m4a1mustang's Z Ver. II thread: Project Déjà Blue

[m4a1mustang]

Back in a Z again? Oh myyy! Let's start with a brief history of vehicles in my stint as a 370Z forum member:

2009 370Z - March 2009 - September 2010
2011 5.0 - September 2010 - January 2013
2005 S2000 - February 2012 - April 2013

Why did you come back, Steve?

The simple answer is that I decided I'd rather have a modest sports/GT car than a $70,000 optioned C7. I have a lot of things that I want to do and places that I want to see before I have kids, so a C7 didn't really fit into the picture unless I was willing to give that up.

For the rest of the story, check the spoiler:

( Click to show/hide )

I sold the 5.0 in January and was daily driving the S2000, basically positioned to buy a C7 later this year or early next. When I knew I had axed my C7 plans, I decided I wanted a car I could actually live with on the day-to-day. The S2K was great fun, but it's cramped, loud, and impractical. It had also started to feel "unlucky," so I wanted to get out of it sooner rather than later.

Ultimately I ended up with the 370 again. As you guys know I'm a big fan, and even with my 5.0 I was still president of our local 370Z owners club. Much like hanging out with your ex after a breakup, I couldn't help but feel like there was unfinished business with me and the Z.

Owning both the 5.0 and the S2000 also gave me a new level of appreciation for the car: It's a great compromise. If you were to take the best elements of the 5.0 and the S2000 and combine them, you'd end up with something like the 370Z. While it's not the fastest or the best handling, it is a solid combination of sports car and muscle. I consider it more a "GT" car than a pure sports car because it's so well-rounded, and it really seems to be what I need going forward. It's a very practical, comfortable 2-door, 2-seat car.

Without spending a lot more, there really wasn't anything out there or in the pipeline that did anything for me. I briefly looked into CPO Cayman S's, but ruled those out rather quickly.

Midnight Blue and the revisions to the car that Nissan made over the years really pushed me over the edge. Dark blues have always been my favorite on a car, and I absolutely love the look of the Z in RAA. The new shock tune, fluid cooler, aesthetic refresh (yes I know I hated the '13 when it came out... but I also hated the original 370Z when it was first released), and other subtle changes really make it a better car than my '09. It feels "finished."

I decided to opt for a base package car (+ Sport) this time around. I had a Touring + Sport in 2009, but was never impressed with the quality of Nissan's leather (poor wear, even with great care) nor the lackluster Bose.

THREAD INDEX:

STL Trip Part 2.. An S2K for a Z - April 20-23, 2013
Z1 20mm Spacer & Ferodo DS2500 Install - April 28, 2013
ZDayZ 2013 Pics & Thoughts - May 12-18, 2013
ARK Grip V2 Added - Photos - August 19, 2013
ARK Grip V2 - Videos - September 2, 2013
ARK Grip V2 - Moar Videos - September 2, 2013

The Car
2013 Midnight Blue 6MT Sport
- Z1 20mm stud-replacement spacers
- Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS head unit
- Ferodo DS2500 / ATE Blue
- Ark Grip V2 CBE



I want to make clear that this is not a "Z vs." thread, so please don't ask me for comparisons as I will not respond.

And yes, it's good to be back.

[m4a1mustang]

St. Louis Trip Redux

Like with my Mustang, I worked a deal out with Lou Fusz on the Z. My fiancée and I left on a Saturday evening, stopping overnight in Beckley, WV. We finished the brunt of the drive on Sunday, capping the night with dinner at Lou's.

On Monday, we took care of business.

Here are a few photos from the trip:


The S2000's last fuel stop in Virginia


Cracker Barrel always makes a road trip better...


It was chilly, so the top was up 99% of the time. The S2K is stupid loud on the highway. Dana was upset she forgot to pack her Bose noise cancelling headphones.


Last fuel stop ever for my S2000. Somewhere in IL. This is the same pump at the same station where I last filled up my 2009 370Z. See below:




S2000 out front at Lou's Nissan shop... sad it was being left. I think my last words to it were "don't fear the Panda."


The new Z while we transferred our gear from the S2000.

On the way back we stopped at a rest area near sunset for a few pics.



Love that blue.

As soon as we got home I replaced the OEM head unit with a Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS. So much better. I still haven't replaced the factory speakers but am happy with the sound quality just with the HU.



Then I gave it a nice wash to get all the bug guts off.



Blue...

While I was at it, I also washed Dana's Focus ST

[m4a1mustang]

Z1 20mm Spacers & Ferodo DS2500 pads

I hate the offsets Nissan uses for the Rays. I wanted to eliminate the tuck ASAP, so yesterday I installed 20mm Z1 stud replacement spacers front and rear. On my 2009 I used 15/20 front/rear, but always wished I had done 20 up front.





(yes the garage is dirty )









No tuck! Horray!

I also installed Ferodo DS2500 brake pads in my ongoing preparation for ZDayZ. I was going to flush with ATE Blue, however due to the rain I decided to hold off until a dry day later this week. You don't want to perform a brake bleed when there is a lot of moisture in the air if you can avoid it.

[theDreamer]

In for panda love.

[Apoc370z]

Welcome back to the dark side, where the mods will leave a noce hole in your wallet

[ZMan8]

subd

[m4a1mustang]

Originally Posted by Apoc370z

Welcome back to the dark side, where the mods will leave a noce hole in your wallet

Luckily I don't plan on anything major. Stereo, exhaust (CBE only), spacers, tint, and I'm done. This a DD so I don't want to "over mod" it. I did that with my previous Z (well, I chose the wrong exhaust) and with my 5.0 (went YOLO on suspension).

The Z isn't any more expensive to mod than the Mustang, either. I think the Invidia CBE is only $100 more expensive than the mufflers for my 5.0.

[ZMan8]

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Luckily I don't plan on anything major. Stereo, exhaust (CBE only), spacers, tint, and I'm done. This a DD so I don't want to "over mod" it. I did that with my previous Z (well, I chose the wrong exhaust) and with my 5.0 (went YOLO on suspension).

The Z isn't any more expensive to mod than the Mustang, either. I think the Invidia CBE is only $100 more expensive than the mufflers for my 5.0.

are you referring to when you said the Fast Intentions was a bit too loud for you on a daily basis?

[m4a1mustang]

Originally Posted by ZMan8

are you referring to when you said the Fast Intentions was a bit too loud for you on a daily basis?

It wasn't too loud, in fact it sounded perfect outside of the car, but the drone was no bueno for me on a daily driver. I've been very careful since to chose exhausts that DO NOT drone. That's why I will likely be going with the Invidia this time, but for now I'm just going to leave the car alone.

[ZMan8]

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

It wasn't too loud, in fact it sounded perfect outside of the car, but the drone was no bueno for me on a daily driver. I've been very careful since to chose exhausts that DO NOT drone. That's why I will likely be going with the Invidia this time, but for now I'm just going to leave the car alone.

Hmm, i wonder if there are any differences between 2009 and 2010. I can't say the drone is present too much for me. The worst I ever notice it is if I'm in 5th gear going about 40 mph and try to speed up to 45 or 50 without down shifting..then there is quite a bit of it.

But also Z is my weekend toy with occasional "bring your car to work day "

Ividia is good as well though (and cheaper)

[JungleZ]

Dude I'm loving that blue, how's the paint quality?

[m4a1mustang]

Originally Posted by ZMan8

Hmm, i wonder if there are any differences between 2009 and 2010. I can't say the drone is present too much for me. The worst I ever notice it is if I'm in 5th gear going about 40 mph and try to speed up to 45 or 50 without down shifting..then there is quite a bit of it.

But also Z is my weekend toy with occasional "bring your car to work day "

Ividia is good as well though (and cheaper)

It all depends on how you drive and how sensitive you are to drone. With my '09, the drone is pretty noticeable when you're stuck cruising between 65-75mph on the highway in 6th. You'd have to go over 80 to get out of the drone zone which really isn't feasible in VA.

Originally Posted by JungleZ

Dude I'm loving that blue, how's the paint quality?

Me too man.

Paint quality... I think I need to live with it a while longer to see how well it ages. It has lots of flake which do a pretty good job of hiding swirls and other small surface imperfections. My guess is it's the same Nissan paint/clear as always, but I won't really tell until I have it for a while longer.

[cossie1600]

Going back to the ex!

[Apoc370z]

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Luckily I don't plan on anything major. Stereo, exhaust (CBE only), spacers, tint, and I'm done. This a DD so I don't want to "over mod" it. I did that with my previous Z (well, I chose the wrong exhaust) and with my 5.0 (went YOLO on suspension).

The Z isn't any more expensive to mod than the Mustang, either. I think the Invidia CBE is only $100 more expensive than the mufflers for my 5.0.

I told myself the samething since my Z is my DD as well, but now i am about 6k into mods and i am sure more will come

[ZMan8]

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

It all depends on how you drive and how sensitive you are to drone. With my '09, the drone is pretty noticeable when you're stuck cruising between 65-75mph on the highway in 6th. You'd have to go over 80 to get out of the drone zone which really isn't feasible in VA.

Guess I'm not that sensitive to it. I was on highway driving at various speeds last night and don't get drone at any of them. for me it's all about revs. 2000 rpm, foot down in 4, 5,6th gear will result in lots of drone/vibration. earlier gears rev up quicker so it's not as a problematic.


Also, as a side note, I read your Mustang buying trip thread for the first time. Both that and Z ver 2 is awesome. I think I want to do a trip for my next car purchase Seems like its worth the drive.

My questions though, is that a bad break in for a car, to drive it for 900 miles at more or less constant highway speeds/rpms/gears?