New 350Z Owner doesn't know jack
06-15-2003, 06:16 PM
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New 350Z Owner doesn't know jack
fellow z enthusiasts- i have about 5000 miles on my 2003 350z touring model. i decided i wanted a sports car and basically bought the z over the phone without even seeing or driving it. i have had one accident with it- i ran off the road and had to get a suspension part replaced (the right rear tire was sitting crooked) and a new rear bumper (the mounting pins sheared). i checked out the nissan site and found it slow. people mentioned tire problems and Bose system problems. basically, i just want to know what everyone thinks of the car, what problems people are having, and how i can make my car look and perform better without voiding my warranty. also, i got the automatic- did i make a mistake? hope you guys will indulge me with these basic questions.
thanks,
mdrobe2
p.s.- i saw the coolest personalized plate on a z in my apartment complex today- 3fidddyz. i was bummed i didn't think of that- my plate says mdrobe2...
thanks,
mdrobe2
p.s.- i saw the coolest personalized plate on a z in my apartment complex today- 3fidddyz. i was bummed i didn't think of that- my plate says mdrobe2...
06-15-2003, 06:27 PM
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about your automatic
some people might argue that automatics don't belong in a 'real' sports car. For what it is worth, the paddle shifting equipped M3s are plenty fast and i am sure the 5AT Z's aren't far behind. i don't know why other manual Z drivers arrived at picking a MT. But for me, i enjoy the simple mechanics of the manual gear box and ability to let my left foot participate in the thrill of driving a z.
IMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT)
but, drive what ever trim makes you happy.
IMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT)
but, drive what ever trim makes you happy.
06-15-2003, 09:37 PM
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The two most serious problems I've heard about are frint tire feathering and manual transmission problems.
It seems like these occur most frequently on pre-order vehicles, either because the problems were fixed on later builds or because the pre-orders are the higher mileage ones.
I personally have not experienced either of those problems (17,500 miles so far), but have had a couple rattles, some grease streaks on the windows, and some play in the driver's seat. Out of those, it is really only the rattles that bug me.
I also personally prefer the MT, but I have nothing against an Auto. I like the rigidly connected feel between the engine and wheels in the MT, but the AT is probably easier to drive fast (at least in a straight line). Also, the ability to manually shift means that you probably won't loose much performace in the twisties either.
The real question is, "Are you happy with the AT?" Because if so, then you definitely did NOT make a mistake.
Have fun with the car!
-D'oh!
It seems like these occur most frequently on pre-order vehicles, either because the problems were fixed on later builds or because the pre-orders are the higher mileage ones.
I personally have not experienced either of those problems (17,500 miles so far), but have had a couple rattles, some grease streaks on the windows, and some play in the driver's seat. Out of those, it is really only the rattles that bug me.
I also personally prefer the MT, but I have nothing against an Auto. I like the rigidly connected feel between the engine and wheels in the MT, but the AT is probably easier to drive fast (at least in a straight line). Also, the ability to manually shift means that you probably won't loose much performace in the twisties either.
The real question is, "Are you happy with the AT?" Because if so, then you definitely did NOT make a mistake.
Have fun with the car!
-D'oh!
06-15-2003, 11:02 PM
#5
its just fun to row through the gears occasionally, conversely its not fun to go up and down through traffic. its the tradeoff you get.
performance differences are dependent on driver. a good-excellent driver in a manual will beat an automatic. they can do a jump down of gears quickly, shift faster, and they have 100% control over it, no chance of it not responding or anything. ect. also automatic gets higher drivetrain loss.
but the auto has ease of use and will win in the long run, an automatic can run consistant times forever, while a manual will have to worry about missing a shift or something of that nature.
obviously I think we all like the car overall, some have complaints and little problems, but all in all, its a great car for cheap.
performance differences are dependent on driver. a good-excellent driver in a manual will beat an automatic. they can do a jump down of gears quickly, shift faster, and they have 100% control over it, no chance of it not responding or anything. ect. also automatic gets higher drivetrain loss.
but the auto has ease of use and will win in the long run, an automatic can run consistant times forever, while a manual will have to worry about missing a shift or something of that nature.
obviously I think we all like the car overall, some have complaints and little problems, but all in all, its a great car for cheap.
06-16-2003, 07:54 AM
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Re: about your automatic
Originally posted by n8vz
some people might argue that automatics don't belong in a 'real' sports car. For what it is worth, the paddle shifting equipped M3s are plenty fast and i am sure the 5AT Z's aren't far behind. i don't know why other manual Z drivers arrived at picking a MT. But for me, i enjoy the simple mechanics of the manual gear box and ability to let my left foot participate in the thrill of driving a z.
IMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT)
but, drive what ever trim makes you happy.
some people might argue that automatics don't belong in a 'real' sports car. For what it is worth, the paddle shifting equipped M3s are plenty fast and i am sure the 5AT Z's aren't far behind. i don't know why other manual Z drivers arrived at picking a MT. But for me, i enjoy the simple mechanics of the manual gear box and ability to let my left foot participate in the thrill of driving a z.
IMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT)
but, drive what ever trim makes you happy.
06-16-2003, 07:54 AM
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Re: about your automatic
Originally posted by n8vz
some people might argue that automatics don't belong in a 'real' sports car. For what it is worth, the paddle shifting equipped M3s are plenty fast and i am sure the 5AT Z's aren't far behind. i don't know why other manual Z drivers arrived at picking a MT. But for me, i enjoy the simple mechanics of the manual gear box and ability to let my left foot participate in the thrill of driving a z.
IMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT)
but, drive what ever trim makes you happy.
some people might argue that automatics don't belong in a 'real' sports car. For what it is worth, the paddle shifting equipped M3s are plenty fast and i am sure the 5AT Z's aren't far behind. i don't know why other manual Z drivers arrived at picking a MT. But for me, i enjoy the simple mechanics of the manual gear box and ability to let my left foot participate in the thrill of driving a z.
IMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT)
but, drive what ever trim makes you happy.
Just my two cents.
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06-16-2003, 02:24 PM
#8
>> Seems like the people who have problem with tranny on this board are the ones with manual
That may be because most people on this board have a manual! Look at it as a percentage of the transmission type after each car has hit 80 to 100k miles, and I bet you'll notice that almost all the AT people had to replace their transmissions. Also, since we're just looking at one particular car, there may be a defect in one or the other type of transmission that causes some problem.
That may be because most people on this board have a manual! Look at it as a percentage of the transmission type after each car has hit 80 to 100k miles, and I bet you'll notice that almost all the AT people had to replace their transmissions. Also, since we're just looking at one particular car, there may be a defect in one or the other type of transmission that causes some problem.
06-16-2003, 08:36 PM
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Originally posted by nbdyfcnsqnc
>> Seems like the people who have problem with tranny on this board are the ones with manual
That may be because most people on this board have a manual! Look at it as a percentage of the transmission type after each car has hit 80 to 100k miles, and I bet you'll notice that almost all the AT people had to replace their transmissions. Also, since we're just looking at one particular car, there may be a defect in one or the other type of transmission that causes some problem.
>> Seems like the people who have problem with tranny on this board are the ones with manual
That may be because most people on this board have a manual! Look at it as a percentage of the transmission type after each car has hit 80 to 100k miles, and I bet you'll notice that almost all the AT people had to replace their transmissions. Also, since we're just looking at one particular car, there may be a defect in one or the other type of transmission that causes some problem.
I can recall 3 or 4 people with manual who needed a replacement. But not a single auto owner that needed. Then again the search function is down.
Madhax who has the fastest Z has an auto and his is running fine.
06-18-2003, 09:02 PM
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Re: about your automatic
Originally posted by n8vz
[BIMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT). [/B]
[BIMHO, Automatics are prone to problems because of it's inherent complexity(relative to a manual). Everyone else in my family drives auto and after 5~6 yr of car ownership, all their auto tranny have problems. Where as my cars have never had transmission problems (all 3 were MT). [/B]
A friend of mine w/a 98 or 99 Corolla w/>90K miles hasn't had any probs w/his car.
06-18-2003, 09:09 PM
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Originally posted by nbdyfcnsqnc
That may be because most people on this board have a manual! Look at it as a percentage of the transmission type after each car has hit 80 to 100k miles, and I bet you'll notice that almost all the AT people had to replace their transmissions.
That may be because most people on this board have a manual! Look at it as a percentage of the transmission type after each car has hit 80 to 100k miles, and I bet you'll notice that almost all the AT people had to replace their transmissions.
06-19-2003, 06:52 AM
#13
See post below for overall opinion of Zzzz owners on here:
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=15500
Most folks are happy campers.
Quit worrying about 1 thing or another being a mistake. Z is a terrific vehicle; if your happy then there are no mistakes.
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=15500
Most folks are happy campers.
Quit worrying about 1 thing or another being a mistake. Z is a terrific vehicle; if your happy then there are no mistakes.
07-10-2003, 08:07 PM
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the paddle shifting equipped M3s are plenty fast
Not to be confused which electronically shiftable automatics (which are heavier and suck up more power than manuals, as well as usually having one or two less speeds). Between the weight and reduced efficiency, it's not uncommon for am automatic to be ~1 second slower 0-60. And they [usually] cost more, so it's no surprise most purists look down on them.
I've had both,a nd I'll never go back to an automatic on any car with less than 4 doors (even then... Gimme an S4 w/ a 6 sp please
)
07-10-2003, 08:16 PM
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An automatic may be beneficial for 1/4 mile...but I like the manual as i feel it gives me a lot more control in real driving on a road. With an automatic...it's like being a passenger.
07-10-2003, 08:29 PM
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Originally posted by kozik
An automatic may be beneficial for 1/4 mile...but I like the manual as i feel it gives me a lot more control in real driving on a road. With an automatic...it's like being a passenger.
An automatic may be beneficial for 1/4 mile...but I like the manual as i feel it gives me a lot more control in real driving on a road. With an automatic...it's like being a passenger.
That said, I can't drive stick worth beans. Oh well.
07-10-2003, 08:35 PM
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I've only ever had one auto in my life and for 2 years all i did was grope in mid air for the missing stickshift...the Z shifts real nice...got a decent clutch..it's VERY hilly where I live and even in traffic it seems effortless.
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