FUG Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Hello everybody, I am new to the forum although have browsed the website many times before looking for answers and tips. I am still yet to buy a Zed; I have loved the car ever since I was 16 (now being 23 I can finally afford one and the insurance!) However despite me literally worshipping the car I still manage to talk myself out of buying one. I have looked at several for sale but haven’t given it the final push and made a purchase What bothers me is that the 350z will be my daily car for commuting to work (roughly 100 miles a week), social use and also business use where I will be using the car to travel to sites which varies in mileage each week (To date I have been as far as Birmingham, coming from Suffolk it was a 300+ mile round trip in a day). I do get 45p a mile in expenses but on top of the increased petrol consumption (my current car does about 40mpg) the wear and tear and general depreciation may well not warrant this and that is what puts me off. I know that a lot of people have their 350z as a second car or weekend toy. As a general daily car I need some reassurance that it wont cost me the earth and that the parts/depreciation/mileage consumption isn’t quite as bad as what I am currently thinking (I know it is going to be a lot more costly then what I am currently used to but in my head I think of the 350z as a money munching beast!!) Are there many more of you out there that use the Zed as a daily run around putting lots of miles on the clock every month/year and how have you found it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I used my zed for my daily commute for around 3 years and loved every minute. Yes it's gonna cost more on fuel than a diesel shed but what would u rather spend ur time on the road in? Service intervals will come quicker and consumables will be needed more frequently etc etc but if u can afford it go for it. Personally I don't see the point in owning a nice car then spending 90% of journeys in a banger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mcgoo Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 what would u rather spend ur time on the road in? Personally I don't see the point in owning a nice car then spending 90% of journeys in a banger +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I use my car as a daily about 50miles everyday. If its dual carrige way you can get 26-29mpg. Town driving will be lower. If your thinking about getting a 350 as a week end toy I would get something a little more extreme but the 350 is happy to be used day in day out. If you dont want to put miles on your car remember its not an ferrari its a NISSAN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Woodbridge? you're about 5 Zed minutes away from me, lol I shall endeavour to drive through Woodbridge more just to make you buy one, haha. I use my Zed as a daily driver, do slightly less weekly miles (Ipswich to Felixstowe and back at least four times a week) The Zed is a comfortable cruiser and eats up miles with ease. For servicing you have some reliable independants within a few miles, Team AFM which are located behind Ipswich Accident Repair Centre. There's a garage in Woodbridge, who's owner has an Azure 350Z. In Colchester we have Jap Specialists GBH Motorsport, who also have a regular customer that services his 350Z there. I've had my Zed for about three years now and have not had any major problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I used to do 350 miles a week @ 45p a mile, and I found that it will cover petrol plus servicing - although not sure if you are saying your 100 a week is covered or just any extra you do off site. You will still find you'll have to pay for other consumables out of your pocket (tax, tyres, brakes, etc) but to me it was well worth the price for what you get. If you're careful you'll see just north of 30MPG. My old SEAT Leon wasnt half as nice and only gave me about 5MPG more (Leon FR 1.8T). And actually cost more to service! Well worth it IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 Service it yourself and save a pack. I do mine every 6k miles so it always in top shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi-glasgow Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Mines was my only car so used daily and done about 40k in about 2 and a half years. I wasn't bothered about dealer servicing so I bought all the consumables myself and it got serviced in my mates garage. Only problem I had in that ownership and those miles were a set of brake pads, rear silencer box (which member on here sold me for buttons) and a battery. Probably spent less in parts and labour on the Zed than on any other car I ever owned. Take the plunge and I guarantee you won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HassanZ Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 My Zed is a daily commuter from Leicester to Hinckley. It is 36 miles in total to work and back each day and costs me £50 of V-power fuel a week just for work (that's £10 a day and total weekly mileage of 180). If I was to divide £50 by my weekly commuting mileage of 180, I get a figure of 27 pence per mile. Currently my MPG is reading at 24.2mpg. Weirdly, my weekly V-power fuel bill remains at circa £50 regardless if I drive hard or economically... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUG Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Yes it's gonna cost more on fuel than a diesel shed but what would u rather spend ur time on the road in? Service intervals will come quicker and consumables will be needed more frequently etc but if u can afford it go for it. Personally I don't see the point in owning a nice car then spending 90% of journeys in a banger Quite right, I don’t really fancy a diesel or a banger! It annoys me at times that we have to use personal cars for work purposes, if we had a car allowance or company cars that would be ideal, I suppose the 45p a mile expense is better then nothing though and guess if I really want the Zed I need to deal with it! Service it yourself and save a pack. I do mine every 6k miles so it always in top shape. I generally keep on top of maintaining my cars and with the Zed it would be no different. I probably do 14,000+ miles a year, was thinking of getting an independent/Nissan service once a year to keep the log book stamped and also servicing it myself 6 months after main service (so once a year as well) doing the basics (oil, air filter, tyre pressures, spark plugs etc). Do you fill your own log book in though or just keep receipts of parts to prove the work has been done and is this likely to affect value when it comes to selling?? I used to do 350 miles a week @ 45p a mile, and I found that it will cover petrol plus servicing - although not sure if you are saying your 100 a week is covered or just any extra you do off site Just extra off site is covered by expenses. The 100 mile a week commute would be at my expense as well as all my social driving Woodbridge? you're about 5 Zed minutes away from me, lol I shall endeavour to drive through Woodbridge more just to make you buy one, haha. I use my Zed as a daily driver, do slightly less weekly miles (Ipswich to Felixstowe and back at least four times a week) The Zed is a comfortable cruiser and eats up miles with ease. For servicing you have some reliable independants within a few miles, Team AFM which are located behind Ipswich Accident Repair Centre. There's a garage in Woodbridge, who's owner has an Azure 350Z. In Colchester we have Jap Specialists GBH Motorsport, who also have a regular customer that services his 350Z there. Small world! My office where I work is based in Ipswich so that is my daily commute Woodbridge>Ipswich and vice versa (about 20 miles a day from door to door) – 5 days a week. It’s reassuring to know we have reliable independent garages around here that can cater for the 350z. Do you know which garage it is in Woodbridge with the 350z owner?? One of my neighbours has just brought a Zed so I see him driving every day also makes me want to buy one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 what would u rather spend ur time on the road in? Personally I don't see the point in owning a nice car then spending 90% of journeys in a banger +1 + 1,000,000 Real men drive a Zed not a Shed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 what would u rather spend ur time on the road in? Personally I don't see the point in owning a nice car then spending 90% of journeys in a banger +1 + 1,000,000 Real men drive a Zed not a Shed +1 Mine is a daily driver, from 8 miles to 800 , can't think of a better car to do the journey in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Due to baby arrival this week havent stepped into the Zed that often, after commuting in it since I bought it...got in this morning 7am and went for a drive, god I missed it! What a super commuter the Zed is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Do you know which garage it is in Woodbridge with the 350z owner?? I forgot the name, but if coming from Ipswich and staying on the main road, as if you are driving through to Bentwaters, there's this little industrial estate on the right hand side (opposite the big yellow warehouses), just past a set of traffic lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dblock Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I keep receipts and when I remember take photos. Nissan service history only means something to people who are looking for it or think it means something. I'd personally get a car mainted by someone or a specialist like abbey that car would be worth more to me. Plus the amount you spend on services won't be reflected in sale price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I use mine for daily commute. 500 miles a week. (22500 miles a year) Costs me about 400quid a month in fuel and 460quid a month on everything else. Not cheap at all. The main downer I find is that after using the car for work every day, you really dont feel like using it much at the weekend, it kinda takes the magic out of it. This last couple of weeks ive been lucky enough to use my missus`s old car during the week and now when the weekend comes I just cant wait to get in the zed, and my god, the zed now feels so much more awesome as a weekend fun toy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumping350 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 just my two cents i get 45p a mile for petrol costs and use mine daily and for work and its getting pricey near me with some garages nearly banging on 1.50 for v power, though i still wouldnt trade it in for diseasel..my allowance more than covers the amount i put in for the journey plus bit extra so if anything wont cost you anymore in petrol to use it for work I do all my servicing work myself to cut down costs and must admit i have saved thousands doing it this way considering whats been done on the car so far as long as you can save and keep an eye on and expect to replace tyres brakes fluids quite often there will be no surprises i tend to drive my car a lot easier than i used to as i know i use it everyday you dont mean to just how it goes when you use it all the time plus you become a better driver as you have to take it out whatever weather regardless not choose to learn thecar once you get one and you will get one cause teres nothing better out there and enjoy the best drives to work you ever had i enjoy the end of the day cos i get to drive the zed home while everyone jumps into clios and peugeots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 just my two cents i get 45p a mile for petrol costs and use mine daily and for work and its getting pricey near me with some garages nearly banging on 1.50 for v power, though i still wouldnt trade it in for diseasel..my allowance more than covers the amount i put in for the journey plus bit extra so if anything wont cost you anymore in petrol to use it for work I do all my servicing work myself to cut down costs and must admit i have saved thousands doing it this way considering whats been done on the car so far as long as you can save and keep an eye on and expect to replace tyres brakes fluids quite often there will be no surprises i tend to drive my car a lot easier than i used to as i know i use it everyday you dont mean to just how it goes when you use it all the time plus you become a better driver as you have to take it out whatever weather regardless not choose to learn thecar once you get one and you will get one cause teres nothing better out there and enjoy the best drives to work you ever had i enjoy the end of the day cos i get to drive the zed home while everyone jumps into clios and peugeots Some very very good points I certainly agree about driving in all conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy78 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I use mine everyday, although I only have an 8 mile round trip to work... I do now look forward to going to work though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BudgieSmuggler Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I've used my Z as a daily driver for the last 5 years. I do ~10k miles per year. It's been cheaper to run than I expected, owing to the bullet proof reliability. Sure there are cheaper cars to run but as said above why not arrive in style! You should be able to get 30mpg on the motorway if you drive appropriately. Go for it you won't be disppointed! It's alot of car for what they go for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 When I bought the zed I drove it back 250 or so miles and it averaged 35mpg including me pushing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUG Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 hmm these rising fuel prices don't help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 My commute consists of about 1mile of 30mph, then 35miles @ 70mph then 2 miles @ 40mph. And the same back home. I average 26mpg over that if i drive carefully and dont floor it. But then if im driving like a grand-dad and not making use of the performance I may as well be driving my missus old car which if driven the same will give me about 50mpg and save me 3000quid a year on fuel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUG Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 rabbitstew - how much is your weekly commute costing in fuel ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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