Pre-shopping Questions

scottIN · 08-11-2011, 12:53 PM

So I'm going to start looking at Z's this weekend and had a couple of questions before I talk to dealers. I've gone back through threads a few months back and they answered a few of them, but not all.

1) are these cars really that hard to find? In looking at dealers within 100 miles of me, I'm seeing less than 10 - and none of them remotely close to what I'm looking for (Touring / Sport / Blue / Grey / AT).

2) at this point in the year, can you order '11s? Or only '12s? Or try to find an '11 on a lot somewhere? Seems to be conflicting info on this. I figure I can get better pricing on an '11 right now, and I'm keeping my current vehicle so timing isn't an issue if I had to order.

3) any 'gotta have' factory / dealer accessories? I'm assuming the splash guards and carpet floor mats (which I bet are std. on most of them on the lot).

Thanks for any info you can provide - I just like to go in with a little knowledge.

I've had a truck for the last 6 years (Ridgeline), but am ready to go back to a car for my DD. Previous to the truck, I had an MB C-Coupe that I modded the crap out of (until my overdrive pulley sheared and drove the woodruff key into the timing gears). Probably won't do as much to this, but I'm sure I'll find a little to do.

CrownR426 · 08-11-2011, 02:32 PM

I do not recommend the 370Z as a daily driver.
Not good in the snow and it sure is a 2 seater.
Now if you are looking for a weekend warrior the Z is highly recommended!
The feeling of driving the Z is great especially when you shift from 3-4th gear is my favorite! lol...
As for finding a 370Z you will have no problems, if they say they will charge you more refuse and find another dealer. You should get the Dark Grey Z btw as it looks a lot sexier than the blue at all times day n night. Get the splash guards and floormats. Make sure the paint is good too because Nissan definetly skimpped out on the paint for the 370Z. I'd recommend a clear bra right after purchase.
Once again daily driving isn't the best in the Z but you can.
I daily drove mine for 2 years in jersey.
Good luck with your buy and try avoiding the 09's.

fjpthree · 08-11-2011, 02:32 PM

The recent events in Japan have stopped production of this vehicle. I was looking forward to a 2011 when I set out to purchase a Z. What I ran into was limited availability (only color available was black). To make a long story short, I ended up purchasing a 2009 with everything I wanted (silver, touring, sport package and nav.) It only had 5K on it so I can still get the original warranty. Unless you find something out there from current stock (which is limited) you may want to go the pre-owned route. (I bought mine from Car Max who owns a Nissan franchise. The sales manager informed me that you can NOT order a 2011 and the new production year - 2012 - will not start until November. ) Good luck!!!

FuszNissan · 08-11-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjpthree

The recent events in Japan have stopped production of this vehicle. The sales manager informed me that you can NOT order a 2011 and the new production year - 2012 - will not start until November. ) Good luck!!!

This

scottIN · 08-11-2011, 07:38 PM

That was kind of what I got from piecing together different threads - either find one on a lot or order a '12 later in the year. Like I said, I don't HAVE to have one right now, so if I had to wait, not a big deal. Had actually thought about waiting until spring anyway figuring I would be driving my truck in the snow most of the time through the winter.

And as far as it being a DD, my commute to work is a whole two blocks (I should actually ride my bike or walk), and I go on 1 or 2 appointments a week out of town so on non-appointment days I probably drive less than a mile, and on appointment days, maybe 50-75 miles. And I'll still have my Ridgeline if I want something different. Wife has a Mini Countryman 4S, so we'll still have two snow-capable / haul stuff vehicles anyway.

When I sold my MB and got the truck, I started racing karts so it kind of fulfilled my speed addiction. Now I don't seem to have as much time to drive my kart so it would be nice to have something that's fun to drive (the truck is a great vehicle, but definitely not 'fun').

moveupmedia · 08-12-2011, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrownR426

I do not recommend the 370Z as a daily driver.
Not good in the snow and it sure is a 2 seater.
Now if you are looking for a weekend warrior the Z is highly recommended!
Once again daily driving isn't the best in the Z but you can.
I daily drove mine for 2 years in jersey.
Good luck with your buy and try avoiding the 09's.

Hey, can you back up some of these comments? I'm considering an '09 and would use it for my 20 minute drive to work.

jackbelot · 08-12-2011, 11:02 AM

I use mine for a Daily driver, I comute 50 miles one direction to work and now driving to work is just fun didn't think I'd ever say that. I bought a new 2010 roadster in June. Yep I'm rolling up some miles but hey I got it to enjoy it when I wear it out I will buy another one. Now come winter I probably will drive my truck more.

moveupmedia · 08-12-2011, 03:58 PM

Thanks jackbelot. I'm of the same mentality. The 370 is going to be my "mini-vacation" each day while I head to work. I don't plan on buying a car that doesn't get used. I live in The OC so the weather is pretty mild. I'm not too worried about our 2 weeks of annual rain.

08-11-2011, 12:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
scottIN Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Castle, Indiana Posts: 764 Drives: '12 370Z Rep Power: 55	Pre-shopping Questions So I'm going to start looking at Z's this weekend and had a couple of questions before I talk to dealers. I've gone back through threads a few months back and they answered a few of them, but not all. 1) are these cars really that hard to find? In looking at dealers within 100 miles of me, I'm seeing less than 10 - and none of them remotely close to what I'm looking for (Touring / Sport / Blue / Grey / AT). 2) at this point in the year, can you order '11s? Or only '12s? Or try to find an '11 on a lot somewhere? Seems to be conflicting info on this. I figure I can get better pricing on an '11 right now, and I'm keeping my current vehicle so timing isn't an issue if I had to order. 3) any 'gotta have' factory / dealer accessories? I'm assuming the splash guards and carpet floor mats (which I bet are std. on most of them on the lot). Thanks for any info you can provide - I just like to go in with a little knowledge. I've had a truck for the last 6 years (Ridgeline), but am ready to go back to a car for my DD. Previous to the truck, I had an MB C-Coupe that I modded the crap out of (until my overdrive pulley sheared and drove the woodruff key into the timing gears). Probably won't do as much to this, but I'm sure I'll find a little to do.

08-11-2011, 02:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	I do not recommend the 370Z as a daily driver. Not good in the snow and it sure is a 2 seater. Now if you are looking for a weekend warrior the Z is highly recommended! The feeling of driving the Z is great especially when you shift from 3-4th gear is my favorite! lol... As for finding a 370Z you will have no problems, if they say they will charge you more refuse and find another dealer. You should get the Dark Grey Z btw as it looks a lot sexier than the blue at all times day n night. Get the splash guards and floormats. Make sure the paint is good too because Nissan definetly skimpped out on the paint for the 370Z. I'd recommend a clear bra right after purchase. Once again daily driving isn't the best in the Z but you can. I daily drove mine for 2 years in jersey. Good luck with your buy and try avoiding the 09's. __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

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08-11-2011, 02:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
fjpthree Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 67 Drives: 09 Touring/Sport/Nav Rep Power: 14	The recent events in Japan have stopped production of this vehicle. I was looking forward to a 2011 when I set out to purchase a Z. What I ran into was limited availability (only color available was black). To make a long story short, I ended up purchasing a 2009 with everything I wanted (silver, touring, sport package and nav.) It only had 5K on it so I can still get the original warranty. Unless you find something out there from current stock (which is limited) you may want to go the pre-owned route. (I bought mine from Car Max who owns a Nissan franchise. The sales manager informed me that you can NOT order a 2011 and the new production year - 2012 - will not start until November. ) Good luck!!!

08-11-2011, 07:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
scottIN Track Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Castle, Indiana Posts: 764 Drives: '12 370Z Rep Power: 55	That was kind of what I got from piecing together different threads - either find one on a lot or order a '12 later in the year. Like I said, I don't HAVE to have one right now, so if I had to wait, not a big deal. Had actually thought about waiting until spring anyway figuring I would be driving my truck in the snow most of the time through the winter. And as far as it being a DD, my commute to work is a whole two blocks (I should actually ride my bike or walk), and I go on 1 or 2 appointments a week out of town so on non-appointment days I probably drive less than a mile, and on appointment days, maybe 50-75 miles. And I'll still have my Ridgeline if I want something different. Wife has a Mini Countryman 4S, so we'll still have two snow-capable / haul stuff vehicles anyway. When I sold my MB and got the truck, I started racing karts so it kind of fulfilled my speed addiction. Now I don't seem to have as much time to drive my kart so it would be nice to have something that's fun to drive (the truck is a great vehicle, but definitely not 'fun').

08-12-2011, 11:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
jackbelot Base Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 13 Drives: 2010 370z Roadster Rep Power: 14	I use mine for a Daily driver, I comute 50 miles one direction to work and now driving to work is just fun didn't think I'd ever say that. I bought a new 2010 roadster in June. Yep I'm rolling up some miles but hey I got it to enjoy it when I wear it out I will buy another one. Now come winter I probably will drive my truck more.

08-12-2011, 03:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
moveupmedia Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 6 Drives: 2008 Chevy BL 4x4 Rep Power: 14	Thanks jackbelot. I'm of the same mentality. The 370 is going to be my "mini-vacation" each day while I head to work. I don't plan on buying a car that doesn't get used. I live in The OC so the weather is pretty mild. I'm not too worried about our 2 weeks of annual rain.