Hands Up all the Aussies

[Proto Z]

That and I still can't believe there's no talk about a placard in the cabin, or cert of authenticity or whatever with purchase.

Actually that is a great point. I am sure that was mentioned initially right?
Wasn't just the US press saying that?

 

[Ballast Scorcher]

Actually that is a great point. I am sure that was mentioned initially right?
Wasn't just the US press saying that?

Honestly mate, I don't believe it was ever mentioned by Nissan anywhere. It's been a sore point for sometime now, especially following on from the reduction in infotainment screen size.

There was a lot of discussion had regarding exactly how "limited" the Proto is/was for the extra coin, and it's a hard position to argue against unfortunately ?

 

[Proto Z]

I've just come back from MCA after getting the Reds dialled in. They've set me up with 8/10 front/rear (out of 12) for a slightly more streetable setup for now. That includes forgoing the spacers... for now...

It's been lowered though:

The air cups are also installed on the front, but they didn't have a full compressor kit in stock, so it'll be another week or so until that arrives. I think it'll definitely need them - scraping on things I wouldn't have before.

I was originally going to do the suspension as one of the last modifications, but holy cow I'm glad I've done this now. There is a huuuge difference in handling, not only in corners (response is immediate, and I can now really feel the shortcomings of the stock rubber), but also in a straight line. I am STILL only keeping things below 4k rpm, but everything just feels like it hooks up better now. 400km until the kid gloves come off. Can't wait!

Huge shout out to MCA. Josh, in particular, really took the time to get my impressions and personal opinions on the car, and ultimately what I want to get out of it. They've been a huge help, and very patient with me.

 

[loudsx]

I've just come back from MCA after getting the Reds dialled in. They've set me up with 8/10 front/rear (out of 12) for a slightly more streetable setup for now. That includes forgoing the spacers... for now...

It's been lowered though:

The air cups are also installed on the front, but they didn't have a full compressor kit in stock, so it'll be another week or so until that arrives. I think it'll definitely need them - scraping on things I wouldn't have before.

I was originally going to do the suspension as one of the last modifications, but holy cow I'm glad I've done this now. There is a huuuge difference in handling, not only in corners (response is immediate, and I can now really feel the shortcomings of the stock rubber), but also in a straight line. I am STILL only keeping things below 4k rpm, but everything just feels like it hooks up better now. 400km until the kid gloves come off. Can't wait!

Huge shout out to MCA. Josh, in particular, really took the time to get my impressions and personal opinions on the car, and ultimately what I want to get out of it. They've been a huge help, and very patient with me.

love it.

just shocks or sway bars at same time?

 

[West Aussie]

Given the great news that potentially some Z's are due into Freo tomorrow, i emailed my sales rep at the dealership. I've just received a reply stating that their manual demo is on that ship and that my Proto Manual now has a December production date, and due on the January boat with a potentially delivery date to me in Feb. So my letter from Nissan wrt to a Feb date seems like they're actually following through with this promise. Great news.

This is exactly what I was told from my dealer ( different to yours I believe)
Phoned my dealer…the cars onboard are either Protos or Dealer Demos as not all dealers got their demos
Production for Coupe manuals are Dec/Jan which is another two month push back than when the memo came out about manuals, as it was originally delivery Jan/Feb ….can’t see them getting here before March April if I’m honest.
A full two years after my order

As to others being told they will have a car mid year when they only just ordered. It’s just not going to happen.
Feb/ March or April for first orders, then they have a 1000 cars on back order …or two years worth of what they averaged selling with the 370z

 

[West Aussie]

Im curious has your sales rep told you how many protos are allocated in WA?

Honestly mate, I don't believe it was ever mentioned by Nissan anywhere. It's been a sore point for sometime now, especially following on from the reduction in infotainment screen size.

There was a lot of discussion had regarding exactly how "limited" the Proto is/was for the extra coin, and it's a hard position to argue against unfortunately ?

Really they need to just state how many are being made, and a numbering system of some sort is the least you should get when buying a limited model.

Especially if you change the seats out later in the cars life (as many do) Then you are just left to spray painting the callipers

 

[Brissiez]

maybe talk to your dealer about your concerns and see if they can arrange for you to drive a manual (even from another dealership or something)?

Will give them a call. Heard nothing from them so far.
I have put down a preorder for a Mustang dark horse, but I am thinking about gettting a used F87 M2 C instead of the Z before the Mustang. Unfortunately most of the M2 are autos.

 

[West Aussie]

Will give them a call. Heard nothing from them so far.
I have put down a preorder for a Mustang dark horse, but I am thinking about gettting a used F87 M2 C instead of the Z before the Mustang. Unfortunately most of the M2 are autos.

There’s a 2021 370z Nismo up for sale in WA. The owner has put in Apple car play reverse camera and a few other things…looks in pristine condition.
Pretty tempting

 

[Proto Z]

love it.

just shocks or sway bars at same time?

Shocks for now - speaking with Whiteline about sway bars and mounts.
I just wanted to test one thing at a time TBH, and I'm thinking the next thing might be new rubber (PS4+ or PS5, haven't decided just yet). The new suspension has already changed the driving dynamic so much. The immediate turn into corners is much more precise, but a split second after turn in there is hesitation in the tyres.

Josh at MCA also made a good comment that I forgot to share in earlier post - the seating position is very much over (or near enough) to the rear axle. On the stock suspension, that translated to a comfortable "soft" front end, but the rear was still quite jarring. He said he felt like he was being kicked around a bit by the rear stock suspension.

After he pointed that out I noticed it too.

The new setup compensates for this well - the front is much tighter, but the rear is a little more forgiving. Not enough to cause issues, but it feels like it's maintaining better contact with the road. In a word it feels more confident in the rear. Tighter, but not 'harder'. Can only imagine how much it'll improve again with track tyres and a little more camber.

Speaking of camber, I went through the paperwork that MCA gave me, and didn't get a printout of the basline test. I'll ask.

 

[loudsx]

Shocks for now - speaking with Whiteline about sway bars and mounts.
I just wanted to test one thing at a time TBH, and I'm thinking the next thing might be new rubber (PS4+ or PS5, haven't decided just yet). The new suspension has already changed the driving dynamic so much. The immediate turn into corners is much more precise, but a split second after turn in there is hesitation in the tyres.

Josh at MCA also made a good comment that I forgot to share in earlier post - the seating position is very much over (or near enough) to the rear axle. On the stock suspension, that translated to a comfortable "soft" front end, but the rear was still quite jarring. He said he felt like he was being kicked around a bit by the rear stock suspension.

After he pointed that out I noticed it too.

The new setup compensates for this well - the front is much tighter, but the rear is a little more forgiving. Not enough to cause issues, but it feels like it's maintaining better contact with the road. In a word it feels more confident in the rear. Tighter, but not 'harder'. Can only imagine how much it'll improve again with track tyres and a little more camber.

Speaking of camber, I went through the paperwork that MCA gave me, and didn't get a printout of the basline test. I'll ask.

thanks for the detail reply really appreciate it

 

[Proto Z]

thanks for the detail reply really appreciate it

Too easy - more than happy to share my experiences/opinions.

 

[Hammo25]

Hi all. I’ve been watching this thread for a bit. Figured I should sign up now. Yesterday placed an order at a perth dealer (Osborne park) for a gun metallic manual. They are talking April - June. We shall see ??

Although the Z ain’t perfect and although Nissan are hopeless at communicating, for me the important things are:

1. The car exists
2. It’s substantially cheaper than the Supra
3. The Mustang (even 2023) has an awful interior
4. How many more internal combustion rear wheel drive manual cars will there be!
5. It looks hot

Welcome. Same combo as me, same dealer except I ordered early June. Hopefully that means mine will be earlier.

 

[Proto Z]

I am not fully convinced it needed it, but couple of spare rolls of Roadkill + Covid Isolation = Doing shit to car.

I actually couldnt get the piece of foam on either side up... Looks like it's a plastic screw plug but couldn't get either one unplugged to save myself...
Doesn't really matter, doesn't need 100% coverage and it actually already made a big difference doing a knock test.

Also, tow hook makes a good replacement roller if you lose one

 

[loudsx]

I am not fully convinced it needed it, but couple of spare rolls of Roadkill + Covid Isolation = Doing shit to car.

I actually couldnt get the piece of foam on either side up... Looks like it's a plastic screw plug but couldn't get either one unplugged to save myself...
Doesn't really matter, doesn't need 100% coverage and it actually already made a big difference doing a knock test.

Also, tow hook makes a good replacement roller if you lose one

that’s clean, love it.

 

[Proto Z]

that’s clean, love it.

Thanks mate - definitely rough around the edges, but I've never worried too much doing this, especially when there is foam, a subwoofer, coreflute and a carpet mat covering it