Glos-Boy Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Hello everyone! I am currently in the process of selling my current car (Clio 182) and my heart is set on a 350z. My dream car was the Clio V6 MK2, but after getting insurance quotes and looking at the start up costs (tracker etc) it aint cheap. Then thinking even more about it, it would be nice to go in multi-story car parks sometimes I did get a very cheap quote for the Clio V6, but then i was turned down because i didn't have any experience in a RWD car before I've been reading peoples comments on here for a few hours, and i will definatly have to go for a test drive in a 350z, the reason i have kept my 182 for nearly 4 years is because i luv the "raw" factor of the car, it "feels" fast, this is the only thing im concerned about regarding the 350z, people say its quick, but doesn't feel it, until you look down at your speedo. But my heart is definatly set on one, when i went to JapFest this year i spent a lot of time looking at the 350z's, and i just can't think of another car which ticks all of my box's like the v6 clio and the 350z does. I'm glad i checked this forum out, as i never knew there was soo many different options/types of 350z's out there, in regards to the options, heated seats, cruise etc. I must have cruise as i will be using it as a daily on the motorway. So looks like it will be a GT. It would be fantastic to be able to get one with a few mods done already, mainly the exhaust and air filter, different wheels (deep dish) would be another nice extra but no biggie. I'm looking to spend up to 12k, and hopefully one with as low miles as possible due to me using it daily on the motorway. I do still have a lot of questions, but i'm still in the process of searching and reading this forum for my answers. Just thought i'd say hi, and im from the Gloucester area but work in Bristol. I've ordered my JapFest 2 tickets already, i'll be going even if i haven't managed to sell my Clio and got a 350Z by then! I do kinda wish rene's/D13vyl wasn't all the way up in Scotland as i would of been checking that one out Mind you i am a strong believer in traveling far for your perfect car!!!! Over and out! James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 James with that budget you should be able to find a nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narcotix Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradders Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Welcome to the forum. Don't want to rain on your parade firstly, but if you were turned down for a Clio V6 cause it was RWD, and you have no experience with them, why do you think they will insure you on a car that is more powerful and RWD too? I'm just saying this as I don't want you to get disappointed later on. With regards to them not feeling fast, there is that defiantely. Its down to the engine being very smooth and having a very linear power delivery. They don't have the kick in the backside that an Evo or Subaru have, but IMO they are more rewarding to drive as they have a real GT quality ride and feel to them cause of the great chassis. Hothatches and rally saloons just very feel like quick versions of the their everyday cousins. If you going to be using it on the motorway you'll be pleased though. I find people jump out of the fast lane pretty quick when you fill their rearview mirror. Bradders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tez162003 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Welcome, Nice to see someone who has done some research before asking questions etc. As said above, you'll be lucky to be refused the V6 Clio and then get insured on a 350z. Although i was suprised just how cheap the 350z is to insure, as there not a group 20 car like some scoobys evos etc. IIRC the zed is 17? Everyone said to me when i bought mine, why get one with cruise control, you'll never use it they said lol. Its brilliant! makes the zed even more luxurious, Such great all round cars. And they are hardly slow. 270 odd bhp minimum, only down to the smoothness does it not chucky you in you seat, (thats the luxury of not having to wait for a turbo! damn lag!) but they can suprise you from time to time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 12k is a good budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glos-Boy Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 Sorry i should of gone into more detail regarding the insurance issue, that Bradders pointed out. Because of the V6 clio being so rare, and every part on it costing so much, i had to get quotes from very specialist insurance companies, and the one company Greenlight insurance was the company who gave me the best quote who then turned me down. But when i've been getting quotes from normal car insurance companies like Admiral, Adrian Flux, and a bunch on comparison websites to get an idea, they were all a couple of hundred pounds cheaper than all the other quotes i had for the Clio V6. So i don't have to be going through Greenlight with the 350z. I called my current insurance company asking what it would cost me if i changed my car to a 350z on my current policy, and they said it would be £128 inc admin fee's, and gave me a years quote. Which i know will be cheaper when its time for renewal as im moving away from the city center to a nice area, and have a drive for the car and another years no claims, so im happy in the knowledge that i will be getting a sensible quote on the 350z without getting disappointed. about the fast lane comment tho!! As i will be driving it all year round, would it be worth forking out for winter tyres on the 350z? I have never driven a RWD car before so im a little concerned about the back end flying out unexpectedly, i've told myself to drive like a granny for the first year of owning the car anyways until i get to know it. Thanks for the comments. James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glos-Boy Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 Everyone said to me when i bought mine, why get one with cruise control, you'll never use it they said lol. Its brilliant! makes the zed even more luxurious, Such great all round cars. I can imagine its a very nice car to be in, and i've only ever looked at pictures or been looking at one from the outside, never sat in one yet. I use my cruise every day on my current clio, I’m lucky enough to drive to work outside of peak times. I do find my average mpg is a lot better also with the cruise on. I will have to try and not rush to buy one just because i want one ASAP and not make the mistake of getting one without cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 James! It would be advisable to keep the TC on during those wet, moist and greasy days, be very careful coming out of roundabouts! What age are you, as many of the younger drivers (inc. myself) are with Admiral as they seem to provide the best quote; 10% off if you get a quote through their website . Multi-storey car parks should be fine providing you're not going to lower it, for example I'm down 30mm all round and speedbumps are now my enemy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Hi James & to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glos-Boy Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 Ruddles, i turn 26 in 2 days time, and hit 4 years no claims on the 19th of October. Never had any points or crash's (touch wood). I've never taken my TC off on my clio, im a bit of a wimp really Sounds like i won't need to get winter tyres then, happy days! I'll do a search later to find out how you guys got on in the snowy months of the year, i bet that was an interesting experience!!!! Admiral were 'ok' on the quote i had, but the quote through Adrian Flux was slightly cheaper, but i'll be re-researching come October time when its due for renewal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanski Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 to the forum James Think you will love the Zed but recommend you leave the TC switched on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tez162003 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 im 24 6 years no claims and got my insurance for £600 happy days. Not that bad to insure compared to most other "performance cars". 12k, you should get a cracker for that price. maybe even look for a tad cheaper 2003/4 reg maybe 10k and have abit to spend on some mods I too have not had a rwd car as a daily, (only ever driven them occasionally) and i have to say there not as bad as you think, turn t/c off and if you have a heavy foot, you can have a few hairy moments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glos-Boy Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 WoW £600 is good! I'm not getting it that cheap Must admit I’m all about the "sound" which was one other reason I’m after a V6, as i've heard/read such good comments about people missing the sound of the 350z once they get rid. Also i heard a 350z give it some beans in the local area, i was very impressed, no way was it standard tho. You have given me food for thought here, if i can find a 10k one with around 40k miles on the clock that would be ace!! Then spend the rest on mods, hmmm. I can see myself spending the rest of my work shift browsing this forum Or maybe spend the rest on the insurance and pay upfront (which is what i currently do) and just get an aftermarket exhaust, looking at one of the performance threads it seems like a Nismo one as then there is no problem fitting it to a UK 350z. Thanks for the opinions on my situation, much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tez162003 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 where you from? you should head along to your nearest 350z meet, hear a few exhausts, find the one you like best, common ones on here are the scorpion, nismo, standard with de/high flo cats and/or uprated y pipe. I myself have a Buddyclub Pro Spec III and soon enough Berk Hi Flo Cats talk about loud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glos-Boy Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 I have a scorpion on my 182 atm, very impressed with it tbh, didn't get a sports cat for it tho. I checked the meets section for South West, and the next one is a meal in Bath, but i'll be going to JapFest 2, so i should be able to hear some exhausts there. Would be such a result if i could turn up in my own 350z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradders Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Everyone said to me when i bought mine, why get one with cruise control, you'll never use it they said lol. Its brilliant! makes the zed even more luxurious, Such great all round cars. I can imagine its a very nice car to be in, and i've only ever looked at pictures or been looking at one from the outside, never sat in one yet. I use my cruise every day on my current clio, I’m lucky enough to drive to work outside of peak times. I do find my average mpg is a lot better also with the cruise on. I will have to try and not rush to buy one just because i want one ASAP and not make the mistake of getting one without cruise. If you have not been in one or driven one, you are in for a treat. I've driven both Clio 182 and 350z, obviously, and they are VERY different. Both great, but different. Zs are a very meaty car to drive with firm steering and a rifle bolt gearchange. Clio is like a pair of tweezers compared to the Zs sledgehammer Winter is not the Zs friend. Don't even consider flexing your ankle in anything like the white stuff, otherwise you'll go sideways. Glad to hear on the insurance point. I have heard of V6 Clio being written off with only the bumper being crunched. Hope you find a good one. Remember condition and history over miles and age ;-) Bradders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Welcome to the forum James. You might also find that the Z is fairly low riding as well, even in stock form in comparison to most cars, so high rise carparks, speed bumps/sleeping policeman, steep driveways may still be quite a challenge. Good luck with your hunt for a Zed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainSensible Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Welcome Glos-boy. The 350Z is not a great car in the winter: Slippery roads + RWD + 245 profile tyres does not = great grip so you'll need to take it very steady. But when the roads are dry and non-greasy it's the most fun you can have without a hot tub and a team of cheerleaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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