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Old 05-12-2012, 09:50 AM   #1 (permalink)
Zxces50
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 208
Drives: 15 C7 Stingray Z51
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Default Long Term Update- '09 Sport 40K miles

Approx three and half years ownership- '09 Sport, Touring, 7AT-
NO regrets, no issue's, would do it again same options and set up - look fwd to a couple more years. Would buy next gen Z if bump in HP.
Stats-
USE: Summer daily driver (Boston commute) & HPDE Events (for FUN).
~40,000 Miles and 16 Track Days (Watkins Glen, Monticello, Lime Rock, NJMP)

MODS(All done in '09): Stillen Cat Back, Stillen 19 row Oil Cooler, Stillen Gen 3 CAI, SS Brake Lines, Hawk HPS (street) Hawk HP+ (track), Ate Super Blue brake fluid, Castrol Dexron VI PS fluid, Michelin Pilot Super Sport (stock size) w/ Nitrogen, Siebon CF Lip, Imported black fuel gauge wrap

Comments (IMHO):
Z loves the track and switches DD to Track with no issue at all. If you want to go fast and experience the Z track it once even a Hyperdrive event. I find the 7AT supports both my driving styles just fine. Have had many MT's over the years but I have really been satified with performance of Z 7AT.
Brakes- I have had zero issue. Solid, consistent, no fade, feel very confident they will work under all conditions. Hawk Pads have been great. My stock original rotors virtually NO wear (consumed 3.2 sets pads to date- OEM, HPS, 1.2 sets HP+).
Oil temps- DD never an issue never a concern. 1st Track day w/o oil cooler went fine but cool day and my first event. Have run track days in summer when 95F and no issue with 19 row. Have never hit limp mod ever.
Stillen- very happy with all these mods. Easy install for me. Been a few years in place still work fine. Fitment fine No fiddling with.
Tires - Got 20K miles out of stock tires and were slicks at end but always good and sticky and predictable. Michelin Pilot Super Sports- 20K miles and ~ 10 track days - still lotso tread- might get one more season out of them - very happy with PSS- seems little quieter than stock and wear is much better- PSS also great in WET but I usually do not use when raining. I do not use Z in cold or snow- this big summer rubber just not good in winter. I've gone to Nitrogen only to better manage pressure on track- even dropping to 28/29 psi cold would get to 45 psi after a little cool down in paddock. First Nitrogen track day in a couple weeks.
Interior - Still looks new. No noticable wear and tear EXCEPT for drivers side exterior leather boulster- starting to show sign of use enter/exit. Electronics- NAV, climate control, buttons etc- never an issue, everything works
Exterior- Holding up very well. Do get small rock chips frequently on hood but I use for DD and they are doing a lot of highway repave around here. I do not think necesarily paint - but just that low to ground we get in debre field. Sport Rims damage easily- be careful of curbs and talk to anyone that mounts or balances your tires including impact wrench on lugnuts and rim damage around lug nuts. Cost to refurb rims $$$. Window glass does seem to scratch easy even cleaning a clean glass so be careful.
Track use - Honestly it still amazes me the fun performance on track and latter in same day grocery go getter at 22 MPG. Handles great. Instills confidence. Very forgiving. Love the sync rev match- makes me look like better driver than my skill/ experience. I did install the Siebon lip for function- seemed a bit lite in front at Monticello long long back straight at WOT- lip very much improved next time at Monticello. (very similar profile to Nismo stock which is why i selected) Track vids on UTube "The370zzz"
Frustration- for regular use none. Fuel Starvation is a PITA on track - just have to keep it full. Starved at Monticello - more embarrising than anything else.
All things considered - I would do it again and have not been tempted by the other offerings out there for how I use my car. For the price point, reliabilty, daily and limited track use and economics of use I really think Nissan did a great job here.
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