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Thanks.
That's not much, considering the changes to the G35 Coupe, now with 298 HP.
I have had my 350Z since December of last year.
The road noise is across the board, regardless of tire size. I believe it has more to do with the suspension and the way the tires are set. I think the Zs from the past generations were always set at 0"... these '03s and '04s are set at like .25" off center. No mention on whether this will be modified for the '05s...
But I love my car. Very few other Z car owners in the area, and that helps the exclusivity --which I like. It is worth the few minor headaches you will have (paint chipping in extra dry/dusty climates, tire noise after 5,000 miles on tires, expensive maintenance across the board). You will not be able to do much work on it on your own, so if you're into tinkering with the car, this may not be the one for you. Several parts on the car can be voided under warranty if an unauthorized mechanic alters them. So that is a drag.
Acceleration's great. Few cars will beat it in the .25/mi. or the half. And in this class, only the 'Vette will pass it stock. Braking is great, whether you go with the stock Nissan brakes that come on the base, enthusiast models or the Brembos that come on the Track. You really can't lose.
But if you're a ticky-tack person, play it safe and just get a Porsche.
currently driving a 2004 merc 500e and am thinking about getting a second car.for the money the 350z tops my list.also considering vette c6,infinity g35 coupe,or 2005 merc slk.
Good luck, I hope you decide to get the Z. The other cars on your list are great as well.
My car is a 2004.5, build date is 10/2003. So far with 9000+ miles on it there is no sign of tire feathering or tire noise *knock on wood*.
I don't know if Nissan fixed anything with the 2004.5s, so I can't say for sure if the tire feathering issue is resolved.
But then again, I read of 2003 owners who have no tire feathering issues at all at 20k+ miles. This seems to be a hit and miss thing.
no such difference.
its either a 2003 or a 2004.
Highlights include 18's, Brembo's, front and rear spoilers, two-tone leather seats, and three colors to choose from.
Oh, and "a higher level of horsepower." Not announced at this time. Are they trying to tweak it to take away Acura's claim of the highest HP for a 3.5L normally aspirated V-6 (300 in the new RL)?
Oh really?
Guess you never been to other 350Z forums. The supposed "2004.5" were built starting October 2003. I did not invent this, and it is common knowledge at other 350z forums (which I shall not mention because it is a violation of Edmund's rules). My mistake for assuming everybody knew about it.
Anyway Nissan was supposed to implement some changes through the mid-year, like knee pads and other stuff. Not all 2004s have knee pads, the ones built before 10/03 did not have them. Also Nissan changed the ECU firmware for emissions. 2003 and early 2004s have different firmware than the 2004.5. There are other slight differences as well.
Nissan does not refer to the later model 2004s as 2004.5, but it is a name that was used by various 350z forums to describe the changes that Nissan made mid-year.
I am not here to argue, you can take it for what it is worth.
That could be a possibility. Also the new 2005 Mustang GT gets 300HP, so Nissan wants to make the Z a little more competitive I am guessing.
I bet the new Z will get "305HP"
your '2004.5' designation is your own and that of a few other private parties.
Did you even read my previous response? Yes I admitted Nissan does not call the mid-year changes a 2004.5, and yes I admitted its a designation made by people on various Z forums.
As I said, I just use that designation to represent the mid-year changes, as some other people do. I did not invent it personally, just picked it up from another forum. I think it is easier/shorter to just say 2004.5 350Z than to say "mid-year changes made to 350Z starting at the 10/03 production date".
What else do you want from me? A written apology or something? Care to pick apart other parts of my message? Check my spelling perhaps too?
And where in my message did I mention about a different model? You are reading in too much from my simple post about tire feathering.
Sheesh.
I'm interested in leasing a 2004 350Z Touring Roadster. 2 questions for this esteemed group:
1. With what I've read about some quality problems on this board and elsewhere, particularly the tire feathering problems, would you recommend this car? Are these major issues/problems or relatively minor nuisances that can be resolved?
2. What is some of the latest lease pricing you've experienced? Looking at a 36 or 48 month lease with 10k or 12k miles and as little cap reduction as possible.
Any input you have would be greatly appreciated as I will likely make my decision imminently.
Thanks!
Oh, you need to actually pay attention and treat driving as if it mattered, rather than whatever most people tend to be doing.
Buy the roadster. Pay attention. Have fun!
I don't mean to sound insulting, but most drivers use the side mirrors to look at the side of their own cars .... not very useful.
If you think of it this way, it will make sense. While you're turning your head to check off to the sides and behind you, you can't tell what is going on in front of you which is where most of the action is.
So try this: set the interior mirror so that it's centered on the lane behind you. Set the driver's side mirror so that, when you move your head to the left, then you can just barely see the side of your car. (When you're looking straight ahead, the mirror only shows off to the side of your car and behind.)
Set the passenger side mirror so that, when you move your head to the right, it just barely reflects the side of your car and, when your head is pointed straight ahead, you are seeing what is off to the side and behind you.
Test it: drive down the expressway at about 5-10 mph slower than the others. Watch a car as it comes up in your rear view mirror, then pulls out to pass. As it moves out of your rear view mirror it will be clearly visible in the side mirror, and when it moves out of the side mirror it will be visible in your own peripheral vision.
Anyway, no blind spots.
If I misuncerstood your question, apologies. But this information is repeated ont he boards at Edmond's quite often because so few people know about it. Hope it helps.
Enjoy your new Z. And, by the way, the best way to avoid blind spots is to put down the top!
JW
What really helped was I got to sit in a coupe and a roadster in the parking lot(I can't beleive they leave a few unlocked every weekend!) Anyway after sitting in them and checking out the blind spots I would have to say they seem nonexistant to me! So the great news is Roadster here I come. Just have to wait for everything to finalize with the divorce, and I am ready to have some serious fun!
Thanks again guys for the input and information.
Only other issue is does anybody know of some good winter tires(I need them to be reasonably low priced to get started, not looking for great performace just grip in the snow, I am going to use the factory 17" rims for the winter tires, and get some hot 18" rims that I will buy better tires for the summer(sounds like the factory tires are junk)
Depending on where you live, you won't want or need dedicated snows. Of course if you live in Banff or Steamboat Springs, you should be looking at Subarus! Because of the performance of the car, you really won't want a cheap snow on anyway. You'll be unhappy with the performance and, if you use any significant part of your engine's torque, you'll find yourself sliding around on the bare cement almost as badly as if you had slicks on snow -- again, not something most people think about. You can check out performance winter tires, however. They'll be more expensive, but you'll be safer and happier with them. Check at TireRack for write-ups on such as these -- Blizzak LM-22, Pirelli 210 and 240 Snowsport (I use the 240 in New England), Dunlop has one with a very good reputation, and the Michelin Alpin is also well regarded.
Good luck.
JW
All I can say is wow! I can't beleive what a great car it is. I have even had the top down several times. That's almost 80% of the enjoyment to me. I've never owned anything even close to something like this. The power, handling, all the interior features, the exhaust note is amazing with the top down! Not to mention the car is just to dang HOT! It takes my breath away everytime I walk up to it(still can't beleive she is mine). Last Sunday I was driving it through the mountains, and the power and accelleration even at altitude and going up hill is fantastic. I was just cutting through the traffic like a giant slalom skiier! Carving through the mountain passes with the top down literally brought a tear to my eye! I shudder sometimes when I think I almost bought the STI, great car, and when I need 4 doors and allwheel drive that is definitely what I will get, but this was a once in a lifetime shot to get something just for the thrills and chills and the heck with practicality. She's worth every cent and more I paid for it!
Thanks everyone for your input, and encouragement, you were right, the blind spot doesn't even really exist, so I feel totally comfortable in busy traffic, and now that I know how to use the mirrors, my situational awareness has gone up significantly.
What a car!
Your reaction is remarkably similar to how I felt when I drove my '73 240Z off the showroom floor in Edmonton with 6 miles on it, and in the weeks and months after. The old 240 can't begin to compare to the current Z, but it was the state of the art at the time.
Enjoy (as if you wouldn't)!
Also curious about storage in both, any trunk space at all?
FYI, here is a review on both:
http://www.automedia.com/autoReviews/rts20040301zr/rts20040301zr.- asp?affid=
http://www.automedia.com/autoReviews/rts200404013z/rts200404013z.- asp?affid=
$17k? either your uncle is a thief, or you destroyed your car.
how many miles do you have on it?
Buyback over excessive tire wear? Absolutely!!! Do you have any idea of how expensive it will be to replace these high performance tires every 10K miles. My Dad's biggest concern was resale value of a car that is known for serious tire issues. Nissa already bought 2 sets of tires for his car prior to the Lemon Law Buyback!!
Here is video of an all out lap, RX8 at Laguna Seca Raceway:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=- bod§ionParameter=rx8_activity&bhcp=1
The only solution is to clay the car and then give it a good coat of wax (don't bother with cleaner wax as that's what you did with the clay, which is not as abrasive) and frequent washings.
Either that or you can move to Banff.
JW