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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

What would you re-design?

Old Mar 16, 2004 | 04:39 PM
  #21  
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Z CRUZN
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From: Wichita, KS
Default re-design.....

Auto-on headlights
Antenna incorporated into windshield
Padded armrest on driver's-side door (approx. 3" higher than stock)
Oil dipstick that can be read
Eliminate tire size front/rear stagger
Remote unlock unlocks BOTH doors with 1 push of the button
No rear wiper
Adjustable camber
Low-dust brake pads
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 04:45 PM
  #22  
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OH and I would also fix the part on the center console that LOVES to pop up when you rest your arm on it in a certain way...oh yeah you know what i am talking about
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 04:47 PM
  #23  
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smaller shift ****
the door on the cup holders does something other then stand straight up.
air bag cut off switch.
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 07:15 PM
  #24  
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A cupholder in a location that doesn't (a) spill on the passenger passenger-side carpet and dash and; (b) isn't so far back in the center console that I have to dislocate my shoulder to reach it.
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 08:51 PM
  #25  
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i want the power outlet to be somewhere along the front dash. when i charge my cell phone, i have to pull that charger cord all the way to the front of the car and rest the phone on the passenger seat. and for some reason my cell phone always ends up between the passenger seat and the center console, trapped behind the seat belt release button.
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 08:56 PM
  #26  
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color matched door handles- i think the black z is the sweetest looking, except for the shiny door handles.........
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 09:00 PM
  #27  
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Better interior materials
Slightly softer suspension
Front glove box
Better factory stereo
Same sized tires all around
Better oil dipstick
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Old Mar 16, 2004 | 09:47 PM
  #28  
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Simple, suspension that has a decent range of adjustment for camber and toe (and castor up front) and an antenna incorporated into the windscreen instead of the ugly black thing. Oh and probably take out the pointless orange strip from the headlights.
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 12:55 AM
  #29  
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That material on the doors - you know that circular-patterned textured crap that looks like a giant swatch of the rubber they use on the face of ping-pong paddles. That has to go and whatever jackasses at Nissan responsible for that excrement being in our cars should be forced to have all the interior surfaces of their homes covered in it.

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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 01:33 AM
  #30  
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Design a new oil dipstick and a nicer navigation door. Only gripe with the car. Oh, and too much cheap plastic. If they used better plastic, there'd be a lot more people who would flock to the car. Then again, I suppose using cheap plastic is good since I see too many other Z's around already.
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 01:58 AM
  #31  
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the drivers seat that doesn't move while going around the corner, drivers- passenger windows with out grease, the rattles, trunk latch that doesn't take 2 or 3 times to unlatch every time, the rear clicking noise to go away, plastic look, oil stick and dealer who knows how to fix the damn car.
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 03:31 AM
  #32  
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Instead of 18" track wheels, maybe 19"s
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 03:40 AM
  #33  
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Originally posted by mgl
i want the power outlet to be somewhere along the front dash. when i charge my cell phone, i have to pull that charger cord all the way to the front of the car and rest the phone on the passenger seat. and for some reason my cell phone always ends up between the passenger seat and the center console, trapped behind the seat belt release button.
I have a 2004 and there is a power outlet under the front cup holder (and still one in the back too).

--mike
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 04:26 AM
  #34  
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The most obvious thing I would change is a redesign to the front suspension to allow for more adjustment and to alleviate the feathering problems. I'd also use different tires in different sizes - at least something that more than a few manufacturers carry so you have a better choice in stock tire sizes. I would also tune the suspension so it is not so biased towards understeer.
The interior could really use an update. I like the overall spartan design, but Nissan really needs to use better plastics. The door panels are a PITA to clean and all the plastics scuff and scratch way too easily. They also have to work on the amount of rattles. A front glove box would definitely be a plus and relocating some of the power outlets, storage compartments and cup holders would make the interior a lot more user friendly. If possible, I think the bulkhead behind the seats should be moved back at least a few inches to allow for more seat recline.
I think the engine would definitely benefit from a bit more agressive cams, the Z has good power but it doesn't really seem that happy to be pushed, I think more agressive cams would make it a bit more willing to rev. Although unlikely, a turbo model would be very nice. I liked the feel of the shifter, but I think it really could use some kind of dampening to kill out some of the excessive vibrations.
Finally, I think Nissan should change the models around - create a model that has the options of the current track and touring models for those of us who wanted all the options. Then, make a more focused track models along the line of what Mitsu did with the Evo RS - less amenities, less weight, and less money. Make it a few hundred pounds lighter and possibly even give it some more power to really separate it from the other models.

Last edited by BigBadBuford; Mar 17, 2004 at 04:29 AM.
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 05:47 AM
  #35  
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Damn, I'm glad most of you guys weren't on the design committee. Of all the ideas stated, about half are things that I don't care about one way or the other (but would add cost), almost all the rest are things I would rather not have even if they were cheaper.

Softer suspension? Auto on headlights? Metal gas cap??

The only suggestions I agree with are John's and Dissident's first two points.

Well, to each his own - I'm not trying to bag on the ideas suggested - they're not bad ideas, they're just not mine. I hope I'm not offending anyone.

Jason
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 06:10 AM
  #36  
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i am still surprised that no one hates their HVAC as much as I do. Recirculate should not = AC

BTW the light switch stalk. If the lights could stay on when you indicate, instead of accidentally shutting off, that would be nice

Last edited by Scrapin 240; Mar 17, 2004 at 06:15 AM.
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 06:17 AM
  #37  
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nothing
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 07:42 AM
  #38  
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- built in antenna
- Redesigned rear turning signals into the tail lights
- Redesigned rear turning signals into the tail lights
- Redesigned rear turning signals into the tail lights
- Redesigned rear turning signals into the tail lights
- Redesigned rear turning signals into the tail lights
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 08:29 AM
  #39  
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- built in antenna
- "memory" seat & window positions
- A stiffer windshield wiper control
- auto-on headlights
- security system that includes movement detection
- tire pressure monitor on 18" wheels
- a preNismo'd class (track + all the good nismo upgrades)
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Old Mar 17, 2004 | 08:44 AM
  #40  
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Reading thru these made me laugh.

Sounds like a lot of people should have bought the G35C instead! That would solve most of these gripes.

I love this car...I love the quirky antenna, I like the idea of offset tires, and as much as the cup holders and power points are a pain, I'd still leave them the way they are! You don't appreciate the sweet, if you don't taste the bitter!

Mod away friends...personalize your car and enjoy!
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