I'm new to this forum and I'm looking for some input from some of you current owners.

I currently drive a second gen 6 spd twin turbo stealth and I am getting close to making a decision about a new vehicle. I've always liked Z cars so the 350z was a natural choice when it came back to North America. My stealth has been awesome to own. It is scary fast and handles great in the rain due to the awd, which is needed as I live on the west coast of Canada and that is all we get all winter. My car still turns heads and has been bang on reliable for the 6 years I've owned it. My previous car was an 89 turbo supra which was a total lemon. It blew head gaskets so frequently you could almost set your watch by it.
I want a car that looks awesome and has the guts to back up its looks. I think that the Z might be the car.
I've looked at the WRX but I'm not into the 'kleenex box' on wheels styling and lack of 6spd gearbox. I know the sti has a 6 spd but up here in Canada it's more than the cost of a loaded Z. I want a car that has all the bells and whistles and the Subaru is an awesome ride but a little too purpose built for my tastes.
I've driven the rx8 and it is a fun ride. In GT trim it would fit the bill. The back seats are about the same size as those in my stealth, the difference is that they're easier to get at. As well, I have a 3 year old and the RX8 makes sense as a kid hauler. It won't win any red light races and come to think of it the Mazda dealer was really strongly urging me to get an extended warranty with a new rx8. Makes you wonder... I'm not keen on a vehicle that needs to be driven at 7000 rpm around town to get the most out of its engine. Not to mention the fact that under normal driving it burns a litre of oil per thousand kilometers. An oil change every 3 thousand km isn't just a good idea its a matter of life and death. This from the mouth of the salesman! Then there's the fact that the rear end of the rx8 is ugly no matter how I look at it. I'm not saying that it's Crossfire ugly but it's close. And how about 17 mpg combined city and highway driving? I bought my wife a 2000 ML430 and it gets 19mpg. It weighs 2000 pounds more than the rx8. YIKES !!

My only hesitation about the Z is the fact that although there is an anchor for a child seat in it (with the little pictogram to go along with it) There isn't a key activated off switch for the passenger airbag. I've read that I can order one in but the problem is that my dealership refuses to order one and they will not install one anyway. They cite liability reasons. I'm not sure what the federal laws are like about airbags but it seems to me that if Ford can have a key activated switch to turn off the passenger airbag in its base model pick ups then Nissan can have one on their flagship model. Has anyone out there learned anything about this yet ?? I want to get the Z as my wife and I both love the looks of them but this is a concern.
Does anyone think this airbag issue will be fixed for the 05's?

When does Nissan start making 2005 350z's anyway?

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling questions !!

 

Hi there from another British Columbian, and someone who is also looking at either the RX-8 or the 350Z. I believe that the 2004 350Z does have the air bag kill switch so depending on what year you are looking at that may not be a problem. I believe the 350Z first came out in '03 but I have read a lot of posts mentioning that the '03 models have tire wear issues, although the '04's may have the same issue. Take a look through some of the other posts here and hopefully you'll find answers to all of your questions.
Happy Car Hunting
Preston

 

If you have a child to take around, you should probably stay away from a 2 seat car. Although I'm sure you can get an airbag cutoff switch, etc, it's all just a pain. Maybe you should look at a 4 seater car such as the G35? It's not quite a Z, but I prefer it to the Rx8 in every way.

NzZ

 

The airbag kill switch isn't an option you can select for the 350Z. There is a switch made that can be installed though. It's just a matter of finding someone to do the install. Use the search to find out more information. People who have had the switch installed have shared where they've had it done.

If you decide that a two-seater without a kill switch is a bad idea (which it probably is with a babyseat), stay away from the RX-8 and go with the G35 coupe. It doesn't have the history of the Z, but stylish in its own right.

Also, if rain is a big concern, the AWD of the G35 will probably fit you better than the Z, which some people complain of in the rian.