I have an explorer right now, and I want a 350z real bad. I have half of the price saved and I am going to get one! My question is has any one gone from an SUV to a 350Z? I am not selling my explorer b/c I know I can still use it until I move so I will have it if I need it. But small things like picking up dry cleaning (is there a hook for laundry?) or buying groceries. I just want to know some of the small things FORMER SUV owners and current 350Z owners miss? Any info will be helpful I just want to know every little thing I can expect before I get my very own Z.

Cheers

Kevin

 

I traded my explorer in when I bought my Z. The Z is in no way a practical car, unless you don't need room for anyone besides yourself and a girl. As a grocery getter, I've never had a problem. The coat hook in the Z is a joke so don't bother. The only time I miss my explorer is when it's snowing or I want to get furniture. Driving in snow is for the most part a no go, but you're in SC so I doubt that'd be much of a problem for you.

 

Well, we kept our Highlander SUV but the Z is my daily driver & I do all sorts of trips in it. Fine for several bags of groceries; fine for picking up from cleaners............I either put cloths over the Z bar in back or hook on the headrest on passenger seat. I've even picked up large pictures (24 X36) I've had framed.

The area under the hatch is really quite roomy as long as he don't have large things such as hard cased luggage. My son & I packed enough stuff to camp comfortably for a week. As long as you have another vehicle, it won't be a problem.

 

Yeah, I have 2 SUV's and I am going to sell one and keep the other for haulin stuff -- the Z is only for haulin a$$!

 

i went from a mitsubishi montero, talk about roomy, to my z coupe. you're going to lose alot of space & the ride height too. the roadster is even worse than the coupe.

 

Yeah. I had a b!tchin Pontiac Aztec in Screaming Yellow, but the homies I roll with weren't diggin it, so I stashed it for a Z.

 

the Z is not pratical.. keep the explorer.. keep it as your beater

 

Greenville! I grew up in Greer and now live in Spartanburg!

I went from a full size F150 truck to the z. It is definately an adjustment, and if you don't have an alternative vehicle to use/borrow/own, it can be a pita. But the other family care for me is a suv, so we are cool. Still miss the heck out of the truck, and i will definately get another soon.

But the z. The z is sweet to own and run around in. Either the girl or the dog and I am gone. No big trips to the grocery store/lowes/walmart but you can fit more than you may think. My girlfriend always says before the trip.."There is no way we are going to be able to get all our stuff for a week at the beach in there". Of course, i respond "watch me" and we always do.

There are trade offs but for the most part definately worth it. If you want to meet up in Greenville sometime, just give me a pm.

 

I just moved. I definitely stress you to keep the explorer. I had to make a lot of trips. luckily I have friends with trucks. I finially figured out you can pack a lot of stuff in the Z if you pack everything in small boxes. I could get 4 decent sized boxes behind the Z bar and the seats. then the smaller stuff closer toward the back of the hatch. and then the bigger stuff like my computer monitor in the passenger seat. Good luck!

 

i had an expedition before my Z. i miss the room i took for granted in the back, and like CEO350 said, the ride height i miss. i can't see over anybody when they pull up besides me, so i have to wait for them to move if i want to make a left. but i don't miss the time i spent at the gas pump!!!

 

I went from a 99 Nissan Pathfinder to an 05 Z. There are several factors to consider.

1. Your ride height is much lower, meaning that you won't be able to see up and around all of the traffic. You will also sit right in the middle of the water spray that get's churned up from the road during stormy weather.
   
2. The limited space is an obvious consideration. Though there are a few people on here that have fit some rather amazing things in the trunk of the Z, generally speaking, its small.
   
3. The ride of the Z is considerably rougher then that of your average SUV. You will become intimately knowledgeable about every bump in your daily commute.
   
4. The front bumper of the car sits about 3-4 inches from the ground. If you like to tail gate, you will quickly notice that you are losing paint from the road debris. Regardless if you tailgate or not, your front bumper will get chipped up (unless you protect it with a bra of some sort).
   
5. Lastly, don't be suprised when you find yourself screaming down the high way at a 100+ with a big, sh|t eating grin spread across your face (maybe that's just me)

 

+1. I went from an Eddie Bauer Expedition to my Z. I miss the room.........sometimes, but the Z wins out everytime in my list of favorites!

 

I had an Isuzu Rodeo before trading it in for my roadster. The Rodeo was dependable, practical, and reasonably priced. I was able to haul things around, it was helpful when I moved, I was able to fit my son's bass guitar and his amp in the back of it.

And I hated that thing. From the day I bought it I never did have that new car pride that one should have after buying a brand new car. After a few months, I would occasionally take it to a car wash to get it cleaned off. Never washed it by hand. Never waxed it. Just didn't give a crap about it other than making sure that the scheduled maintenence was always performed. There was zero "pride of ownership."

When I brought my roadster home, all of that pent up "pride" came back in droves. Now my wife tells me that I am again a pain in the butt when it comes to my car.

 

Tropicalypso covered my basic changes going from 13 yrs with a '93 Pathfinder to my new Z. I kept the pathfinder for rare times to lauch the boat, carry the big dog to the vet etc. and for nostalgic reasons. I've put 6000 miles on the Z in 6 weeks and yesterday drove the SUV. Shocking experience. It felt unstable, wobbly and uncomfortable for about an hour till I got used to the SUV again.
You can put more in the Z than I thought. My girl friend and I just got back from a 10 day road trip carrying tent, sleeping bags, gear, med. cooler, a bag of clothes each and necessities. Rubbermaid makes the cooler that fits in front of the rear strut, the deep spare tire holds emergency stuff & tools, nismo makes a carrier for the back of the passenger seat and there are 4 closable compartments for cameras etc.(3 behind seat & 1 in dash..if you don't get the NAV system). Like you, I was very worried about the practicality of SUV to SC. Go for it, you'll never regret getting this car if you have access to a larger one for rare occassions. I love driving this car.

 

I had an explorer before the Z, its obviously more practical but theres no way Ill be go back to a SUV. I gave the explorer to my brother, so I can still use it when I need it. If you can afford it,keep the explorer it comes in handy sometimes. Or if anyone in your family has a truck/suv youll be ok. The only thing I miss is going over speed bumps at 50mph, and driving up curbs just for the hell of it . For me....Z > SUV

 

There's a coat hook in the Z?!?

I went from a pathfinder to an explorer to the Z. I was gonna keep the explorer but i figured it was on it's last legs anyway. I'll probably get a WRX wagon to go with the Z, but yeah, like everyone else said, getting things other than yourself and another person can be interesting. Add a cooler, a couple of overnight bags and that's about it. It was really fun trying to get my dog (Ridgeback mix) in there.

 

Hang on to your Explorer!! As much as I love my Z, there are days when I don't feel like driving a stick or just want to be in something a little roomier--- makes me glad I have a Pathfinder for a daily driver.

Big plus of having two so different vehicles is that after a few days of not driving the Z, I fall back in love with the Z when I do take her out...

 

I had a Ranger FX4 Level II before the Z. It was nice how I could just throw stuff in the bed and go. Bumps in the road, curbs, and raised driveways were no factor with that truck. It was a blast to take off road also. But, I am a sports car driver at heart, and missed having a Z car. I traded it in for the Z. The Z isn't anywhere near as practical or usefull as the Ranger, but I am much happier with it. Down the road I will probably just get a beater truck. I got tired of taking my spankin new '06 truck off raod and scratching up the paint anyway...The loss of practicality is way worth the joy of driving the Z however

 

i have 97 crv all good for doing the normal thing like: groceries, work,etc. my z is used for all my exotic stuff: cruisin, racin, lookin for chicks, oh did i mention chicks lol

 

i traded in my explorer for a 350z also! I don't really have much to carry around with me, so the switch was not that bad. And, I never have to drive when I am with friends. I am in Cali, so I never have any snow problems... so everything is goood