The Z Odyssey started in 2003. My wife and I stood at the Seattle international Auto Show drooling at the new just introduced 350Z. What a sweet body style. We really didn’t need a new car because we had a low mile 2001 Type SH Honda Prelude that we both really liked. Each year went by and Nissan offered continued improvements and enhancements and then the new HR engine. Now the Prelude had 40000 miles on it so we went to our local Nissan dealer this May to have a look. It did not take any convincing and quickly we were ready to buy. “OK, we will take a 6 speed Silver Alloy GT”. Sales guy says, “there are no GT cars available”. He goes in and surfs the dealer network and reports to us that there is one available in Denver and if we will pay the $1000 to ship it, the car is ours. No way! Then he says there will not be anymore GT cars produced this year so we left and went to another dealer. They said the same thing, none available in any color and no knowledge of when any are coming. What is with that? Touring models were available but we wanted the wheels, tires, brakes, spoilers. We went home and I got on the phone with three other dealers. Pretty much the same story, no inventory, nothing in the pipeline but “come in and put some money down” No, tell me when one is coming in? The dealers also told me they “do not contact the factory to get data” I could not understand that! I called the Nissan USA regional center and they said the same thing.
Two days later a dealer 40 miles from my home called me and said that he HAD contacted Nissan in Japan and that there is a small group of GT cars that will be built along with the Nismo model and they will be delivered in July. He said the reason there are NO GT cars available is because there was a shortage of Brembo brakes and all availability was going to Nismo production. Finally, we got some logical information.
We traveled to the dealer and had the sale agreement that same day. We then went home and waited.
The car finally came in on Friday, July 27. The process took almost 3 months.
WOW! Way fun and way faster than the Honda and no comparison with handling characteristics. The 350Z is awesome. We debated either a S2000 or the Z. Glad we made the Z choice.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome and congratulations on your diligence. Where in Washington are you and by all means NAME this Dealer who has sales people that are into service and not just sales! Maybe others will catch on.

I did the 3 month wait thing last year and of course it is worth it to get exactly what you want. Check the Regional sub-forum here. It is usually pretty active.

 

I live in Sammamish and the dealer is Performance Nissan in Everett. The Sales manager tried placing an order but he kept getting "denied" so he contacted the factory and that is when he found out about the Brembo shortage and also found that there was going to be a limited productiuon run. Every other dealer either did not look or accepted the denied order.

 

Nice car!! Welcome! And congratz on your purchase

 

Ha ha! Its called lazy! I'm glad someone stepped up though.

 

a dealer willing to do some legwork BEFORE a sale is made is a rarity these days.

 

Gratz on your purchase and welcome aboard!

 

Welcome and Congrats

 

i ordered my gt as well on may 8th......i hope my car was on the same boat, getting sick of the waiting game

 

CongratZ and may your Z be all that you hope after the quest to find her.

 

HEY, I was at that auto show and some of my drool is on that Z also. Congrats!