Me350Z

Hi guys,

I have posted a couple of time and asked random questions about the 350Z and I finally purchased one yesterday. Thanks for all your answers and feedback. I have been lusting for the Z for 2 years, 145 days, and 8.9 hours. <--- something to that extent. Wow, finally I have a baby to pamper!

The basics:
2005 350Z Roadster
Touring
PPW
Manual
OTD price $37,816.71 at Douglas Nissan in Huntington Beach
$100 below invoice. $25000 finance at 3.99% for 60 months.

This is my first brand new car that I purchased myself. I am acutally still learning how to drive manual. I know, not the smartest but I couldn't wait anymore.

Anybody know where there is an open area with no cars in OC??? I was out at midnigt practicing at the IKEA parking lot and got pulled over by 3 police cars.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a new Z let me know. I had 3 dealers offering me invoice price for the Roadster. FYI: I know Douglas Nissan at HB got new inventory this past week. They have about 20 Zs there.

Comments, feedback, and pointers on how to drive manual are much appreciated. Once I emboddied my soul into this car, I definitely would like to cruise with other Z members that I have been reading so much about.

Chicken

iTrader: (3)

Congrats! IMHO, there's really no other way to learn how to drive a manual. You'll be OK.

SHO-TIME

iTrader: (9)

Congrats!
If you are really not comfortable driving stick, I'd recommend you paying a driving structor and practice in his pickup or something.

SB Track

Nah. Just learn on your Z. I learned when I had the G35c 6MT on that.

Anyway, just find empty parking lots, you'll have it down in no time. Good to see guys still step up to buying MT even though they dont' know how to drive them. It's just a different experience driving MT.

Ed 718

iTrader: (32)

I have to agree since burning the clutch would really suck on his first new car. bad enough the transmission on these cars are junk. Congrats and welcome to the Z family...Ed

Bertg

Congrats and keep on practicing!!

kamz

iTrader: (1)

Congrats and kudos for getting the MT. Can't understand why you would get a Z otherwise.

wld350z

iTrader: (1)

Congrats on the new car
Dont listen to skar hes dont even know how to drive his R/C car
he keeps hitting curbs

Me350Z

Yeah, I was definitely thinking about getting an instructor or a rental car. I've stalled many times and afraid I might mess up my clutch. It would suck if I finally know how to drive it and then there's a problem with my clutch.

Good thing was, I got to practice at the OC Fair Ground this evening. They were pretty cool about it.

Shoot, I picked up my car last night and didn't inspect well enough. Found out that there's a scratch on the underside of the passenger door. Some paint chipped off. It seemed like it was covered up with tape. Will have to go back to dealer and tell them. Damn, have to drive all the way there.


Well close to 11:00 AM, time to go out and practice some more!

SHO-TIME

iTrader: (9)

Stalling is not bad. It won't hurt your clutch. It's when you start grinding gears and burning clutch from riding on it too long, that will do some damage to it. Well, you don't really want to practice in your brand new car just because ppl will be watching your nice car while you practice. If you practice in a beater pick up or the instructors car, you could freely practice without feeling too self conscious. Good luck and have fun!

Me350Z

After about 5 hours of driving stick today, my left knee is killing me. It hurts real bad when I walk up the stairs. Yesterday my left ankle hurt but today I feel like an athlete with a blown knee. Is this normal? Am I suppose to develop some knee muslces for the clutch or something? I heard about soreness on the calves but haven't felt it yet.

When you guys are shifting, is your left heel on the floor? I feel like the clutch is pretty far away. I have moved my seat up but don't want it too close to the steering wheel. I would look like Grandma. I am 5'8" so not terribly short or tall. I just need to position myself better.

FLZ_Boy

Learning to drive manual will cause sore knees and calves. When your learning, you will tend be very tense learning the clutch pedals. Once you get use to the clutch, especially the 05's, you'll be more relaxed and not exert as much pressure and being so tense.

Everyone will have a different confortable position in using the clutch pedal. I myself, I do not have my left heel on the floor when engaging the clutch (it's just me). There is really no wrong way how to use the clutch as long it's pressed and released properly in shifting.

I'm 5'8" and I have to move my seats up close to feel confortable (so far I haven't had people say I drive like my gradma yet). Some people can drive thier cars with the seats further back, but its positions they feel most confortable with. Key word here is confortable, why make manual cars a pain to drive ? Looks or Pain.............

350ed

iTrader: (17)

It seems you have a lot of practice already, but here's a site I used that helped a lot when I was in the same boat:
http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp

Good luck.

Ed 718

iTrader: (32)

Or another option is getting a manual beater car to pratice on. I can recommend a beater car if you need it. There is a red Greddy twin turbo beater car in La Mirada you can use....

Me350Z

Holy crap, after driving for 250 miles on my Z, the check engine light lit up. Damn it! I think I must have driven it too hard or messed up the clutch or something. Shoot, now I am definitely going to get a manual rental car to practice on. There goes my fun and I was loving it, top down on PCH 1.

Yeah, I actually checked out that site and read it last night. Thanks 350ed. I think there's a big difference between reading something and actually doing it. But that site is good for the basics. You just have to have a feel for driving manual. <--- I wish I was already there.

So what do you guys think? Why is the check engine light on?
Man, now I have to bring it back to the dealer and I just came back from there today. Damn!

SHO-TIME

iTrader: (9)

You have the CEL on? It can't possibly be from driving around too hard. CEL is hooked up to many things.... you'd have to bring it in and have them hook it up to their computer. It will show you what the cause (generic) of the CEL. The description of the problem could be so vague such as "Gross Poluter" that the mechanic could take hours trying to locate the problem.

frenzee

iTrader: (1)

Congrats Me350Z! Yours must be the third or fourth PPW in Costa Mesa, cuz I haven't seen many around here over the past couple of years.

At any rate, as far as the CEL, make sure your gas cap isn't loose. If not, take it in to the dealer. Connell on Harbor is pretty decent for routine stuff. I doubt yoru driving could have anything to do with it.

As far as getting a stick shift rental, I think you'll have a tough time finding one, unless you're considering exotic$$. All the national car rentals I know of only carry autos. If I'm not mistaken the same applies to driving schools, but of course there could be exceptions. I think your best bet would be to baboozle a freind or relative into letting you borrow their beater.

Enjoy your ride. BTW, FWIW, I strongly recommend you get clearbra on your pride and joy asap.

Me350Z

Thanks for the warm reception fellas. Actually my CEL light went off. I'm getting the hang of it but still not very confident when shifting gears, esp. 1st, 2nd and Reverse.

Yeah, I think it will be hard for me to find a rental car that is manual. I was thinking of contacting an independent rental car place.

Frenzee, one of the auto specialist at the dealer told me that they are making a clear bra that is invisible for the 350Z. I might go with that instead of a black clear bra. Thanks for all the info. and feedback fellas. Hope to see you on the road.

fucy626

iTrader: (1)

congrats...

now meet us up on Feb 5th

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....hreadid=107320

tractng

iTrader: (9)

Me350Z,

Congralutions!!! I am a jealous guy. I bought a base Z almost a year now. I always wanted to get a ZR, but didn't have a garage at that moment.

Last month, I was going to trade it in to get a ZR, but didn't want to go through the monthly payment again. I almost paid off the current car.

Yes,

Your knee will get sore. Even your shoulder too (right shoulder).

But once you mastered the manual, it will be so easy. Just like taking a pee .

Tony