Should I keep my Z?

MightyBobo · 05-06-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molamann

Definitely a more "sporty" type of noise.

My Z28 on the other hand sounded more like a POS car.

What? You didn't like the "machine gun in a trash can" sound of the LS1?

SoCal 370Z · 05-06-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chibbell

I can't get comfortable. The beautifully shaped steering wheel makes my arms hurt. Those luscious leather seats put my legs to sleep in just a few minutes. Every little dip and nook in the road gets translated to movement in the steering wheel. I feel like I spend as much time trying to adjust my seat and get comfortable as I do driving. I feel like I have to manage the wheel far more than I should.

I have owned a car with similar symptoms, and I never got used to it. I wanted to love it, but no matter how I adjusted the driver's seat (8-way) I could never find a comfortable position for my body. I held onto it a bit too long, before it went to a relative as I could no longer tolerate it on long drives.

molamann · 05-06-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

I have owned a car with similar symptoms, and I never got used to it. I wanted to love it, but no matter how I adjusted the driver's seat (8-way) I could never find a comfortable position for my body. I held onto it a bit too long, before it went to a relative as I could no longer tolerate it on long drives.

I'm having that problem on the Z right now.

Feels like my arm are too short and my legs are too long.

shabarivas · 05-06-2009, 03:46 PM

hey op - i know your pains but just adjust the angles on the seat front and back and that gave me a lot of success. Also you might wanna look into lower seat rails

Forrest · 05-06-2009, 04:08 PM

I find the z really compfortable. Infact too comfortable, i find my self often almost dozing off on highway trips.

Its the only car i drive where i dont feel like i am in sudden danger when i go over a bump at 65mph. Civic coupe, altima coupe, all "launch" them selfs mid air over any bump, dip in the road and you gotta stay alert and focus when you plant your self back down to the ground. With the z it just goes right over it like it was nothing.

In2Deep · 05-06-2009, 06:34 PM

Chibell

Some really good input here from other members.
Here's my $02 for what they're worth.

I've had my Z for about 30 days. It's a daily driver for me.
My previous daily driver (past 3 years) has been an '06 Lexus GS430 -- so you can see I've gone from one end of the daily driving experience spectrum to the opposite other.
I'm 6', 235 lbs. After 30 days, I have no real regrets or concerns, but have -- and still do -- think about some of the particularities of this vehicle that amplify how different this vehicle is than most any other in this class, and certainly how different this is than entry, mid or high-end luxury. Here's how I'm dealing with some of the same topics you list as concerns.

The first thing I"d say -- is don't give up the ghost. Hang with this vehicle for at least another 60 days.

Next...

Comfort.
1. This may sound trivial, but I've found to have the greatest impact on my seating comfort; take larger items out of your front and rear pockets before driving. Particularly, if you carry a wallet in your rear pocket -- store it somewhere. Sitting on a wallet -- however skinny (like mine due to lack of funds) -- can be a real pain in the A$$ in these seats. If you carry a large bundle of keys in your pocket -- store those as well. Made a huge difference for me.

2. Work the seat adjustments. Really....work 'em...and experiment with the seating positions. In my GS, I liked to sit a bit further back from the wheel -- but still in command. In the Z, I'm finding that I like to sit just a little closer than usual -- relaxed....but fully in command. Adjust to the clutch, shifter, elbows, and proper height.

3. My vehicle was delivered with nearly 45 lbs of cold pressure all the way around in the tires. That's not necessary. I've aired them back to 38 (nitrogen), and find that this has helped singnificantly ease what was a rock-hard ride -- to a softer and, frankly, more confident ride.

Road Noise.
1. Sorry.....I think this is just one of those things that you'll have to live with -- and is part of the experience. We have some asphalt pavement around where I live on a couple of key highways -- that when driving along -- sounds like jet planes tailgating me. Oh well. Makes hitting more finished pavement just that much more enjoyable.
Turn up the tunes -- or just run through some gears and hear that engine run.

Or, just turn up your favorite tunes, roll the windows down, and enjoy some of those fantastic roads in Oregon. I've been on them -- and some are just plain world class.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I2D

alan64 · 05-06-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chibbell

I've been really torn as of late. I want to love my Z. I really do. I love the style. I love the engineering. It's a magnificent beauty of a vehicle. I've wanted one since they first came out. A little over a month ago I finally picked up my baby. Monteray Blue. Touring. Sport. 6 speed.

Unfortunately as of late I've not wanted to drive her as much as she deserves. It's a simple matter really. I can't get comfortable. The beautifully shaped steering wheel makes my arms hurt. Those luscious leather seats put my legs to sleep in just a few minutes. Every little dip and nook in the road gets translated to movement in the steering wheel. I feel like I spend as much time trying to adjust my seat and get comfortable as I do driving. I feel like I have to manage the wheel far more than I should.

And the noise. Holy cow the noise. We have terribly crappy road surfaces in Portland. I mean...bad. I can barely hear myself think in the cabin it's so loud most of the time.

Now I don't expect it to be like a luxury car. I don't expect complete quiet and smoothness. I respect the attention to the road she demands. Still...I don't know if it's something I want to live with on a day to day basis. She deserves to be loved.

Am I the only one that feels this way? I fear that I am.

Worst of all...I fear the crap my friends and especially my wife will give me if I decide I want out of the car after pining over it for months.

im curious what color combination you have, also if anyone is interested in selling I would discuss it with them. my email is alanhanger@mts.net

chibbell · 05-06-2009, 07:30 PM

Thanks In2Deep. Really wonderful suggestions. I think I've tried most but will be sure to take stuff out of my pockets.

I haven't had a wallet in my backpocket for years. Apparently sitting on your wallet causes a lot of hip issues in men (second to tool/gun belts I believe).

If anyone wants to see what she looks like, I have a lot of pics up on Flickr.

Tinted the Windows on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Monteray Blue
Touring
Sport
Black interior
Floor and Trunk Mats
Illuminated Kick Plates

The only things its missing are the splash guards and the nav. I couldn't bring myself to pay close to $2k for a nav that is hard to update.

imag · 05-06-2009, 09:40 PM

Beautiful car...

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05-06-2009, 03:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 916	hey op - i know your pains but just adjust the angles on the seat front and back and that gave me a lot of success. Also you might wanna look into lower seat rails

05-06-2009, 04:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 260	I find the z really compfortable. Infact too comfortable, i find my self often almost dozing off on highway trips. Its the only car i drive where i dont feel like i am in sudden danger when i go over a bump at 65mph. Civic coupe, altima coupe, all "launch" them selfs mid air over any bump, dip in the road and you gotta stay alert and focus when you plant your self back down to the ground. With the z it just goes right over it like it was nothing.

05-06-2009, 06:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
In2Deep Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 48 Drives: Plat Graphite Spt/Tr Rep Power: 18	Chibell Some really good input here from other members. Here's my $02 for what they're worth. I've had my Z for about 30 days. It's a daily driver for me. My previous daily driver (past 3 years) has been an '06 Lexus GS430 -- so you can see I've gone from one end of the daily driving experience spectrum to the opposite other. I'm 6', 235 lbs. After 30 days, I have no real regrets or concerns, but have -- and still do -- think about some of the particularities of this vehicle that amplify how different this vehicle is than most any other in this class, and certainly how different this is than entry, mid or high-end luxury. Here's how I'm dealing with some of the same topics you list as concerns. The first thing I"d say -- is don't give up the ghost. Hang with this vehicle for at least another 60 days. Next... Comfort. 1. This may sound trivial, but I've found to have the greatest impact on my seating comfort; take larger items out of your front and rear pockets before driving. Particularly, if you carry a wallet in your rear pocket -- store it somewhere. Sitting on a wallet -- however skinny (like mine due to lack of funds) -- can be a real pain in the A$$ in these seats. If you carry a large bundle of keys in your pocket -- store those as well. Made a huge difference for me. 2. Work the seat adjustments. Really....work 'em...and experiment with the seating positions. In my GS, I liked to sit a bit further back from the wheel -- but still in command. In the Z, I'm finding that I like to sit just a little closer than usual -- relaxed....but fully in command. Adjust to the clutch, shifter, elbows, and proper height. 3. My vehicle was delivered with nearly 45 lbs of cold pressure all the way around in the tires. That's not necessary. I've aired them back to 38 (nitrogen), and find that this has helped singnificantly ease what was a rock-hard ride -- to a softer and, frankly, more confident ride. Road Noise. 1. Sorry.....I think this is just one of those things that you'll have to live with -- and is part of the experience. We have some asphalt pavement around where I live on a couple of key highways -- that when driving along -- sounds like jet planes tailgating me. Oh well. Makes hitting more finished pavement just that much more enjoyable. Turn up the tunes -- or just run through some gears and hear that engine run. Or, just turn up your favorite tunes, roll the windows down, and enjoy some of those fantastic roads in Oregon. I've been on them -- and some are just plain world class. Good luck in whatever you decide. I2D

05-06-2009, 07:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
chibbell Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland, OR Age: 46 Posts: 65 Drives: 370z Touring Sport Rep Power: 18	Thanks In2Deep. Really wonderful suggestions. I think I've tried most but will be sure to take stuff out of my pockets. I haven't had a wallet in my backpocket for years. Apparently sitting on your wallet causes a lot of hip issues in men (second to tool/gun belts I believe). If anyone wants to see what she looks like, I have a lot of pics up on Flickr. Tinted the Windows on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Monteray Blue Touring Sport Black interior Floor and Trunk Mats Illuminated Kick Plates The only things its missing are the splash guards and the nav. I couldn't bring myself to pay close to $2k for a nav that is hard to update.

05-06-2009, 09:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 18	Beautiful car...