chazuwe Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Hello all, I have been lurking here for a while and have been keeping my eyes open for a 370z Roadster as my next fun car. I used to have a fairly track focused VX220 and did a lot of track days and European trips to the alps which was amazing fun. But I am a bit older now and just really fancy a beautiful convertible with a big lump and great sound for weekend drives in the country! The 370z seems to fit the bill for that! I am most likely going to be buying an exhaust once I have found the car for me, as if I am going to be paying £500 a year for road tax I want it to sound like a V6 with 330bhp on tap! I do have a few questions that I thought you guys might be able to fill me in on! · I have done some research on here and the 370z seems pretty bullet proof (it is a Nissan afterall I guess!). However, the one concern I have is regarding the roof. I have seen a few posts where whole new roof mechanisms have been fitted under warranty. I know roofs can be fiddly, but is this a common problem with all roadsters or is it a small number overall? Also if I am buying a 2010/11 model what should I check to make sure the roof hasn’t been or isn’t going to suffer this in the future? · Are there any other major things I should be looking out for when purchasing second hand? · I am struggling to find the combo of colour, transmission and located anywhere near me that fits the bill. Anyone know how many roadsters were ever sold in the uk as I know they are no longer for sale? · Due to the above I am almost considering getting the auto to increase my options as there seems to be more autos for sale second hand (not something I would have ever considered previously!). I know the auto vs manual is a massive debate but is it just a case that I should try to try both? Any die hard manual fans been converted? · Where would be the best place near Bristol for servicing and maintenance that is affordable and take care at their work? · Where is the best place where I could go for the supply and fitting of a full exhaust (thinking Cobra) and doing an uprev remap after? · Anyone have a 2010/11 370z Roadster in Black (not rose, sorry!), Grey, ideally GT, ideally manual, with sub 40000k on the clock they are considering selling within 100 or so miles of Bristol? Any help and advice you can give would be gratefully appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipar69 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 (edited) Hi fella, I think sales of the convertible were very low so you might not have many to choose from. I'd suggest trying auto and manual before deciding though. Not many issues to be aware of on the 370 in general (search for steering lock failure) but I think a few people have had issues with the roof on the convertible. I'm sure owners will be along to give you some info shortly. Edited February 18, 2015 by sipar69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Add to that the fact they have stopped selling them in the UK because, as sipar says the sales were low. I heard tell that they sold 17 in the UK last year, don't know if that's accurate or not but they are hard to find to a particular spec. Good luck with your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks for the comments guys, would be great to hear from some roadster owners to? I will just have to be patient and keep my eyes peeled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 one of the "main" roadster owners here has a black "rose" - so he ain't gonna comment 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 I hope I haven't upset the black rose owners on here! Just always wanted metallic black or gunmetal grey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 metallic black - ok - bugger to keep clean though gunmetal grey ergo primer .......... ready for a proper paint finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Welcome to The Forum.. Have a read through this. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/nissan/370z/62591/used-buyers-guide-nissan-370z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks for the used buyers guide link, have already had a good read through that. They do sound pretty reliable just the roof is something I will have to be checking out closely! I am sure the Rose is a nice colour too just not for me personally. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I may be the person some are referring to 370 roadster is definitely a good choice. You don't see many roadsters about. Of those most are grey or black rose. I dont think i have ever seen a pure black one but they do exist. And yes i was told they have stopped selling them due to poor sales numbers which is good from one perspective as they are now holding their value relatively speaking but on the flip side they are hard to get hold of. One thing i would say in warning. Make sure the roof is perfectly aligned and the windows come no where near the roof material when you open and close the doors. In most cars it is fine but i know quite a few that had this issue and put simply it is extremely difficult to fix. One car went through 3 roof refits and the owner was told they were nearly refunded the cost of the car as the repair costs were equating to the value of the car. If there are any alignment issues walk away. Mine is fine but quite a few are not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks Will370z, good to hear that if you find one where the roof is ok and well aligned you shouldn't have any problems so long as you ensure there is no catching on the fabric. Hopefully a few more will come up for sale as we approach spring!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Thanks Will370z, good to hear that if you find one where the roof is ok and well aligned you shouldn't have any problems so long as you ensure there is no catching on the fabric. Hopefully a few more will come up for sale as we approach spring!! Yup but issue there is the price will go up too. Roadsters are quite an oddity, the price difference during winter and just prior to summer can be quite surprising. I will keep my eye out though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 One thing i did when i bought my car was confirm exactly what is covered by the warranty. In the UK the standard warranty states it will cover the roof mechanism, which implies the actual roof material is not covered. I stated i wanted clarification that the entire roof was covered. The only source of reference they had was the Canadian Nissan warranty cover information which indeed stated the entire roof was covered. I said on the basis of them agreeing to that i would take the car and they did. I didn't want them to have any get out of jail cards if something went wrong. I know from prior experience and from other owners. If a roof goes wrong its going to be expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Yes it was the same with the VX's, so used to the seasonal variation in prices. Although I would rather have to pay more and have more choice of what is available. Don't want to rush into buying one that isn't well cared for just because there are not many around right now! Obviously any warranty is only worth what it covers so that is definitely something I would investigate. I guess buying an 3-4 year car I would hope that any problems with the roof might have been addressed earlier in its life? I see that state side there is a bulletin that describes the problem of the catching roof so it is obviously a known problem to nissan. Could have been antoher reason why they stopped selling them here combined with the small no of sales! http://www.370zcoupe.com/TSB/1TC9.PDF You would like to think that you would have a reasonable stance if you approached Nissan in the worst case scenario, but I would rather be out enjoying the car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynesml Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 As Will370z check very carefully around where the windows meet the door seals, I could see the metal in one of mine as it wore through. I had a new door seal put on but you could see where it could potentially start again. Having said that, loved the car and it would not put me off having another one just check it carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 So if the window does catch on the fabric does it cause a leak or anything? Or is it just one of those annoying niggles that can make it harder for resale later down the line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynesml Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Never had any leaks, as you say just annoying because I knew it was there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks all, I will just get more prepared and be patient for the right car to come along! On a less Roadster specific query are there any recommendations on specialist garages that know the 370z inside out and take good care of of your pride and joys? Ideally within 50-100 miles of Bristol, don't mind traveling for a great specialist? Also I will likely be looking to get a full exhaust (if currently standard) , probably a Cobra and would be looking to get a remap. Is the Uprev the best option for a remap or is it better to get a specific specialist remap? When most people talk about remap it seems that Uprev is the normal option...... Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 So if the window does catch on the fabric does it cause a leak or anything? Or is it just one of those annoying niggles that can make it harder for resale later down the line? It will wear away the material thus damaging the roof. Just google and you will see the damage that can be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks all, I will just get more prepared and be patient for the right car to come along! On a less Roadster specific query are there any recommendations on specialist garages that know the 370z inside out and take good care of of your pride and joys? Ideally within 50-100 miles of Bristol, don't mind traveling for a great specialist? Also I will likely be looking to get a full exhaust (if currently standard) , probably a Cobra and would be looking to get a remap. Is the Uprev the best option for a remap or is it better to get a specific specialist remap? When most people talk about remap it seems that Uprev is the normal option...... Thanks in advance! Sly at Kaizer motors a trader on here knows everything about zeds and roadsters. He told me they were sent away for 3 days training that was focused specifically on dealing with the 350 / 370 roof. May be a little far for you but i happily do a 140 mile round trip to see him for servicing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazuwe Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) Thanks Will, when I had the VX I used to take it to plans motorsport near guildford. That was about 100 miles each way and I would happily travel that far for a really good specialist. Hopefully there might be one closer though! Will do some more research, just wanted some personal recommendations from others near by. Wish I could find a 370z soon, but i guess the best things come to those who wait!.... Edited February 20, 2015 by chazuwe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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