Hi everyone,

I just got my Silverstone Roadster Touring w/orange net seats last week. I actually lucked out and found a used one with 7500 miles at $5000 off MSRP (after bargaining of course)! Anyway I compared it to an identical brand new one and you couldn't tell this one was used so I am pretty happy--not a blemish to be found!

I just noticed today that on the driver's side door panel the build date indicates 5/03. This is weird because the first in-service date of the car wasn't until late August. I also thought the first build date wasn't until 6/03? If so, maybe this was actually a pre-production/demo unit?

The only thing I am a little paranoid about is if it was broken in properly. The dealer said that all Z's are broken in at the factory and not to worry about it, but after reading these forums I realized that was a bunch of b.s. Anyway after going through it with a fine tooth comb, the only "defects" I have found so far are some coffee stains in the cup holders that the detailers missed and a small gray mark in the "ashtray" where somebody tried to put out a cigarette. Otherwise it looks absolutely brand new.

I haven't found the pin holes in the top (yet), tire feathering, or any other complaints found in these forums, but I did have some questions about performance in general.

Issue #1: Clutch performance. The clutch doesn't seem to really grab until letting it almost all the way out. This is annoying because it requires so much finesse that unless you're really concentrating and let it out oh so slow, it is all too easy to "jerk" the car as you switch gears. I've driven a lot of sticks and this is the first clutch that's felt this sensitive to really needing to hit the sweet spot for it to work right. Any other thoughts about clutch performance in general?

Issue #2: Torque and HP. I test drove quite a few other Z's on the lot, including stick and auto roadsters and they all felt a bit "peppier" than mine. I remember saying "holy sh*t" to myself quite a few times during acceleration in the test drives, but I just don't quite the same inertia with mine. I'm feeling like the throttle response and torque isn't quite as good as the new ones on the lot that I test drove. Is this normal once you get 5000+ miles on it? Or could this be a result of a poor break in? I'm already considering some mods to squeeze some more HP and Torque out. Any comments on the engine grounding kit and/or the Nismo air intake and catback exhaust? Is the difference really that noticeable before and after? I heard the grounding kit seems to give you the most "bang for your buck!"

Last Issue # 3: Top operation. The dealer went through this whole song and dance with me about how you have to stop the top half way down, pull down the latch and continue holding on to it as the top continues to go down. I never saw them do this in the many "top up/down" demos that I got on the lot. Furthermore, if I don't do that and put the top all the way down without holding the latch out, the top won't close unless I put it half way back up and hold the latch open as I close. Shouldn't this be automatic? It's seems kind of odd....

Any idea where I can get a Roadster Operation Manual? I wasn't so lucky to get one with mine...

But, even though mine was "Nissan Certified" I am starting to think it was a good thing I bought the extended extended service plan after all!

Any comments would be great!

 

The first roadsters were built before the Nissan Open last year. They had a Daytona Blue one on a rotating platform. That was in Feburary of 03... and the day I decided I wanted one.

#1 Dunno
#2 Remember the Roadster is heavier (about 400 lbs) this could be the "lack" of performance. I put a Borla on mine and it will spin tires through 2nd gear.
#3 Don't have to hold it, and it's not automatic. I always open the latch when the top is about to close...

All you need is an 04 manual... it covers the Roadster. Did you check behind the seat to see if it's there? I thought all Nissan Cert cars had to come with a manual. My sister works at a Nissan dealership, let me know if you need some help.

Let me know if you want to swap your seats out. I want the orange ventalated in mine and couldn't find a LS 6M with them anywhere. I've got Black touring leather ones.

 

Off topic but I first saw the roadster at the Nissan Open last year and told my buddy that's my next car... I'll drive it there this year.

 

jnanadev,

Picked up my ZR 8/7/03, build date of 06/03. Put the money down in Feb., '03. Your's is the only one I know of with a build date prior to that (that is out in the general public!). Supposedly, your last four digits of your VIN will tell you what production number yours is (mine is # 0806). I've talked to someone with a number lower than 0010, but they were involved in the testing process for Nissan.
#1: I've got the auto, can't be of any help here.
#2: I never really noticed a difference, but I put a Crawford plenum on right away & so mine is already going to be faster than stock. A few other small mods (listed below), and I'm very satisfied with the lower end as well as higher end performance.
#3: I never have to stop my top up or down. When it gets to the point where it's about to close, I push the button and hold the handle open slightly. It has never affected anything. For the most part, it is automatic...other than pushing the release when opening & at the end of the closing process. If yours is not doing this, bring back to the local Nissan dealership with the best service reputation. Nissan has done a great job standing behind their product with me, no matter how small the issue. Congrats on the ZR, you'll love the looks you get!!

 

Thanks for the info. I just checked my VIN and the last 6 digits are 000016. So, I guess that means it was one of the first 16 off the line? Pretty cool--I wonder if that means it would eventually be worth more money in the long run?

I'd be interested to know the fixes that you've needed to do so far, with that low of a number I assume they've done quite a bit of tweaking here and there since then. Mine for example still has the 2003-style "pull out" cubby bin above the radio. Have you needed to do any wheel alignment, etc. At 7500 I have just a very slight pull to the right...

 

Purchased my CS/Frost roadster on 16AUG04, build date 6/03, vin 000165. Have 2800 miles to date. Have the bad top, pin holes, but never stopped the top either way, that seems to indicate it's out of alignment or something. I believe a TSB was just out on that issue with the rag top. The dealer has agreed to replace the top. No other issues currently, no feathering etc. Will wait and see..... but as was said above you will love the looks you get and perfect strangers will tell you they love your car.

 

I stopped to get gas for the first time the other day and got numerous comments from those around me. Even a guy with a sweet Mercedes next to me gave me a compliment on the car--makes you feel like a celebrity. Pretty amazing--you sure don't see very many Roadsters so they are really something of an exotic at this point still....

 

Congrtas on the roadster, They had a Silverstone/burnt orange interior ZR at the dealer where I bought my Super Black with burnt orange vent seats and in my opinion the Silverstone/burnt orange interior is the nicest looking combination. I got the Super Black because the Silverstone was a automatic.

You can alsp download a pdf copy here (get the 2004 350Z Manual).-

http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...p?dept%5Fid=39

 

I don't get the stopping the top half way down or up thing. I simply unlatch the top, foot on the break, hold the button, and when the light goes off, you know it is stowed (just like the owners manual says). To put it up, foot on the brake, hold the button, when it is raised completely, pull the latch handle down, top falls into place, lock the latch handle and done. Never, ever have I heard anyone saying you have to do the top the way you describe...I can't even follow what you described.

You can also get a pdf of the owners manual at coutesyparts.com

My first roadster was a 6/03 build date and was number 88. The roadter I have now is an 8/03 build date and is number 3427. I've seen some on the lots (one dealer here has 5) with VIN up to 11000+.

Remember, being first on the lot with first year production vehicles generally means working through some of the bugs with the cars. Fortunately, I've had none of the issues some of these guys have had. My worst problem is a navigation door that used to not seat correctly which caused the screen to go blank. It seems to work fine now; broken-in, I guess. Enjoy your car...we're having a blast in ours!