"He must be an attention seeker."
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: San Diego, CA
"He must be an attention seeker."
That's the first comment I overheard someone say as I took delivery of my new ZR.
Last Saturday (6/26/2004), after 6 months of researching (mostly MY350Z.COM), I bought a 2004.5 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring 6MT. It is Chrome Silver with the Frost interior and blue top. I originally wanted a PPW, but didn't want the hassle of doing a trade with any dealers 300+ mile away. (I found 2 PPWs with the exact options that I wanted, but they were both in AZ.) So, I went with the CS and don't regret it. Before I actually saw the car in person, I thought that it wouldn't look as good since most people go with the dark interior for the CS Zs. Once I saw it, I thought it looked awesome! Everyone comments on how good the light interior looks, too, especially when the top's down. And the CS has a nice glow when the lighting's just right.
Some "stats":
MSRP: $37,260
Negotiated Price: $36,150 (I could've done better.)
VIN: 16142
Build Date: 04/2004
Odometer at Delivery: 31
Average MPG (after second fill-up using "old school" X/Y calculation): 23.74
The first "mods" that I did were to shave the rear emblems and add a custom license plate frame that I had ordered. It says, "The Z Roadster." On Wednesday, I met Jason over at Performance Nissan (which is about 4.5 miles from my house) for the first time and bought a Nismo titanium shift **** (the slender one) and some JDM clear sidemarkers. I installed the shift **** today and, like some other people have mentioned, it's easier to shift with. With the stock shift ****, sometimes I would have a hard time shifting up to third. I've been driving stick for only the last 4-5 months. I actually find the Z easier to drive than my brother's 98 Civic 5MT. The clutch was really stiff at first, to the point of giving me leg cramps. It's loosened up quite a bit now. I drove 600 miles in the first week. I also have my personalized plates ordered (though only 1 is going on the car!).
The side-rear visibility with the top up is horrible. Since there are no rear side windows, I can't see the cars making a left onto my street (which is a busy main street) as I back up. For the most part, I plan to drive with the top down, so it won't be a problem most of the time.
This car, as you all know, gets a lot of attention. I've been getting positive comments and stares from all types of people. I've also been finding that some people, once they see my car, start flooring it (even when going the opposite direction). (Losers!!) And some guy in an EVO blew his BOV as I was pulling into my garage today. (Whatever!!) I haven't had this much attention since when I used to drive a Turbo Civic. That car got stolen and I've been driving an Accord (how average can you get) for the last 4 years. (We've had 6 Hondas and 2 Toyotas in our family. This is the first Nissan.) I've also had a cop shine his light on me, though it might've been to the people who were walking behind my car as I was backing up. (People, walk IN FRONT of the car or wait!! Don't walk into traffic!!)
Now for the pics. Sorry for the bad quality. They were shot at dusk. I'll post better pics when I find some time.
Last Saturday (6/26/2004), after 6 months of researching (mostly MY350Z.COM), I bought a 2004.5 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring 6MT. It is Chrome Silver with the Frost interior and blue top. I originally wanted a PPW, but didn't want the hassle of doing a trade with any dealers 300+ mile away. (I found 2 PPWs with the exact options that I wanted, but they were both in AZ.) So, I went with the CS and don't regret it. Before I actually saw the car in person, I thought that it wouldn't look as good since most people go with the dark interior for the CS Zs. Once I saw it, I thought it looked awesome! Everyone comments on how good the light interior looks, too, especially when the top's down. And the CS has a nice glow when the lighting's just right.
Some "stats":
MSRP: $37,260
Negotiated Price: $36,150 (I could've done better.)
VIN: 16142
Build Date: 04/2004
Odometer at Delivery: 31
Average MPG (after second fill-up using "old school" X/Y calculation): 23.74
The first "mods" that I did were to shave the rear emblems and add a custom license plate frame that I had ordered. It says, "The Z Roadster." On Wednesday, I met Jason over at Performance Nissan (which is about 4.5 miles from my house) for the first time and bought a Nismo titanium shift **** (the slender one) and some JDM clear sidemarkers. I installed the shift **** today and, like some other people have mentioned, it's easier to shift with. With the stock shift ****, sometimes I would have a hard time shifting up to third. I've been driving stick for only the last 4-5 months. I actually find the Z easier to drive than my brother's 98 Civic 5MT. The clutch was really stiff at first, to the point of giving me leg cramps. It's loosened up quite a bit now. I drove 600 miles in the first week. I also have my personalized plates ordered (though only 1 is going on the car!).
The side-rear visibility with the top up is horrible. Since there are no rear side windows, I can't see the cars making a left onto my street (which is a busy main street) as I back up. For the most part, I plan to drive with the top down, so it won't be a problem most of the time.
This car, as you all know, gets a lot of attention. I've been getting positive comments and stares from all types of people. I've also been finding that some people, once they see my car, start flooring it (even when going the opposite direction). (Losers!!) And some guy in an EVO blew his BOV as I was pulling into my garage today. (Whatever!!) I haven't had this much attention since when I used to drive a Turbo Civic. That car got stolen and I've been driving an Accord (how average can you get) for the last 4 years. (We've had 6 Hondas and 2 Toyotas in our family. This is the first Nissan.) I've also had a cop shine his light on me, though it might've been to the people who were walking behind my car as I was backing up. (People, walk IN FRONT of the car or wait!! Don't walk into traffic!!)
Now for the pics. Sorry for the bad quality. They were shot at dusk. I'll post better pics when I find some time.
Congrats on the new buy man, and welcome to the board 
And there's nothing wrong with being an "attention seeker"... so as long as you don't do it like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton
And there's nothing wrong with being an "attention seeker"... so as long as you don't do it like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton
hehehe.. sorry back to the subject.. sweet car... hehehe
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Sydney, Australia
I love the roadster with the top down. I've never seen a frost interior though. Could you post some pics of the interior.
WRT the clutch, it is not heavy. It just feels heavy after you have driven a car with a regular clutch.
Last week i had my differential replaced. For the day, I got a loaner Holden Astra (1.8L 4cly manual). It's clutch was fairly light compared to the Z. After driving the Atsra from work to the dealer (1/2 hour) to pick up my Z, when getting back into the Z, the clutch felt like it weight a tonne. I actually thought that Nissan had adjusted my clutch as part of the diff change over and was dissapointed at how heavy they made it.
The first half dozen gear changes after getting back into the Z felt heavy through the clutch, but after that, it felt "normal" again, simply because I got use to it.
Go and drive someone elses Civic for 30 min and then get into the Z to understand what I mean.
WRT the clutch, it is not heavy. It just feels heavy after you have driven a car with a regular clutch.
Last week i had my differential replaced. For the day, I got a loaner Holden Astra (1.8L 4cly manual). It's clutch was fairly light compared to the Z. After driving the Atsra from work to the dealer (1/2 hour) to pick up my Z, when getting back into the Z, the clutch felt like it weight a tonne. I actually thought that Nissan had adjusted my clutch as part of the diff change over and was dissapointed at how heavy they made it.
The first half dozen gear changes after getting back into the Z felt heavy through the clutch, but after that, it felt "normal" again, simply because I got use to it.
Go and drive someone elses Civic for 30 min and then get into the Z to understand what I mean.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Tampa, Florida
Re: "He must be an attention seeker."
Originally posted by omen68x
That's the first comment I overheard someone say as I took delivery of my new ZR.
That's the first comment I overheard someone say as I took delivery of my new ZR.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 211
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From: San Diego, CA
Here's a pic of me parked at Universal CityWalk. Some of you guys have said that people treat our cars like Ferraris. Well, when I pulled into the parking garage, I got a taste of that when the attendant directed me to the first spot. I know he singled me out because my car was the only one that he directed! Of course, I parked as far as I could away from the next car. 
I know he singled me out because my car was the only one that he directed! Of course, I parked as far as I could away from the next car.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
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From: MD
Congrats! I traded my 03 DB touring to a 04 SB Roadster July 4th weekend. I have a question about the Nismo titanium shift ****, was it hard to install? Did you unscrew the **** or is there more work to it? ZR looks awesome!!! Almost got the same thing but didn't like the auto. Thanks!
