Just traded in my '99 one owner Z3 2.8 for a new 350Z.

I like the 350 a lot, let's say it's growing on me with only 200 miles on it.

First impressions are, it rides like a cement truck compared to the Z3, but I expected that. I'm 6'3" and I have a lot more room in the 350 than the Z3.

The 350 is more fun to drive, being an old time racing gear head, but I have noticed that on the 350 above 4K RPM the engine is REALLY rough compared to the Z3. When bringing the Z3 up to 6500 RPM one can't help but think "wow, this IS German engineering", it's that smooth, like clockwork or a precise instrument.

I was hesitant at first to get black with the orange leather, but it really looks sharp. This car looks like it's flying down the road when it's just parked.

My insurance rates went up $82 a year for the same coverage with State Farm.

Would like to find someone in the Chicago, IL/WI area to install a DVD movie system to the NAV that's in there.

My test drive, before I bought it, left me quite unimpressed compared to my expectations of a 287HP car. I nailed it with the salesman and scared the **** out of him. I've owned and built up to 500HP engines in my youth, and I guess I just expected a little more out of this engine. The sales people at the dealership kept telling me "wait until the car has about 1,000 miles on it, it's really different." I don't know, I find that hard to believe and would like anyone with more information on this to please chime in.

I guess my final impression is, I like everything about this car except for the engine vibration above 4K and I'm wondering if this will go away a bit after I get some miles on it.

Dave

 

First of all.... congratulations...

The Z3 may handle well... but it is one of the most butt-ugly sports cars on the planet... IMHO

Hope your estimation of the Z grows.... since you seem to be middle-of-the-road at this time having just bought the car.

The Z is not perfect... but with a few mods, I believe it will be.

 

Congrats on the Z. The Z3 turns my head when they go by, I think they are awsome looking. I luv my Z fore-most.

 

I don't think you notice much seat of the pants dyno difference at 1000 miles. I have 1400 right now and it still feels relatively the same as it did when new. It's just that now, I go to WOT more often. So maybe that makes it seem faster. Maybe with about 3-4000 clicks there will be a more obvious difference in power delivery. I'm not sure though.

All out power is not the 350's strong point. The handling and brakes are, in my estimation. Then again, the Z3 probably isn't too powerful either. Just keep in mind that that 287 hp V6 under the hood is pushing around more weight than a C5 Corvette making around 330 rwhp.

Possibly there will be a forced induction setup from the factory in the next few years but maybe we'll just have to be content until the GT-R (hopefully) is realeased in the US.

Enjoy your Z. I bet you'll get more attention than you did in that Z3. Maybe even more than you are looking for???

 

First thing you need to do is put a ground kit on your new Z. It will make a difference. Do a search on this site for more info.

 

BIG BIG MISTAKE!!!

































































































JK LOLOL

 

I'm with Fairlady Z in Japan on this one--those Z3s and Z4s are just plain fugly. I'm glad you wised up and made the switch. j/k I also have an 840ci I'm in the process of selling, and I gotta say, I've never had more fun driving a car than I do in the Z.

 

What's a "mistake" ?

The ground kit, or trading in the Z3. ;-)