So what are the things YOU dislike about the 350z other than the obvious fact that you prefer fairlady z badges . I seem to remember from a previous post that you are 15 so i have to ask the question... have you driven the z? if not i would hope that you wouldn't have a list of things that really bother you about the car. btw could you please post a picture of a fairlady z badge so i can see what the attraction to them is. Anyway i only have two extremely minor complaints. i dislike the lack of rear visibility and the fact that i have to clean brake dust off the wheels every time i drive the car. other than that the car runs and handles like a dream and for the price i couldnt ask for anymore except maybe a cooler key .

 

don't forget about the Z's platform. Since it's shared it's obviously far inferior (or so the s2ki.com people say).

 

My only complaint is that damn rear strut. The Z will be my everyday car, on occasion I need to have room to haul stuff. Now I'm glad they have the rear strut -- I take my car to the track about once a year, BUT I really don't need the rear strut when I'm hauling groceries home. I WISH the rear strut was BOLTED down so you could take it out for around town driving, and put it back in when you are doing SERIOUS driving.

As far as the hatchback, it is part of the reason why the car needs the rear strut. But as the owner of two previous Zs, the 350 WOULD NOT BE A Z, if it didn't have the hatchback...If only the FRICKEN strut was removeable.

 

Nissan failed miserably in the preorder process by not having answers when orderers needed them. At certain times, we would get a scrap of information, and then get nothing for weeks. This was a great idea gone bad because the customer did not get a flow chart on the steps. At every dealership the salesman should have had a schematic that explained the build, transport, etas and what could cause a production delay. A computer tracking system would have been like manna from heaven. Instead, a member of this forum had to ask ZISME personally to please give us information about VINs and ETAs.

I am firmly convinced Nissan lost a lot of their preorders and damaged their marketing design simply because customers couldn't stand the long wait without any information at all. If I had not stumbled across this forum, it is unlikely I would own a Z today. How many people are going to slapdown a $1000 or more deposit for a car they had never seen, except in pictures, and finally a month before the cars start arriving to be tested by magazines with mostly glowing reviews. I can only hope this fiasco separated the good dealers from the bad and Nissan is on their *** right now to change the way they do business or yank their franchise ASAP.

Their product is great, their U.S. Dealer and Customer Service sub-systems are archaic and unable to respond to simple requests from their most fanatical supporters. Their one good move was to computerize their dealer inventories.

It came on line 1 week before I got my car, after I had waited 7 months and 26 days. The worst part is some of the preorders are still waiting for their cars!! Preordered in January, February, or March, not yet delivered in October, while they see the Zs driving along carrying people who ordered months after they did.

Boomer--you asked.

 

The FM platform was actually developed with the 350Z in mind. It just so happens that the G35 was released before the Z.

 

Tires are too narrow. They need to make it so the tires fill up the wheel well very nicely like the new BMWs

 

I wish Nissan had put in place a psycological test to weed out the people that could not handle the preorder process and also the ones that would post stupid questions, I love the car there is nothing wrong with it that is not acceptable, name a car that doesn't have something that could use fixing even cars costing 2 or 3 times as much as the Z. Give me a break.

 

My biggest "isssues" would be:

- rear strut tower bar (or the resultant ltd. cargo capacity)
- limited rearward visibility
- lack of top end on the engine
- it's a beautiful car, but I'd like to see a bit more character in the front end.

All these issues dissipate pretty quickly when you realize what a great car Nissan built for the price.

Also, re: dedicated platforms and powertrains, Honda builds the S2000, largely by hand in the NSX factory, w/ no shared components for a similar price. I'm guessing that it's marginally profitable, if not creating a loss, for Honda.

 

I really like the fact that so many people with the car love it. That makes the waiting a lot less frustrating. I wish they managed their pre order system along the lines suggested by Boomer. Some dealers (mine especially) still do not know how to get the information on delivery.

 

I don't really find anything wrong with the car. Sure, the Bose isn't great, but I'm starting to get more used to it. The rear and rear quarter views are restricted, but it's a sports car, that kind of comes with the territory.

I do wish the Z would be produced in slightly less numbers. I'm not sure how many cars 30,000 to 45,000 a year really is, but I hope it's at least as rare as the S2000 (which isn't really that rare).

I agree that Nissan screwed up the pre-order process. I can imagine that it could have been so cool, emails about details on the car, a schedule of it's build, a picture of the car on the line, dealers that actually had a clue. It really could have been so much more, I almost think Nissan underestimated the interest. I hope that's not the case, seeing as the Z name is their most famous and they should know they've got a lot riding on it. My dealer had basically no interest in me until the car was delivered. Then, it was all sweet talk about the Nissan survey and how important it was. Now, I get a few phone calls asking how things are going. It's a little late.

All in all, the car is great. I haven't met anybody who doesn't like the way it looks, and I couldn't be happier with the performance.

 

Well, still waiting............ordered 2/15/02.....no VIN, no nadda......others ordered in friggin June have their Z's .........Pure BS!

 

You forgot the V12 and there is no 4.5 liter V8(the 745I is actually 4.4 liters)

 

Overall I love the Z.

A couple little issues I notice are:

Side to side play in drivers seat - Yesterday my drivers seat developed a little side to side play. I'm going to check for loose hardware on Saturday, so we'll see how this goes. If it gets really bad, I can always check out the warranty.

Passenger side visor rattle - there is a significant rattle on the passenger side visor. Luckily I read about it before I got the car, so I knew to expect it (also, it sounds like I can easily get a new visor). Unfortunately, I get very annoyed with rattles and buzzes, so I know that over time there will probably be others I will need to get used to.

As far as the platform goes, it's really a non-issue. There are many ways to look at it, especially since the GT-R will be sharing the same platform. I prefer to look at it this way: We are getting a $60,000 platform for half price. After the car has been driven, there is really no reason to think that the platform has been compromised because it is used in other vehicles. If fact, the chassis and suspension were devoloped for a sports car, and it's all the other cars that reap the benefit.

My pre-order process was relatively painless, so I'm sorry to hear that others are having difficulty. The only way I could make it easy on myself was to decide that I would be happy as long as I got the car before X-mas. I only talked to the dealer once before he called, gave me the VIN, and said the car would arrive in two weeks (it actually showed up two days later instead of two weeks later). Maybe many of you will have the same experience and get your car at about the same time you get your VIN.

It's definitely worth the wait!

-D'oh!

 

Are you sure? The wheelbase of the G35 is 112"s, the Z's 104.3. It would seem easier to cut down a platform than lengthen one. Also, the G35 is designated as a high volume model, the Z is not. Why would Nissan design a low volume platform first and then increase it for a high volume model?

I would be interested in your source of that information.

 

Hi, Pooh, I am glad you're still here. I'm a little out of touch so I don't know if your car is here yet? If not, you at least have your VIN# and ETA, don't you? Did you see where Scaf got his finally? I was really happy for him. Sorry about falling down on the Frost interior, I hope you got the thread I referred you to.

Every day I like the AT better, its so different from both MTs and other ATs. Would you believe I got the car on 9/6 and only have 198 miles on it? I'm about to take a road trip this weekend so I'll get some highway miles on it. I have to get up in 6 hrs, so I'll post you later.

Boomer

 

A psychological test? Movie: Gattica inferior people; real life: Adolph Hitler inferior people. Stupid questions? By whose standard, yours?

Love the Z? Absolutely F***ing right!

 

I'm positive.
Here's my source. Use an online translator to read it. Since you may not trust my translation
Clicky Clicky

 

My passenger visor rattles. I have a new one on order but (big suprise) it's on backorder.

The shift from 1st-2nd is still notchy. I am coming from an integra GSR which has an awesome shifter, so maybe I was just spoiled. Do you other folks find that the shift from 1st-2nd is clunky? not loose, but stiffer and slower than the other gears. Unfortunately, 1st-2nd is a critical shift from a standstill

Our Bose fix is on its way, so they say on the other board.

I didn't have a big problem with the preorder program. I think this is the first time Nissan has tried such a thing, and they did a decent job for the first time out. Also, they had a much larger response on the Z preorder program than I think most other cars would.

 

For me, the Z is perfect in every way. Performance, ability, styling... everything.

Some have mentioned Nissan failed in the preorder. I completely disagree. For me, the preorder process has been incredible. Yes, my original confirmation letter was lost. NNA replaced it immediately. No other automaker has EVER done that for me. The preorder program was excellent.

As a former small-truck owner, the Z represents the perfect car. I have never considered a car in the past. The Z has the killer looks, hot performance, and the technology abounds. I love the navigation system.

As far as the rear strut... this is one of the selling points for me. I LOVE the rear strut. If I wanted massive cargo, I would buy another car. The cargo area in the Z is ample for me. Then again, I had an extended-cab Toyota Tacoma pickup. This has MUCH more cargo than I am used to.

Overall, nothing is wrong with the design of the Z. Perfect.

Now if I can just get my Z.