I'm new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself. I've been reading posts for a few days and have found a bunch of helpful information already...

My name is Andy and I live in Western NC about an hour east of Asheville.

I bought a 2008 350Z Touring with 55,600 miles this week in near mint condition after extensive research and searching - and 10 1/2 years of waiting.

Why 10 1/2 years? Well on 2-3-04, when I was 28 (young, healthy, working 60 - 80 hours a week, married with a 6 month old baby) I had a stroke caused by a flu like virus which left me completely paralyzed on my left side. For about 13 years preceding that I had a Turbo Toyota MR2 which I loved. I kept it in mint condition and babied it inside and out. It had a manual transmission. I knew I would no longer be able to operate the clutch so after being released from rehab to head home in a wheelchair - I made the decision that exemplifies adding insult to injury and sold my wonderful car and said someday I will get another sports car...

So fast forward to 2014 - I have worked hard at OT / PT and regained 75% use of my left arm and leg, having strength but issues with fine motor movement. It was time for me to search for another vehicle and in discussing it with my wife she suggested my looking into buying another MR2. I searched but because they quit making them in '98 (except the Spyder - which I didn't want) in order to find one in the condition I'd want I'd be looking at around $25,000 and that wasn't going to happen.

I started researching other sports cars and looked at the Crossfire SRT-6, but found issues I didn't like about that. Then I moved on to the 350Z and shopped around looking and looking until I found exactly what I wanted. Finally I found it early this week - an automatic (with manual option) black 2008 350Z Touring coupe with black leather interior, owned by a 50 year old woman who took immaculate care of it. She provided a folder with every receipt from each oil change, purchase of new tires, windshield wipers, everything (all done at the Nissan dealership) in chronological order since the cars purchase.

It is a long awaited dream come true for me.

I am not incredibly mechanically inclined but I refuse to believe there is anything I can't do if I persevere and put my mind to researching the solutions to the problem and work my way through. And I have several great handy friends that help me out a lot.

Thanks to everyone who posts and the moderators who make this incredible site possible. I'm sure I'll be visiting regularly...

~Andy

 

wow thats a long wait. Good to see that you were dedicated enough and regained strength to drive. Welcome and post up some pics of the z.

 

Great story. Welcome to the island of misfits.

 

Welcome. I'm glad you have regained sufficient strength to do the things you want. Congrats on the Z and I'm sure you will love it.

 

I wish I researched more when I bought my Z. I also was young (22) and always knew I wanted one, it was my dream car. So I looked for about 6 months and waited for one that was 100% stock with low miles. Paid $14,000 it seemed like a good deal, and was but I wish I saved more for a 2007-2008 for the HR engine and better transmission.

 

Wow. Awesome story and welcome to the group!

 

Congrats on your PT and regaining enough skills to drive again. Welcome to the site.

 

Welcome.
You made a great choice, there isn't a much better sports car for the money than a 350z.
I also love the MR2, a guy I work with has a right hand drive MR2 that is in amazing condition.

 

Amazing story and congrats on the purchase!

 

welcome to the forum, I too live in NC, but on the eastern side. you've come to the right place, congrats on your purchase, and on your recovery.

 

Welcome and congratulations!

 

Thanks for the welcome.

I was able to drive within a year post stroke but due to our son being a year old, medical expenses and practicality (and convincing my wife) it has taken until now for me to get another sports car...

I spent most of the weekend detailing and playing with my new car. I've read over a bunch of forums looking for answers to my questions but have not been able to find exactly what I'm looking for and was hoping maybe someone could point me in the right direction.

I have a few very minor scratches on the ping pong textured center console. I've read about removing it and painting but that seems excessive for the minor scratches mine has. I didn't know if there was any type of touch up solution?

The Z on the cross bar in the trunk area under the rear window is crinkled - is there any way to replace or fix that? It just looks like crap and bugs me.

My rear hatch won't completely pop open when I press the hatch release button. It opens then I have to lift with my fingers. I replaced the struts on Friday and that helped and it stays open much better but still won't pop open. When I purchased it I noticed the spring lift on the right side was bent so I tried to straighten it but it ended up breaking off. From what I can see it looks like replacing it will be a dealership purchase? I'm also missing one of the little rubber bumpers on the outer edge of the hatch - is that another dealership purchase?

Again thanks to everyone for welcoming me. This forum is awesome - even for a less than handy guy like me...

If anyone could point me in the right direction on any of the above questions it would be greatly appreciated.

~Andy

 

" Just remove it and get it touched up, it isn't too difficult. "

As for the Z that's crimpled on the cross bar, you can easily tape it up and repaint it any color you want, as long as you sand it down and whatnot.
if not, here's the DIY to start a nice weekend project: https://my350z.com/forum/body-interior-exterior-and-lighting-diy/416852-diy-rear-strutbar-cover-removal-and-paint.html or https://my350z.com/forum/attachments/body-interior-exterior-and-lighting-diy/213808d1225890100-fyi-rear-strut-cover-silver-repaint-img_5528.jpg

here's the shock absorber you were talking about. (i hope)
http://www.autopartsexpress.com/monr...U0UaAgzO8P8HAQ
~Ariel
cheers.

 

Thank you so much Ariel.

Those instructions appear to be for painting the whole cross bar - would I follow the same steps to just strip and paint the Z? My bar looks good, my Z just has the silver peeling...

The link for the spring lift looks like it is for the suspension. It looks very similar to what I need but what I need goes on either side of the actual hatch to keep tension on it when it is closed so it won't rattle.

Thanks again for your help.

~Andy

 

Welcome.

Courtesy Parts would be the first place I'd look for parts. They have detailed drawings and give a starting point to look for price:
http://www.courtesyparts.com/350z-pa...5_867_868.html

The spring lift is 84415P

 

Hello and Welcome