Picked up a new ride........

[e30polak]

Newer BMWs were off the list due to maintenance costs. My buddy just picked up a 2004 M3. Nice car, but he paid almost $5k more than I did for my Z and he got a car with 65k miles vs 20k.

And I'll pass on turbo/AWD unless I've owned it from the beginning. Ever looked up a clutch replacement on an STi/EVO? Reliability/maintenance concerns played a big part in the decision to go Japanese.

I did a 50-130 pull against an STi a few weeks ago, dead even to 100 then I started slowly pullng away. I realize you can easily dial up the boost, but then we go back to reliability/maintenance. I don't want to be constantly screwing with something on the car.

Your car is geared pretty low. I know it feels torquey on the street, but I'd bet the car would actually be faster in the 1/4 mile with less extreme gearing. Less time spent changing gears and the engine gets to spend a longer period of tome in each gear in it's sweet spot.

We tested that on my R6 and I actually was slower when we geared the bike down like you have your car.

All very valid reasons Buddy. I'm not trying to say that the Z is a bad choice by any means, it's simply not my cup of tea.

1/4 mile wise my gearing is perfect, and it's best for my uses. I drive 85% street and 15% highway roughly, so I'd rather get into power-band quicker in each gear. I also found the 3.46 to be the besty for the canyons - I almost never have to get out of 3rd gear. I had a 3.25 before, and I didnt' car for it as much. The only gearing I would go far besides the 3.46 is a 2.93. The 2.93 is definitely better as an overall straight line gear, and better for gas milage, but it's not as fun.

Enjoy your Z. Can't wait to see the wheel choice and the drop on that bitch! :pimp:

[Farbin Kaiber]

Oh shit, I'm going on friday. When are you going?!

I'll be there this weekend too.

[z31maniac]

Newer BMWs were off the list due to maintenance costs. My buddy just picked up a 2004 M3. Nice car, but he paid almost $5k more than I did for my Z and he got a car with 65k miles vs 20k.

And I'll pass on turbo/AWD unless I've owned it from the beginning. Ever looked up a clutch replacement on an STi/EVO? Reliability/maintenance concerns played a big part in the decision to go Japanese.

I did a 50-130 pull against an STi a few weeks ago, dead even to 100 then I started slowly pullng away. I realize you can easily dial up the boost, but then we go back to reliability/maintenance. I don't want to be constantly screwing with something on the car.

Your car is geared pretty low. I know it feels torquey on the street, but I'd bet the car would actually be faster in the 1/4 mile with less extreme gearing. Less time spent changing gears and the engine gets to spend a longer period of tome in each gear in it's sweet spot.

We tested that on my R6 and I actually was slower when we geared the bike down like you have your car.

[e30polak]

I had an S52 E30, I'll take this car anyday hands down.

Quick, nice, quiet, handles great and I don't have to deal with an abhorrent ride quality or constant tramlining. Of, and of course 6spd.

The VQ motor kicks ass.

I'll get another E30 one of these days when I don't have to drive it everyday.

:down: Damn, I never thought I'd hear this from you Buddy, I don't approve of your statement...

I love my e30 as my DD! :woowoo:

But really, Alot of newer cars do nothing for me

This.

True, E30 is a great adult car if you're poor.

If you're talking about money, IMO here are the options better than a 350Z for the money spent:

e46 M3
Supercharged E36 M3
e39 M5
WRX/STi
Evo 8

I really have nothing against the 350Zs, but I would never buy one.

Drive one. 350Z has tons more bottom end than the S52 swap in an E30, rides better, turns better and I don't fracture a verterbrae every time I hit a bump in the road.

:roll: Ok.... not if you have a ZF with 3.46 gearing. I spank 350Zs in any area of the power band, but ESPECIALLY down low. My car is way more of a torque monster then any stock 350Z.

I understand why you made the decision for the newer car, but I guess the Zs don't do it for me at all. A bunch of my friends have them, and they're great cars, but I would rather build something a bit older for the money. Enjoy the car Buddy, I'm sure you'll love it.

[M-technik-3]

It was the before the new optional pads came out. They stuffed one of the long term demo into turn 7 at ? The driver came out pretty well for a 90 mph crash into the barriers.

Must say though they are impressive car for the money, I like the Infinti's styling a little more but would rather have the discounted price of the 350/370z

[z31maniac]

I thought they did the stock pads, not the $600 option pads. The option pads don't come with sport brakes unless you specify them.

Alot of guys do the 370Z brake upgrade since the Akebono's are 4 piston up front and 2 piston out back. It's just the rotors are HEAVY. I think the front stock 370Z rotors are around 28lb each. That's insane. Granted it is a 14" rotor.

[M-technik-3]

Yes but they had the same issue with the competition pads as well. Nice brakes just crappy pads. Funny thing is how Nissan knew they were shit pads and still sold them as performance package oriented for DE's.

[z31maniac]

So how do you like it so far? are those Reliable?

I like them.

It's great. I'm just about finished switching everything over to synthetic. Going to put the finned rear diff cover and synthetic soon, then switch the power steering over to synthetic and fit the larger power steering cooler.

It's quick, handles great, and is a blast to drive. Probably the only negative is the amount of gas it drinks if you're judicious with the loud pedal. But on the highway cruising 70 it still pulls down 28mpg. Not bad for a heavy 300hp GT cruiser.

Still researching suspension options. Most likely will keep it simple with just springs/Koni's/sways and avoid coilovers. Probably go with Enkei RPF1s since they are lightweight and cheap. 18x9.5" front 18x10.5" rear with 275/35 up front and 295/35 out back. Or do 19x9 and 19x10 with 265/285.

Oh shit, I'm going on friday. When are you going?!


Looks like you and I went through the same feelings/thought process OP. I built mine, dyno'd it, parted it...but couldn't quite come to selling it. Instead I'm going to keep it as a daily and still buy myself something a little nice. **fingers crossed** as long as things don't get f'd up at the dealer today, I should have a similar thread to post early next week ;)

congrats op.

Not until July. Girlfriend and I are taking a little vacation.

I would have liked to keep the 318, but it didn't make sense to have both.

What are you picking up?

I was reading a review on these and Road&Track say the brakes literally melt since they are made from organic pads.

Stock brakes still?

Neat car, not my cup oh tea but, I'd drive it that's for sure.

Yeah, basically the issue is using non-track pads at the track. It'd be the same if people here were tracking an E30 on Rcomps with Hawk HPS then complaining that the pads didn't hold up at the track.

Although that was a pretty spectacular failure for the 370Z.

I'll be looking at the Wilwood kits or Stoptech most likely.

[M-technik-3]

I was reading a review on these and Road&Track say the brakes literally melt since they are made from organic pads.

Stock brakes still?

Neat car, not my cup oh tea but, I'd drive it that's for sure.

[Jonny Cash]

Hate the cars looks, the make, the year all you want but these cars flat out perform. That car doesent need huge wheels, fancy suspension, or engine mods. Brembo's, sticky tires, and a good driver and that thing will kick ass.

Its completley true. We drive e30's because we're poor. I DD'd my e30 for about 6 months, and it was terrible. It was much more aprreciated driven only once or twice a week. Now all of a sudden I like my e30 so much better now that my trucks on the road,

[MIKe30]

You have clearly never had a swapped E30... With the money spent to buy a 350z you could build one BAMF e30.

And at the end of the day you'd still be driving a 20+ year old car. OMG SO HAWT!!!

And even if the e30 had a fully built motor and was faster in the straights, i'm sure the 350 would beat it up on a real track.

i would rather have a e30. the 350z really is the mustangs of japan. you can't beat the looks handling and character of a e30. hands down no contest e30 ftmfw

Looks and character = subjective
Handling = objective. And i'd be willing to be a stock 350z will outhandle a modded e30, let alone modded vs. modded.

If we weren't already flying to Vegas, I'd consider making it a road trip.

Oh shit, I'm going on friday. When are you going?!



Looks like you and I went through the same feelings/thought process OP. I built mine, dyno'd it, parted it...but couldn't quite come to selling it. Instead I'm going to keep it as a daily and still buy myself something a little nice. **fingers crossed** as long as things don't get f'd up at the dealer today, I should have a similar thread to post early next week ;)

congrats op.

[bimmer_E30]

So how do you like it so far? are those Reliable?

I like them.

[tehwickerman]

i'm not a fan of 350s at all. bad choice imo.

[Jean]

It's a nice daily! Not really a huge fan of those, there are a couple other cars in that price range that handle better and/or fun(ner) but aren't as nice in terms of comfort.

Personally if I was going to buy a semi luxury 350z, I would look at the g35 instead. imho those look much better.

Anyway, congrats on a new ride. I know how it feels sometimes not wanting to drive a loud/stiff car lol

[z31maniac]

i drove a 350z once, 6-speed. I loved the handling and power, but hated how my elbow slammed into the center console thing as i shifted into 2nd, 4th, and 6th.

congrats Buddy!

Yeah, but mine doesn't hit. But you are taller and lankier!

Thanks!