Jesters Tear

Thanks everyone for the comments so far. I have to say, I officially rejected it yesterday afternoon, within an hour or two of getting home...confirmed properly in writing and I've undertaken to return the car Thursday morning, which was the soonest I could logistically get it back. I confirmed to the dealer that the 'minor delay' in returning it must not be construed as a desire to keep it - just a logistical problem in view of the distance between them and me and that the car is secured and not being driven. To be fair, they have been understanding so I'm not anticipating any problems. I just obviously wanted to have my own fears justified by you guys on here, the knowledge you have is remarkable...so thanks. I needed to give the dealer the benefit of the doubt - he explained that he had two other Zs on the forecourt that had the same kind of mastic/panel (without any paint!!) as my photographs hence the reason for checking with you folks...he was obviously doing his best to save the situation and I don't suppose you can blame him. Nevertheless, the 'gloss' has gone now from owning this car and so I will return it on Thursday. Car is a late 07 57 so I didn't anticipate this. I will look in the boots of the other two that they have there out of curiousity though LOL! Best JT

LOL it's like icing on a cake, done badly. This sealant is hard though, not squidgy...it's the fact the back panel has no paint on it that worries me - is it meant to look like that?!!

LOL back home now...pix in a minute!

Chaps/chapesses I can't upload pix right now but will do later to give you an idea - this thread is 'almost' worthless without pix! I collected a 57 plate 313 yesterday from a main dealer, at first viewing had noticed that there was a minute amount of water on the boot floor by the spare wheel and asked dealer to investigate in case it was evidence of a botched accident repair. Upon collection, I had a long checklist of things to look for including obviously a reminder to make sure nothing untoward around this little dampness in the boot...I asked about it and was reassured all ok, then I lifted up the boot carpet and felt around with my hand and all was dry...so I guess I got caught up in the moment and just didn't think to get the spare wheel out etc...I had a good feeling about the car. When I returned home, it was raining and I put the car in the garage, pottered around, admired it, and then thought about having a look in the boot properly...which I admit I hadn't done properly (smacks head!) before leaving the dealership. Upon removal of the spare wheel, all was nice and dry but it was apparent to me that something was amiss - pix later will show surface rust all over the place but the main cause of concern was the rear slam panel looked to me like it had been renewed - a thick line of mastic and the slam panel was not body colour - immediately alarm bells rang. I sent a bunch of photos straight away to the dealer and rejected the car; to be very fair indeed they've agreed to refund my money when I return the car - I am not having issues with them, they are being very straight about it. I am convinced the car has had a smack (also the tailgate hinge is looking a bit cracked too - pic to follow). Anyway, I've just spoken to the Business Manager at the dealer and he's compared my photos to the boot of two other Z's on their forecourt and he's telling me that they look the same. The rear panel is not body colour and has mastic around it - he tells me that if the mastic is soft, it's a bodyshop, if it's hard, it's factory...I wondered if some of you would mind confirming or poo pooing this for me - is it the dealer trying to save their skin? No names no packdrill but it's a main dealer and they are being really open and straightforward - his words again a few mins ago were 'if it's not the right car for you, bring it back'...refund is possible here so I'm not in a panic, but I do like the car obviously. The panel in question is effectively behind the bumper, I know it as a slam panel but it's probably called summat else now - effectively, in line with where the rear number plate goes. Like I say, pix to follow...if I'm wrong then fine but I would welcome some guidance...do your cars have a non body colour inner slam panel and mastic sealant running it's width? I am just about to leave work and will upload pix later. Oh, the cracked tailgate hinge was put down to 'someone slamming it or the wind catching it when it's open'....are they blowing smoke up my ass? Thoughts appreciated gents and ladies...will update thread later. Cheers all JT Pix at last:

Thanks chaps! Up the loft I go then for some old C90s - crackle & hiss tastic LOL! Not!

Chaps/chapesses Please would someone confirm whether the Bose system in a 2007 313 can play/recognise CD ROMs burned with MP3 files? I don't suppose I'm in luck but worth a try eh? Best and thanks in advance JT

Yep indeed, the overpriced one from Chorley...we put on our best negotiating hats though and came to a fair deal I think...let's put it this way, we made a worthwhile saving but all that matters is we are happy with the final price and deal so that's a result eh? This was the sixth car we looked at, and all (apart from Webber's 54 plater which was the best we'd seen to date - and a real peach) were all crap...even the Temper one we had dropped out of (despite being considerably cheaper) wasn't a patch on this one. I'm curious about how many of these white ones there are knocking around, have never seen one other than the one 350GiZ is selling on here...would be really interested to know if there's dozens of the blighters LOL!! Looking forward to collecting the beast now and joining in on the social side hopefully. Best all JT

More than we budgeted! Ain't that always the way eh?

Chaps Some of you might have seen some posts from me around a week or so ago concerning our purchase of a Temper Orange 313 but sadly, we pulled out of this one and let it go - it was really well specced and a fantastic price but, well, the gut feel that something wasn't quite right wouldn't go away so we left it alone. The dealer was really cool about it which was great. Good news is that we've found a replacement today - despite looking at Webber's beautiful 54 plate GM first thing this morning and passing it up (shouldn't hang around long - it's a peach) we've gone for a Pearl White 57 plate 313...again from a main dealer. Exciting indeed. Looks great. Coupla minor chips on the alloys (not kerbed but just nicked...can live with these for now), really crappy boot carpet - looks like a shaggy dog LOL, no carpet mats, few 'ring' marks around interior door release and electric window switches) and tiny wear on the gear lever gaiter... No dinks in the doors, paint looks a tad swirly in the right light but nothing that won't detail out. So, just waiting now. Exciting times! Pics to follow when collected and detailed! Best Mr & Mrs JT

Thanks again all, sound advice...LMs are on their way to be being refurbed today. I aim to collect on Friday and detail her over the weekend, then I'll upload some pictures. She needs a thorough detail - it's all a bit grubby frankly. To me though, the car looks honest. No evidence of accident damage or serious issues - just surprised Marshalls had it hanging around so long without a sale. Ah well. Best not worry...perhaps it's the colour LOL! Best JT

Thanks for your input chaps. Will stick with the LMGT4s and have em refurbed...keeping them gloss black I think! Best JT

No, Marshalls in Bury St Edmunds....it's been lying about somewhere since the V5 was signed at the end of January though... Do you know it Ian?

It is that car but there are no stripes - I didn't know it had stripes...wonder what else I don't know about it Ooooh that's interesting news...is this car known to the forum in any way good or bad? Cheers...

Chaps We have yet to take delivery of our Temper orange Z which is currently fitted with 19" gloss black Nismo LMGT4s. I have arranged with the dealer to refurbish the wheels before delivery, the front nearside has minor kerbing damage and really, I want them all to match...plus the dealer has agreed to fit two new tyres to the rear, so whilst tyres were off, it made sense to have 'em refurbed before collection rather than in my own time. They haven't started the process yet. Question is, do these wheels as a set of four have some value in them? The front two tyres are pretty new it seems, the rear two have 3mm left, so not much but enough...I am tempted to replace all four wheels and tyres with 19" Linea Corse L2S which I really like the look of, and then sell the LMGT4s to clawback the outlay...question is (looking at other posts silver ones tend to move quick), do you guys reckon I would be stuck with these or are they easy to sell? At the moment, I don't have enough posts on the forum to place an ad here, so this is hypothetical - are they worth £1,600 for example? Would appreciate thoughts and opinions...if you guys say no, you'll be stuck with them, I'll go the refurb route. If there's a real possibility of them being desirable and easy to sell, I might go for the L2S. Thanks in advance. JT

Just waiting on delivery of Zed, hello to all. Based in Shropshire. Temper Orange. Well, we like it! JT

Oh, but mainly it's just grubby...needs some TLC and a proper detail... Inside door shuts, hatchback, underbonnet are crying out to be cleaned...I'm an avid amateur detailer/cleaner upper!! JT

Hey BulletMagnet, thanks for the offer...feel free to go and have a nose at it...it's at Marshalls Nissan in Bury St Edmunds. Critical eye welcome. I've spotted: Wheels need refurbing Rear tyres end of life Rear bumper clip missing underneath (hence bottom of bumper not horizontal) Passenger door has minor ding (being repaired) One or two scratches on door handle/some minor stone chipping Front splitter bit scuffed underneath front bumper (not noticeable) Looks all well and good otherwise to me. Recent P3 service (July 2010). Recent brake disks. No leaks or wetness underneath. Underbonnet pretty clean. Just getting dealer to check all recalls done etc. Oh, it's supposed to have a Nismo exhaust - if you get chance to have a look, do so by all means... Hopefully I haven't missed any real howlers...!! JT

Doh! Newbie error LOL. Cheers Stew! JT

Thanks for the quick responses chaps. Consulted hopeless camera phone snaps and indeed, there is a bonnet bulge...reassuring that I've got the later model...I think I'm sorted eh? Car is in pretty good shape - not 100% mint but probably 95%...needs some TLC and proper detailing (which I will do). Finished in Temper Orange, alloys are 19s, Nismo style in gloss black. Dealer is arranging for them to be completely refurbed and putting two new rear tyres on. Nothing a load of cloths and potions/lotions won't fix otherwise. Bring it on! Cheers all JT

Hi there I'm a complete 350Z newbie and this is my first post...glad to be here chaps! Just looking for some guidance please if possible? Have today put down a deposit on a 350Z, May 2007, from a main dealer in Suffolk. All well and good. I am confused though. The V5 definitely showed engine cc as 3498...however certain insurance websites (when reg number entered) show 3499cc. Is 3499cc equivalent to 306BHP version of the engine or is it the other way round? Is there an easy way to tell whether I've got the 306BHP version or an earlier model? VIN number perhaps? I've had a quick Google/Wikipedia but to no avail. Could someone offer me some guidance? Best, and here's to a long friendship here... JT