silverbullet_Z

iTrader: (3)

Dave when do we get to attack your bumper with plasti-dip??

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

Maybe this weekend. Been busy lately. Got a new exhaust....for the minivan. It's already on.

I'm more concerned about the corners of my bumper and what to do about it. Tara's taking the Z on Saturday, so....

end of z world

I guess that's marriage. When the wifey can take the z by herself to wherever lol. Closest Brittany has been to that is driving to and from zdayz while I was sleeping lol. And I'm still confused about plastidip your doing your bumper? And question Dave, how long have you had your z just curious.

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

I bought the Z in March 2004.

You say plasti-dip, I say because racecar.

sportbiketed

iTrader: (11)

What exactly are you using it for?

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

I'm going to experiment with it on the bottom lip of the V2.

mdost03

Hi guys, my name is Mike and I might be in the market for a 350z after I sell my current car. Looking at a 2003 Track with around 80,000 miles. Do these cars serve as good DD year-round (if I had snow-tires on the car in the winter)? Any issues I should be on the lookout for whenever I test drive? Thanks for any and all help!

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

Hey, Mike. If you really need a DD especially for the winters, maybe a Z might not be The Car. Then again, I know guys who drive their's through the winter and have Blizzaks with some weight added in the rear trunk area. The 2003 is a good year, and with 80k miles that's not bad.

Zivman

iTrader: (19)

only way to make it more impractical would be to buy the convertable.... seriously.

worst DD car if you ever have to have more than one passenger or ever have haul ... well, anything. Blind spots are horrible, it's rwd, so you will need winter tires, and they sit fairly low, so plan on snow plowing during the winter a few times. Gas mileage is reasonable, but then again, you will be pumping premium, so that isn't really a pro for a daily driver.

Look for an 04.5+ model yr. 03's are cheaper for a reason. they have first model year "bugs". Look for 04's that have knee pads on along the console. that will indicate is a late model year 04 with many revisions... most notable is the trans. They will have the CD009 revision trans. Tranny issues are what to look out for... so when test driving, pay closer attention to how it shifts and ask if the trans has ever been replaced.

other than that:
tire feathering - alignment issues
window motors failing... just ask Dave
grease streaks on side windows

mdost03

Thanks for the heads up guys. The guy selling it was one of my old bosses and a pretty honest guy so if there are any issues, I am sure he would let me know up front about them. I currently have an SRT-4 and might have a buyer come first couple weeks in August and 350z's were on my list of potential cars to check out and his is priced pretty reasonably. He also has a set of snow tires he would be including with the car so that's why I asked. I will do some more research and some thinking and see if it turns out to be a good option for me or not. No kids, just a gf so 2 seater isn't a make or break deal, but it would be nice to have more seating (we do have her vehicle to use though also). Also, my last 3 cars were boosted so going to non-turbo, I don't know if I would have withdrawals lol.

SmoothZ

iTrader: (13)

You'll be fine. Sounds like you might be happy with the Z once you get it. If you do buy it, be sure to post some pics here.

mdost03

Sounds good! Seems like a lot of good info on this site, I'll keep doing research and hopefully have myself one down the road. Don't know if this question can be answered or not, but how bad are the insurance on these cars? I always heard insurance was bad for SRT-4's, but I'm only paying about $70 a month for full coverage. Figured a 350z would probably be more than what I'm paying now because it's more of a sports car compared to the neon.

MyFrLdyZ

iTrader: (3)

Like any car depends on insurance company, age, driving record, etc... I'm paying about $65 a month for mine, but I have a clean record... I doubt it will last much longer with my Z... It might be cheaper than your neon, these cars are very safe, look up the crash rating and compare it to the rating of your neon. Also, go ahead and get a quote from your insurance company before you buy the car.
Good luck!

mdost03

Will definitely be checking on quotes once I sell my current car. I'm 25, no accidents ever, and no tickets on my record so hopefully it's pretty comparable. Thanks for the help guys, good community you seem to have here :-)

jstar809

Hiway 95 = One of the best cruise roads in MN.....started from Woodbury ended up in Chisago Lakes Golf Club WTF, I couldn't stop.

@mdost3
OH and btw I've driven my Z (fairly lowered) in the winter twice with blizzaks and it did well. 06' without traction control too; my buddy came to visit from CO with his evo one of the times and I kept up with him You'll just need to hide it when the snow really gets to be too much as said before.

Stock2Autocrozz

iTrader: (6)

Beater car = to or less than the cost of second wheel setup...I feel like I have said this a hundred times on the site. Also, be sure to have a garage or suitable dwelling before buying a sports car.
Most of us do not drive them in the winter...think of every mustang,etc... You see in the ditch in winter...yet we have had some ***** winters lately.

Stock2Autocrozz

iTrader: (6)

Back from extended trip to Scottsdale, was a blast drove an Evora S that was not nearly pushed hard enough somehow the fuggin thing got to 82 in second gear, boats of torque and more to give.
Barret Jackson museum was sweet and the resort was ****, overall a great R and R run, and met up w a good 350z forum friend of 4+years bromance style,lol my gf kept giving me ****. It was fun though, good meeting ppl from all over ya just never know how it happens.

RMichael

you easterners are up late.

end of z world

Hey mdost, I got my beater Saturn for 275$. Best car ive bought next to my z. And i dont like using my girl as my shovel. Store it be honest no salt no corrosion and its safe during the most dangerous time of the year. Im 20 and i see a guy with a base z on blizzaks and I still think he's an idiot. Have fun when that suburban with bald tires comes barreling in to you at 45+ lol...you know how bad of drivers can exist I almost died today alone in traffic. I WANT MY DAMN Z BACK. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stock2Autocrozz

iTrader: (6)

Rmichael, its 445, some of us never sleep