Oh yeah i call dibs on your hood.......















































LOL Gotcha Steve

 

Ok. If I decide to get rid of it, the guy is still workin payments and deals, I can prob do that np. I do have audio equip. I have that Alpine, full system, stuff still. If Tim wants the HKS I can work a deal on that too. Like I said not set in stone yet but looking a lil promising. Will have to wait and see when the guy gets back to me.

 

Indy z club hosted the Midwest Z show in Nashville, IN yesterday and I decided to peek in. There were 58 Zs there from Indianapolis, Chicago, and Ohio.

I walked around during the judging for the car show and got about 25 minutes of entertainment in before I talked to the organizers (which I've gone on 2 runs with so they know me) and showed them my R32.... Or as they mistook it for a "Rabbit".... And asked if I could catch the tail of their run.

They had planned to have a run at 2pm through Brown County and this was about 20 til. Well the run was delayed since the judging was taking so long... I drove around for 30 mins and came back through and caught them taking off.

The roads were about like Hwy 7 with less hills, more turns, and less smooth pavement.

The Volkswagen hung in pretty well considering I'm still on stock winter tires. I'll admit the weakness is about 50hp and significant body roll (normal Audi plague "lean and hold") but the advantages are AWD, a fast shifting DSG, and much better stock brakes!

I followed 2 Z32s most of the way and while there is a definite difference considering all the Zs ahead of me drive a certain way, my car drives totally different yet the judgement is that "that R32 hangs with the Z".

Finally, havng driven both the R32 and my 350z with suspension mods, the Z was much more fun and engaging to drive on a run.

That said, I call my R32 a baby GTR and I'll say that if the GTR offers a similar driving experience, minus the raw acceleration... I would spend the money elsewhere. Granted all the mechanical and technological hoot nanny makes it go around a track faster but let's be honest... In our world, how often do we drive on a track as opposed to/from work with our cars?

If I'm accelerating on a public road and I'm taking the risks of breaking the law... I damn well want to feel like I am! Getting to 60 and barely noticing it just doesn't have the reward as ripping through gears, breaking tires loose, and using both legs to do it.

That said I think we need to get away from manufactured cars with no soul.... My example in point but think about the new Challenger... The new Porsches.. They just don't offer the fun of the older ones (albeit safer).

How about a fastback Z with an inline 6 for 2012?
Or even better, an affordable bare bones open roof Porsche with an air cooled VW motor that weighs less than a miata ala 1956 Spyder-esque.

Whatever it is, it needs to be fun and engaging to drive, not necessarily the fastest... 120hp is fun in a little car! Just put some big (sic) brakes and some airbags in it and let me figure out how to drive it properly!

 

Brad have you driven the new challenger or a new porshe? Just curious as i hear people say stuff like this all the time yet have never set foot in said vehicles. There are alot of new model cars that give tons of driving excitement for example a C6 Z06, or ZR1 you cant get much more badass then that. I personally have owned and driven tons of old muscle cars like Dodge charger R/T' w/440 6packs, 67-69 camaros w/ DZ302's to BBC's, chevelles,etc.etc. and while they're bitchin in there own right, I will take the new technology over them anyday ESPECIALLY for somehthing im even thinking about daily driving. Old school means No brakes, tons of body lean, crap eletronics, the list goes on and on. What old school does offer however is awesome style and most of the time brute torque/horsepower. Your are correct though as AWD takes alot of the fun out of driving, just like factory traction control,etc. If anyone you know down there has a C6 Z06 beg them for a ride(agressive) or drive, and i gaurantee you will not be able to say anything about a lackluster driving experience. Yes it may not have the best interior but all in, for a all around supercar its tough to beat at any price tag! Glad to hear your making out ok at the new spot though, you should drop in here more often and stop being a stranger!!!!!! Any plans on coming back to LR for a visit? Hit me up man, later.

 

^ AWD to me doesn't seem to take the fun out of driving to me. I think you would be able to drive more aggressively with awd.

 

I think it takes some fun out of it, as not being able to drift or powerslide the same as say a rear drive. dunno im tiiiiiiiired.

 

I drove the Challenger R/T down in Houston last November and it felt like I had been teleported with my eyes closed from a Charger and opened them in a Challenger.

There is an Audi/Porsche dealer next to my apartment up here that I neander around religiously each week from when I wanted a used TT. All the talk over there is having the Porsche Doppelkupplung "PDK" (aka DSG from the VW/Audi) which helped my decision to get into the R32... but now that the reviews are out, all the cultist Porsche guys say the thrill is gone.

As for going faster in an AWD car... granted you can... (if you can get over the body roll).. but the point in going fast outside of the track is to have the experience.

The R32 for every intent is the best value for my particular situation, but not my first choice for having stupid fun.

I'll be down in LR next weekend, perhaps we can get together saturday the 4th after 6pm?

 

 

I'm In....................

 

might be interested in ur audio stuff, got ur hood done yet?

 

I thought it was pronounced "a mili" least that's what all the cool kids say now-a-days.
About that G. I had a buddy whom has seen that exact G up at motorsports authority getting a new clutch put in. So I called MA and they advised to stay away from the G as it has had 2 new cluthces in it cause the owner drives the **** out of it and the tranny is about to go. That's why he's selling.
Yea, the seats. The were upgraded in 2003 from previous year TJ's they're more supportive. And basically newer since mine has never been rained in or had anything spilt on them either.
Before you start swap'n stuff w/ Adam can you PM me two prices you had in mind for your Z?
1) w/ all the mods on there including stereo stuff
2nd) w/ no mods-all parted
Thanks!

 

So atm it looks like I won't be getting rid of the Z. The guy I was dealing with couldn't get me the deal on the car I wanted. I'm still kicking around some car ideas but for the moment the Z will stay with me. If I do trade it in Adam you will be the first to get the door panels np. I'll keep you guys posted. Also Adam we need to get together when you have some time and get the mesh in my hood if you could help. I've got all the mesh.

 

Do you want a 2006 Jeep Wrangler? lol

 

No prob zach, im sure i can fabricate or get it in somehow and still have it look real nice. take some pics of the underneath of your hood and email them to me so i can start brainstorming diff ideas...

 

I'll take some pics when it stops pouring here. It's rainin like crazy here. It should look like the underside of the oem hoods. I didn't have any of the supports cut or anything underneath.

 

i know what it will look like but it would be nice to see where the holes/slots are cut in relation to the braces.......take a few of on top also

 

I finally uploaded pics from last weekend's Midwest Z Car club... I couldn't get a picture of the plaque but it is for sure the 0001 Nismo Z.

Also I'm planning on being downtown Saturday after 6.. GTG

 

Took some toys out to play Thanks Tim for the pic's and we'll have to do it again w/the setup you suggested.

 

that last one is my fav.. the f/1.8 50mm lens did really well, especially handheld and at dusk! Love that 2 in the air. i had one pic with 2 in the air and one leaving the chamber, but it was quite blurry..

oh and thanks again for letting me expend a few mags.. I know that wasnt cheap :/ owe ya.

 

It's all good im ready to go again already i needed more shooting time!!!!