Ok, so i've been fighting over this for along time now. Should i buy a new 350z. A HUGE part of me says yes, but still, another wonders about the practicallity of a 350. I live in north Idaho, and we do tend to get a fair amount of snow. How well do the 350s handle the snow? Now im not talkin about going off road into 4 feet of snow and expecting to come out, just how does it handle on snow packed roads. Having lived up here all my life, i know its more than just the car, its how you drive the car. But its nice to know that im not going to be completely out of control. I've been looking at BMW's for a while, and a few people i know drive them year round up here with out problems. Guess those Germans get enough of the fluffy white to make a well balanced car.

Right now i drive a 2001 Dodge Dakota Club Cab 4x4. I've gone all out on her, too. So far, i've put a Kenne Bell Supercharger, computer upgrades, all the exhaust mods, and such. Just put my order in for some new cams too, gonna squeeze as much out of that little engine i can. You can see some pictures of it here: http://dakota.uberlame.com. But now im dreaming of a car. And the 350z is one damn sexy car. Idealy i'd love to keep the truck and the car, but unfortunatly i dont make enough money for both. I did a little math on it, and my payments would be just about the same if sold the Dakota and got a 350.

But that brings me back to the practicality. A friend down in texas keeps telling me i'd be crazy to drive the 350 in the snow, but then again, he's been trying to get me to move down there for years now.

What do you guy guys think? Could it be an all around car? I dont really know much about them, but thats why im here, gotta learn sometime. Anyways, any thoughts would be great. Thanks a million.

-DrCold

 

If you want practicality, get a 4wd with trunk/passenger space. That will get you through any weather.

Ask yourself this: How many months does it snow up here?

I'm in L.A. so I wouldn't have a clue. I'm figuring 4 months minimum. That's 4 months out of 12 that you'll get snow. That gives you 8 months to enjoy the Z in much better weather. Now, is it worth getting the Z for those 8 months and just tolerate the last 4?

You tell me.

 

Sounds like you know what you are doing in the snow, doc. The Z will be fine with a good set of all season or dedicated winter tires. The standard tires are "summer" tires and are useless in snow. I would make my choice between winter and all season depending on how much snow you get and where else will you be driving during snow season.

Your biggest problem will be ground/snow clearance. The Z has a 4.7 " ground clearance. Higher than that, you become your own snowplow. You will have to wait for the snowplows to clear the roads and own a snowblower or have a strong back to clear your driveway to get to plowed roads. I hope this helps.

Boomer

 

Ah, i see your point. I believe i could handle those 4 months (usually 3 to 4 for a good year). I think another issue i didnt really ask was, how much do you guys like your cars. Try to give me an unbiased opinion. I am quite serious about getting a z, but i just wanted to hear from some real owners. I dont think there is a single 350 driving around up here yet, so its rather hard to find someone to speak with. What are the goods and the bads. When people ask about my supercharged dakota, i try my hardest to tell them both sides; It's a great truck, fast, handles well, and i can haul almost a 2000 with out feeling it. The bads? My rotors are warped, the rear end is leaking, my tranny is shifting like crap, and the damn thing drives like a truck! (har har). Bah, why cant i just win the lotto... oh yeah, i have to buy a ticket first.

-DrCold

 

Well i'd like to pretend i know what im doing in the snow.

I would definatly get a set of winter only tires. Im a firm believer in haveing 2 sets or tires (or even 3 for the inbetween months).

4.7" isnt TOO bad, but it is pretty low. The snow crews are pretty good up here, so at most i'd just call into work and say i was going to be late (woohoo!). So far, from what i've read on the forums, the 350 is an amazing car. I'd still like to hear about the bad, like what TSB's are out and other issues people are having. Damn, the more i read, the more i want one of these cars... Anyone want to buy a 4x4 dakota, with 47k miles on it?

Thanks again for you imput.

-Doc

 

Buy a Z. That is the answer. You can always move south to get away from the snow.

 

Check out the Comphrehensive Problems List on this site, at the beginning. Please realize this list is several weeks old and running changes have or are being made by Nissan. Only a very small number of cars have had Big problems, ie. transmissions; replacements, once diagnosed, have been swift and running changes were made, I'm sure. For example, I have 1 large item, and 3 tweaks which need to be made. I am too busy driving the car to care, its not convenient, gotta do something else, etc. I picked it up 9/6 and still not ready to take it in yet. Maybe next week and I have a VIN# under 1500. Its a very solid car, Doc. Its also a very fast one w/either transmission. If you have other questions, feel free to ask them, of this site or several other good ones. The Z has lots of fans all over, so you can seek opinions other than mine, since I'm an owner. Good luck.

 

Thanks for all the info. I'll have to check out that list, i didnt see it at first. I had planed to go to the dealer tonight, but i got kinda busy and wasnt able to make it. I plan on going there tomorrow night and talk to them and see what we can do. My only problem is selling my truck and trying to break even. I owe about $18k on it, plus another $2k left on the blower. Its pretty steap, but i think to the right person it would be worth it (i've already done all the hard work, all they have to do is get in and hit the go peddle). After reading some of the posts here, i've come to deside the 350 seems to be the car i've been looking for. Now i just have to get in and see if it feels right. If I can help it, i kind of want to wait till spring to get the car. Then i can play with it all summer. But who wants to wait? Thanks again.

-Doc

 

DrCold,

I think you should look into getting a girlfriend or wife and then sending her to work to pay off the truck .

My girfriend has a 2002 Dodge Dak Quad Cab 4X4 (bought in May) and I got the Z (ordered in Feb, took delivery in Oct). The arrangement lets me have the best of both worlds.

We have 5000 miles on both vehicles, so I guess that shows which one I like the best (I do most of the driving). We also commute over mountain roads 40 miles each way to work, so the Z is the perfect vehicle for that.

We've had zero problems with the Dak so far (knock on wood), and only a couple small ones with the Z. I have a loose driver's seat, where it will shifts from side to side when cornering, a rattle in the passenger visor (well documented on this site), and a rattle in the rear view mirror. I eventually plan on bugging my dealer to have them all fixed, but haven't gotten around to it yet. My transmission and clutch were pretty stiff for the first 1000 miles or so, but have been much smoother recently. The ride can be harsh over potholes and sharp bumps, but over "smooth" bumps, the car is great.

Anyhow, sorry to hear you need to get rid of the truck, since I really like our Dak compared to my 84 Nissan Hardbody and my 95 Ford Ranger.

Good luck!

-D'oh!