Notices
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

Test drove my first Z.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 08:45 PM
  #1  
Scipher21's Avatar
Scipher21
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default Test drove my first Z.

And I LOVED IT! I drove a 08 Touring Roadster. Its all they had in stock.

I plan on buying a 2008 enthusiast. But anyway, my only complaint is the clutch seems weird to me.

Im coming from a 96 Honda Prelude, and the clutch on the Z feels like a vaccum. Past a couple of inches it just completely sucks in, and its very hard to start from a roll and to get used to.

But will this "sucking in" feel go away some after it breaks in?

The only other MT car ive drove than my prelude before this is an 05 GTI. It didnt feel like these, but my bro had it at 30k miles already so...

Thats my only "iffyness" about it. Thanks guys.

I'm going to sign for a white or red 2008 enthusiast on September 13.
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 09:05 PM
  #2  
malibuboy54's Avatar
malibuboy54
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA
Default

yeah, the clutch takes a while to get used to with it's high clutch catching point, but you'll get past that with practice! other than that, the 08 enthusiast will nice.....any certain color?
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 09:08 PM
  #3  
Zian's Avatar
Zian
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: CA and CO
Default

It has, and always will have, a high engagement point. So basically this will not go away with break in...although you will learn how to drive it better. Z's make you a better driver. Once you are proficient with this clutch most others are pretty easy...
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 09:38 PM
  #4  
dfresh713's Avatar
dfresh713
Master
Premier Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Default

Yea I came from a Prelude also. Give it a good hour driving and you will totally get used to it. I can barely drive my prelude now, the clutch feels to easy.
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 10:53 PM
  #5  
VENOMSZ's Avatar
VENOMSZ
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default

Not as soft as Honda's clutch.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 09:22 AM
  #6  
Scipher21's Avatar
Scipher21
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default

Lol I'm embarassed, I stalled out my first attempt at it. Good thing it was away from the dealership.

I kinda got a hang of it.

The car sounds soooooo nice.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 11:06 AM
  #7  
StewartZ's Avatar
StewartZ
New Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Tx
Default

dude the clutch is a thousand times nicer than your old prelude

but it is a very different clutch thats for sure
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 11:38 AM
  #8  
MadeIn350z's Avatar
MadeIn350z
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Default

your buying the WHITE one... and you know it.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 12:07 PM
  #9  
BYL's Avatar
BYL
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by MadeIn350z
your buying the WHITE one... and you know it.
BOOOOO! Creepy PPW owner to be!
its a damn nice color, have one myself, 08 Touring Coupe. Was thinking about the convertible, but not a fan of it with the top up and as a daily driver, I would get annoyed pretty quick. But with the top down, DAMN SEXY!!
Sorry, I can't comment on the clutch, got an automatic. NYC traffic is a Bee, Eye, Tee, See, Eitch.
Enjoy the car, fella!
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 05:20 PM
  #10  
j.arnaldo's Avatar
j.arnaldo
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 0
From: puerto rico
Default

Jusy in case you still haven't bought it: MTs in Zeds are problematic, with or
w./o. break-in! They're clunky, & just plain old weird. ATs, on the other hand are flawless: NOT ONE peeve posted in these threads!!! In stop'n'go/city traffic, it's a Godsend! Think about it!!! Only 1 MPG less than the manual tranny.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 06:38 PM
  #11  
CSF's Avatar
CSF
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Default

only peeve with automatic is regretting not getting MT j/k

anyway...you'll get used to the high engagement of the Z transmission
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 09:34 AM
  #12  
Scipher21's Avatar
Scipher21
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo
Jusy in case you still haven't bought it: MTs in Zeds are problematic, with or
w./o. break-in! They're clunky, & just plain old weird. ATs, on the other hand are flawless: NOT ONE peeve posted in these threads!!! In stop'n'go/city traffic, it's a Godsend! Think about it!!! Only 1 MPG less than the manual tranny.
i appreciate it but.

im a manual guy.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 10:16 AM
  #13  
ZKansasZ's Avatar
ZKansasZ
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo
Jusy in case you still haven't bought it: MTs in Zeds are problematic, with or
w./o. break-in! They're clunky, & just plain old weird. ATs, on the other hand are flawless: NOT ONE peeve posted in these threads!!! In stop'n'go/city traffic, it's a Godsend! Think about it!!! Only 1 MPG less than the manual tranny.

how many threads do you have to post about your AT??? lol...
Let me guess, you dont know how to drive a stick, right?

I came from owning 3-4 AT cars and this is my first MT one, ever! (I am 30 years old btw) And its a blast to drive a MT car!


IMO, only people who can't drive MT look for excuses of not having one! (well, beside the people who know how to drive both!)
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 10:16 AM
  #14  
ZKansasZ's Avatar
ZKansasZ
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Default

Originally Posted by Scipher21
i appreciate it but.

im a manual guy.

+1 for you !!!!
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 10:59 AM
  #15  
67ZNISMO's Avatar
67ZNISMO
Registered User
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,102
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by 350z-noob
how many threads do you have to post about your AT??? lol...
Let me guess, you dont know how to drive a stick, right?

I came from owning 3-4 AT cars and this is my first MT one, ever! (I am 30 years old btw) And its a blast to drive a MT car!


IMO, only people who can't drive MT look for excuses of not having one! (well, beside the people who know how to drive both!)
I think he has a point
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #16  
gregom's Avatar
gregom
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Default

I test drove an 04 Z coupe MT a year ago and didn't have any problems, felt pretty similar to the clutch in my Tiburon except a bit heavier. I've got an auto now because thats all I could find for the Roadster, and I still wish I had a manual. The auto is still quick but its just not as fun and you dont get that true sports car experience. I say get the MT if you can...

But admittadly when I went from my 88 VW GTI with 5-speed manual to a 06 Tiburon with 6-speed manual, it was a huge difference and very weird... but I got used to it after a day or so of driving.

Now try driving a Saturn Sky Redline... the clutch in that thing pissed me off! It felt like the point where the clutch starts to grab changes!!! Sometimes its really high in the pedal, sometimes it was lower. Maybe it was just me and since it was a brand new car with no miles on it, the cutch wasn't broken in... but damn...

Last edited by gregom; Apr 30, 2008 at 12:07 PM.
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 10:18 AM
  #17  
TheGreatOne's Avatar
TheGreatOne
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
Default

Oh really? good info, I definitely find the cluth a little different on the newer cars.

I'm coming from a Honda Prelude also and have driven the 08 Civic and had a 2000 Hyundai Accent as a winter beater....both MT....I'm probably going to end up buying a Z state side without a test drive....so good to know, i better practice when i get it before showing the boys and stalling on the first day lol.
Reply
Old May 1, 2008 | 01:02 PM
  #18  
elms350Z's Avatar
elms350Z
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

I also find the Z's clutch weird and hard to get used to. I've had mine since 2005 and even now my launches(not racing) or rolls are not consistent. Some days I'm really on it and everything is smooth, then some days its sporadic.
It's even worse when I change seat positions.
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 03:26 PM
  #19  
siruis's Avatar
siruis
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Denver,Co
Default

Im going a week from this Monday (after i graduate) and i cant WAIT!!!
Reply
Old May 2, 2008 | 04:04 PM
  #20  
davidv's Avatar
davidv
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 42,753
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, AZ
Default

Best of luck finding a white or red 2008 enthusiast in September.
Reply



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