Hi all,

First post on this site. I've been viewing some over the last couple of weeks and, as with other forums like this, I enjoy the banter and appreciate the helpfulness of more knowledgable folks.

We picked up an `08 Touring Couple (Silver Alloy/Frost) on Friday. This is my wife's car. We're both very excited and pleased with the car and the purchase experience, once we got on the right track. Because this was for the wife and the rule all smart married men follow is "buy her what she wants", I didn't do extensive research. In fact, neither of us bothered with a test drive. I've read reviews for years, we like sports cars, good friends have an `05 Coupe and a `08 NISMO, so we just bought it. Personally, I've driven it a total of 6 miles to date.

One major disappointment - uinless I'm missing something:

Where do we plug in the iPod?? I haven't looked closely at the manual but it doesn't appear to be a plug for that. I'm shocked. I just bought a $15K Pontiac for my daughter and even that has an iPod plug! What am I missing?

Minor disappointment....Oddly located power plugs and why aren't there any in the armrest?

I'm looking forward to taking the car, once she puts a few miles on it, out on the back roads here in North Texas. I'm sure it will be great and the car is really pretty.

When I have time to search the forum, I'll look into iPod connecting but if anyone has any comments, I'd appreciate hearing them, even if it is just "look over THERE, dummy"!

We didn't get the spoiler....I saw a sticky here with links and there were about 40 links, most of which were for odd ball (IMHO) stuff. I think we are going to want the spoiler....do I just go to the dealer and buy it? Any install issues? Is it DIY?

I'll be around....thanks in advance. About the only thing I can offer is some help on detailing and to help mediate some of the heated comments around Corvettes...

 

hmmmm, interesting first post. Guess you should have checked for the Ipod plug in and outlet locations before buying the car if that was important to you. I bought the fairlady to drive, and I also took the car for a test drive to make sure the car did drive the way I expected. I made sure it had a 6sp too... by the time I was done with the test drive, I had a grin from ear to ear, the outlets could have been in the fender wells and I wouldnt have cared.

Congrats on the purchase, have fun errrr your wife!

 

Understood. I'm not complaining so much as being surprised. I understand "quirks". I've had a Lotus Elan. I'm just surprised that in today's car market, I guess I expected something different, especially from a Japanese manufacturer, since they tend to be more cutting edge than US or UK. I can fix the power plug issue easily enough and I'm pretty sure I can fix the iPod thing....one is DIY for sure, the other will just require a check to be written. For the price of the car and the expectation that we'll have this for 4 years or more, its not a big deal....

 

gotcha.

yea, could have more serious issues I guess. How did you like the 6 miles you drove?

 

I'm going to like the car, I know. It has more of a sports car feel with a smaller wheelbase and the windshield closer than what I'm use to. Seems to handle very nice. I slightly softer ride and less power than what I'm used to but the ride will be more comfortable and the power is WAY more than adequate. And, candidly, it'll be nice to have an automatic to drive when we go to Dallas during traffic time.

Now the challenge is figuring out a few minor things I can do to make the car "ours" that the wife will approve of. I can't justify doing a lot of stuff to any car that has a warranty and is driven daily but I don't want to ever walk out to the parking lot and not be able to tell that its our car, if you know what I mean. Just the wife is a little less tolerant of the tweaks I do since its now "her car". I've just got to stare at it for a few weeks. The ideas will start to come.

For what its worth, the last 6 cars I've bought I've not test driven. Seems like every car I test drive, I don't buy. Maybe because I already know what I want and am test driving to see if there is something that can change my mind! I suppose that's odd.

 

[QUOTE=yellowvert]Hi all,

One major disappointment - uinless I'm missing something:

Where do we plug in the iPod?? I haven't looked closely at the manual but it doesn't appear to be a plug for that. I'm shocked. I just bought a $15K Pontiac for my daughter and even that has an iPod plug! What am I missing?


Rocdok replies: You'd be surprised how many nice cars don't have ipod hookup in place. My buddies 2007 Boxster S doesn't, and neither does my other buddies 2006 Cayman S. I upgraded the Bose head unit to Alpine to get the Ipod going.

 

I understand with the ipod connection...I bought a 2006 Scion Xa for my Son's first car and it had an ipod connection. To me it didn't matter because I ripped out the OEM stereo and replaced it with a JVC in dash DVD/CD deck (has ipod connection) and added aftermarket speakers, sub and amp and it sounds REALLY good in that little cabin

As for the power outlets...I was perplexed at first when I saw where they were located. But as I used them I realized they actually kept the power cords out of the way of the 6MT and the radio controls. I use the front one for my Bel radar detector and the rear for my phone or mp3 player.

Enjoy your new Z...

 

There seems to be an "axxess" something connection but I'm not sure if that kills the use of the satellite radio. I'll probably wait until the complaining gets too loud from the wife.

And I'll probably look into putting a power plug into the arm rest. My car has that and its just great. No digging around for anything.

As I said, I'll get used to the quirks I suppose. And, I'll drive the car maybe 1000 miles a year. I'll just shut up now....!

 

Silver Alloy? Frost? HEY!!!!!!

thats the interior i wanted to get, but couldnt find any so i had to get a charcoal interior. however, i am thinking about changing out some areas such as the dash, door panels, console trim, and perhaps having the seats redone in Frost leather.

was wondering if you like that combination of Silver and Frost? and could you please post some really good pics? its sort of customary to post some pics when ya get a new 350Z.......

Mike

 

I'd be happy to post some pics. I just got around to:

1) polishing with PC and Menz micro polish the strap down marks on the car (I can't believe they were there!)

2) Clay bar

3) coat of DG 111 sealant

4) carnuba

The bummer was I like to wait a few hours before buffing off the sealant and when I got done putting it on at 10PM, my wife said she had to be to work at 6AM. So, once again my neighbors have evidence that I'm crazy because I was polishing her car at 4:30. Was able to get the carnuba on before she left.

So, if its not too messed up from working on it while sleeping, I'll take some pictures.

The silver/silver (frost) combo looks very nice. She's very pleased and the stock alloy wheels look very good with the silver. I'm not a chrome guy. I'll try to get them posted later. I'll probably take a bunch so if you want a link to photobucket, send me a PM. Worse case I'll get them done this weekend.

Cheers,

Scott

 

AS far as the ipod connection is concerned, you can go out and order a PAC-AUDIO AAI-NIS2 DEVICE. - $60 bucks.http://www.pac-audio.com/instructions/AAI-NIS2.pdf

I own this unit and it connects to the back of the factory stereo and provides two set's of RCA connections. as in two aux ports. see schematic on pdf file above. AUX1 has some length of wire to it. AUX2 is directly mounted to the unit. so you have to run wire to it. again more radio shack stuff if you care to have two each external audio sources coming into the factory head unit.

Then you can go to Radio Shack and purchase an RCA to mini female head phone connection and mount that where you wish in the car. - $8 bucks
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

depending if there is any "noise" you man need to purchase a radio shack "ground loop isloator" - $17 bucks
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062214

once connected you simply hit the "radio" button on your oem head unit and scroll through FM1, FM2, AM, then your aux sources will be SR1 or SR2 according to where you have it connected and what you have connected to it.

from the sound of things you will more than likely only have the IPOD - one thing connected to it, so it will more than likely be SR1 if AUX1 is used.
- J

 

if you ever care to see my set up let me know as im in Frisco, TX at times....

i have two items connected to my pac device.
1. XM roady XT - satelite radio
2. XBOX install sound - video played on my oem nav screen.

- Jason

 

Actually I'd agree about the power points in the Zeds, odd placing in most models. CongratZ on the 2008.

 

OK, and one more "quirk"....Why is there not a button inside the car to open the hatch?? I know I can use the one on the remote but that's not very convenient.

Nonetheless, I got a chance to drive the car on some backroads and it handles very nicely. Turn in is a little quicker than a Corvette and when really pushing it, doesn't feel quite as secure but feels more stable and able to handle the odd bump mid-turn up to about 90% of my pushing it. I think in spite of the shorter wheelbase, the slightly softer suspension helps unless really pushing it. The Corvettes larger tires probably make the difference. And I do appreciate the nearly complete lack of body roll. Again, not as flat as the Corvette but close and a fair trade off for comfort. No complaints at all. I'm just looking forward to getting it broken in so I can push the engine a little harder.

Do you guys really wait for 1,200 miles for break in and taking it over 4K rpm? That's a really long period. I think GM says 500.

 

I do in fact believe most owners wait for the 1200 miles before leaning on it.

I have had mine for over a month and only have 800 miles on it and am just waiting for 1200 so I can really open her up.

I was reading that they test run the GTR's engine on a dyno/test stand for certain period of time so it arrives ready for WOT!

 

Lol, only Nissan can answer that one. Can be a little annoying at times, but think of it this way, it's a weight saving.

It's a smart idea to follow the manufacturers recommendations. You might thank yourself further down the track.

 

(hey everybody, just wait 'til he discovers there's no "glove box!")

As for the interior hatch release, supposedly there is one. I've never been able to find it; it allegedly lives under the rear shock tower brace. I think you'd have to be really really desperate (car sinking rapidly in water) to use it because it would require untold contortions to get to it.

The lack of an aux in is disappointing, I agree.

The oddly-placed 12V outlets can be a pain, but there's always the option of an extension cord. www.bluesea.com has nice ones, but they're not on the website, so you'd have to call them. (That was a shameless plug; I work for Blue Sea. We sell great stuff.)

I always tell myself that this car was built for my driving pleasure, not for my convenience. This logic goes out the window when i look at how convenient the cup- and bottle-holders are....

So hurry up and post pics already. Geez.

 

i now have less than 100 miles to go to get to that magical 1,200 mile mark on my new 2008 Enthusiast!!!

and i have treated it properly. changed speeds alot, slowed down to less than 30 mph at times. never drove it more than 10 miles or so at the same speed. never gunned the engine either. by the time i get home from the office monday i should be past that 1,200 mark.

Mike

 

dude, i only read your first post, so if you clarified anything that i am about to address, sorry.

first of all, you bought the Z in auto, didn't you? if so, mistake number one.

secondly, you bought a Z for a woman. it's a man's car.........well, the 6 speed is anyways. either way, should've got her an Eclipse or RSX, you know a chick car.

finally, who gives a crap about an iPod? if you have money to buy yourself, your kids and your wife a car, then you have enough to get a good after market head unit with an iPod connector. or you can get a FM modulator for less than 100 bucks.

good luck.............

jim

edit - sorry if that sounds mean....ive had a few beers.......

 

Jim, thanks for the sorta funny response!

1) The wife did want a manual (or so she said) but she decided on auto b/c she does get stuck in traffic at times and there are times we may need the kids cars and its easier for them, and arguably safer since they are learning to shift, to just drive an auto.

2) One thing I like about the Z is that its not just a chick's car or a man's car but it is a real sports car, which I don't really consider an Eclipse in the same class. I was pretty happy when the wife said she wanted a Z.

3) I don't care about the ipod. I listen to one but not enough to care. She complained when she noticed it but hasn't said a thing since. We have an FM thing for the iPod and they just suck. (I'm a slower learner, I think I have bought 2 or 3 of those things). She hasn't said anything else about it so I ain't bringing it up!

4) As for a new head unit, that would rate pretty far down my list of things to spend money on. Just not that important and net, see above - she's gotta ask.

5) I have a man's car....a triple black, MN6, `08 convertible Corvette with black custom wheels, etc...We didn't really need another car that my kids can't drive and I've been trying to teach them in the Corvette but its not the easiest car to learn to drive a manual on. The wife isn't not a big fan of the all-black Corvette. I offered her a Corvette Coupe and she chose the Z. Easier to drive, looks great, easier to get around in, and not as much money....win-win in my book and I really didn't want two Corvettes. She LOVES her car and I'm pretty darn impressed myself. Maybe my next Corvette will be a Z, too!