Hey, everybody! Greetings from Houston, TX! First off, I'd just like to say this is a fantastic forum and an invaluble source of information and entertainment. (For some strange reason, my wife hates it though. I think. come to think of it, I haven't really seen her much in the past few days since I discovered this forum.) Seriously though, all you guys are great and I've learned alot already. More importantly, its nice to know there are others out there as obsessed as I am and that I've got something to keep me occupied during the long wait for my car to arrive!
I've always loved the Z cars, but could never afford one until now. I currently have a '95 Honda Del Sol with a healthy (though not overly done) helping of rice in it. I'm absolutely **** about it, and its still in showroom condition with 85,000 miles on it. I keep it covered at work and have been known to wash it in the rain, so I figure I'm already primed to own a Z! Its been a fun little car and has served me well through my twenties, but I turned 30 this year, got over the rice bug and am getting seriously tired of 16 year olds with rice rockets trying to drag at every stop light. Not that I'm totally opposed to occasionally allowing some high density testosterone to work its way into my right foot, its just time for something in a higher league.
My dad has a '96 NSX-T; I can't wait to gloat that I paid WAY less and can kick his but! The '96 NSX has 270HP and about 50ftlbs less tourque and does 0-60 in 5.6sec. It's still a very nice car though, and I'm proud of my dad for digging into his stingy-*** pockets to buy it. He's got his dream car and now I'll have one of mine. I can't wait until we move to San Diego (where my parents have lived for the past 5 years) so we can do some great canyon runs! Just 1 1/2 years to go (I hope) before my wife finishes her PHD/MBA, and we're on our way! Texas roads really suck!
Anyway, I ordered a Silverstone Touring with Burnt Orange leather with all the options but the overpriced nav. system and the ugly splashgaurds in early Oct. Probably looking at a Feb. delivery. I've already purchased a set of the Rays wheels from the Track from a guy who was upgrading; they should arrive today! (I can just see myself siting on the garage floor with them spaced out around me) My Zaino is on order and I've lined up a place to install the 3M clear bra for $395. I plan to add an Earthing kit, possibly an intake if its worth it (or at least a K&N filter), and maybe a chip if Nismo comes out with a good one. I think the 350Z is a beautiful car as it is and don't plan on doing anything to ruin the look, though that Nismo wing is starting to call my name... I've read lots of posts on break-in, and am still deciding how to approach it; I'l probably stick to the book for the most part, gradually work my way up through the rpm range from 600-1200 mi. with a spike near redline a couple of times, and switch to synthetic oil at some point. Haven't decided when to change the oil or do the switch yet.
Now, If I haven't bored anyone to death by now, I do have a few questions:

- First, I ordered my car with the aero package. I've read in other posts that have stated that the spoilers are not attached at the factory, but shipped with the car and attached at the port prep facility. Is this true? and if so, how can I keep them from attaching the rear spoiler if I decide I absolutely have to have the Nismo wing?

- Next, anyone know how to get the Brembos from the Track other than paying with your soul to the dealer parts dept.?
I'd like to know what series they are and if they can be ordered directly from Brembo in the same color. (Why didn't I order a track? I like the ammenities that come on the Touring, and figured it would be easier to upgrade the Touring to Track tune than the other way around. I already have the wheels and the underbody pieces shouldn't be that much from the dealer if I decide I have to have them. Just need the brakes.) Also, has anyone else come out with a big brake kit for the Z? I'm sure lots of people with other models from the track would like to upgrade.

-Last (for now), what's everybody's take on window tinting? They allow full tint here in Texas, and I have it on my Del Sol and like it, but I'd like to know everyones opinion of it on the Z specifically. Another consideration is that I'd probably have to have it removed when I move to San Diego, as they don't allow tint on the door windows. How easy is the stuff to take off, especially the rear window, with the defroster elements? If this could pose a problem down the line for me, I'd like to know; I'll probably pass on it altogether if that's the case.

Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

talk to the dealer about the wing, honestly Im very confused, what I thought was the front aero package is on my touring model that doesnt have an aero package(maybe somebody can explain why this is) I just notice it yesterday while washing my car and was like, whats this?

anyway, you might still have time to change your order, sounds like your dealer hasnt ordered anything since it doesnt take 4 months to make a car, he just took your money and will order it when he can in late december or so, and itll get to you in feb. (might I suggest keeping an eye open? Zs are available on the market for MSRP, Im driving proof of that)

as for brakes, Im told that they are the same as the old skyline front brakes, so if you could find a skyline in a junkyard(here or japan I suppose) you could get them. or take them off a totalled Z. otherwise eventually brembo will release the kit for you to have, but expect a 3000$ price tag.

tints... whatever turns your fancy, for blue someone posted a reflective tint(not really so much dark) and it looked really nice since it didnt carken the windows, but you couldnt see in either. I think the same might be good on a lemans. or you could just do normal tinting.

as for removal, I believe you can remove it, but you need someone well qualified to do that, cause if they screw up you lose your rear defrosters..

 

My dealer says the order has already been sent in and cannot be changed. After looking at some more pics, I think I'll stick to the factory aero package anyway, but maybe my car will come in earlier than Feb? I can always hope!

 

1. Wing - they are installed at the port. The only way to not get it is cancel the Aero Pkg option. I doubt very much that your order is far enough along in the process NOT to be able to cancel. Ask your dealer to call the regional office. They probably don't want to loose the money.

2. Brakes - Probably cost $3k to switch over.

3. Tint - Most people are getting a 30% tint. FYI, you can have tint on the side windows in Calif. it just can't be super dark. 20% is very borderline.

 

I'll try to talk to somebody at the dealership again about the order. It has been a couple weeks since they said it went in, but I do find it hard to believe they can't send word along the pipeline to alter it. As I said, I think I'll stick to the stock aero package, but I was considering dropping the side airbags to save some money as well as weight. What's the general concensus on the side air bags?

I'll probably hold off on the brakes for a while at least.

So is 30% tint legal on all windows in CA? What is a good compromise between light transmission and visibility from the outside of the car? I don't want to totally obscure the view of that beatiful rear brace!

 

ares - the "lip" that looks like the front spoiler isn't the front spoiler that comes with the aero package. If you look closely, the "lip" is part of the front bumper that is cut then bent down. I had to point that out to my dealer. My dealer had to order my front spoiler and installed it about a week later.

MustGoFastr - tinting the front windows is still illegal in California. However, some people have their front windows tinted, anyway. Mine are tinted 35% while my hatch has 20%. Cops normally won't pull you over just for the tint. However, they might cite you for the tint in case you get pulled over for some other violation. Same goes with the front license plate.

 

Hmm.... Tint on, front plate off, Clear corner reflectors modded w/ LEDs; am I pushing it too much for CA cops? I've never had problems here in TX, with questionably legal parts and no front plate, even when pulled over for speeding. I know I've been lucky, but are CA cops tougher on this stuff?

 

CA cops are only tuff when you get caught doing something wrong and if they're having a bad day they look for other violations. I've had my share of speeding tickets over the years but not once did I get written up for not having a front plate or other "fix-it" violations.

 

Zbart: when you refer to front windows I assume you mean the windshield because the door windows can be tinted. Those were what MustGoFastr questioned.

 

My wife isn't exactly thrilled with this site either.

Welcome!

 

Just got home to receive my Rays wheels. They are gorgeous! The guy forgot to send me the center caps though, waiting to hear back from him on those. Wonder if the ones from the reg 18" wheels will fit if worse comes to worse? Can't fret too much now though, MUST GO POLISH!

 

OH MY GOD!!! WELCOME TO THE CLUB!

Hey, I just kidding my wife help me get this car and maybe she like it more than me!

 

Did you know anybody else selling the Track Rims?

 

No, it was a total fluke that I found this set. I e-mailed a guy selling the reg. 18s on Ebay to see what he was putting on in their place and it turned out he runs a speed shop in CA and knew a guy who was swapping out rims on his Track. I think I got a pretty awesome deal at $1500 for the set, since the parts dept. at my dealership quoted me $1,430 per wheel! Even Japanparts.com lists them at $2650 for the set. Also considering I can probably get $600 or so out of the Touring's 18s, I'll make up some of the cost there, too. Good luck finding a set; they're out there, it's just a matter of getting lucky.

 

I really have to give my wife credit, though, she's being very patient with me and she's actually responsible for me getting this car! I was considering something a little more plush and practical like the Lexus IS300, or the BMW 330ci. We went car shopping one saturday and went to the BMW dealer, followed by Nissan. As soon as she sat in the Z, she said: "I've made up my mind. Get this one!". God, I'm lucky!

 

Great price..congrats

 

My wife was the same way, she knew it was the right car, when I bought my '90 300ZX. Unfortunately she's not with us for this exhilarating experience.

 

MustGoFastR,

So...let us in on the deal. Who in Houston is gonna do your clear bra install for $395? Is that parts and labor or just the labor to install the kit?

Did you get a chance to go by Sterling McCall Nissan today for the Z Club of Houston Z extravaganza? There were eight 350Zs parked in the middle of a large mix of earlier model Zs (my Silverstone was one of the 350s). I'll try to post some pics - there were some awesome Zs there - old and new!

Ken

 

The place that quoted me $395 installed is Clear Tech Pro at 4846 Waynesboro in Houston; 713-539-6700. I spoke with Steve, I think. I got their info. off the X-Pel website. He told me that all they do is Clear Bra installs, they only work with 3M Scotchcal, and they use the X-Pel pattern software to cut their kits. I was pretty shocked at the quote, too. He said they've only done one Z so far, but it was a pretty easy install. Not sure why such a low quote, but maybe if we keep passing the word around, and they do good work, it'll stay low. Since it will be a while until I get my car, I won't go by and check them out for a while, but if anyone else does, I'd appreciate it if you let me know how it goes.

Yes, I did go by Sterling McCall yesterday; thats where I ordered my car from. There were some pretty awesome Zs there. I'd never seen the Daytona Blue in person before, and I have to admit, I almost thought twice about my order, it is an awesome color! I talked to the guy with the Silverstone Performance who had the X-Pel Clear Bra on his car and he had to pay $750 in San Antonio! The kit looked good on the car; the hood line was fairly noticable in the overcast light conditions and it does have an orange peelish look to the film if you look close, but considering the alternatives.... I was also kind of surprised at the amount and size of some of the gaps between the sections. especially between the piece that goes on the bottom of the grill and the rest of the bumper. Also, the bumper and fender pieces go to crease at the edge, but do not go around to cover the flat part on the side that makes up the wheel well edge; he already had a couple of nice chips in that area. Something to think about if you get the kit installed; I'm sure they could cut a few small custom pieces to cover those areas as well.

 

MustGoFastR, the center caps between both 18" wheels for the 350Z are the identical part. If you don't hear from the guy you bought the beautiful Ray's from, you can swap out when you get your car. Congrats on your great deal for the wheels from a fellow Texan!