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Test driving your 350Z

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Old 08-30-2006, 12:25 PM
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semtex
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Default Test driving your 350Z

I'm curious -- what did you do when you took your 350Z for a test drive? Specifically, did you hammer the accelerator to see what it could do? Did you go WOT? I mean, it's a test drive, right? So then you decide to buy the car, and as you read through the break-in procedure, you realize that you already committed a slew of mortal sins (rev over 4000 rpm, hard braking, etc.). I ask this because like I said, I'm curious. But also because here I am, with my 350Z barely a month old and with only 800 miles -- still 400 miles to go before I complete the 1200 mile break-in period. I'm thinking back to how hard I drove it on the test drive. Should I be worried that I may have screwed up my own car by nailing it when it had only 3 miles on the odo?
Old 08-30-2006, 12:33 PM
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gsazabi
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Don't worry about it. Some people drive it like they stole it as soon as they
drive it out of the dealership.
But I would still recommend you to wait till the break-in time is over.
When I test drove mine I drove it pretty hard, but not WOT.
That's why you test drive 2 different cars; one to WOT and another one that you're actually gonna buy lol.
Old 08-30-2006, 12:36 PM
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Reyes_USN
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Originally Posted by gsazabi
Don't worry about it. Some people drive it like they stole it as soon as they
drive it out of the dealership.
But I would still recommend you to wait till the break-in time is over.
When I test drove mine I drove it pretty hard, but not WOT.
That's why you test drive 2 different cars; one to WOT and another one that you're actually gonna buy lol.

true but then again your car may have been a WOT from another driver or another window shopper
Old 08-30-2006, 12:40 PM
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Spec_Tacular
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When I have people out in a 350Z for a test drive if they abuse it I tell them to stop or pull over and get out. Forunately we have had a used one lately for test drives so it's not as important.
Old 08-30-2006, 12:46 PM
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davidv
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I bought a 350Z without ever having driven one.
Old 08-30-2006, 01:05 PM
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DPZ
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I wasn't ready to buy the Z when I went looking. I took it for a test drive and before I knew it the salesman said, " You know your going 105 right?" I say " Oh Shi@". The next day, the car was sold!

I wouldn't worry too much on how you first drove the car. Just take your time and have fun with it. Before you know it, you'll be past the break-in period. Goodluck!!!
Old 08-30-2006, 03:08 PM
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marhot
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Originally Posted by davidv
I bought a 350Z without ever having driven one.
I would have, but I’m old school, I felt I should at least go through the “game” of being sold.

I went to the Nissan site found a Z exactly like I wanted, called the dealership, verified the Z was on the lot, and told the salesman I’d be over in 15 minutes to buy it. I felt I at least should drive and make the salesman “feel” like he “sold”me. I only went about ½ mile on the “test drive” and never got out of 3rd or went over 35MPH.
Old 08-30-2006, 03:09 PM
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hooman6mt
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before I bought the 350z, I test drove a MBZ SLK, and the salesmen said to me "go ahead try it out, slide the back end out a little". I had to oblige....but the car was dog slow...unless you get the AMG model.
Old 08-30-2006, 03:14 PM
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stein
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I didn't go WOT but took off pretty quick and took a corner hard, nothing crazy! It only had 12 miles on it when I got in so I it couldn't of have more than one other test drive. It was also the car I bought since they didn't have another DB touring. They had the roadster but I just can't see myself in one...
Old 08-30-2006, 03:22 PM
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Silkk
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My Z was going to be a daily driver, so I drove it like I would daily; aka not WOT and Redline every shift... bought the car without ever knowing its 'potential'.

I found it out quickly on the way home however...
Old 08-30-2006, 03:22 PM
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glowz825
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Originally Posted by davidv
I bought a 350Z without ever having driven one.
I did the same thing...Glad I love the car
Old 08-30-2006, 04:01 PM
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streetracer
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Originally Posted by davidv
I bought a 350Z without ever having driven one.
Me too. Called the dealer. Asked if they had it white and they said it arrived the same day from the docks. Waited for it at the dealer. Pulled it directly from the truck. When I first drove I was shaking the whole time. Fastest car I had ever driven.
Old 08-30-2006, 04:02 PM
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imjdoggie
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I never test drove mine either, I knew I'd love it!
Old 08-30-2006, 04:15 PM
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HighwaySpeed
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Originally Posted by gsazabi
That's why you test drive 2 different cars; one to WOT and another one that you're actually gonna buy lol.
+1
Old 08-30-2006, 04:22 PM
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Mid117
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When I test drove mine (wasn't the one i bought ), the salesman pushed me to beat on the car("Hey, I don't see any cops around"). Pretty suprising for a 50+year old guy. Before I knew it, I was in the triple digits, and the guy didn't even say anything. Then he started blasting rap music
Old 08-30-2006, 04:24 PM
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Miko
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The dealer needs to invest in buying a scrap model, used Z that people could "test" out, ripping through the gears and all that. People who consider the Z know about it's performance...unlike other models..not much to see if you WOT them.
Old 08-30-2006, 04:29 PM
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Bananax
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Originally Posted by davidv
I bought a 350Z without ever having driven one.
I did the same.
Old 08-30-2006, 04:30 PM
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Mid117
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I'd never buy a car without driving it first....a big reason I turned away from subaru
Old 08-30-2006, 04:38 PM
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zpak
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Originally Posted by Mid117
When I test drove mine (wasn't the one i bought ), the salesman pushed me to beat on the car("Hey, I don't see any cops around"). Pretty suprising for a 50+year old guy. Before I knew it, I was in the triple digits, and the guy didn't even say anything. Then he started blasting rap music
+1

Took it to 100mph before letting off.
Old 08-30-2006, 04:51 PM
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Kolia
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I test drove a Z on the Monza race track the first time.

The one I bought had 26 miles on it and I broke it in by the book...


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