What are some of the little things?
 

I pick up my 09 Z this Monday. The excitement is starting to set in and I want to be well versed on everything it can possibly do. What are some of the little things about the car that most people don't realize or look at until you own one? I know i'll be fixing the oil problem foremost since the track in an hr away from me and I'll be pulling the steering lock fuse in the dealership parking lot. haha.

I already know all the ladies will want to have the "le sexy" time with me and that it can hold a slurpee in the cup holder while going 80mph flat under semi around a canyon corner. But what else did you guys love for the small things after getting yours?

owner's manual located behind passenger seat..

Psht. Mines located in the glove box. I'll be to busy shifting to read that haahaha. I did want to ask Ken since I slightly stalked your profile. What wheels are you running? They look amazing.

New custom plate.

Options are Zyal8tr or zyabye or Zlow

wash your car, get a beer, sit and stare.

Ommegang Black ale or Saranac Prism is the question hahaha

make sure the ignition is at "on" position when you pull the fuse.... :icon17:

Wouldn't be my first engine that has exploded. Evidently Cobalts don't like 256ET turbos at 17+ psi on a test tune. Lesson learned.

:confused::confused:

Upgraded the turbo. Got new tune and still tweaking it. Engine didn't like the tune. Engine goes boom. Story /End

thanks, those are WEDS SA55M's in 19 size.

Wrong. They will say it's cute.

your CSC will fail

Jinxed it^

And Pintsize responds to this.....just like the owner. :icon17:

Nissan took care of that for us

You can't see out the back and the blind spots are horrible. If you get a black one, good luck keeping it clean.

Remember to rotate the windows and change the blinker fluid at every oil change

Is that before or after I counter clockwise the tires while adding exactly 5.3 psi per tire when it's 73 degrees out?

And what blind spots? I don't need to see the minivan in my blindspot when I can just go WOT to navigate past my invisible rear end.

1) you're going to need tires. Lots of tires.
2) when your CSC fails, get the Z1 upgrade.
3) if your SRM is on, don't move the stick side-to-side while in neutral
4) your fuel gauge will never light up the last dot on a full tank. If it does, it's probably broken
5) don't take hard right turns when at 1/4 tank or below. You'll risk fuel starvation.
6) welcome!

Edit: also, since you plan to track the car, flush your brake fluid with Motul RBF600. The stock DOT3 fluid will begin to boil after some good abuse and cause brake fade. And while you're in there, upgrade to SS brake lines.

Now this is helpful. Never knew about the fuel starvation or the SRM and not moving the stick while in neutral. ALl the little things. I already plan to order the flared fenders from Z one, so I'll just get the CSC with it. It's only money. Can always make more haha

How did you like the TC Cobalt (before the problems)? I had an 04 Saturn Ion Redline (equivalent to the supercharged Cobalts, as I'm sure you know) before I picked up my '12 NISMO. I had that car for about 10 years and loved every second of it.

I've contemplated picking up a TC Cobalt, but probably won't any time soon. I'd love to have one, but I can't justify buying one when I already have the Z to keep me happy.

Since you are in Rome, I would suggest weather tech mats. I know how messy could get up there. I was stationed at FT. Drum 8 years ago.
The other basic thing is to replace the cabin filter. If it has not been replaced in a long time, this will give it a newer car smell.
Third, check the brake pads, Z brake pads are not what you want to have full confidence until you check them.
Lastly, welcome to the Z life, enjoy your vehicle, be a good and safe driver and check around here frequently for info, any help, any suggestions and advice.
Cheers!!!!

:tup: Heroic.

Literally nothing beat owning that car. It could take a corner 10mph less than a Z while still being FWD, whined for days with the stock turbo and pulled on the older mustangs. Once tuned and modded, it gave you minor whip lash. Nothing beat having Recaros/heated leather seats in a car that cost me 14k at the time. It wasn't an eyesore to look at and was rather practical for only being a 2-door. If I ever find another that hasn't been abused, I'll def be getting one. They're perfect beater track cars with unlimited potential with the aftermarket scene just constantly growing. I think some guy just did a RWD conversion with the same turbo setup as mine. And I know a Balt out in SC that is pushing 600+ and killed a GT-R at the strip. If you do end up getting one, make sure it has the G85 package. All I can say is...LSD!!!

They're already ordered hahaha. It's a freaking mess here. Naturally it down poured yesterday when I got the car. SO I've been babying it so far. The pads for just stock calipers are really touchy in my Z. Idk if I got lucky or something, but they stop on a dime. I'll figure out brake fade once the sun comes out.

She was a good car and made me into the man I am today.

Stay outa car washes!
 

TxCh

The VDC button is simple and straightforward.

Full disclosure, I rarely touch that button, but I appreciate that the feature isn't hidden behind some convoluted series of computer menus, it doesn't even require that I hold it down for 10 seconds. The designers just put it in the corner of the cabin and understood that no one's going to turn it off by accident. I hate that other car manufacturers take this element of "ownership" away from the driver. It's your machine. Do what you want with it.

The rear hatch hides a lot of water after washing the car.

This gets me almost every wash...

This! :icon17:

I still forget sometimes and after washing and drying, i go and open the hatch to clean in between and outcomes a river flowing :shakes head:

Edit: forgot to mention, this happens with the tailights too...

I have not noticed the underside of the hatch holding water but the hatch window molding and under the rear spoiler do hold quite a bit of water.

I'd give the Z a wash....but it's still snowing here.

Some random things I've noticed that going from 1-2 is a nightmare unless you're absolutely perfect in between the shifts. I still rock a little on release.

The cable needed to play audio from a phone is annoying and placing your phone somewhere that won't hit your forearm when shifting is annoying.

The cup holder is phenomenal on large plastic cups. They fit tightly.

No burnouts without pulling a fuse....