My Fairlady Z is now in the garage - Comments and PIX
02-14-2003, 10:04 PM
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My Fairlady Z is now in the garage - Comments and PIX
My Z, as promised, was ready on February 11th. I went to the dealer at 12 noon as scheduled. It had been raining slightly, so the car, from the night before, was parked in a special section of the service area for weather and any other protection and checked continually by the Nissan people. My heart was skipping around like when I was a kid a Christmas. My wife and I were escorted to the showroom for the official signing of the contract. We were served coffee … and had a very pleasant conversation with the sales rep and maintenance manager. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
Upon the official inspection of the Z at the dealer and after a few days driving, here are my observations:
1. I love the Silverstone…CS was my close 2nd choice
2. The Z has absolutely no orange peal…the paint is perfect.
3. The transmission works fine….there is a slight notchiness moving into 2nd gear, but overall – great !
4. The Brembos are fantastic… very nice and accurate feel – only small concern is a squealing sound once the brakes are slightly depressed – after warming up. There is no squealing sound if the brakes are quickly depressed.
5. I love the engine response… fast, linear – to the point that you are over speeding without feeling it. Very fast and subtle compared to my Z32 TT. Handling (stock) is great !
6. The Z seats (cloth) feel great. The only thing I miss is the Recaro’s feeling around your hips… since they are very high-lipped compared to the stock Z33 seats. Side support is fine. Only wish that the lower seat of the stock seat could be adjusted to angle up more than it does for a higher, lower-leg support. The jury is out on my final decision – keep the seats with side air bags or go back to using Recaro’s. Seat time driving will tell.
7. I still think the interior of the Z is fantastic. Some people call it cheap. Some people call it plastic. I call it very nice and just what I wanted and expected. I like the texture and look.
8. The look of the gold Brembo’s on this SS baby … just short of a beautiful woman nude in bed.
9. No streaking on the windows.
10. No problem with noise from the passenger seat belt.
11. Instrument panel is very functionally located… I love the trip meter.
12. As an option, I got the alarm / parking support system… the alarm is activated with the switch of the remote on the key… and additionally, the side mirrors fold in automatically. Also, when I shift into reverse, the side mirrors automatically move down to enable better rear-view vision for backing.
13. I love the MOMO steering wheel compared to stock… a little thicker, smaller, smoother, better designed for driving == and it feels great on the hands.
14. The headlights are good. However, as some people have posted – the Z headlights do not seem that bright. I have seen a lot of new headlights in Japan…such as the gas-type lights used on Toyota’s and Subaru’s… very bright compared to the projectors on the Z. Philips and others will be on the market for with a better xenon bulb for the Z. Just saw an ad for Philips… 5000K and 6000K lights called Ultinon.
15. Finally, an off-the-wall comment .. somebody told me after seeing my car that if the projector lights were red, it would look like Terminator -1. I agree.
Summary:
I couldn’t be happier with the final outcome. The new Z is everything and more than I expected…especially after 2 years of reading about the introduction of the new Z…the Z-concept car … the pre-final Z, the pre-order Z, and finally my own Z.
Nissan is to be commended on the final outcome of the Z, in my opinion. I look forward to Phase 2 of upgrading the suspension, wheels, tires, and of course, the stereo.
Life is truly a fun journey.
Upon the official inspection of the Z at the dealer and after a few days driving, here are my observations:
1. I love the Silverstone…CS was my close 2nd choice
2. The Z has absolutely no orange peal…the paint is perfect.
3. The transmission works fine….there is a slight notchiness moving into 2nd gear, but overall – great !
4. The Brembos are fantastic… very nice and accurate feel – only small concern is a squealing sound once the brakes are slightly depressed – after warming up. There is no squealing sound if the brakes are quickly depressed.
5. I love the engine response… fast, linear – to the point that you are over speeding without feeling it. Very fast and subtle compared to my Z32 TT. Handling (stock) is great !
6. The Z seats (cloth) feel great. The only thing I miss is the Recaro’s feeling around your hips… since they are very high-lipped compared to the stock Z33 seats. Side support is fine. Only wish that the lower seat of the stock seat could be adjusted to angle up more than it does for a higher, lower-leg support. The jury is out on my final decision – keep the seats with side air bags or go back to using Recaro’s. Seat time driving will tell.
7. I still think the interior of the Z is fantastic. Some people call it cheap. Some people call it plastic. I call it very nice and just what I wanted and expected. I like the texture and look.
8. The look of the gold Brembo’s on this SS baby … just short of a beautiful woman nude in bed.
9. No streaking on the windows.
10. No problem with noise from the passenger seat belt.
11. Instrument panel is very functionally located… I love the trip meter.
12. As an option, I got the alarm / parking support system… the alarm is activated with the switch of the remote on the key… and additionally, the side mirrors fold in automatically. Also, when I shift into reverse, the side mirrors automatically move down to enable better rear-view vision for backing.
13. I love the MOMO steering wheel compared to stock… a little thicker, smaller, smoother, better designed for driving == and it feels great on the hands.
14. The headlights are good. However, as some people have posted – the Z headlights do not seem that bright. I have seen a lot of new headlights in Japan…such as the gas-type lights used on Toyota’s and Subaru’s… very bright compared to the projectors on the Z. Philips and others will be on the market for with a better xenon bulb for the Z. Just saw an ad for Philips… 5000K and 6000K lights called Ultinon.
15. Finally, an off-the-wall comment .. somebody told me after seeing my car that if the projector lights were red, it would look like Terminator -1. I agree.
Summary:
I couldn’t be happier with the final outcome. The new Z is everything and more than I expected…especially after 2 years of reading about the introduction of the new Z…the Z-concept car … the pre-final Z, the pre-order Z, and finally my own Z.
Nissan is to be commended on the final outcome of the Z, in my opinion. I look forward to Phase 2 of upgrading the suspension, wheels, tires, and of course, the stereo.
Life is truly a fun journey.
02-14-2003, 10:11 PM
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Another picture
God -- I love this car.... My personalized license plate... and the best you can get in Japan are up to 4 numbers ... 3 50 -- and with 33 above it...
02-14-2003, 10:35 PM
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man those brembos look incredibly sexy behind the touring rims, as do the darkers side markers. that car is SEXUAL!!!!! the only real beef i have with the car is that momo steering wheel; it's design is really swoopy and doesn't match the interior all that wel, but it might be just because i'm used to the other steering wheel. i'd sure like to have steering wheel options like that in the states. you guys get all the fun.
02-14-2003, 10:53 PM
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I'm so happy for you fairladyZ!!
You've been here since the beginning and seem to have waited the longest.
Your new Z is beautiful! I like your options. I wish I had your mirrors and Momo and Brembos!!!!
Again, Congratulations!!!!!!!
You've been here since the beginning and seem to have waited the longest.
Your new Z is beautiful! I like your options. I wish I had your mirrors and Momo and Brembos!!!!
Again, Congratulations!!!!!!!
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02-15-2003, 07:12 AM
#10
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Congrats. This is the coolest thread I've seen in a while- very interesting to see the differences between the US and Japan models...
Enjoy the Z! I know you've been waiting for a long time!!!!
-Ethan
Enjoy the Z! I know you've been waiting for a long time!!!!
-Ethan
02-15-2003, 07:53 AM
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Take It Back!!! They put your steering wheel on the wrong side!!!!
lol, jk
i wanna get some brembo's on my touring!!!
i really like how the brembos contrast with the silverstone!!
lol, jk
i wanna get some brembo's on my touring!!!
i really like how the brembos contrast with the silverstone!!
02-15-2003, 08:06 AM
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Congrats man. Your are one of the original pre-order's and members who has yet to recieve your car. UNTIL NOW!
I have a question about the MOMO steering wheel. Is the cruise control function disabled?
dan
Your are one of the original pre-order's and members who has yet to recieve your car. UNTIL NOW! I have a question about the MOMO steering wheel. Is the cruise control function disabled?
dan
02-15-2003, 11:52 AM
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Yeah! congrats man. I know you have been waiting longer than many of us! Now make us jealous by getting all the aftermarket stuff that is engineered for the JDM that we cannot get! Take more pics...
02-15-2003, 12:07 PM
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Congratulations on finally getting your Z. It looks super, inside and out. You need to learn how to park in those parking spaces better, though (just kidding) - great pics!!! 
WayneTN
WayneTN
