New 350z owner, already miss the 240sx...

[Stayka]

So I bought a 2003 350z track edition and sold a 1995 240sx towards the purchase. I feel like an idiot but I miss the s*** outta my 240 and I honestly think I'd rather have it back. Anyone find that odd?

You guys should really help me convince the better car is the one in my driveway now.
Post pictures of clean modified 350z's (yours or not) that will make me forget about my 240.
The 240 sold in ONE day on craigslist, it all happened so fast. Wow why did I sell it?!?!?!

Below are pictures of both:

[BusyBadger]

Great to hear about your new addition and sorry to hear about your loss. The 240SX is an easy car to miss, cheap, affordable, nimble rwd that runs on regular gas. Personally I've always thought that S13s are easier to miss than S14s though, more character.

Seriously though, if you're looking to modify your Z now is a good time to do it. Plenty of time has passed since it's release that there are plenty of aftermarket options and plenty of examples of what to do (and not to do).

I've not done much to my Z, but what I have done doesn't show: driveline & braking. With the exception of tint it looks stock, unless you've got a good enough eye to notice track version wheels on a car sporting 35th Anniversary emblems & floormats. If I had to pick one example of what you can do to a Z I'm going to have to go with Kuhan's red zed...



...looks great without looking over the top, everything is well thought out and it's well put together. He might not see this though, it's getting cold up in Chi-town and he's probably putting his baby to bed for the winter. Last I heard he was thinking about a forced induction (a supercharger I think), so he could be busy in the lab too.

My S13 is pretty much stock outside of some suspension, driveline and brake upgrades (I'm sensing a theme here), and even though the performance of my Z is superior in every way there are still times I miss my S13 (it's been on extended loan for a while). Don't think you're an idiot for missing your S14, you're not first one to miss an old car and I'm betting you won't be the last.

[370Z/28]

Your Z is beautiful. Love the color. You will be in love with it in no time.

You are the EXACT reason I can't make myself list my Z/28. I really need to sell it because it just sits in the garage but I know I'm going to cry like a baby when I finally do. It is hard to part with a car you have had for 16 years.

[orangeNblue]

I've actually owned 2 of each...96 S14, 2003 350z, 98 S14, and now I have a 2008 350z.

I missed mine which is the reason I went from Z back to a 240sx. But once I did, I did nothing but regret it. The Z is a better car in almost every way (at least in my opinion) and I don't see myself getting rid of it again! And now that I've started tinkering (mostly in just engine dress up and small bolt ons), I'm starting to love it even more.

[Bubba1]

So I bought a 2003 350z track edition and sold a 1995 240sx towards the purchase. I feel like an idiot but I miss the s*** outta my 240 and I honestly think I'd rather have it back. Anyone find that odd?

You guys should really help me convince the better car is the one in my driveway now.

Congrats on your upgrade. No, not odd. It'll pass. I sold my beloved 1989 240SX SE after 14 great yrs and bought an 03 350Z (Touring) new, though I did have both together for a little while. I briefly missed my 240 as it was downright cheap to own/maintain/repair and it held a lot more luggage, but that passed quickly. The driving experience of the Z was considerably better. At the race track, my little 140hp S13 was labelled a "rolling chicane" by my buddies. While the z is not blazing, it it's considerably quicker and has a lot of very important things the 240SX lacks...like torque, heated leather seats, a 6th gear, and most critically for a DD, a cupholder.

Its great to remember your 240sx, but at some point it's time to move on.

[Harman850T5]

I sold my 93 240 after a friend offered me a decent deal for it. I picked up an 03 base and haven't really missed it. Only thing I still miss is that it was cheap and I could beat on it knowing it wouldn't costs an arm and a leg to fix.

But having A/C, cup holders, heated leather seats, torque, no where near the rattles and squeaks, not getting rained on from the leaking top, and a nicer exhaust note got me over mine quick.

These videos always inspire me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdbcD1g61fQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6zkx4xEQ6M

[Stayka]

I got some G35 rims for it today. Fixed the hatch struts so the trunk won't fall on my head anymore and replaced the CD player with another factory one. (First one ate my CD)

Future plans: Coilovers, spacers, angry eyelids w/yellow tint headlights, CF lip, roof spoiler, and have it repainted. (In no particular order.)

From there out it will be me dreaming about F.I. and parting together 3/4's of the parts nesscary before backing out.

Seems like a lot of Z owners were previous S-chassis owners.
Still think of the 240.

[BusyBadger]

Nice pickup on the G35 Forgies! I wanted to pick up a set but never found any in decent shape that I was ready to drop the cash on, ended up getting a set of Track Version 1 wheels to run in the summer.

Smart play on picking up new hatch struts too! I need to get some heavy duty ones, the problem is horrible when it gets cold (I see the Florida plate and figure you probably don't have that problem).

Sounds like you've got some solid plan on what you want to do with Z and that's a huge part of making any car truly yours. Can't wait to see everything happen!

What coilovers are you planning on going with?

[Stayka]

Nice pickup on the G35 Forgies! I wanted to pick up a set but never found any in decent shape that I was ready to drop the cash on, ended up getting a set of Track Version 1 wheels to run in the summer.

Smart play on picking up new hatch struts too! I need to get some heavy duty ones, the problem is horrible when it gets cold (I see the Florida plate and figure you probably don't have that problem).

Sounds like you've got some solid plan on what you want to do with Z and that's a huge part of making any car truly yours. Can't wait to see everything happen!

What coilovers are you planning on going with?

Thanks man, not sure which coilovers, might even settle for just springs.
Any suggestions on good coilovers? I was thinking stance GR+. I'll probably sell/trade my old track wheels for them. What are track rims worth now anyways? Mine are in pretty good condition, the finish is streaky but very minimum rash and no cracks/bends.

[BusyBadger]

I paid $600 for my Tracks and they were in good shape with near zero curbage and a just a few mounting marks on the rim and some couple of dings in the lug wells.

Here's a short coilover discussion thread from a while ago. Bilstein PSS9/10 seems to be one of the best bang for buck buys out there. When the time comes I think that's what I may end up going with...after I get some Bridjits for my driveway.

[Stayka]

Did they have tires? If so good deal. I want to go for $800 with decent front tires and shoot rears. Those bilsteins are out of my price range, I have seen stance GR+ for like 800-900 used. But thanks for the info.

[orangeNblue]

Badger - Z1 motorsports has some really nice heavy duty ones. may be worth checking out

Stavka - I love those wheels! If I could find a set in even descent shape I'd jump on them. I'd say you could prolly get $600 for your wheels, 240sx owners tend to like these so you may be able to sell em pretty quick on here. As for coilovers vs springs, my guess is with those wheels you aren't going to be tracking your car very often if at all. I personally would go with springs (maybe the nismo s-tune setup or tein h-tech) because you can get a nice drop and keep your ride quality. Plus with those two I mentioned you can avoid camber issues.

[Stayka]

As for coilovers vs springs, my guess is with those wheels you aren't going to be tracking your car very often if at all. I personally would go with springs (maybe the nismo s-tune setup or tein h-tech) because you can get a nice drop and keep your ride quality. Plus with those two I mentioned you can avoid camber issues.

Ya probably no tracking. But I want to slam it and springs won't cut it. Coilovers or bust!

[Stayka]

so I'm running into my first problem, figured I'd just use my same thread.

I'm having a starting issue now. The car wont crank, it's a manual. I believe I've heard it can be the clutch sensor? Or some anti-theft immobilization feature?

Can anyone shed some light on the issue, hopefully with personal experience.

When I turn the car on all the lights turn on. But even with the clutch mashed to the floor and the ignition fully turned it wont start.

Some of the lights will turn off (as intended correct?) as if the car is getting ready to start. But nothing, not a single noise the car just sits motionless. Eventually it will start after fiddling with it for a minute or so with absolutley no difficulties. When the car is running the amp meter reads ~15 volts.

I'll make sure I have no loose terminals when I get home tonight, but i was hoping for some good advice for when I find out that's not the problem lol.

[BusyBadger]

Or some anti-theft immobilization feature?

But nothing, not a single noise the car just sits motionless.

This sounds exactly like an anti-theft issue, like using a duplicate key instead of the chipped version. But this part...

Eventually it will start after fiddling with it for a minute or so with absolutley no difficulties.

...confuses me. If it ends up starting after a while that doesn't sound like it's an anti-theft issue at all.

[300ZXttZMAN]

to the Z family!


On a side note that zenki was clean..

[Stayka]

Eventually it will start after fiddling with it for a minute or so with absolutley no difficulties.

...confuses me. If it ends up starting after a while that doesn't sound like it's an anti-theft issue at all.

Ya I think it's the clutch sensor. It finally started acting up again yesterday so I was able to test it out, I went down and pressed the sensor in and started the car (kinda hard to do lol) and it started right up. So I guess it's just going out and without direct contact it has a hard time. I already ordered the part.

http://www.thenismoshop.com/NISSAN-FACT ... p_727.html

I did a search here on it I believe and remember someone saying they paid $200 dollars to have nissan replace the part. It looks like I just plug the new one in.

But I'll let you know when it gets here.

[audtatious]

Go through the FSM for replacement steps:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/350Z/coupe/2003/