Well as some of you may or may not know i'm trying to get into a manual 350Z. I made the biggest mistake of thinking I could live with the 5AT and i can't. Don't even bother trying to argue a point i've already made my decision. Anyhow I found a 04 Coupe, base model in silver with 31K miles on it (my 04 ZR has 52K). It's in good condition and drives nice... only downside is since its base there is no LSD, but i'd be better off with an aftermarket one anyway, no HIDs, but I want to put a 55W HID kit in anyway, and no cruise control / audio controls (I know only 06+'s only have audio, but its a consideration in the buying decision), and no power/heated seats. Although I don't like the power seats anyway and the heating isn't all that special... Also no traction control (but I always turn it off when I get in the car anyway). Only point where I could see it helpful is in the winter, but the only thing it does is let off the throttle when the rears start to slip, and I do that anyway with TCS off, just as quickly as it can... so maybe no point in TCS. So as long as I have good winter tires and am not a dumbass I should be fine.

I'm not quite sure if I want to leave the convertible though, because I absolutely love it and I know I will miss it... but I got a new job that is going to require me driving on the freeway a lot and I won't always want to have the top down, which kind of defeats the purpose of it anyway. So i'm thinking going back to a hardtop might not be terrible... still not sure...

Also no cruise may be annoying from time to time on the freeway, but i'm not sure... I know there is no way to add it. Unless you buy an ECU that has it?

And, I don't really like silver that much. I'd prefer DB or PPW but maybe its worth it? I dunno... not unless they can really knock the price down cheap.

Anyway please give me your opinion here on what you would do...

 

So find a different 6mt , just not a base .

 

do you plan on tracking the car in like auto-x or something. Otherwise i don't see why you are in need of an manual that badly.

 

I do and will continue to track and auto-x the car. And a manual is just much more fun to drive. That is reason enough.... it's not even a discussion for me i've already made my decision.

Unless I can get this car for $16K though i'm thinking no. Really just want a 07-08 ZR 6MT in DB w/frost interior and sat nav... I found one in Cali for $32,5 but I don't have the money for it yet. I'm probably just going to save up and hope its still for sale in a few months.

But if I can get this cheap then I can use that extra money on mods, just have to deal with no open-top experience, silver color and no cruise, ultimately.

 

Look at what you wrote above. I'm concerned that if you settle, again, for something less than you want that you will continue to be disappointed. If you don't like silver, wait until you find a color that you like. If you want cruise, hold out for an enthusiast. As for the roadster, that is a tougher call.

I guess all I'm saying is don't be in too much of a hurry and hold out for the car that suites you. I would think that you should be able to get a deal on a roadster in a another few months being in Boise.

I am holding out for at least and enthusiast, but really would like a touring. I've already decided on a coupe and definitely want a MT.

 

Yeah well unless I can get it dirt cheap then I wont. Would be yet another waste of money.

Honestly I think I will regret going to a coupe more than anything. The other stuff doesn't bother me as much, it can be changed relatively easilly. But I really enjoy the convertible, even though the Coupe looks better in profile. Completely different perception when your actually driving, enjoying the massive sunroof, lol.

 

I agree, totally. I had a car stealership try and get me into some colors I would hate to have, and I never went back. That is major, I didn't even look at silver/red/orange (sorry to you guys who drive those colors, I just love the black, and that pewter and white looked great too). But seriously think about if you can go without the convertible. I drove a rental convert. for about a week a few years back, but I have to have the coupe. I was also attempted to be talked into the convertible (FYI: I never drove one, or returned to that dealer).

I would also WAIT for the stock parts over the aftermarket parts. I know this because my last vehicle was aftermarket heavy. I spent over $400 (one of the more expensive kits for my vehicle) and one of the relays blew within a month or two. Plus, you have to spend way too much money to have HID's standard, and HID brights. I didn't have brights for that few months. Don't even think about replacing standard drivetrain things for aftermarket. It's expensive and not worth it, quality wise.

I looked at an 06 with low miles, but no options, and ended up the next day buying an 05 with all the options for like 5K more. I would highly recommend, from experience, to get your car as close to what you want from the start. If you buy a yellow Z, you plan to repaint, and plan to replace the drivetrain, the lights, etc. etc. then your car will never be finished, and it is hit or miss on aftermarket parts. Just don't do it, it will never be right. But cruise is a useless feature, on the highway you need to either be hitting the gas or the brakes, as they are mutually exclusive in the Z.

 

Thanks for that... I hadn't considered all of what you have said. I already know I love the convertible (although I have yet to experience it through a winter) so I would be happy with it. But I dont know... plenty of people get something they aren't sure of at first and it grows on them. So unless its absolutely offensive the first time you see it, it may work out.

But the fact I would have to upgrade all these things would be an annoyance, sort of.

But if I hate the paint even after a couple months, it would be a lot more expensive to get a professional paint job. So I think i'll hold off... unless they sell it to me for $10,000, lol... right, maybe they can wipe my *** too.

 

Manual =

Automatic =

 

its the love of feeling each gear and your in total control of the car. Only downfall of a stick is...traffic!!!

 

Will have to be 07, as 08's don't come in DB...only the new SMB
If you really want a drop top, wait, and find the car you want. Coming from Miata's I can understand your desire for a drop top car...Even if the vert Z is a bit on the ugly side w/ the top up.
If this is a thought, walk away!

 

Piece of advice: Per statistics, ATs in our cars are FLAWLESS, while MTs are
clunky, at best. So, think about it, dude. That "racey" feeling could cost you!
____________________________________________________________ _____
'O4 Touring Coupe! FLAWLESS AT!! 13k!!! $2O,5OO!!!! NO feathering!!!!!

 

Ive been in your situation too. Yes the autos are bulletproof, but there is just something missing. My last car was tiptronic and I wont own one again, personal pref.

I say wait. You shouldnt have to think that hard if its the right car for you. When I got my Z, it had everything I wanted, including the color. I'm happy to drive it into the dirt before I do any rebuilding, painting, or serious moding. I guess when I read your post, I could totally relate, Ive been there. I almost swapped a 5mt into my old lude. It seems like your almost trying to talk yourself into this other car even thought your not really diggin it. trust your instincts, I think they are telling you to hold off. Am I right?

 

I disagree, it has flaws.
- doesn't shift up or down exactly when I tell it to, takes a second or 2, depending on the situation - unpredictable at that.
- won't go into 1st @ 33mph

I recently Autox'd my 03 5AT, and there were sections that dictated 1st gear and others that dictated 2nd gear, but I had to stay in first through a cpl of the second gear areas b/c it wouldn't let me downshift to 1st when I needed to afterwards....this cost me at least a second...which when there were 3 of us battling within a second of each other is a big deal.

 

I dont understand why everyone on this forum bad-mouths the base model.Its a pure sports car,If you need bells and whistles traction control ect.You should be driving a sedan.

 

if you do a search for his name, that statement of his flawless auto z was mentioned 50k times before it's pointless.

 

I think your all right, i'm going to wait... I don't think i'll be happy with silver, just too common on so many cars. That and no convertible will both be a dissapointment in the future. Only + isin the winter, i'll probaly prefer the hardtop in the winter. But I haven't experienced a winter in it yet so I don't know.

Yes the auto is more reliable and consistant... but I hate it. I love a manual and I know how to drive them. Sure there are clutch issues and some trans issues, all of which i'm VERY aware of after reading all your my clutch pedal is stuck half way up, my 5th gear grinds when I switch into it fast threads. So I know what i'm getting into and frankly its a moot point. I'm already planning to have to fork out some cash for a clutch or hassle with Nissan to get a trans replacement int he future. I'm fine with it if it means enjoying a manual.

And WTX350Z is spot on... The 5AT in manual mode is just slow, dimwitted, and obnoxious when you want it to do something and it wont. The only time it works fairly quickly is when your WOT, otherwise it seems like the computer is trying to decide if you really want to downshift/upshift or not and delays it. I don't know but its bloody annoying.


I have found the PERFECT Z for me... but I don't have the means to get it right now. I can only hope its still for sale when I can do it a few months down the road. I've already called the seller and talked to him, nice guy... i've also checked into transporting it and it will be about $800 to have a company pick it up at his place and deliver it to my house. But its extremely difficult financially because I have to pay my loan off and then he has to pay his loan off first before it can be transferred to me.

Check it out... : http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

 

Beautiful car indeed...if it was a coupe it'd be the perfect car for me. I can't get used to the look of the Roadsters w/ the top up.

goodluck on all the financial stuff.

 

Get a Track.. this car slows from 120 to 0 SO fast.. and runs a 13.8 in the 1/4 with 3 mods.
super fun to drive..
you wont regret it.

 

Yeah I hate the top up look too... thats why its down 99% of the time. That's why i'm not too happy about winter coming up and having to keep it up. That's whats making me consider the coupe. Really wish I could afford two Z's, one Roadster and one Coupe... oh well.

As for getting the track model, sure if I can find one in this color and interior. Apparently the guy had to special order this from the factory to get DB with 6speed. If thats the case its going to be nearly impossible to find a used one for sale.