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Comments
Did you save enough money on the purchase price to off set the extra effort to get the car back to solid condition?
Seems from your description that the car drives fine, just has some quality of repair issues.
One of the problems with all car dealers is that they are independent business that the manufacturer doesn't control.
The manufacturer's do have some influence, but it seems that is very limited.
I think your issue might be better addressed through the state consumer fraud division rather than Nissan directly.
I also am keeping an eye on the used 350Z market and am looking to pick up a deal.
Good luck!
A wrecked car is NEVER the same after the accident. At best, the deficiencies are only cosmetic - paint, etc. But I'm convinced - as is every mechanic that I've talked to, that any accident that puts significant stress on the structure of the car is highly likely to have long term mechanical issues. Like alignment and suspension problems, engine vibrations, etc. Don't be satisfied that the car runs well now. These issues often don't surface until things start happening after 1-2 years or more.
Therefore, if you asked the selling dealer if the car had been in an accident and they either lied or pledged ignorance, I think you have a claim and should pursue it vigorously. The selling dealer's response "not to our knowledge" is pure BS. They would have to be complete buffoons to buy a car at auction (a nearly new sports car, no less) without checking its history.
As far as taking the issue to the manufacturer, while I agree it's the dealer that wronged you, I disagree that the manufacturer can't help. There is a case here in the DC area in which the owners of a dealership were forced to sell there interest or lose the franchise over repeated unscrupulous actions. Fraud, and your case seems to come close, qualifies for notifying the manufacturer.
Which one is the true invoice? It looks like the invoice price on carsdirect and other webs has been add a "dealer advertizing cost".
I've never even heard of "digitalcars". Looked at it briefly and it looks like little more than a lead referal service that sells sales leads to dealers....like autobytel. Carsdirect negotiates their prices with their dealer network for you.
And every other state as well.
Good luck with your efforts!
(From Yahoo news)
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/dowjones/20031- 030/bs_dowjones/200310300334000677
While certainly not an idictment of the fairer gender, I've only seen one 350Z on the road here. It was being driven by a beautiful blonde female.
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- - - - _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=08456960
It looks like these changes will be in the November builds, or possibly even earlier (I hope).
I am getting mine in December. I just got my VIN # last week, so I am assuming that my car was built this month.
I'll let you guys know if the changes mentioned are in my car, like the supposed "soft-touch plastic" center console, euro-spec suspension, and knee pads.
I am particularly interested in the Euro-spec suspension because of the better ride, while still maintaining the handling of the original suspension set-up.
The original suspension was deemed "too rough" riding by our counterparts in Europe, as can be seen by some of the reviews over there, hence the change. This new suspension was described as having a significantly better ride than the US version by one British reviewer (his quote: "with a suppleness that the Japanese model lacked when we tried it on tricky UK roads")
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?domain=evo&page=http/www.autoexpress.co.uk/driven/driven_story.php?id=38909
(For some strange reason only half of the link above is being highlighted, you will have to copy/paste the entire link to your address bar)
Nissan Japan was so impressed by what their counterparts in Europe have done, that they decided to adopt it in all Japan and US Z cars.
The UK just started receiving shipments of the Z, and I am all giddly with excitement, knowing that my car will have this same suspension.
I do have a question however. It was my understanding that this was made in a limited edition? Can anyone help clarify that? I was told that by TWO dealerships. Thanks!!
(even it if isn't, I still adore my new ride!)
Hope this helps
The Nissan brochure lists specs as 6 speakers and 160 watts. Thats not bad for a factory head unit if it's clean power.
Also I have looked at the 350Z "configurators" from Crutchfield and Tweeter and they only list two pairs of speakers. Are there six and if so where is the other pair?
Anyway I have heard an aftermarket sub and amp works quite well. The sub fits where the Bose would go and apparently the cover is available also.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&a- mp;Store_Code=CP&Product_Code=28178-Z33SW
"The Mighty 350Z just got smoked by a family of five and a dog."
Below that is a subcaption saying "0-60 in 5.3 seconds. Symetrical All-Wheel Drive."
You posted:
<<If anyone has today's WSJ, look on page C14 below the weather. If you don't have it, the copy says:
"The Mighty 350Z just got smoked by a family of five and a dog."
Below that is a subcaption saying "0-60 in 5.3 seconds. Symetrical All-Wheel Drive.">>
While that may be true, I suspect that if you strap a lightweight turbo engine onto a Go-Kart you would get even better 0-60 times, probably rivaling the top of the line Ferraris.*LOL*
See this page for potential models:
http://www.motorlandsports.com/progokarts.shtml
PisceanZ
Looking at specs:
350Z:
0-60 in 5.4 secs
5-60 in 5.7 secs
0-100 in 14.2 secs
Forsetor
0-60 in 5.3 secs
5-60 in 6.3 secs
0-100 in 15.0 secs
The 350Z will eventually overtake the Forester, but that happens only at 100MPH or greater, where the boxy shape of the Forester causes more wind resistance and the fact that the Subie's top-speed limiter kicks in at 130MPH, whereas the Z does not stop until 156MPH.
Also the 350Z is slightly faster from a roll (see 5-60 above), most likely because the Forester's turbo is spooling up and full-boost is not available yet. But the difference is only 0.5 secs, thanks to the excellent motor of the Forestor.
Pretty impressive. It was a great move on Subaru's part to put a detuned version of the STI motor into the Forester. Funny thing is the Forester is also faster than the regular WRX. Subaru better upgrade the WRX motor as well, otherwise WRX owners will not be pleased that their sedan is slower than the SUV.
With these kind of performance numbers, Nissan will also have to increase the HP as well to make the Z competitive. Kudos to Subaru for putting such a vehicle out in the market.
When you get your new Z, enjoy it, and don't worry too much about the SUVs.
Good luck!
PisceanZ
The car is supposed to arrive any day now, I am so excited! Had to wait 3 months for my order, I can't wait to take that baby home.
Thanks for your input.
Btw, nothing against the car's performance. It still is a great car. This car replaced my 2003 350Z coupe, and the driving pleasure is almost the same except the rattles (yes, almost... I still believe the coupe is a better car with less weight and better construction).
How many dealers do you have to choose from?
I'd drive all three and make a decision based on your experiences. Keep in mind the decreasing utility on these cars. The WRX has lots of room and space, it's the "it makes sense" car in this group. The S2000 is at the opposite end of the spectrum, you're pretty much sacrificing all utility for the fun factor. The 350Z seems like a decent compromise in between.
The S2000 is my kind of car b/c I like the flexiblity to drop the top, I think it has the best overall combination of performance components(engine+brake+steering+suspension+chassis) and I think it has the best looks, especially when the top is down. And, it's much less common. However, there's no real room or trunk, it's not much fun with the top up, it's no fun at all in the snow (unless you like to risk your life) and it's definitely the theft and vandalism target of this bunch.
The drawbacks didn't matter to me but you really should think about the key differentiators here (rear seat room, luggage room, engine type) and decide what you want. Drive all three.
utility = Sube
performance = S2k
cruising & style = 350Z
Now, I realize a lot of people (especially here) will disagree with me, but that's what I came up with. If you drive, as suggested, you'll come up with your own list. I needed utility less, so dropped the Sube from my list. I wanted both performance and style, so I dropped the other two and moved on.
Best for your search, JW
I've always been a WRX fan, so I test drove that next (03 with the bug eyes). Not as slick feeling as the Z and it is certainly not a looker, but it's a total blast to drive. In addition, the flat-4 engine and AWD are a really sweet combination. Handling was fantastic, on par with the Z, and I give it the edge because AWD makes it more usable.
Performance-wise, you can't go wrong with either car. They both have unique traits and strengths in handling and power. They are not an even comaprison, but rather, each has it's own great aspects.
I ended up with a WRX, and have been really happy. I think the moment of Zen was when driving back from the dealer with the new car. I took some back roads that had ocassional snow drifts and wet patches from a recent winter storm. I would have been very nervous and tentative driving those roads in a Z, and may have looked for a different route or driven like a granny. With the WRX, I just drove it like a sports car and had a lot of fun. It really is a great sports car for all conditions. If you want to have a lot of fun driving in the snow (safely, of course) I think the WRX is the only way to go.
Of course, I have since added larger wheels and summer tires to the WRX, and would not be cruising down snow-laced roads without first switching back to the stock wheels and all-season tires (RE-92).
By the way, utility wasn't an issue with me, my other car is a station wagon!
Craig
I still don't know what I'm going to do, because I just can't get the power of the Z out of my head...argh!
Craig
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/101039/article- .html
Mass produced sports car, with a limited edition convertible? Not unless your name is Ferrari.
I had the good fortune to find a great Nissan salesman who I've been chatting with over the last few months, and he was kind enough to let me take the first roadster they got out for a spin. Wonderful to drive, even if was an automatic. The power top is amazing. top down, it looks great, but with the top up, it looks like it has a bigger butt than J Lo.
-mike-