What's up guys! This is my first post here, I've spent my last year and a half on the G35driver forums (I have a 2007 G35 Coupe). Long story short I'm sick of my automatic transmission and am flying out of state from the Bay Area to somewhere in Oregon to pick up a Nismo 350Z and drive it back 16 hours. At the moment I really am not even that proficient at stick. I practiced in a 6 speed Mini Cooper with my coworker last Friday and got out of first gear and into second, as well as practiced reverse. I booked a 3-hour Shift appointment for this Wednesday (stick shift driving school)... embarrassing I know but I'd rather be safe than sorry . Let's just say once I bring the car back it will have around 33,000 miles! Perfect number for the Z33, I'll post pictures if I make it home in one piece lol JK. It's pearl white, and basically bone stock besides a Tomei Expreme Ti exhaust. Going to have fun learning stick shift driving home. Can't wait to take pictures and become a regular on these forums. The G35driver site is so dead. Loved the body style of the G35 coupe especially the side and rear but felt that it lacked in weight distribution/handling. The Nismo suspension should address that. In the meantime follow me on IG, I'm going to post some pics on Saturday for sure. Looking forward to becoming a regular on here!

IG: nismoz33_

 

Welcome and early congratz. You'll be fine with the MT, just don't "feather" the clutch too much. Better to have a jerky release or even stall compared to overheating clutch surfaces. Gl!

 

Welcome & hope you have a safe trip back! Post pics when time allows.

Back in 03 or so, I flew to Omaha from Orlando to pick up a beautiful, original 240SX SE 5MT. To this day, the trip home is one of my fondest memories. No schedule, not a care in the world. Enjoy.

 

Yeah I think it shouldn't be a problem. A generous local 350Z owner is offering to teach me on his car tmrw & a couple buddies at work will brush me up Thursday or Friday before I depart.

 

Exactly what I was thinking! I am in it for the adventure.. it just wouldn't be the same if this car was close by in the bay area (and it probably wouldn't be available still). Nothing describes the feeling when you finally get home with it. The only thing that concerns me is weather conditions, hopefully there is no snow in the forecast. I plan on taking the I-5 all the way back from Portland so if anybody has advice on how the drive is would be much appreciated. I am not unfamiliar with the drive back from Oregon because I drove to Redmond with my Dad to get my G35 in December of 2018 but you take 97 coming back instead of I-5. He's not helping me this time so using this week to prepare myself to get this baby back in one piece!

 

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l...44f02b92d9fd07

 

Thanks man! Looks like I'll be good weather-wise. Tbh I really couldn't even afford this car. I applied for a 12k loan on upstart and will get the funds by Wednesday or Thursday and am selling my G35 in two days as well. Kind of rushing this, especially with the Coronavirus and all... but in the end I know it will all be worth it. At least if my job shuts down and I can't pay back the loan I can blame Coronavirus! Sad to say but still kind of funny. But if my flight happens to get canceled then my buddy and I will drive up

Not the best financial decision I know but this car just speaks to me, I can't wait to feel how it rides

 

Just an update flight is not getting canceled and I met somebody with a 350z who is willing to fly up with me (I bought his ticket $59 one-way SJC to PDX). He hit me up through Offerup because he saw I was selling my G and in my description it said looking for a 350Z. He advised me to get the HR and not the DE motor, he was also looking for a white nismo 350 as well. I told him I found one and didn't know stick very well so he let me practice on his 03 one night. Said he just wanted to help get the nismo home safe lol, plus the whole bay area is on lockdown so what else is there to do. Super excited just woke up and my flight is at 6:45 AM plan on taking the car to a mechanic for a used car inspection just to be safe since I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to those things... yet! I still plan on modding my nismo in the future I just like what it offered + was impossible to find a low mileage Z in another trim. Look forward to getting to know you guys and stay safe out there

Here are some of the pics the owner posted in the ad





I'm probably going to let my friend drive the majority of the way just to be safe
I tried moving a Subaru BRZ downstairs for work and failed to get it into reverse and stalled on a blind corner on a busy street and had to call my buddy. IMO I am not ready yet

 

Good luck and safe travels! In for how this ends!

 

MADE IT HOME!!! So much love for this car I don't even know where to begin. Special shoutout to the dude on offerup who drove like 80% of the way home. The trip was 683 miles (10 hours 44 minutes) and he guided the Nismo through the curvy highways and city streets. I pretty much took over on I-5 wherever it was straight enough and chilled in 6th gear most the time. One time I got off and tried to make it to a gas station I came to a stop and stalled the one and only time so he drove it home and parked it at my house for me. Still in shock that he was even down to go, his dream car is a white 350Z nismo so maybe that is why. Nevertheless this car is amazing, from the performance to the aesthetics it's everything I wanted and more. The suspension is so nice and I really feel like a part of the road when driving. Can't wait to meet more members of the Z community. Can already tell I am going to have way more fun with this car than my G35. 6MT or bust and so glad I got the HR motor. The Tomei sounds great as well! About to get myself in that registry... I know it's like midnight and I should go to bed but I kind of just want to go outside and stare at my car. That's normal right? Here are some pics I took




Needless to say life is good hope I didn't make you guys jealous I am just so happy with what I drive now. Oh and that rear bumper already grew on me, it looks so much better in person than in pictures. And for the mileage/price I paid, I think I got a steal. Fairlady Z33 FTW