Daily Drive
Daily Drive
I have searched this topic and only found a few posts and most were on the 300ZX. I am considering a Z. I have no kids. I have a gf who can't drive stick(insert inappropriate joke here) and drives my car sometimes so I am cornered into an auto. The Z would be my daily driver. I commute 45 mi each way to work currently but by December it will be sig shorter. Say 10 miles tops. So for those of you who use your 350 as a DD how does it do? Rain wise? Also how rough is the ride? I drove a Mazda RX-8 on a test drive and found it fairly smooth riding which is nice for daily driving. I would test drive one but there isn't a Z with my specifications in 40 miles of me so I will have to sort of blind buy if I choose to do so. Any information would be really helpful and I typically find this forum to be very knowledgable and respectful. If the ride is super rough is there any mod I can do to make it a bit smoother? Thanks in advance folks!
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dasoupdude
- Posts: 4803
- Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:26 pm
- Car: 2005 Nissan 350Z
- Location: Palm Beach, FL / Sacramento, CA
- Contact:
It makes a fine Daily driver, as long as your commute isnt more than 3 hours. The ergonomics of the Z are close to perfect in my opinion. It just takes a bit of getting used to when using the rear view mirror to peak out of that small rear windshield.
The ride and noise of the Z seem to be pretty fair, if you can recall the ride of the RX8, in comparison I would have to say the Mazda drives much smoother. The only downside is it eats gas like a Hummer, and there are certain rules you have to abide by when starting the car in order to avoid flooding the engine. Also the 13 mpg isn't worth the 2 minute quarter mile time the car makes. Handling is amazing though, the only RX8 i would take would be the R3 model. I have driven it a few times, it drives like a champ.
Consider also a G35 coupe for something a bit more sophisticated. It is similar to the 350z.
The ride and noise of the Z seem to be pretty fair, if you can recall the ride of the RX8, in comparison I would have to say the Mazda drives much smoother. The only downside is it eats gas like a Hummer, and there are certain rules you have to abide by when starting the car in order to avoid flooding the engine. Also the 13 mpg isn't worth the 2 minute quarter mile time the car makes. Handling is amazing though, the only RX8 i would take would be the R3 model. I have driven it a few times, it drives like a champ.
Consider also a G35 coupe for something a bit more sophisticated. It is similar to the 350z.
Re: (Dasoupdude)
I would agree in the fact that the Z makes a fine DD. Especially on the interstate, it drives like a dream. I take mine to and from campus everyday and have no complaints what so ever. Since you drive on the interstate, than your mpg will be better also. The only thing that I would say about the Z is that it has a lot of road noise. Mine now has Dynamat in it and I love it! I can tell a huge difference from other Z's and mine. The only thing is that it does add a little weight, but my NISMO exhaust and future NISMO intake will counter act the weight difference. I would also agree in looking at a G35 coupe if you need more seating.
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maximus108
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:06 pm
- Car: 2007 350z Touring
Re: Daily Drive (Tymang)
A stock Z does not have as harsh a ride as some people say.
I daily drive my Z a little less than 100 miles a day.You should be fine with the Z as a daily driver.
As far as makig this car smoother I'd suggest keeping it stock and getting some soft tires. I lowered my car and got 19s. That was a very hard ride. When my wheel bent I had to go back to my stock 18" wheels and threw on some Yoko S-drives. What a difference! So much smoother!
I get 20mpg. And that's mostly spirited hwy driving.
My one problem is that my car is an automatic. I get bored of it sometimes and find myself playing around with the tiptronic. I regret not getting a manual. I suggest you don't make the same mistake I did.
I daily drive my Z a little less than 100 miles a day.You should be fine with the Z as a daily driver.
As far as makig this car smoother I'd suggest keeping it stock and getting some soft tires. I lowered my car and got 19s. That was a very hard ride. When my wheel bent I had to go back to my stock 18" wheels and threw on some Yoko S-drives. What a difference! So much smoother!
I get 20mpg. And that's mostly spirited hwy driving.
My one problem is that my car is an automatic. I get bored of it sometimes and find myself playing around with the tiptronic. I regret not getting a manual. I suggest you don't make the same mistake I did.
Re: Daily Drive
my Z is my DD. I drive 60 miles to work 5days a week. The ride is sporty, but not harsh. I got a Touring specifically for the TCS and leather seats. The TCS saves me when I drive like an idiot, especially in the rain. The leather seats makes the interior livable, if you are into leather seats that is. 2.5 years with about 44K miles here with no complaints
.....don't get a stick just for you GF, get an Auto if you like it. I would highly suggest getting a 6speed.
Goodluck!
.....don't get a stick just for you GF, get an Auto if you like it. I would highly suggest getting a 6speed.
Goodluck!
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BusyBadger
- Posts: 3753
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 3:20 pm
- Car: '92 Nissan 240SX
'05 Nissan 350Z
'13 Nissan Juke - Contact:
Re: Daily Drive (bmike818)
Wow Mike! I thought I was the long distance commuter here, you drive more than me! My drive is a shade longer but I have three or four day work weeks.
CAVEAT: Ty, you're on a Z forum asking a bunch of owners if they enjoy their car as a daily - we're not the most unbiased crowd you'll find.
My Z has been a great daily. When I decided it was time to retire my steadfast S13 from daily chores I was willing to spend a good bit on a new car since I spent so much of my time behind the wheel. On the highway its a nice long-legged cruiser, it routinely gets 25-28 MPG and the its by far quieter than my 240SX ever was. Like Mike, I opted for a higher end trim package - I picked up the 35th Anniversary Edition for the best parts of both the track and touring trims.
Ty, my driving conditions are closer to yours than Mike's are and its all about fitting your Z with proper shoes. It does fine in the rain, and even light snow with proper tires. I don't know how much snow you get over in KC but I used Bridgestone RE960's last year and had no problems in snow in the 2-3" range. I even drove for a while with the VDC off just to make sure it was the tires and not the electronic nannies keeping things in check. If you get more than that you may want to consider a cheap-ish set of wheels and a set of all out snow tires for the snowy days you want (need) to take the Z out.
I don't think the ride is rough at all, instead its connected and has great feedback - I always know what the car is doing. Road noise doesn't seem like a big deal to me coming from an older car, and I'm usually listening to a CD or a have Bluetooth stuck in my ear. Its certainly not like I'm riding in a lifted Jeep with off road tires.
Cargo space is fine for what the car is. You have to know going in that you can't be disappointed that the Z doesn't have Murano like carrying capacity. It really irritates me when I hear someone complaining about the space available in the Z, they might as well complain about getting cold on a winter motorcycle ride in New Hampshire. I've taken it on quite a few weekend getaways and even a week-long vacation and had plenty of space. Holli surprised me with a set of luggage from RoadsterBag that is custom made for the Z (they specialize in custom pieces for smaller cars) and they are great. The pair fit between the tail of the car and the rear strut bar and hold A LOT. I've been meaning to do a review/writeup about them but haven't done it yet.
As far as the transmission goes I'd certainly opt for the 6MT instead of the auto. You can always teach your gf to drive stick, its harder to trade the car for an stick later on down the road (or swap a transmission). Its a more engaging drive, but I don't imagine you'll be let down by an auto.
If you're looking for more space, back seats, a quiter ride or a more "grown up" look I'd suggest the Infiniti G35 coupe.
If I had any regrets about driving my Z at all it would have to be the "unwanted attention". I could easily drive my 240SX 10-15 mph over the PSL and not draw a second glance, but I have to "drive on my belly" a lot of the time in this thing...
...at least there's now another yellow one in town I can blame for any shenanigans.
CAVEAT: Ty, you're on a Z forum asking a bunch of owners if they enjoy their car as a daily - we're not the most unbiased crowd you'll find.
My Z has been a great daily. When I decided it was time to retire my steadfast S13 from daily chores I was willing to spend a good bit on a new car since I spent so much of my time behind the wheel. On the highway its a nice long-legged cruiser, it routinely gets 25-28 MPG and the its by far quieter than my 240SX ever was. Like Mike, I opted for a higher end trim package - I picked up the 35th Anniversary Edition for the best parts of both the track and touring trims.
Ty, my driving conditions are closer to yours than Mike's are and its all about fitting your Z with proper shoes. It does fine in the rain, and even light snow with proper tires. I don't know how much snow you get over in KC but I used Bridgestone RE960's last year and had no problems in snow in the 2-3" range. I even drove for a while with the VDC off just to make sure it was the tires and not the electronic nannies keeping things in check. If you get more than that you may want to consider a cheap-ish set of wheels and a set of all out snow tires for the snowy days you want (need) to take the Z out.
I don't think the ride is rough at all, instead its connected and has great feedback - I always know what the car is doing. Road noise doesn't seem like a big deal to me coming from an older car, and I'm usually listening to a CD or a have Bluetooth stuck in my ear. Its certainly not like I'm riding in a lifted Jeep with off road tires.
Cargo space is fine for what the car is. You have to know going in that you can't be disappointed that the Z doesn't have Murano like carrying capacity. It really irritates me when I hear someone complaining about the space available in the Z, they might as well complain about getting cold on a winter motorcycle ride in New Hampshire. I've taken it on quite a few weekend getaways and even a week-long vacation and had plenty of space. Holli surprised me with a set of luggage from RoadsterBag that is custom made for the Z (they specialize in custom pieces for smaller cars) and they are great. The pair fit between the tail of the car and the rear strut bar and hold A LOT. I've been meaning to do a review/writeup about them but haven't done it yet.
As far as the transmission goes I'd certainly opt for the 6MT instead of the auto. You can always teach your gf to drive stick, its harder to trade the car for an stick later on down the road (or swap a transmission). Its a more engaging drive, but I don't imagine you'll be let down by an auto.
If you're looking for more space, back seats, a quiter ride or a more "grown up" look I'd suggest the Infiniti G35 coupe.
If I had any regrets about driving my Z at all it would have to be the "unwanted attention". I could easily drive my 240SX 10-15 mph over the PSL and not draw a second glance, but I have to "drive on my belly" a lot of the time in this thing...
...at least there's now another yellow one in town I can blame for any shenanigans.
Re: Daily Drive (Tymang)
Thanks for all the advice and insight. It's really helpful. For those who haven't replied please keep the insight coming, I really appreciate it.
Re: Daily Drive (Tymang)
get the manual and teach your girl how to drive stick (insert funny joke here). autos are boring... unless you dd in LA traffic. anyways you might also want to consider a G35 as well if you are a fan of the 350z.