Houstonian Checking In

wstar · 03-05-2009, 01:43 AM

Hi guys

Been lurking around here for a few weeks now, decided to go ahead and make an account so I can get in some of the discussions. I'm in Houston, TX, and I picked up my 370Z from Champion Nissan in Katy about 3 weeks ago. My previous daily driver has been a 6-speed 1999 WS-6 Trans Am that I bought new 10 years ago. (Actually, I still have the WS6 in my garage, but I think what's going to happen is I'm going to rip out the LS1 + T56 and use them in a project car, probably a 60's muscle car body, and then part out or toss the rest of it).

I went with the Auto tranny on my 370z, and it was a tough choice. I still second-guess that decision from time to time, but I'm happy overall. I love driving a stick, and have been doing so on a trickier car than the 370z for a decade - however test-driving the 370z auto w/ the paddle shifters convinced me (well that, and sometimes it's just nice to be able to flip it into D when you've got other distractions going on. Not every drive is all about "lap times" around the city

).

Other than that, the one I ended up with is Platinum Graphite, with the Sport and Touring packages, but no factory nav. I'm not a big believer in factory nav systems (too much $$$ for the features, become outdated, etc), and I really like the little extra glove-box they put in its place.

Anyways, I'm a bit of an amateur mechanic. My father was a real mechanic most of his life, I think I inherited it from him. I've done a few engine swaps and rebuilds of diffs and things of that level, and everything easier. I've got air tools and the whole 9 yards in my home garage, but no lift. Luckily, I have a friend with a lift I could use on weekends occasionally, an hour or two out of town. All my experience has been with american cars though, so working on the 370Z is going to be a whole new experience for me.

I'm not at all into modding for looks and sound. If I do anything to this car, it's for the numbers and the drive-ability. I'm a driver at heart, and I just want the best tools for driving at a reasonable price. Seems most of the aftermarket for the Z is focused on consumers of the opposite disposition though, so it's making it a pain for me to wade through the hype and get down to what I really want on my car. I'm sure I'll figure it all out eventually.

Anyways, enough background. Great board, looking forward to contributing to our collective knowledge about these cars

ETA: Oops, I guess technically I coulda/shoulda posted this in the "New 370Z Owner" section, but whatever

frost · 03-06-2009, 07:41 PM

Lot of texas people lately, welcome!

digitalmidget · 03-17-2009, 01:40 PM

Hey I'm in houston too but Z-less still

Can I ask how much you paid for yours and what kind of financing you got on it? I'm trying to find a dealer that can get me in a good price and interest rate.

Lug · 03-17-2009, 01:59 PM

League City checking in!

rednek01 · 03-17-2009, 04:50 PM

Spring Branch!!!

epod86 · 03-22-2009, 12:23 PM

Houston here. For a second I thought you were the guy in my apartment complex who bought a 370Z about the same time (3 weeks) but his was black. Short of stalking the guy I haven't figured out who he is/which apartment's his. Thanks for dashing my hope :P

03-05-2009, 01:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Houstonian Checking In Hi guys Been lurking around here for a few weeks now, decided to go ahead and make an account so I can get in some of the discussions. I'm in Houston, TX, and I picked up my 370Z from Champion Nissan in Katy about 3 weeks ago. My previous daily driver has been a 6-speed 1999 WS-6 Trans Am that I bought new 10 years ago. (Actually, I still have the WS6 in my garage, but I think what's going to happen is I'm going to rip out the LS1 + T56 and use them in a project car, probably a 60's muscle car body, and then part out or toss the rest of it). I went with the Auto tranny on my 370z, and it was a tough choice. I still second-guess that decision from time to time, but I'm happy overall. I love driving a stick, and have been doing so on a trickier car than the 370z for a decade - however test-driving the 370z auto w/ the paddle shifters convinced me (well that, and sometimes it's just nice to be able to flip it into D when you've got other distractions going on. Not every drive is all about "lap times" around the city ). Other than that, the one I ended up with is Platinum Graphite, with the Sport and Touring packages, but no factory nav. I'm not a big believer in factory nav systems (too much $$$ for the features, become outdated, etc), and I really like the little extra glove-box they put in its place. Anyways, I'm a bit of an amateur mechanic. My father was a real mechanic most of his life, I think I inherited it from him. I've done a few engine swaps and rebuilds of diffs and things of that level, and everything easier. I've got air tools and the whole 9 yards in my home garage, but no lift. Luckily, I have a friend with a lift I could use on weekends occasionally, an hour or two out of town. All my experience has been with american cars though, so working on the 370Z is going to be a whole new experience for me. I'm not at all into modding for looks and sound. If I do anything to this car, it's for the numbers and the drive-ability. I'm a driver at heart, and I just want the best tools for driving at a reasonable price. Seems most of the aftermarket for the Z is focused on consumers of the opposite disposition though, so it's making it a pain for me to wade through the hype and get down to what I really want on my car. I'm sure I'll figure it all out eventually. Anyways, enough background. Great board, looking forward to contributing to our collective knowledge about these cars ETA: Oops, I guess technically I coulda/shoulda posted this in the "New 370Z Owner" section, but whatever Last edited by wstar; 03-05-2009 at 01:48 AM.

03-17-2009, 01:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 19	League City checking in! __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

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03-17-2009, 01:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
digitalmidget Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pearland Posts: 8 Drives: Toyota Celica Rep Power: 16	Hey I'm in houston too but Z-less still Can I ask how much you paid for yours and what kind of financing you got on it? I'm trying to find a dealer that can get me in a good price and interest rate.

03-17-2009, 04:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
rednek01 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 352 Drives: Mustang GT Rep Power: 237	Spring Branch!!!

03-22-2009, 12:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
epod86 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 229 Drives: 06 Mustang GT BK M5 Rep Power: 241	Houston here. For a second I thought you were the guy in my apartment complex who bought a 370Z about the same time (3 weeks) but his was black. Short of stalking the guy I haven't figured out who he is/which apartment's his. Thanks for dashing my hope :P