Bradders

Spotted two(or three?) in Jarrow NE last week. A lovely Blade silver crossing a roundabout in Primrose village south of Jarrow. Wasn't close enough to wave. It looked in great nick. Another Black JDM coming past my car park. Pulled in behind. Got a comment from a colleague walking by that "they are soooo common" And there is Blade UK 05 in my carpark too. Think he works for the council. Might have been the same Blade actually thinking about it . Was on touring wheels(right expression?) too. Bradders

Welcome to the forum Dave. This is a very good forum where u can find loads of good advice. I bought my Z last week based on research and help from here. To live with they are fine. If you have an ST(Focus?) you might find the boot a bit small of course. Don't expect the radio to be any good. Every one I saw skipped alot. Aparently it can be fixed. Reliability: Mine stood for 5 days when there was snow on the ground, cover in ice half an inch thick. It fired first time instantly. Fuel economy: I get exactly the same as I did with barge of a Merc E class E240. Coming from a front driver would be a big change. The back end is "lively". Mind you I've only had freezing temps. Bridgestone OEM take a slating and I agree. Like driving a greased weasel in the wet. Get 'em change, I know I will. Falkens and Vredestein Sessanta seem popular from what I've read. For my mind there is nothing like it. Performance of a Porsche for 10k less. Insurance aint too bad either. And they are real head turners. People stop and stare. Bradders.

Poor little Focus taking alot of stick. Nice car that I look at and think "Nice motor". A Z though I look at think "ooooooooh yummy" Difference between a pretty coupe and a hatchback I guess. Focus is an amazing piece of machinery but just comes across IMO as bit ordinary. Maybe a bit unfair. I think they should have taken the Golf R route and produced a subtle all-wheel drive all-weather B-Road killer. But I guess Ford have always been shouty cars. It would have annoyed the Impreza dudes if nothing else. As always horse for courses. Hats off to Ford for producing a fast practical car; just try and make it pretty too. Bradders.

I picked up my Zed last week. Garage didn't change the Bridgestone as there was 4 mm left on them. Can't grumble as they did a great job on refurbing the Rays. Thinking down the line now to replace them give 'em a few months, maybe with a track day throw in Read alot of thread about Falkens 452s and Toyo being good. Any of you North East lad and lasses know of a reputable fitter who knows our cars? Newcastle/Sunderland area. Another thing how sensitive are Zs to suspension alignment? If you recommend that being checked, any would like to know of a decent place to go. This is not my first decent car, but definately the first one with this level of performance, so want it treating right. Thanks all Bradders

Thanks but I got my Z already. Well for a week. The Zed is looking I believe. I'm still a noob though to Zness too. Took her out to the garage to have the washer motor fixed in the snow. Overtook a van doing 15 mph on the A19, hit ice and wiggled for 200 yards before I got it back. Christ on a bike! Took the missus Swift to work this morning Bradders

Well I was born in Jesmond but I'm currently living in Sunderland. I know I know hiss booo! Someones gotta live here Bradders

Hi there. I'm from the NE too and the forum have been a great in helping me secure my Z. Only had it a week mind ;-) but its the best car I've ever owned. Complete in love with it Bradders

If Rossz1 doesn't take cubby thingy I'll be next in line please. Bradders.

Are these easily/cheaply obtainable? Anyone have one for sale? Bradders

Quite right too. Forgot first mystery object, but that to follow. More concerned about phone now

What's a BT headunit? Sorry newb only got my Z last Saturday. Still can't pair mine. Searched forum but no joy. Is there a guide? Thanks Bradders

I've done a few searches on the forum for the bluetooth issue. One said switch on the ignition and it should be detectable from the phone within the first 10 secs. Don't seem to have anything come up. The adaptor thingy seems to be in place and there is another bit in the cubby loose which seems to be a bit to plug a phone into. Little confused. btw Does anyone tire of the exhaust noise? It feels as if I have died and gone to petrol heaven. Every morning I take it off the drive, I think I am still dreeaming Bradders

Of if it's a JDM it could be the connector for the frickin lazer beams! Laser beams ace! I can use it to shoot the numptys in Corsas that have already tried to race me It's not a JDM. Might have bought one if I knew it had a blaster I'll take a pic and post tomorrow. Looks like a Wii remote sensor but about half the length. Bit of a nerve wracking moment when we disccovered that it only fit on the drive by 2 inches Would have been crushed if I had to leave it on the street Bradders You must be very thin to be able to get out with just 2 inches to open the door I have to run around in the shower to get wet, that thin. Acutally I look like a fat ugly Phil Mitchel clone. Good job the 2 inches is in length not width. Er could be a joke somewhere in there.... Bradders

Of if it's a JDM it could be the connector for the frickin lazer beams! Laser beams ace! I can use it to shoot the numptys in Corsas that have already tried to race me It's not a JDM. Might have bought one if I knew it had a blaster I'll take a pic and post tomorrow. Looks like a Wii remote sensor but about half the length. Bit of a nerve wracking moment when we disccovered that it only fit on the drive by 2 inches Would have been crushed if I had to leave it on the street Bradders

Picking up my Z this morning. Feel as if I've slept with a coat hanger in my mouth, can't stop smiling My Z( sounds nice) has a black "thingy" hanging from the roof above the rear view mirror. Its hanging via a wire, so it looks as if it should be attached. Its about 5 inches long and kinda rectangular. Any ideas? Bradders

Thanks for offer to look over the car. Glad I didn't ask you to come tbh, took me 20 mins back in dealership before I could feel my bloody feet. Wouldn't wish that on anyone No wonder my changes were shocking. Thanks guys on the Xenons. I'll search to look for bulb upgrades. More light is right no? Bradders.

Thanks guys Quick Q - Xenons are standard righty? Headlights look very white. If they are huge bonus Bradders.

Hi All, Thanks again for all the advice from my last post. Dealer gave me such a good trade in on my Merc, I couldn't resist. As of Saturday I'll be the proud owner of a Gunmetal 04 Uk Z, with a fresh set of new refurbed Rays. I won't miss the leather or cruise from the GT spec. It was in lovely nick too, with only a few stone chips( to be sorted too). Not sure what I want do with it first. Maybe a pop charger for a lovely sound, maybe an exhaust. Having said that I love the fact it rattled the windows od the dealership Guess I'll just get used to driving a manual again first. First test drive I have hit 100 without thinking(carried out on a private test track naturally) Got wrong off the missus Can't wait. Been the longest week ever!! Bradders.

I'm looking for a Z now. Never driven a S2000, but had many trip in one as a passenger and felt knackered and I wasn't even driving. I've consider one as the next car too, but remember back to that and thought otherwise. Find them very hard, unforgiving and a little cramped. Very nice build quality though and damn exciting. Would be great as weekend car, but pop everyday grind in, I'll go for the Z everytime. Bradders.

Definately in not desperate hurry to buy the first car I see. Just need to keep an eye on the classifieds. Weather not that great for looking at motors anyway, as I see it, so I'll just keep researching and get to know the market better. Making a list of upgrades I want to try, so all good fun. Besides the longer I wait the more budget I'm likely to get from 'er indoors. Bradders

I agree. I think is maybe £500 + over. Room for a nice haggle. So long as it is in decent condition and has all the boxes ticked, I'll be happy. Seems to be a bit of a drought of 350Zs up here. Seems to be Evans Halshaw or nowt and I've had bad experiences with them previous. Seen loads advertised nationally but they all seem to be 100 miles + away. I'm willing to travel but I'm only half of the equation, if you know what I mean. Not sure about test driving in this weather though. My Merc with 175bhp going sideways is one thing, but a Z.... At least I am getting a bit of dab of oppo practice though. Bradders

That's very kind indeed. Was planning on going up on Saturday, they are closed on Sunday. Having said that a you know the weather is poor, so might need to decide on the day. Shall I drop you a PM last thing Friday? Thanks for advice Bradders.

Thanks for all the help guys. Got some good advice on PMs too for this, so much appreciated. Hopefully the snow will let up so i can actually get to see it. Hope this is he one but if not will keep looking and join the ranks soon. The more I think about one the more I want one. Thanks Bradders.

Well glad that it comes with the Brembos. I always find stopping in a fast car is nice too. I'll have a look next weekend and then hopefully I'll fully join th club ;-) Any advice this week on points to look for much appreciated Thanks, Bradders

Thanks guys. Seem to be getting conflicting views on that, but no biggie. Any tips on what I should be looking at past the normal used car stuff, that is particular to Z's? Point me to thread if you had heard this all before Cheers, Bradders.