Notices
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

350Z, good for everyday driving?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 1, 2007 | 05:53 AM
  #61  
Leslie's Avatar
Leslie
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Henderson, NV
Default

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.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2007 | 11:54 AM
  #62  
AreBe's Avatar
AreBe
New Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Default

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.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2007 | 09:44 AM
  #63  
Forrest80's Avatar
Forrest80
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: California
Default

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.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2007 | 08:45 PM
  #64  
sna66's Avatar
sna66
New Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale
Default

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
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2007 | 11:01 PM
  #65  
gruntysmasher's Avatar
gruntysmasher
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Juliet, TN
Default

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.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2007 | 12:07 AM
  #66  
racerfreakxxx's Avatar
racerfreakxxx
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Somers NY
Default

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.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2007 | 08:54 PM
  #67  
Dmorrisjr350z's Avatar
Dmorrisjr350z
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham, WA
Default

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!
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:52 AM
  #68  
Meesho's Avatar
Meesho
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert,AZ
Default

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?
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 10:17 AM
  #69  
Zmazing03's Avatar
Zmazing03
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,899
Likes: 0
From: Waterbury, CT
Default

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).
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:12 PM
  #70  
roast's Avatar
roast
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 1
From: Okay, see?
Default



It's a great daily driver.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 05:43 AM
  #71  
kham25's Avatar
kham25
New Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Default

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.
I agree with the Kidney comment.. Stiff *** suspension
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 05:53 AM
  #72  
Z1 Performance's Avatar
Z1 Performance
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (564)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 19,266
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, New York
Default

a stock Z has stiff suspension? My saab is much much stiffer than my Z ever was...
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 06:55 AM
  #73  
Chad68's Avatar
Chad68
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,171
Likes: 2
From: CA
Default

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
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 07:48 AM
  #74  
kham25's Avatar
kham25
New Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Default

Originally Posted by Z1 Performance
a stock Z has stiff suspension? My saab is much much stiffer than my Z ever was...
Well i drive in the Manhattan all the time and i hate it. Bouncy and stiff as **** .. 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.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 07:52 AM
  #75  
RJ_KC's Avatar
RJ_KC
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: KCMO
Default

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
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bcoffee20
Zs & Gs For Sale
5
Nov 19, 2015 06:39 PM
Mattg350z
Buying/Leasing
4
Oct 2, 2015 06:51 AM
smithmt3
Maintenance & Repair
9
Sep 11, 2015 08:25 PM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:01 AM.