I had a 350Z Coupe (the one in the Newsweek article). I traded it in (yes I know I was dumb, now) on a 03 Chevy SSR. Spent the last three months fighting with GM to get problems fixed with no success. On 9/8/2004, I traded the Chevy SSR in on my Silverstone 04.5 350ZR. I wanted a hard top convertible but I'm in love with the Z too much to mind that it only has a soft top.

I'm glad to be back in a "Z".

 

Well, welcome back! Glad to see you went with the ZR. While I agree that a retractable hardtop would've been cool, I wouldn't have been able to live with the added weight (and price).

BTW, I love your last name.

 

Thanks omen68x!

Yes, my last name has drawn special attention from many throughout my life (when pronounced incorrectly). It's a strong and old German name that's pronounced like 'Ballet' but with an 'err' sound at the end.

My ZR is a Touring Silverstone with black top, charcoal leather interior and 5 spd automatic tranny. I'm too old to truly enjoy a 6 spd.

I was hoping to use my Coupe's "StrictlyZ" front license plate adapter, but found out the 7/2004 built ZR has a larger tow hook than my 9/03 Coupe had. I then ordered a new one from StrictlyZ and the new one arrived with incorrectly machined threads.

I can "feel" the ZR's slightly different gearing in the driveline. I seem to like it better. Maybe I've just been away too long from a Z.

 

You're not alone.

I too had an 03Z, which I got rid of (Lemon Law buyback) and then bought an 04 Acura TL (hated it) only to trade it back after only a month for an 04 Touring. Lost a hell of a lot of money but couldn't be happier with my new Z.

Good luck with it. That's one beatiful roadster.