I'm g owner, not a Z, but I figured I could get some help from my Z cousins....

The USMC will shortly be sending me to Colorado Springs for a 3 year tour. I've been there before on short trips, and I loved the place. Now that I am moving there, I'd like to learn a few more things about it.

I'll probably be working at Peterson AFB, although I might be elsewhere, don't know for sure yet. Plan on buying a house; what are some good areas, and what are some areas to avoid?

How many days of snow where you don't want to drive your G35 do you have? (I've got a coupe, plan on trading in my wife's Altima for a G35X soon)

What's emissions testing like? I plan on turboing my G; I was planning on getting the JWT TT kit when it gets CARB certified, but now it keeps getting delayed, I might go some other route. Is CARB certification necessary in CO?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks for any and all help!

Dave

 

all I can say is that I drive my Z in any weather

 

Dave,
Looking forward to meeting you, I think you'll like the Springs. Everyone's pretty friendly and laid back here, and lots of meets/drives/track days to participate in. Also, lots of military here and on the boards so they might be able to chime in some on things I might miss, but to answer your questions:
I wouldn't advise living in Fountain, but that's where most people that work on base will look because it's close. It's not a bad place, but your resale will be better elsewhere. If you can, I think Briargate is the best place to be. The school district is tops and the resale is freakin unbelievable. I've been in the Springs for 10 years now and can't think of a better place to live. The other place I would look is dountown. You can buy an older bingalow for cheap and fix it up to make a small fortune. If you don't have kids and are handy, that might be your best option. An example is a close friend of my wife and I bought a place off Uintah and Pikes Peak for 109,000. Recieved an interest free loan for 20,000 to fix up the house from the city as part of its Urban Renewal Project, and It's now worth 190,000 on the market. If you have the time, it's the best investment there is.
As far as snow, it hasn't snowed so bad as to stay home since 1997. That was the last real big blizzard. The rest of the time, you'll be fine with a dedicated set of snow tires. If anything, just call in late (if you can) and wait until the roads are plowed. It really isn't getting to work that's the problem, it's coming home after it's snowed all day because the plows really don't come out in the evening time. Again, a good set of snow tires will get you through most anything. For what it's worth, I drive my Z daily and have R-compoundds still on it and have made it around in light snow. Ice is another matter for my tires
Emissions is really not that tough. You have four years after your purchase date before emissions is required, and if you buy in the county rather than city- a strong option if you're stationed at Schriever- then you won't have to test at all.
The only other thing is, altitude sucks and Broncos fans are crazy.
Hope that helps,
Will

 

Awesome, thanks for the info!

Dave

 

Wait til you experience the 50 HP drop from the altitude affect. I loved my Z until I drove it at sea level. Night and day experience. Now I have to get a TT system, now that I know what this car was meant to do.

Welcome to Colorado though, it's amazing country, and the weather is fantastic. Again as long as you get some good snow tires, You won't have any problem getting to work. I really recommend the Blizzak LM-22's as they have great snow traction, but also handle great on dry roads. 99% of your driving will be on dry roads, even during the winter, so you don't want to sacrifice handling performance with your winter tires.

 

Will hit pretty much everything. Though I will say that Fountain is not as bad as older Springs people think. Fountain/ Fountain Mesa is where I live and is really nice with homes starting around $175k. And due to the 5k+ Army troops PCSing here cause of the BRAC resale is raising. As far as emissions, you will have to pass to register your car on Peterson. (ADAF here Stationed at Pete) As will also said the snow really isn't a problem but the ice from it freezing over night is. But its doesn't snow as bad/as much as many think. If you can't carpool I would suggest a beater car. My 350Z is my daily driver and when it snows I just carpool with my wife.

Welcome to the Springs!!! You'll enjoy the Z/G community that is here. We recently just had a Dyno/Track day weekend but I see many more this summer. I'm deploying so hope everyone esle make you feel welcomed and hope to meet you when I get back.

 

What about if you are in that 4 year window?

Second, is the emissions like Caifornia, where they fail you if you have non-standard/non CARB'ed approved equipment (like a turbo) on it, or is the only thing that matters the tailpipe emissions?

Dave

 

Unfortunately I don't know how that works on base. As far as equipment goes you'll be fine. They check to make sure you have factory emmisions equip like the charcol cannister and cats, and then check your fuel cap to make sure it's not leaking, then for any check engine lights, and finally the sniffer test. I have gone in with mods on other cars and never had an issue if those were met. Of course, that was bolt-ons like CAI and headers, etc.. nothing like a turbo kit. I know a couple of guys have gone to drive by stations to pass, but I don't know where any of them are.
Will

 

When you move here you will be required to get an emissions test regardless of when you bought the vehicle I am pretty sure.

Don't worry, it's pretty easy to pass...........this isn't California.

Mudd

 

Have you arrived yet? If so: https://my350z.com/forum/south-west/185835-fairwell-fun-run-30-apr.html

 

old *** thread LOL

 

LOL Like Yo Momma!

 

LMAO ***** what you say bout my mama!?

 

A whole month old. Wow, ancient

Anyways, no, it turns out I won't be there until November timeframe. Still going, though, and thanks for the invite!

Dave

 

Well I will be back from Iraq by Nov, hopefully.

 

Good news, there will no longer be smog testing in CO as of Jan 07, so you might not have to worry about it come Nov, because I think you're allowed 60 days grace before registering.
Will

 

That's awesome, thanks!

Dave

 

Well, I finally got here (to the Springs), and got my G smogged, but it turns out I didn't have to. Anyways, it was only $25, so no big deal.

Next question: Anyone know any good tuners in the Springs, preferably to install a turbo kit, and if not the Springs, how about Denver?

Really looking for someone with some good experience on the VQ35, whether a G, Z, or FX, for that matter.

Thanks for the help
Dave

 

Welcome to Colorado!
It's good to have someone interested in performance for their G here in the Springs, most of the drivers I meet are scared stupid of doing anything to their rides. I'm sure there's some meet or drive coming up, so I hope to catch up with you some time and say Hi in person. Robert K is coming home soon and we'll have to get together for that, hopefully you can come.
As far as tuning goes, just stay away from Joule. They suck. MAC auto in Parker is a very cooll place. They do lots of swaps and tunes, and have a dyno. The owner is cool. Parker is just south of Denver on Hwy83, about 40 min drive. Robert also found out about a new place that just opened here in town that has a dyno. Maybe he'll chime in about it.
Will

 

Not a whole lot of G drivers are into modding their car, it's a different demographic. To me, though, my G is just a Z with two back seats. Oh, and leather and heated seats...

I'll definitely be up for a meet/drive whenever, and thanks for the tip on MAC, I'll give them a call

Dave