350Z, good for everyday driving?
12-01-2007, 05:53 AM
#61
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I DD my Z going on 3 years now. Also since I bought it in (I do mods and service )cali and visit family etc there quite often. Have made a number of trips from the desert to pacific ocean and never felt uncomfortable (husband has health probs as well) nor fatigued like if we took one of our other vehicles, loaded lots of stuff in the back (shopping 
) just great all round car imo.
) just great all round car imo.
12-06-2007, 11:54 AM
#62
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Got my Z in late March. I commute 68 miles each way, 2 or 3 days a week. Nearly all miles on freeway (680/280 in Bay Area). Car now (12/07) has 18K on it. Mileage is great - >27 MPG if I keep my foot out of it.
In first 3 months, 4 trips to dealership:
1 - Drivers-side window insane (would go up, then 1/2 down and stay there)
1 - Bad fuel air sensor (replaced), which caused:
1 - Cat bank 1 to be replaced, and a week later
1 - Cat bank 2 to be replaced
The car has run flawlessly since.
It is a great daily driver. The stiff ride took a bit of getting used to (shook some kidney stones loose), but it is fun to drive, even in traffic. And it looks soooo good.
Z is: 2007, Grand Touring, San Marino blue, 6 speed manual gearbox, NISMO Catback exhaust.
In first 3 months, 4 trips to dealership:
1 - Drivers-side window insane (would go up, then 1/2 down and stay there)
1 - Bad fuel air sensor (replaced), which caused:
1 - Cat bank 1 to be replaced, and a week later
1 - Cat bank 2 to be replaced
The car has run flawlessly since.
It is a great daily driver. The stiff ride took a bit of getting used to (shook some kidney stones loose), but it is fun to drive, even in traffic. And it looks soooo good.
Z is: 2007, Grand Touring, San Marino blue, 6 speed manual gearbox, NISMO Catback exhaust.
12-07-2007, 09:44 AM
#63
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I have a 2005 Z and a 2007 Civic. Heres what i notice about both as a daily driver.
Move around in traffic? Z wins, Civic to slow to take advantage
Bumps in road at 65? I feel like im gonna die in the civic i really have fear.
Suspension? Z is stiff but i rather feel it then the bounce i get in the civic.
Safer? the Z door is heavy when i shut the door, in the civic i feel like i closed a cardboard door.
I dunno i guess i feel the Z feels far more secure and safer to me, sure the ride is lil harsher but i LIKE IT.
Move around in traffic? Z wins, Civic to slow to take advantage
Bumps in road at 65? I feel like im gonna die in the civic i really have fear.
Suspension? Z is stiff but i rather feel it then the bounce i get in the civic.
Safer? the Z door is heavy when i shut the door, in the civic i feel like i closed a cardboard door.
I dunno i guess i feel the Z feels far more secure and safer to me, sure the ride is lil harsher but i LIKE IT.
12-07-2007, 08:45 PM
#64
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Not for a DD, esp for 2 hrs, consider a g35, wayy more comfortable, i went from a z to a g sedan, now im considering a g coupe, the z seats arent comfortable, its loud, and bumpy, looks sexy and performs well, but not for dd imho
12-07-2007, 11:01 PM
#65
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No. Z + DD = lose.
Your Z should be a weekend car. That way, you have all week to let the excitement build.
OK, maybe that's a lie. But no, IMO, 350Zs are not good daily drivers. Don't get me wrong, they perform the job of a daily driver well, but really, they're just not useful. Get something you can either A) Really beat the s**t out of, or B) Something with a backseat.
Remember, it's the one time that you need it and don't have it that you really really wish you had gotten it (backseat).
I drive an old beater '92 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder every day. Sounds like a log truck, handles like the Hindenberg, but it gets the job done, and I don't have to worry about it.
Your Z should be a weekend car. That way, you have all week to let the excitement build.
OK, maybe that's a lie. But no, IMO, 350Zs are not good daily drivers. Don't get me wrong, they perform the job of a daily driver well, but really, they're just not useful. Get something you can either A) Really beat the s**t out of, or B) Something with a backseat.
Remember, it's the one time that you need it and don't have it that you really really wish you had gotten it (backseat).
I drive an old beater '92 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder every day. Sounds like a log truck, handles like the Hindenberg, but it gets the job done, and I don't have to worry about it.
12-08-2007, 12:07 AM
#66
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I've been daily driving my z for almost a year. I have no problems with the fact that I can feel every bump. I do have a problem with it when it snows or rains, but I am running a michelin pilot sport (performance summer) tires. The car is great for daily driving for me because I work 5 miles away and do maybe 20 miles a day sometimes less. You really have to look at your daily driving requirements when it comes to the Z.
12-09-2007, 08:54 PM
#67
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ive been daily driving the Z for a little over a year! Most of the time i treat it like any other car. There are also the times the car is a lot of fun, getting up to speed fast, or swinging it out around a corner.
My only cons is space/# of passengers, but we all know about that going in!
My only cons is space/# of passengers, but we all know about that going in!
12-10-2007, 08:52 AM
#68
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It nice to drive everyday if it is completely stock.. If you plan on modifying it . I mean exhaust . lowering . Going FI or anything like that then it will be very hard to have as a daily driver. Thats what happened to me and now I have an accord as a second car .
Originally Posted by MIVsupra93-2JZ
Thinking about getting a Z. How's the reliability issue(s) for everyday driving? I commute to and from work 2 hrs a day. I need something that's easy to maintain and doesn't eat up too much gas.
One more thing, how many mile you guys put on your car in a day?
One more thing, how many mile you guys put on your car in a day?
12-10-2007, 10:17 AM
#69
I've got about 30-40 mins each way, 50 miles total roundtrip or so, each day. It isn't bad at all. I have been daily driving it for well over a year now and put almost 20k on it last year. At times I wish I had a smoother ride, better stereo, and an automatic, but I can usually fix that feeling by stepping on the gas for a few seconds. If I could afford a DD (reliable, good condition, not a "beater") I would get one, but the Z certainly works out, and I live in New England (traffic, snow, etc).
For the record I have an aftermarket exhaust that is louder than stock, but not *that* loud. The car definitely is louder than your typical TL or Accord, but not unberable at all (until you put test pipes on, then it sucks).
If I could afford a DD (reliable, good condition, not a "beater") I would get one, but the Z certainly works out, and I live in New England (traffic, snow, etc).For the record I have an aftermarket exhaust that is louder than stock, but not *that* loud. The car definitely is louder than your typical TL or Accord, but not unberable at all (until you put test pipes on, then it sucks).
12-11-2007, 05:43 AM
#71
Originally Posted by AreBe
Got my Z in late March. I commute 68 miles each way, 2 or 3 days a week. Nearly all miles on freeway (680/280 in Bay Area). Car now (12/07) has 18K on it. Mileage is great - >27 MPG if I keep my foot out of it.
In first 3 months, 4 trips to dealership:
1 - Drivers-side window insane (would go up, then 1/2 down and stay there)
1 - Bad fuel air sensor (replaced), which caused:
1 - Cat bank 1 to be replaced, and a week later
1 - Cat bank 2 to be replaced
The car has run flawlessly since.
It is a great daily driver. The stiff ride took a bit of getting used to (shook some kidney stones loose), but it is fun to drive, even in traffic. And it looks soooo good.
Z is: 2007, Grand Touring, San Marino blue, 6 speed manual gearbox, NISMO Catback exhaust.
In first 3 months, 4 trips to dealership:
1 - Drivers-side window insane (would go up, then 1/2 down and stay there)
1 - Bad fuel air sensor (replaced), which caused:
1 - Cat bank 1 to be replaced, and a week later
1 - Cat bank 2 to be replaced
The car has run flawlessly since.
It is a great daily driver. The stiff ride took a bit of getting used to (shook some kidney stones loose), but it is fun to drive, even in traffic. And it looks soooo good.
Z is: 2007, Grand Touring, San Marino blue, 6 speed manual gearbox, NISMO Catback exhaust.
12-11-2007, 06:55 AM
#73
Originally Posted by metal_gear350
we'll just say i'm a high paid babysitter so the paycheck definately helps
Damn all this time I felt kinda bad for you and thought you were strapped for cash trying to sell your wheels. You're like not poor at all
12-11-2007, 07:48 AM
#74
Originally Posted by Z1 Performance
a stock Z has stiff suspension? My saab is much much stiffer than my Z ever was...
.. NYC people you know what im saying. Not that its not tolerable but after bouncing around in the driver seat for a bit it gets annoying.
12-11-2007, 07:52 AM
#75
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kansas city roads suck goat nards as well, but i came from a 4x4 truck into the Z so it rides better 
and ive had no issues with it as my DD other then paying alot more attn to where i park than i did with my 4x4
and ive had no issues with it as my DD other then paying alot more attn to where i park than i did with my 4x4
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