For Z owners with experience. Is my Z really as fragile as I am making it out to be?
I understand exactly how you feel. Every time I push the car I wonder am I going to break something ? Am I going to wear the car out too fast ? This is my first new car as well. Every car sport or not that I have owned before had atleast 80k + miles on them. I catch myself wondering if noises etc are normal or not and running to these forums to read up 
It's reassuring to hear people say they stand up well to good spirited driving because sometimes when revving high I get the impression I am going to blow the car up.
It's reassuring to hear people say they stand up well to good spirited driving because sometimes when revving high I get the impression I am going to blow the car up.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 70
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From: los angeles
Originally Posted by koreanwith350z
dude... i feel for you.. this is my first manual car and i stalled a bunch of times until about 2,500 miles....i feel bad for my car, but from what i read, i think out cars can and will take it.
Originally Posted by davidv
Welcome. The 350Z is a performance sports car. Drag racing, autocross, open road racing. The Z can do it all. I am one of the slowest drivers on public highways. But get me to an event where it is safe to push the car, and I get crazy. So consider the percentage of miles that I am pushing the 350Z hard. Maybe one percent of the time.
The Z is a car you can't see shine on public roads IMO. If you do try and push it, your just playing the odds... when will you crash!? Because unlike a track, there are elements all over the public roads... grease, gravel, dirt, car parts, scurrying animals, uneven pavement, high/low points, etc.. I've never maxed out my car because of all the unknowns above.
Have fun with your Z... Drive to Live and Live to Drive
Zquicksilver
Originally Posted by Nalizan
I understand exactly how you feel. Every time I push the car I wonder am I going to break something ? Am I going to wear the car out too fast ? This is my first new car as well. Every car sport or not that I have owned before had atleast 80k + miles on them. I catch myself wondering if noises etc are normal or not and running to these forums to read up
It's reassuring to hear people say they stand up well to good spirited driving because sometimes when revving high I get the impression I am going to blow the car up.
It's reassuring to hear people say they stand up well to good spirited driving because sometimes when revving high I get the impression I am going to blow the car up.
"thanks for the response Brickyard...I'll slip up and grind like once a month and hardly ever hit redline."
Blackfairlady,
Sounds like sarcasm. If so you missed the point. I'm certainly not saying you should do either one. Just telling you that if you do, it will not damage your Z.
Blackfairlady,
Sounds like sarcasm. If so you missed the point. I'm certainly not saying you should do either one. Just telling you that if you do, it will not damage your Z.
Originally Posted by The Brickyard Rat
"thanks for the response Brickyard...I'll slip up and grind like once a month and hardly ever hit redline."
Blackfairlady,
Sounds like sarcasm. If so you missed the point. I'm certainly not saying you should do either one. Just telling you that if you do, it will not damage your Z.
Blackfairlady,
Sounds like sarcasm. If so you missed the point. I'm certainly not saying you should do either one. Just telling you that if you do, it will not damage your Z.
It didn't sound like sarcasm to me. having a bad day?
Originally Posted by The Brickyard Rat
"thanks for the response Brickyard...I'll slip up and grind like once a month and hardly ever hit redline."
Blackfairlady,
Sounds like sarcasm. If so you missed the point. I'm certainly not saying you should do either one. Just telling you that if you do, it will not damage your Z.
Blackfairlady,
Sounds like sarcasm. If so you missed the point. I'm certainly not saying you should do either one. Just telling you that if you do, it will not damage your Z.
No sarcasm whatsoever. I don't know where you got that from. I was thanking you for your help. Guess you can't do that around here <-- sarcasm.
When I said "I'll slip up and grind like once a month and hardly ever hit redline," I meant that during the time I have owned the vehicle, I tend to bring it around redline (but not actually hit it) about once a month, otherwise I drive normally.
Also, I slip up every now and again and grind a gear because I'm not paying attention to shifting properly. Again, once in a blue moon that happens to me.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,086
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From: Oceanside Ca
Keep in mind the 350Z is an affordable Sports car. Yes, it stops well but our brakes cannot compare to brakes on an exotic sports car that is designed for the track.
Basically the Z is a performance minded car not a race car (which would costs so much, many of us could not afford it) thus if you really want it to be build for the track plan on upgrading many components.
Basically the Z is a performance minded car not a race car (which would costs so much, many of us could not afford it) thus if you really want it to be build for the track plan on upgrading many components.
Originally Posted by zland
Keep in mind the 350Z is an affordable Sports car. Yes, it stops well but our brakes cannot compare to brakes on an exotic sports car that is designed for the track.
Basically the Z is a performance minded car not a race car (which would costs so much, many of us could not afford it) thus if you really want it to be build for the track plan on upgrading many components.
Basically the Z is a performance minded car not a race car (which would costs so much, many of us could not afford it) thus if you really want it to be build for the track plan on upgrading many components.
I don't plan on tracking the car, though. Just spirited driving, quick downshifting into turns, and downshifting at speed to get to 110 ASAP on an open road once in a great while lol
Last edited by blackfairlady; May 1, 2007 at 01:36 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Florida - WPB
Originally Posted by blackfairlady
SO..I have been practicing rev matching (both to quickly increase speed, and slow down coming into turns) and i think i am improving.
...BUT, I am really concerned about wear on the car. I just don't trust the damn thing. The clutch, the engine, the tranny, everything. I feel like I am putting added wear on the parts on the whole engine and drivetrain every time i rev match to increase or decrease speed (with a little jerk, or even when I do it correctly), down shift going into a turn...anything.
Quite honestly, this is the first new car I have owned, as my daily driver is a 1994 bmw 318is 5mt with 172,000 miles. I know what that car can handle and I feel no guilt in revving it or running it to redline every now and again.
I bought the Z (obviously) because it was a sports car, but after hearing about the transmission and clutch problems, I am always very hesitant to drive it like one. How much can our car take? It doesn't seem like it likes to rev or shift hard. I didn't buy it to granny it, nor did i drive it to beat the living hell out of it all the time, but a combination of normal and spirited driving.
Any thoughts, experiences, or constructive driving technique criticism would be greatly appreciated so I can put my mind at ease and FINALLY enjoy my car. I want [all of] the car to last for a very long time!
p.s. my clutch feels normal and the car shifts the same as it always has and i have been practicing rev matching in it for a few weeks now...there's never a burning clutch smell either. I know wear and tear sometimes isn't always that obvious though.
...BUT, I am really concerned about wear on the car. I just don't trust the damn thing. The clutch, the engine, the tranny, everything. I feel like I am putting added wear on the parts on the whole engine and drivetrain every time i rev match to increase or decrease speed (with a little jerk, or even when I do it correctly), down shift going into a turn...anything.
Quite honestly, this is the first new car I have owned, as my daily driver is a 1994 bmw 318is 5mt with 172,000 miles. I know what that car can handle and I feel no guilt in revving it or running it to redline every now and again.
I bought the Z (obviously) because it was a sports car, but after hearing about the transmission and clutch problems, I am always very hesitant to drive it like one. How much can our car take? It doesn't seem like it likes to rev or shift hard. I didn't buy it to granny it, nor did i drive it to beat the living hell out of it all the time, but a combination of normal and spirited driving.
Any thoughts, experiences, or constructive driving technique criticism would be greatly appreciated so I can put my mind at ease and FINALLY enjoy my car. I want [all of] the car to last for a very long time!
p.s. my clutch feels normal and the car shifts the same as it always has and i have been practicing rev matching in it for a few weeks now...there's never a burning clutch smell either. I know wear and tear sometimes isn't always that obvious though.
Last edited by furiousZ; May 1, 2007 at 02:31 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 509
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From: Cupertino, CA
i'm sorry, the Z car is extremely fragile. They have a tendency to flip going around corners at 20mph, losing complete control going down the freeway at 50mph and randomly crossing raised medians for no reason at all. If I was you I would be very careful and only take your baby out when all conditions are prefect.
On a serious note, I have a Skyline GT250 while in Japan (exact same car as the Infinity G35 here in the states which has the same frame and powertrain as the 350Z) and I abused the hell out of that car with no issues. Your 350z is made to take some punishment and as long as you take basic care of it, it should always treat you right.
On a serious note, I have a Skyline GT250 while in Japan (exact same car as the Infinity G35 here in the states which has the same frame and powertrain as the 350Z) and I abused the hell out of that car with no issues. Your 350z is made to take some punishment and as long as you take basic care of it, it should always treat you right.
I think you'll feel better after spending more time with the car. I actually felt the same way when I first started driving the Z. It was like a relationship with a hot-blooded woman.
I think it's just all the characteristics of the car that make it a little raw or difficult sometimes, but rewarding when you figure it all out. Be patient & keep at it. After a while you'll get used to the accelerator, revs, clutch/etc, brake, and all her other quirks. And yes, you will be smooooth (= fast).
I think it's just all the characteristics of the car that make it a little raw or difficult sometimes, but rewarding when you figure it all out. Be patient & keep at it. After a while you'll get used to the accelerator, revs, clutch/etc, brake, and all her other quirks. And yes, you will be smooooth (= fast).
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 397
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From: naperville, il
it's almost as if i typed your first post myself.... i feel you big time. im always paranoid about everything. every noise, every vibration...everything. half the time there probabyl isnt even a noise, i just think i hear it. while i cant offer you advise on how to feel less worried about the car, i can tell you that nissan did design this car with the plan of having people beat on it. you dont design a high revving, good handling, good looking sports car and plan on all of the owners to drive it to church and back at exactly the speed limit every sunday.
rev matching is one of the things you can do to PREVENT damage so it's a very good skill for you to be learning. eventually, you dont even think about it anymore, you just do it. it's because of that that your gonna save your clutch and your synchros. keep up the practice and im sure you'll be fine
rev matching is one of the things you can do to PREVENT damage so it's a very good skill for you to be learning. eventually, you dont even think about it anymore, you just do it. it's because of that that your gonna save your clutch and your synchros. keep up the practice and im sure you'll be fine
New Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 143
From: Tucson, Arizona
Originally Posted by Zquicksilver
+1 to keeping it safe...
The Z is a car you can't see shine on public roads IMO. If you do try and push it, your just playing the odds... when will you crash!? Because unlike a track, there are elements all over the public roads... grease, gravel, dirt, car parts, scurrying animals, uneven pavement, high/low points, etc.. I've never maxed out my car because of all the unknowns above.
Have fun with your Z... Drive to Live and Live to Drive
Zquicksilver
The Z is a car you can't see shine on public roads IMO. If you do try and push it, your just playing the odds... when will you crash!? Because unlike a track, there are elements all over the public roads... grease, gravel, dirt, car parts, scurrying animals, uneven pavement, high/low points, etc.. I've never maxed out my car because of all the unknowns above.
Have fun with your Z... Drive to Live and Live to Drive
Zquicksilver
Thanks everyone. I just got back from a drive and I'm doing pretty well I must say. Not perfect, but better. It's good to know I'm not the only one who worries about the Z and durability. It's true though, the more you drive it..even when you make mistakes...the more convinced you become that it can take hard driving.
I think this thread will help a lot of Z owners...especially the new ones. If anyone has something more to say, feel free!
I think this thread will help a lot of Z owners...especially the new ones. If anyone has something more to say, feel free!
I rag the **** out of my car, and guess what it breaks occassionally. If you want to drive like grandma you bought the wrong car. Chances are you wont break yours with rev matching, BTW I do that from gear to gear on the way to slowing down for every light, turn, occasion for the past 4 years with no ill effects due to this. You will be ok Now go take your car to redline you should feel better.
Now go take your car to redline you should feel better.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 719
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From: Houston, TX
dude...if you bought the car to drive like a grandma, then you bought the wrong car...have fun with it man...it's made to take aggressive driving...get used to keeping your car in high RPM if you're gonna have fun....avoid letting your car choke as if it's about to stall, that'll be worse for your car than you giving it gas to make sure it revs-match...get used to blipping your throttle, either have your clutch all the way in, or none at all and practice rev-matching and putting it into lower gear...of course, don't just release the clutch without at least trying to match your engine and tranny speed....
Man, the car is built to take quite a bit of abuse....BUT, do NOT attempt to push the car to the limit if you have NOT had a lot of experience with it...drive it, get to know a little bit about it everyday...if you don't know how much you got before it slips on you, don't attempt it on a packed road...know how it handles in the rain...know how it handles without traction before you turn it off...and once you've logged quite a bit of hours/miles, take it out and have fun!!!
Man, the car is built to take quite a bit of abuse....BUT, do NOT attempt to push the car to the limit if you have NOT had a lot of experience with it...drive it, get to know a little bit about it everyday...if you don't know how much you got before it slips on you, don't attempt it on a packed road...know how it handles in the rain...know how it handles without traction before you turn it off...and once you've logged quite a bit of hours/miles, take it out and have fun!!!