took a 54 plate 34k on a short drive.

first outing in a zed.

1st) heavy clutch, but could get used to it, but every time i took off in 1st i juddered off as balance of revs (private sell, so going gentle) or lack of and heavy clutch coming back up, i wasn't use to it. but it seems like it will be hard to find the bitting point, due to the weight of the clutch, is this normal?

2nd) i wouldn't say i'm short, but average height at around 5ft8". i like to drive a little closer to the steering wheel, rather than the laid back approach with more control of the steering wheel (but not close close, so you can't turn the wheel), but i found that the gear shift lever, wasn't in a natural position (in front) and that my shoulder and arm was a little bent back (than normal). and also the handbrake wasn't exactly in a normal position either. all things to get use to, but any other average height drivers find this too?

the drive was great, so smooth.

 

I've had my car for a few weeks now and am a new to driving a standard transmission full time so I understand what you mean about the clutch. I don't drive my car anywhere near smoothly. I can usually launch pretty smoothly, and if I'm concentrating, I can do 1-2 and 2-3 smoothly, but if not, it will jump a bit. That clutch has a long distance to travel and you're right, the "biting" point seems like it comes hours too late compared to many other sticks.

As for height, I'm around 5'9 or 5'10 so maybe slightly taller than you but not by much. I have to keep my seat scooted forward a bit so that I can depress the clutch all the way comfortably (i.e. not flexing my toes out straight!). However, doing that, I find the shift lever and radio controls and all to be in pretty great ergonomic alignment. I can actually have a drink in the center console and still shift comfortably - unlike the Mazda MX-5 I tried.

All in all, I feel that the Z is a pretty concentrated driver's car, more so than many other makes. I just wish the clutch was a little more forgiving so that it wasn't so easy to do a jackrabbit start. There is a mod for that, detailed here on this site somewhere, to make the clutch travel shorter, but I'm just going to learn to deal with it.

Good luck, and watch those hill starts! I was spoiled by a 2008 MINI Cooper that had hill assist. Now I'm mildly terrified someone is going to pull within a few inches of my back bumper on a steep incline - at which point I'm just going to get out and ask them to back up lest we be in an accident. It always feels like the car rolls back a good foot or foot-and-a-half before I can get the clutch to engage and throttle to hold it. I've been considering adopting the hand brake assist, but have heard mixed reviews on how it affects that system. I am open to suggestions on that one.

 

The clutch while stiff actually doesn't need to be pressed down far at all in order to engage it. At least half the clutch movement from top to the floor is dead space.

 

I've been driving sticks for a long time and I do find the Z's clutch is hard to get used to, more than any other car I've owned or driven. Once you do get used to it, it's fine, but it's going to take a little longer than most cars.

I think the layout fits me pretty well. No issues with that.

 

Welcome. You will become quickly accustomed to the OEM clutch and flywheel. That and the transmission are very forgiving.

You are very observant about the shift lever. At 5-10 my arm and shoulder are in a backward and unnatural position. I wish the shift lever was 6 inches forward. After driving several hours it can be fatiguing for my right shoulder and arm.

 

am 5'8 also, i dont own a 350z YET but my cousin has a 04 base modle and hes about 6 feet tall - and i sat in the z and drove it - am sure ul b fine, it was just right 4 me - i had some room as well - seeing as i was further from the wheel, normaly i would drive closer