Been reading a lot here and responding to a little. But now that I've brought home my own Z, I feel like I can interact a little more.

The car (with my 2010 F150 Lariat in the background):

It's a 2008 Grand Touring, with bluetooth, navigation, Brembos, 19 inch rear/18 inch front wheels and anything else that comes in that trim.

Little bit about me: I'm a 48 year old retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, working with the Marine Corps as a civilian employee. Always had an affinity for vehicles, but it's been mostly motorcycles until selling my Explorer and getting the Z. I have a minimalist approach to modifying my vehicles, leaning toward a few high quality, well targeted mod, vice using the vehicle as a canvass for a completely custom creation. Not that I mind that type of modding; I'm a huge fan. I don't consider myself organized or talented enough to orchestrate something like that. Instead, I restore the vehicle to OEM appearance and make a few, well planned, high quality (most times) modifications.

Look forward to learning from you folks.

 

Welcome and congrats! I know exactly where you got that car, drove past it quite a bit. Clean car!

 

Welcome, I think we will get a long very well

Absolutely stunning Z you have there Dan.

 

Welcome to the club dan, absolutely love the white color Z!

 

Very nice car!

Congrats to a fellow Dan!

 

u gona hit the dragon in it?

 

Welcome!
Great looking Z!

 

It does seem to be. Any get togethers or anything like that in the area that you know of?

Thank you sir.

It's really starting to impress me. I deal with high speed and hard acceleration on a regular basis, but this car is showing me a thing or two.

Thank you sir! After living in SC with a black Ford Bronco, I'm really partial to while cars. Every car except one since 1990 has been white, or very light colored.

Thanks Dan!
I go to the Dragon at least once a year (just went in June. I organize a large motorcycle gathering there). My favorite time of year there is autumn, and I have a motorcycle trip planned. But that being said, I definitely may have to make a mid-week trip out there with the Z. Still getting used to the transmission, but I think it would generally be a one shift up and down type trip. Maybe I'll use a furlough day to head out there

 

Check out Carolina Super Cars; they put together some awesome Rally Runs and events:
http://www.carolinasupercars.com/

 

Looks great! Especially like the wheels.

 

Woohoo. Congrats on the 350Z. That is a sweet looking PPW 08 350Z GT. We have the same model and it's a fantastic car. Owned for about a year now.

Have fun with the Z. I know I will continue too.

 

Congrats on the HR and it actually being a GT model! haha. On the down side, it's an Auto... None the less have fun in your new Z!

 

I have an auto too and don't see how it is downside especially in city traffic. Driving stick is painful in bumper to bumper traffic.

 

Thanks! I'll definitely keep an eye on things there. Usually the end of summer is my prime motorcycle track time, but with this car I'm looking to diversify my motorsports activity.

Thank you. They are growing on me. At first I was skeptical, but yeah... definitely growing on me.

Thank you. I have some clean up/touch up work to do, and some minor mods. But first thing is to go through and make sure every service item has been performed to date/mileage.

I'd have to agree on the auto. My search was originally for the 6 speed MT exclusively. And I drove a good Touring trim setup almost identical to the one I bought. I was actually a little disappointed with the MT. For me, the shift gates are a little narrow, but I'm sure with time I'd get used to it (I keep my street bikes in normal shift, and my race bike in GP shifting and go from one to the other with no thought, so it would probably be a matter of getting used to it). On the plus side I LOVED the instant feedback with the MT. That REALLY felt like driving a 300 hp sports car. But overall decided on the auto due to availability and ease. Although I'd say the negative side to the AT is the feeling that the dead pedal is connected to the carpet rather than the floor.

 

I agree and understand, also down the line you can get that valve body upgrade to your A/T as well.

 

Really? Hadn't seen that yet. That sounds up my alley. I was thinking it would have to be addressed electronically. Sounds like I have some research to do. Thanks!