New and wanting a 350Z

[Mini_Girlie]

Hiya,

I have literally just joined this forum in the hope for some good friendly advise on the 350z.

Right i am currently driving around a BMW Mini Cooper S 03 but am now starting to out grow her, i have now modified her to her limits (280 bhp, only engine work) but she is now at her limit.

I have been toying around with idea's for new cars...120d (1 series) A3TDI S-Line but the 350z seems to have taken my fancy. NOw my partner says they are a tad sluggish and i might miss the nippyness of my car?!

Now i know all of them are 3.5 V6 but i am liking the GT package the nicer body work?!

I went into Nissan today for some advise as up until now i have been a BMW/ Audi person (please dont hate me) but the advise i was given was really poor and they didnt take me very seriously

I know they are RWD and thats going to be very different to the FWD or 4wd hence why i would like to test drive. But for extra's etc what can i have as i noticed Brembo Brakes, Bose, Leather seats, Sat Nav etc....what does the GT PAckage include???

Also although this would be later down the line or maybe not at all but a turbo conversion...how much would this be???? Reading the review its says these 300bhp but i would guess thats slightly less as they are never spot on....

Ok sorry to waffle on...i really dont mean but i just would really like to get this right Also what do you think of these just standard...just the GT package thing

Thanks

Chantelle

[raremotive]

Hmm GT package... you mean the Nismo Z?

Just aero, brakes, suspension and some engine love... along with a nismo tag to pay for...

Really you need to establish what you want for a car to do. If you want good off the line and initial acceleration, especially around a corner, you are best to stay with NA... These are the same reasons why race cars stick with NA to this day.

However, if you want high speed without to many turns or just plain ole a lot of power... then turbo charge it.

The Z is a heavy car, but it's also a very good handling one. It has repeatedly served it's purpose as Grand Touring car from it's origin up.

But to repeat. You need to establish what you want for your car. Then work to it. Adding horsepower is a vague goal. It's where the horsepower is need for your use and more horsepower doesn't necessary mean you will be faster.

[aris_unlimited]

Nissan claims 306 bhp. As for a turbo upgrade, the safest you can run on the stock internals is 9 psi, and that should take you somewhere around the 450 bhp mark. After about 500 bhp the internals start to break down.

[aris_unlimited]

Oh yeah! Welcome to the club!

[figgsy4ever]

Hiya,

NOw my partner says they are a tad sluggish and i might miss the nippyness of my car?!

Thanks

Chantelle

wow I've heard the Z called alot of things but never sluggish, if anythingits one of the fastest cars on the street today! especially the newer models(2007-2009 HR motors)

[evildky]

Hmm GT package... you mean the Nismo Z?

the GT model was available in 07 and 08 and as I recnetly learned late 06 as well, it's like a touring model but with the brembo brakes and bigger wheels

[R350Zz33]

you just called my car sluggish im sorry but thats funny i know many people that beg to differ. for example everyone in my rearview mirror including those 3 series bimmers

[K03sport]

Hmm GT package... you mean the Nismo Z?

She is in England...so she is going to have different trim levels then we get in the states.

Not sure about the UK, but in the states, our Zs came in several different levels - base, enthusiast, performance, touring, and track. Granted, these got modified over the life of the 350, but each offered just a bit more than the one below it. Ironically, they all had the same power, but it was the gizmos that were added that made the next level just a bit better.

If the 350GT is what your looking at, it sounds like the touring model. It should come with everything that makes driving a bit more posh. Leather, Bose, SatNav, etc., basically a luxury laden car. It should be comparible to the track model minus light-weight forged wheels, and different seats. Again, you're in England, so you're Zs are done a bit differently.

According to Fifth Gear and Top Gear, the Z really isn't that bad when compared to similar offering from Audi and M-B.

Your mate was right, the Z will not be as zippy as your MCS, because the Z is guite a bit heavier. Not sure how test drives work over there, but the best way to figure out what works for you is to get behind the wheel and see for yourself.

What year are looking at?

[raremotive]

the GT model was available in 07 and 08 and as I recnetly learned late 06 as well, it's like a touring model but with the brembo brakes and bigger wheels

Ah right about when I stop caring for any new additions....05-06ish. I got my second revision transmission.. I am set for what I need from the 350... I think...

[dasoupdude]

for example everyone in my rearview mirror including those 3 series bimmers

Just for the record youd get sh*tted on by the new 3 series 335i's and 1 series 135's. The 1 is nearly dead even with the 370z and outperforms it by a tiny bit.

[Retired Chief]

Um…I could be wrong, but doesn’t GT stand for Grand Touring? I think she’s talking about the Grand Touring trim level, not the Nismo.

[spitalul2bad]

The Mini Coop you're driving isn't a BMW. It may be "made" by BMW but it most certainly is not badged as a beemer.

Also, if you really want power/fun/practicaly and bang-for-buck, get the new 135i. It's twin-turbos can be easily boosted to 350hp, and with little mods you can reach 400hp.

[R350Zz33]

yea but whats the price tag

[raremotive]

in usa a 135i starts at 35k...

[evildky]

Um…I could be wrong, but doesn’t GT stand for Grand Touring? I think she’s talking about the Grand Touring trim level, not the Nismo.

I was talking about the GT, the niso lacks the leather interior and adds the bodykit and stitch welding stiffer suspension and the same size rays as the GT but the nismo wheels are a gunmetal color while the ones on the GT are silver