Snagged a Seiran Blue / Graphite Performance 6MT

[bpeckham]

@jayhawk70, love the photos. Seeing those two cars side-by-side in the driveway underscores the design heritage of the modern Z. You can really see the older Z in the newer one. Yet the new one, I think, can stand on its own. Even though it's retro or nostalgic, it's also modern.

 

[bpeckham]

 

[bpeckham]

No parking? I don't think so!

 

[bpeckham]

Just out running some errands.

 

[bpeckham]

Updates on my Z.

Last week I was driving on some crappy pavement. I might have done a spirited acceleration away from a stop light, anyway this, I think, threw up a chunk of asphalt. It made a really loud PING! sound. I first thought I'd blown a tire. Anyway, the car seemed fine. So no more hard pulls on crappy pavement for me. Where am I going to find good pavement in San Diego?

Anyway, I had my first oil change today at 2870 miles. I asked the mechanic to check the underside for helmet damage and asphalt damage. All looks good.

 

[bpeckham]

Another shot from my parking lot at work

 

[Vintage]

Always nice to view your beautiful sports car at work, I do the same.
It makes the work day so much more enjoyable.
That blue is gorgeous, enjoy!

 

[bpeckham]

10 months after I started looking, and 6 months after I purchased, a car with my desired spec is on its way to be available within 50 miles of me. Of course, this is a '24 compared to the '23 I bought. I have no idea if it's marked up.

Maybe I'll see it around.

 

[bpeckham]

For all you Arizona State fans!
(hopefully not just me)

 

[bpeckham]

I've been in search of the perfect sticker to occlude the useless driver side rear window.

First I tried Grogu: Cute, but he didn't stand up to the elements.

Next I tried the ASU supporter sticker. I liked this one, but it was also kinda boring. I also think I placed it too far back on the window, so it looked out of place.

Finally, I think we have a winner with Sparky. My niece (currently attending ASU), got this for me for Christmas. I think it might be the winner.

 

[bpeckham]

And just like that, 6000 miles behind me.

 

[bpeckham]

It's bee poop season in San Diego. She needs a wash.

 

[bpeckham]

She's a great cargo carrier.

 

[trackratZ]

Bill, the autocross community is large in the San Diego area and Lake Elsinore, have you considered checking it out? Look up Cal Club Solo II, SCCA sanctioned. Report back when you do

 

[bpeckham]

One year with the Z. 6589 miles. Two oil changes. Haven't fixed the bumper recall yet, but soon.

I bought my Z to replace my 2012 G37S, which had replaced my 2003 G35. These cars were my daily drivers, and I didn't modify them. The Z is also my daily driver, and I'll keep her stock too. She's plenty of fun as a daily driver, quite a bit more than the Infinitis.

All of my cars have had a manual transmission, all the way back to my four-speed Datsun B210. I love a manual transmission, so I was happy to see the Z was available with a 6MT.

When I was searching, I wanted something sporty like the G37. I had considered the Q60, except it (1) was cancelled, and (2) was available only in an automatic. So I looked around and found the Z. Cool, I thought. I'd wanted a 350Z when I bought the G35. Then later, I wanted a 370Z when bought the G37. Both Infinitis were a compromise with my wife. I wanted a fun sporty car, but my wife thought the Z was too “boy racer”. Even though not my first choice, I ended up loving both the G35 and the G37, and I was looking for a similar experience.

So the Z is coming. I'll go buy one. Nope. No Zs to be had. So I looked at other cars. I looked at:

1. The BMW 240i and the 440i. Available only in an auto. The BMW M2. I really liked the M3, and even earlier M2s, but I just couldn't stomach the styling of the new M2. And the blue? Too pastel.
2. The Jaguar F-Type. This was my wife's favorite, but again, no manual. I have to admit, the styling of this car is so good. It was a very close second.
3. A couple of variations of the Porsche 718. However, if you want the six-cylinder, you're getting close to six figures.
4. The Tesla Model 3 Performance, which is actually faster than the Z, but four doors? Bleh. Plus there are so many in my neighborhood, it would feel like John Cusack driving up to the wrong house in Pushing Tin.
5. Finally, the Supra. I like the Supra on paper, but I don't enjoy looking at the Supra. Its styling is a bit over the top compared to the cleaner lines of the Z and the F-Type.

So I started searching. I think it took three or four months to find the spec I wanted. I live in San Diego, and I found a Z in Nebraska. I was willing to go get it, but they were asking $10K over MSRP. I kept searching. I finally found my Z in Globe, AZ, 500 miles away. I flew out and drove back. It was a great intro to the car.

Z impressions after 1 year.

1. Buying new. It's a mixed blessing. Once it enters the world, it's no longer new. Every rock chip will wear on you. As much care as you take, shit will happen.
2. The power. The car has plenty of power. Maybe too much as the back end will cut lose at the drop of my lead foot. But I smile every time the turbo kicks in and I get to upshift four or five more times. I haven't gotten a speeding ticket yet, but it's probably just a matter of time.
3. The handling. She goes where you point her. There's a little bit of unnerving body roll taking a turn at speed, but otherwise solid for a daily driver. I don't trust the tires, especially in wet conditions.
4. The feel in the driver's seat: I love the feel of the steering wheel, the shifter, the pedals, and gauges. The view out the rear is not great compared to the Infinitis, but I got used to it quickly. The blind spot warning system and rear cross traffic system work well.
5. The look. She looks great. I'm not a fan of the front license plate location, but I love everything else. I didn't think I'd like the black wheels, but they've really grown on me. The Seiran Blue is spectacular.
6. Option pack. Mixed. Love the floor mats and the kick plates, the scuff guards are crap.
7. The clutch. It is so easy. The car is difficult to stall. I think I've stalled it only once, backing up a hill in reverse.
8. SRM. I love that this can be turned on and off. Good job, Nissan! With SRM, I don't even hesitate to downshift. Clutch in. Throw the shifter. Clutch out. SRM does all the work. It's like cheating.
9. The lane departure warning is annoying, but it's easy to turn off.
10. Hill hold. Not a fan. End user should be able to control this. I feel like I'm fighting the car when starting on a hill. After a year, I still haven't gotten used to it.
11. ANC/ASC: Not a fan. End user should be able to control this. You can have this turned off at the dealer, but what a pain.
12. As a road trip car: I've taken three solo trips (two from San Diego to Phoenix, and one from San Diego to The Bay Area). She's great for one person. For two? Might be kinda tight. I'll probably never be able to convince my wife to take anything more than a same-day, out-and-back trip.
13. Build quality. Meh. The katana doesn't line up. The hatch doesn't unlock. The paint needed significant correction. Windshield glass seems etched. C’mon, Nissan, you can do better. Or maybe at $55K you can't. Do you need to add $20K+ to get quality?
14. The cargo area could use some depth. There's no spare, so drop into that area for better cargo capacity.
15. Nit pick: I have trouble with the three-flash lane-change signal. Too little force, nothing happens, too much, the lever clicks in and signal just says on. Other cars I've had with the feature work great.
16. Nit pick: non-radar cruise control is too hard to engage, distracting the driver. Adjusting the cruise speed sometimes does funky, unexpected things. Radar cruise is nice, until you get behind a slow car. I think I'd rather go my set speed and pass.
17. The auto refuel trip computer is not reliable. It's reset twice with no refuel. The car probably has too many trip computers (five is it?) I'm about to give up on auto refuel.
18. Annoying data collection screen at every engine start. Really? C’mon Nissan, get rid of that crap.
19. I use Android Auto and not the built in infotainment, so no opinion there. Android Auto works well once I bought a good cable.
20. The car is noisy. Listening to music while driving is not this car's forte.
21. No seat memory. I'd love that.
22. No hatch release on key fob. I miss that from my G37/G35.

Overall, I'm very happy with the Z. I've got minor gripes, but it's a great replacement for my G37, and even more fun to drive.