View Poll Results: How do you like the Z?
My Z sucks... too many problems!
9
1.75%
My Z has some problems. I have neutral feelings to my Z
15
2.92%
My Z has some problems, but I am happy with it
147
28.60%
My Z has no problems. I'm happy with it.
195
37.94%
My Z has no problems. I'm not happy with it though.
5
0.97%
I don't have the Z yet, but I am discouraged to buy it now.
31
6.03%
I don't have the Z yet, but I am looking forward to getting this SEXY BEAST.
112
21.79%
Voters: 514. You may not vote on this poll
Overall satisfaction with the Z? Problems?
#22
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
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I've had my Z for 2 days. I have 160 miles on it. So far...everything is great. no issues at all. Body looks great, and has just a little orange peel which is almost un-noticeable until you really look and angle your head just right. Transmission is quiet and smooth in all gears. Shifting is fast and slick. Interior finish is simple and Japanese - I am happy with it. A little too much plastic, but it's a $30K Japanese car not a $50K German car.
I love this car.
My initial reaction is more satisfied than with any other car purchase I have made. The overall sense of power, handling control, and road feel even at just 4000 RPM is amazing. This was definitely a good choice. I almost bought an Audi TT, but I am now very happy with my decision.
I love this car.
My initial reaction is more satisfied than with any other car purchase I have made. The overall sense of power, handling control, and road feel even at just 4000 RPM is amazing. This was definitely a good choice. I almost bought an Audi TT, but I am now very happy with my decision.
#23
radiator
Originally posted by imntcrzy
about the radiator.... this past sunday I started my Z and notice that the radiator fans were constantly running. Anyways I drove about 7 miles and smelled radiator fluid and temp was rising. I pulled the car over and the engine was steaming on my 3 week old 350z. I waited awhile and put about 2 liters of water in the radiator and about 2 miles later same thing.
Anyways the dealership says that the radiator sprung a leak from the back... so nothing would have hit it. I'm just wondering what caused this and hopefully I don't have any other damage. They say that the vq motor has many fail safe modes so the engine will be fine. Tell that to my aluminum block engine and valve seals and anything else that may be damaged.
Oh well
about the radiator.... this past sunday I started my Z and notice that the radiator fans were constantly running. Anyways I drove about 7 miles and smelled radiator fluid and temp was rising. I pulled the car over and the engine was steaming on my 3 week old 350z. I waited awhile and put about 2 liters of water in the radiator and about 2 miles later same thing.
Anyways the dealership says that the radiator sprung a leak from the back... so nothing would have hit it. I'm just wondering what caused this and hopefully I don't have any other damage. They say that the vq motor has many fail safe modes so the engine will be fine. Tell that to my aluminum block engine and valve seals and anything else that may be damaged.
Oh well
I am also interested in what fail safe measures are present in the VQ engine.
Like what? Did they give you any examples or just say it? This is important for the rest of us owners to know for our reference. Overheating is always a concern with any engine, but if our engine has these fail safes, it would nice to know specifics. Thanks.
Boomer
#25
failsafes
Originally posted by imntcrzy
got the car back... they replaced the radiator and all belts.
They said the fail safes would only let the car run at about 5 to 10 mph when it overheats
got the car back... they replaced the radiator and all belts.
They said the fail safes would only let the car run at about 5 to 10 mph when it overheats
Boomer
#26
Only two problems:
When going over speed bumps, I have to go very slowly i.e. less than 5 mph or else the bottom end of the car hits the bump which I can feel with the shifter. I have not have this problem with other cars.
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph. I think this may be a safety issue so that you dont accidently downshift at high speeds which may over-rev the engine.
When going over speed bumps, I have to go very slowly i.e. less than 5 mph or else the bottom end of the car hits the bump which I can feel with the shifter. I have not have this problem with other cars.
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph. I think this may be a safety issue so that you dont accidently downshift at high speeds which may over-rev the engine.
#27
Originally posted by g35or350z
Only two problems:
When going over speed bumps, I have to go very slowly i.e. less than 5 mph or else the bottom end of the car hits the bump which I can feel with the shifter. I have not have this problem with other cars.
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph. I think this may be a safety issue so that you dont accidently downshift at high speeds which may over-rev the engine.
Only two problems:
When going over speed bumps, I have to go very slowly i.e. less than 5 mph or else the bottom end of the car hits the bump which I can feel with the shifter. I have not have this problem with other cars.
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph. I think this may be a safety issue so that you dont accidently downshift at high speeds which may over-rev the engine.
#28
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: charlotte
Posts: 80
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Luckily I have next to no problems with my car. My cd player ate my cd's and the dealership had to order a new radio to install. I figure I'll upgrade the stereo at some point, but for now I'm satisfied.
Only thing that really bugs the hell out of me are occasional rattles coming from the dash somewhere. While I have no problem with the plastic everywhere inside -- I like the differing textures -- hearing the rattles kick up really irritate me. Shouldn't happen in a brand new car costing 36 grand.
Only thing that really bugs the hell out of me are occasional rattles coming from the dash somewhere. While I have no problem with the plastic everywhere inside -- I like the differing textures -- hearing the rattles kick up really irritate me. Shouldn't happen in a brand new car costing 36 grand.
#30
Originally posted by g35or350z
Only two problems:
When going over speed bumps, I have to go very slowly i.e. less than 5 mph or else the bottom end of the car hits the bump which I can feel with the shifter. I have not have this problem with other cars.
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph. I think this may be a safety issue so that you dont accidently downshift at high speeds which may over-rev the engine.
Only two problems:
When going over speed bumps, I have to go very slowly i.e. less than 5 mph or else the bottom end of the car hits the bump which I can feel with the shifter. I have not have this problem with other cars.
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph. I think this may be a safety issue so that you dont accidently downshift at high speeds which may over-rev the engine.
I'm not being critical, but why do you put the Z into 1st gear at 15mph or more?
#31
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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I am very pleased with my Z. I have had it about two weeks and the only thing I've noticed is the slight rattle from the driver's side door when I turn the stereo up. I have been trying to isolate exactly where in the door it's coming from so that I can fix it, but it's really not a big deal. I usually have the radio down so I can hear the engine anyway .
#32
Reprise
Originally posted by Boomer
The truly horrible ride has eclipsed all other problems w/the Z. The ride is the worst I have ever experienced in a sports car of any manufacturer.
The truly horrible ride has eclipsed all other problems w/the Z. The ride is the worst I have ever experienced in a sports car of any manufacturer.
I will note it on my next trip to the dealer to have them replace my radio and amp for the Bose, not Blose for me. I have had several very good to excellent Bose systems in other cars. I tried to listen to the radio today and couldn't hear any lyrics over the bass, even turned down to -3. Terrible, but repairable, I think.
Incredible acceleration; I felt a little boxed in on I40 today, dropped the drive by wire from 60-80 in the blink of an eye and left two 18 Wheelers and 5 cars twenty(20!) car lengths behind. True story.
#33
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: LA County
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Yeah, I still LOVE it
Originally posted by Boomer
Incredible acceleration; I felt a little boxed in on I40 today, dropped the drive by wire from 60-80 in the blink of an eye and left two 18 Wheelers and 5 cars twenty(20!) car lengths behind. True story.
Incredible acceleration; I felt a little boxed in on I40 today, dropped the drive by wire from 60-80 in the blink of an eye and left two 18 Wheelers and 5 cars twenty(20!) car lengths behind. True story.
There are rattles, the sounds system is not great - but I still love my Z. zoom zoom zoom
#34
Re: Yeah, I still LOVE it
Originally posted by iris
There are rattles, the sounds system is not great - but I still love my Z. zoom zoom zoom
There are rattles, the sounds system is not great - but I still love my Z. zoom zoom zoom
Boomer
Brickyard/Frost/AT
#35
Re: Reprise
Originally posted by Boomer
Four days and 400 miles on the new tires have blunted some of my anger over the ride. It is improved, not fixed, but improved enough for me to stop my whining and get on w/life.
Four days and 400 miles on the new tires have blunted some of my anger over the ride. It is improved, not fixed, but improved enough for me to stop my whining and get on w/life.
The porpoising is the one aspect of the car that makes me really unhappy, since I have to drive over I-294 almost weekly. If I take alternative routes to avoid I-294 it doubles my trip time.
#36
Re: Re: Reprise
Originally posted by happypants
Does the car still porpoise with the newer tires?
The porpoising is the one aspect of the car that makes me really unhappy, since I have to drive over I-294 almost weekly. If I take alternative routes to avoid I-294 it doubles my trip time.
Does the car still porpoise with the newer tires?
The porpoising is the one aspect of the car that makes me really unhappy, since I have to drive over I-294 almost weekly. If I take alternative routes to avoid I-294 it doubles my trip time.
I can tell you, I will NOT be going back to the 040s ever. The A/Ss are vastly superior and the ride is sports car "stiff", it just doesn't knock your fillings out like the OE tires and turnin is better than the 040s too. Not having driven on I-294, I can't say it won't porpoise some, but it will be much better than before.
Boomer
#37
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Originally posted by g35or350z
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph.
When downshifting, I meet alot of resistance. This is especially true when going from 2nd to 1st while going faster than 15mph.
Besides, why would you want to? If you're rolling at all you can put it in second, let the engine idle, drop the clutch & go!
#38
Originally posted by bhobson333
WTF?! I would never consider putting a car into 1st gear "while going faster than 15mph". Maybe it's my training & experience with older MT cars, but it's normal for me that a tranny will only be easy going into 1st at a dead stop. You can usually work them into 1st at 3-4 MPH while rolling to a stop, but you understand that it might be difficult.
Besides, why would you want to? If you're rolling at all you can put it in second, let the engine idle, drop the clutch & go!
WTF?! I would never consider putting a car into 1st gear "while going faster than 15mph". Maybe it's my training & experience with older MT cars, but it's normal for me that a tranny will only be easy going into 1st at a dead stop. You can usually work them into 1st at 3-4 MPH while rolling to a stop, but you understand that it might be difficult.
Besides, why would you want to? If you're rolling at all you can put it in second, let the engine idle, drop the clutch & go!
#39
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Honolulu
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Most modern day cars are not designed to be shifted into first at slow speeds. It is a safety thing. I can sometimes get around this in my accord by revving up to a reasonable rpm, then it drops into first. Obviously, I don't do this too often. In a car like the accord, starting from a standstill in 2nd is a pain. It's often easier to just stop all forward motion, shift to first, and go from there.
In the Z, 2nd is fine.
No problems with it other than the radio and intermittent creaks.
In the Z, 2nd is fine.
No problems with it other than the radio and intermittent creaks.