousand, not 30 bucks.
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some people would like a sporty car, but the convenience of not having to take their auto to the shop a bunch, not having to replace tires, not having to listen to the "roar", having a much better stock stereo, having a much better paint job and having better quality interior components just outweighs the benefit for them
so maybe they'll just wait a few years.
personally, I had rather have an auto that is built better than one that is sporty, but sporty is definitely fun. don't get me wrong, I would consider the Z to be built quite well if these issues were resolved.
A:
"Some people only need one car that drives in the snow. They may have better things to do with their money than buy two cars."
this may be the first true thing ZNESS has ever said. and those people that have better things to spend their money on besides a Z have no reason to be on a Z forum whining. IF YOU DONT LIKE THE Z CAUSE ITS ONLY GOT 2 SEATS, OR ITS TOO SLOW, OR YOU CANT DRIVE IT IN THE SNOW, OR THE TIRES FEATHER, OR THE RADIO ISNT UP TO YOUR STANDARDS, AND THE PAINT IS BAD, THEN GET THE HELL OFF THE FORUM AND QUIT WASTING THE TIME OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIKE THEIR CARS. CAUSE ITS NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL US WHETHER WE LIKE OUR CARS OR NOT. I CAN FIGURE THAT OUT ON MY OWN. SHEESH!! ITS A FREAKIN 2 SEAT SPORTS CAR ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A HONDA CIVIC.
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So this forum is strictly for you guys to congratulate yourselves on your fine purchase?
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well its certainly not for whiners that dont like the car in the first place and or dont own one...what does that accomplish? legitimant concerns and questions about problems are great and the occasional b!tching but these guys are just straight whiners that dont stop. they've said it once and they feel like the rest of us should hear it again and again. its a first year car, theres bound to be problems. anyone who bought it thinking otherwise was just being ignorant. I have no problem discussing tire feathering, I ve done it for over a year now on this board and believe me ive complained too. but some people just take it too far to the point that they are no longer on the board to get answers and give good opinions theyre ONLY here to whine.
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sounds like you're doing a bit of whining yerself.
bring it on, sweety.
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arghhhh...i give up, its useless. commence your b!tching fellas. I think i will try to stay away from the ranting I can see its not doing a lick of good. If you read most of my posts they are generally helpfull. someone asks a question I give them an answer. I ve been on this board for over 2 years and Ive seen all the complaints and such which is fine(ive done it myself), if your ligit. its just the guys that come here that dont answer questions and dont give helpfull or insightfull info that really irk me, which is why i tend to get off topic sometimes. Im not tryng to attack the good people on this board who are really here becuase they're an enthusiast or their interested in the car( good way or bad) just the ones that come to stir up crap without good intentions. its a wonder how none of this stuff goes on at my350z.com, I think this board is just a little to close, everyone knows each others demeanors i guess. that and its just plain easier to troll here.
A:
I would wait until the tire issue get resolved.
A:
Owning both, niether of which I drive in the snow I can offer my insight, although the Miata ia a 1990 and far better than a 2004 miata.
I love the Z, think the tire feathing thing is solved an am holding my breath. This is unpleasent and takes away from the great enjoyment of the car. I do not like having to replace my tires at less than 30 k miles nonetheless.
I utterly love the Miata , and that is why I still have it. Well cared for 132,000 miles, looks like new, all original with only an occassional dead battery being a problem. Tire issues are a non-issue getting 35 to 45 K miles from a set of performance tires. The Miata is slightly modded with a header a CAI, and is stil an exhilirating rush to drive every time I get in it. More intense than the Z, and a different kind of exhiliration. Honestly, the early Miata's were overbuilt and are quite surdy, reliable and tossable, and very, very quick when properly modded. They have a fun factor like no other.
The Z does have more raw power and torque than the Z, but if I had to choose btween the 1990 Mazda Miata, and the 2003 Track Z, the Z would have to go. The Z would have to go.
Subnote - The Miata does go very well in the snow with good snow tires on it. The Z - Snow tires do not exist in that size, and the wonderful car dos not go very well in the snow if at all. Neither of these cars belongs in the snow, nor deserves to be. $1000 is all it takes to buy a good beater for the snow.
A:
The factory tires on the Z aren't meant to last 30k miles even if the "feathering" issue didn't exist. 15k-20k are about all one could expect from them under optimal conditions. My rears wore out at about 20k (feathering is relegated to the fronts only). So realistically if one replaces the front tires on the Z at about 10k miles when the roaring gets bad, you're losing 33 to 50% of the treadlife, not 66%.
In alternate sizes, all kinds of options open up to what replacement tires to put on the Z. Ones that last longer and stand up to the feathering better are available.
I'm running Sumitomo HTR+ all-season W-rated tires on my rear axle until my fronts wear down, then I'll be putting them up front too. They only cost abour $97 each and are a harder compound than factory.
================
1983 280ZX NA 2-Seater Cadet Blue, restored with Nismo suspension & brakes
2005 Saab 9-3ss Linear (daily driver)
A:
wait a minute, did i read woodie's post correctly (it's kinda difficult to read through it), but did he say he would take a 1990 mazda miata over a 350Z if made to choose?
really?
wow, i'm actually considering changing forums based on advice that reads something like: a tired 14 year old car with no warranty and a safety rating about equal to a barrel on niagra falls... vs. the slick and racey (with improperly worn yet still warranted tires) and full 3/36K (or longer if you buy it) 350Z loaded with airbags front, rear, and side...
let's go HERE and take a look-see:
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
No mods
Post Edited (Apr 16, 2:07pm)
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That's what he said. Hard to figure, the Miata is a great car, fun to drive, beautifully proportioned and well detailed but no z car.
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Did I mention that the front of your car will look like it has 200,000 miles on it after six months due to all of the rock chips from the soft Nissan paint? Buy a 2005 Mustang instead. That will win car of the year like the 2003 Z did, only it will deserve it and still be around in a few years.
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ZNESS, please check out my earlier posts on the toyo tires. my car is 9 months old, has $17K miles on it. i drive on the turnpike every day behind dumptrucks chucking stones at me. guess what? i have a normal number of dings on the front from those rocks.
normal = no worse than my VW Jetta, and no worse than my Audi S4.
maybe the rocks are harder or sharper in middle-earth where the trolls live?
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
No mods
A:
wow..that was nice.
...I drove a miata a few years ago, and yes, it was fun. in fact, it was probably the car that single handedly sparked my interest in the whole "car thing" and I have wonderful memories from that car ( dont even get me into spinning it 3 times in the middle of the road one night...fun times).
...But it was no Z. My 2000 cavalier had more power and torque than the lil miata that could. Its fun like a gocart is, nimble, quick, and gives a feeling like you are almost one with it(mainly because its so small you are almost wearing it).
....but not a Z....cant even come close
'03 redline
18" enkie RPM2 wheels
Apex'i N1 exhaust
Nismo engine dress up
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plus...I recieve GREAT customer service at my nissan.
and what about the Skyline? thats nissan, and I dont know many who can deny those cars power and handling AND quality for the price. I mean, a stock engine hadling over 1000 hp? plus the ability to out handle ferraris of the same year?...cmon...and you wouldnt buy anything nissan?
...perhaps youll buy a honda civic and call it "fast", with an aluminum wing...just like everyone else
A:
ms:
I think you have made a wise decision according to your needs.
I love my car and yes some things are an inconvience. However, everytime I get in my car and hit 5K rpms.... no better song or feeling of any car in it's price range.
-Zanioed '03 Le Mans Sunset Touring Coupe w/ Nav.
A:
"Unbelieveable. The 350 Z runs through tires every 4-6 months and some of you are defending the car????????"
Hey, it's a freakin' sports car! It's supposed to eat tires!
A:
"ZNESS, please check out my earlier posts on the toyo tires. my car is 9 months old, has $17K miles on it. i drive on the turnpike every day behind dumptrucks chucking stones at me. guess what? i have a normal number of dings on the front from those rocks."
That still does not explain why the driver's seats wear out faster than a mattress in a whorehouse.
A:
Your seats wear out faster then a mattress your bumper has alot of dings this is amazing. Why are you the only one who says this stuff why i dont understand. I have had my car over a year now and have not replaced my tires once first time will be monday i dont have alot of rock marks just the usual cause you are driving it my tranny doesnt grind and my seats are fine your FAT ASS must have worn the seats out yourself.
My dealership custmor service is great I THINK YOUR THE PROBLEM zness maybe the guys at the dealership dont like you cause your an idiot just like noone on here likes you either. ever think about that
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Please go to www.350zforum.com to see what they have to say about the POS.