My Impressions After A Week

KravMaga · 04-27-2011, 09:23 AM

First of all, did the clearmask. Rate my work a 7 out of 10 but if I had unlimited funds to keep buying material, could get to a 10 out of 10 with practice. In short, very doable if you are more patient than I and don't have 15 thumbs like I do. But it will protect what I want to protect, and it's not THAT bad, just not perfect.

I will drive the Z all the time except when weather requires snow tires. I have been driving her since Sunday and here are my impressions. These impressions are from a guy who does no tracking or racing. Just kind of a sports car enthusiast who likes to accelerate quickly on the on and off ramps and go kinda fast sometimes. These are definitely seat-of-my-pants impressions.

Paint
Had a small scratch on hood. Had no idea where it came from. Just used some Optimum Polish on a MF towel and the scratch disappeared with minimal effort. Very minimal. So yes, the clear is soft, but that will be an advantage when taking care of swirling or micro-marring. Soft clear is easier to correct, but of course I think it might chip easier also. I absolutely love the Magnetic Black color and all the pretty little flakes.

Interior
Great! Coming from an '03 Mach-1, not saying a lot, but it is a big upgrade for me. Though many will disagree, think the whole NAV and stereo interface is outstanding. But I listen to ESPN on the radio a lot, so again, not saying much. Everything is where it should be, though some buttons are small. Once I memorize all the buttons, or program voice commands correctly, will be a non-issue. I like the shifter also. I see quite a few go to a short throw, but am totally happy with the movements my hand has to make, so for now, I'm good. Shifter feels comfy in my had so am not planning on changing it out.

Suspension and Handling
Exactly what I expected. A little bumpy on not-perfect roads, but incredible ride on the highway. Grips corners like I grip my last dollar bill. Seats are perfect for me as far as cornering goes. I am 5'10" and about 195. Seems they were made for me.

Overall Driving
Coming from a torque monster (in my opinion) I thought I would miss the V8. Don't miss it even a little bit. For everyday driving, the torque is strong, smooth, and predictable. I am sure if I tried, it has enough to make the a$$ end sway from side to side, but with real-life traffic, it's good. Like alluded to earlier, straight-line acceleration is quick and car feels firmly planted. But I did not really appreciate the car until I took a turn. Fast. With Rev-match kicking in. And a big a$$ smile on my face!

Red__Zed · 04-27-2011, 09:30 AM

Glad you are enjoying it!

mikeSS · 04-27-2011, 10:27 AM

cool

kenchan · 04-27-2011, 10:30 AM

nice review. enjoy!

DJ-of-E · 04-27-2011, 01:32 PM

I'm about the same build, but I think the seats don't grip me as well as my Celica. Doing hard G's, I feel like I would slip out of my seats. Then again, I have the Touring seats and not the base seats.

KravMaga · 04-27-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ-of-E

I'm about the same build, but I think the seats don't grip me as well as my Celica. Doing hard G's, I feel like I would slip out of my seats. Then again, I have the Touring seats and not the base seats.

I have the touring seats also. Since I drive naked I just clench by butt cheeks on high-G turns and the fabric grips me good!

Seriously, coming from the leather in my mustang, a definite improvement. But I do miss her though!

ZCarMan · 04-27-2011, 03:06 PM

Nice observations. Glad you like.

spearfish25 · 04-27-2011, 03:25 PM

Glad you're enjoying the new car.

I find it funny that the forum members here still give 'props' for peoples' basic stepwise reviews of a 2 year old car!

KravMaga · 04-28-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Glad you're enjoying the new car.

I find it funny that the forum members here still give 'props' for peoples' basic stepwise reviews of a 2 year old car!

My bad dude. Didn't mean to rehash old stuff just excited about new car. I'll calm down soon.

spearfish25 · 04-28-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KravMaga

My bad dude. Didn't mean to rehash old stuff just excited about new car. I'll calm down soon.

I got mine over two years ago and I still haven't calmed down

. (My wife is still hoping I'll get over the Z). Have fun with it.

delusional · 04-28-2011, 04:59 PM

Got mine about 3 weeks ago and still excited. Drove over 1200 miles in these 3 weeks

gas prices are killing me though... Nice review and come down to our weekly meets in Great Neck if you're in the area!

Davey · 04-28-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

(My wife is still hoping I'll get over the Z)

I can't wait to get mine broken in. In the meantime, the corners feel great, and I let her rev freely to 4K whenever I can.

mdezz · 04-28-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KravMaga

My bad dude. Didn't mean to rehash old stuff just excited about new car. I'll calm down soon.

No way dude, its awesome that you are psyched. I pick mine up tomorrow, can't wait.

MD

mdezz · 04-28-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delusional

Got mine about 3 weeks ago and still excited. Drove over 1200 miles in these 3 weeks

gas prices are killing me though... Nice review and come down to our weekly meets in Great Neck if you're in the area!

Where do the meets in Great Neck happen? What time ? Day?

Im close by.

MD

ZInferno0248 · 04-28-2011, 09:02 PM

Good for you. I am totally addicted to my Z too. I think my wife wonders if I've lost my mind... I talk about the car constantly!

04-27-2011, 09:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
KravMaga Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NY Posts: 67 Drives: A Black Car Rep Power: 14	My Impressions After A Week First of all, did the clearmask. Rate my work a 7 out of 10 but if I had unlimited funds to keep buying material, could get to a 10 out of 10 with practice. In short, very doable if you are more patient than I and don't have 15 thumbs like I do. But it will protect what I want to protect, and it's not THAT bad, just not perfect. I will drive the Z all the time except when weather requires snow tires. I have been driving her since Sunday and here are my impressions. These impressions are from a guy who does no tracking or racing. Just kind of a sports car enthusiast who likes to accelerate quickly on the on and off ramps and go kinda fast sometimes. These are definitely seat-of-my-pants impressions. Paint Had a small scratch on hood. Had no idea where it came from. Just used some Optimum Polish on a MF towel and the scratch disappeared with minimal effort. Very minimal. So yes, the clear is soft, but that will be an advantage when taking care of swirling or micro-marring. Soft clear is easier to correct, but of course I think it might chip easier also. I absolutely love the Magnetic Black color and all the pretty little flakes. Interior Great! Coming from an '03 Mach-1, not saying a lot, but it is a big upgrade for me. Though many will disagree, think the whole NAV and stereo interface is outstanding. But I listen to ESPN on the radio a lot, so again, not saying much. Everything is where it should be, though some buttons are small. Once I memorize all the buttons, or program voice commands correctly, will be a non-issue. I like the shifter also. I see quite a few go to a short throw, but am totally happy with the movements my hand has to make, so for now, I'm good. Shifter feels comfy in my had so am not planning on changing it out. Suspension and Handling Exactly what I expected. A little bumpy on not-perfect roads, but incredible ride on the highway. Grips corners like I grip my last dollar bill. Seats are perfect for me as far as cornering goes. I am 5'10" and about 195. Seems they were made for me. Overall Driving Coming from a torque monster (in my opinion) I thought I would miss the V8. Don't miss it even a little bit. For everyday driving, the torque is strong, smooth, and predictable. I am sure if I tried, it has enough to make the a$$ end sway from side to side, but with real-life traffic, it's good. Like alluded to earlier, straight-line acceleration is quick and car feels firmly planted. But I did not really appreciate the car until I took a turn. Fast. With Rev-match kicking in. And a big a$$ smile on my face! __________________

04-27-2011, 10:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
mikeSS Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: MI Posts: 205 Drives: performance Rep Power: 14	cool __________________ 11 GT 432WHP. 10 SS 460WHP

04-27-2011, 03:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
ZCarMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MD Posts: 4,488 Drives: 09 Z34, 13 F-150 Rep Power: 25	Nice observations. Glad you like. __________________ Jon Swift \| SPC \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| AAM \| Cobb \| Hawk \| Volk Racing \| Bridgestone Green Demon Eyes

04-27-2011, 03:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Glad you're enjoying the new car. I find it funny that the forum members here still give 'props' for peoples' basic stepwise reviews of a 2 year old car! __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

04-28-2011, 04:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
delusional Track Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NewYork Posts: 968 Drives: 09 PG T/S/N 7AT Rep Power: 15	Got mine about 3 weeks ago and still excited. Drove over 1200 miles in these 3 weeks gas prices are killing me though... Nice review and come down to our weekly meets in Great Neck if you're in the area! __________________ 2009 Platinum Graphite Touring [ Sport Package ¦¦ Navigation ¦¦ 7 Speed Automatic ] [ Berk ¦ H&R ¦ ONEighty ¦ K&N ¦ Stillen ¦ Eibach ¦ Cobb ¦ Ichiba ¦ Hankook ]

04-27-2011, 09:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	Glad you are enjoying it!

04-27-2011, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	nice review. enjoy!

04-27-2011, 01:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
DJ-of-E Track Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Garden Grove, CA Posts: 676 Drives: 00 Toyota Celica 040 Rep Power: 15	I'm about the same build, but I think the seats don't grip me as well as my Celica. Doing hard G's, I feel like I would slip out of my seats. Then again, I have the Touring seats and not the base seats.

04-28-2011, 09:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
ZInferno0248 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 154 Drives: 2010 370Z Nismo SC'd Rep Power: 14	Good for you. I am totally addicted to my Z too. I think my wife wonders if I've lost my mind... I talk about the car constantly!

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