2004 Azure Blue 350Z GT

PDM

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my wife nuts
Finally decided to post the Zed on the forum after being asked a coupe of times why not?!
Nothing much else to do with the new lockdown i guess.

Had a 370Z for a while and after it had a coupe of VAG cars ( Golf R, S3, TT Black edition) and was in the market for something old school again.
Had hoped for another 370Z, ideally Le mans blue but nothing really materialised, until an ad appeared.

2004 350Z Azure blue met. 34k, GT model, usual spec n toys and to my untrained eyes a clean example.
All the books, service records, every single mot certs, 3 keys.

Ok, the ads got my attention, so heres how the story goes, sitting comfortably? I shall begin.

Bought in June last year from a retired couple Lynn & Jim in Glasgow who had owned it for 15 years.
Only ever brought out on special occasions and the odd driving weekend, hence the low low miles.
Deal agreed over the phone, an eerie Covid flight over, kindly picked up at Glasgow airport by the owners.

First impressions after some tea n biscuits was "I'm fuhhhinn buying it!" After a bit of haggling, the elbow shake was done.
Bank transfer didn't go smoothly, twas the old, "mate, funds have left my account, look!"...with a "mate, well its not in mine!"
An hour or so later, more tea n biscuits, gratefully they let me take the car, minus the books & master key. Which they did post on to me.
With the delay, the familiar to some mad dash to the Stena boat, truly enjoyable on some great roads, the 350Z is still such a good GT.

I do still remember getting flashed by on coming R35 Skyline with a big thumbs up, kudos it seems still comes with the 350z

I've owned it now for just over 7 months, yes it is a backwards step on the 370Z.
Yes the 370Z is more refined, better interior & spec, better all round drive, but it is less raw, a bit numb.

I've no intentions to mod it, I'm under contract by the previous owners not to.
"I'm not selling it to some young fella whose guna modify it" Lynn said, "its not that kind of car!"
To be honest, I think ill stay true to my word, ish.

Spacers, drop in filters, maybe an Android head unit is all that I'm considering.
The 350z is becoming a rarer thing to see on the roads each year, with this cars condition and mileage I think modding it would be a sin.

What's been done so far, couple of suspension arms needed done.
A coupe of minor paint blemishes are starting to annoy me so will get those sorted.
I did have an incident at Tescos when the other half lifted the boot up for the shopping and almost had the boot lid fall back down on her head.
With a death stare that dropped the worlds temp by 4deg, I figured it would probably be best for my health to get those done as well.
Otherwise its been a great drive.

So there it is, one to keep? maybe, knowing me it will be up for sale within 24 hrs.
But as i keep remembering my promise to Lynn to look after it, who was truly upset at seeing the car go.
I might just owe it to her to keep it that little bit longer.

P.

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da.murf

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Nissan 350z
Very Very nice example, I just missed a one owner 19k on the clock blue 350z before I got mine.

great write up to (except the mention of stepping back from a 370z lol 😆)

Prices of them have really bellied out but I sadly don’t see them shooting up like every other piece of Japanese scrap (seen an is200 up for 7250 yesterday lol)

I kicked off with the same thoughts as you, one of my opening lines of my owners thread is “don’t plan on mod’n this much”

few little mods really sharpen them up, spacers, springs and breathing mods.

there is such third party support for these now, with such lovely low miles I’d be heading oem+ and just sharpening handling, bushes arbs etc maybe upgrade the exhaust.
 
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mike150

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Around
He did let me drive it but I was warned about putting a finger near the TC button ☠️ :sob:

He didn't mention that its in hibernation until the weather improves, good plan cause these rust unbelievably badly!
 

PDM

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PDM
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Belfast
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my wife nuts
Very Very nice example, I just missed a one owner 19k on the clock blue 350z before I got mine.

great write up to (except the mention of stepping back from a 370z lol 😆)

Prices of them have really bellied out but I sadly don’t see them shooting up like every other piece of Japanese scrap (seen an is200 up for 7250 yesterday lol)

I kicked off with the same thoughts as you, one of my opening lines of my owners thread is “don’t plan on mod’n this much”

few little mods really sharpen them up, spacers, springs and breathing mods.

there is such third party support for these now, with such lovely low miles I’d be heading oem+ and just sharpening handling, bushes arbs etc maybe upgrade the exhaust.
I hear what your sayin about the exhaust but they put a new one litterally a few months before i bought it. Not sure if its standard as the noise is real nice as is.

Lol on the 370z comment. If you've driven a 370z for a while you can understand the want to go back to one.

Yeah crazy prices for some of the jap stuff out there, chasers n the like, dont personally see the value in them.

Shame on not getting that 1owner, but what you have is a beaut.
He did let me drive it but I was warned about putting a finger near the TC button ☠️ :sob:

He didn't mention that its in hibernation until the weather improves, good plan cause these rust unbelievably badly!
The TC button has been superglued!
 

NickR

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Very nice! The colour looks really well too compared to the usual silvers and blacks you see these in.
 
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da.murf

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@PDM

Yeah I viewed it on the Wednesday, needed least 1k in refurbing brakes, paint bumpers etc (owner was in 80’s)

I made a decent offer and shook hands with the son, who I’ll add declined a deposit and I said I’d bank transfer at weekend.

Rang to confirm everything on the Friday and they’d went n sold I think to hollybrooks who’d appeared with a cheque on the Wednesday/Thursday. Was gutted lol but alas got myself a good one now.

wee set of spacers & springs would be nice.....
 

PDM

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PDM
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my wife nuts
@PDM

Yeah I viewed it on the Wednesday, needed least 1k in refurbing brakes, paint bumpers etc (owner was in 80’s)

I made a decent offer and shook hands with the son, who I’ll add declined a deposit and I said I’d bank transfer at weekend.

Rang to confirm everything on the Friday and they’d went n sold I think to hollybrooks who’d appeared with a cheque on the Wednesday/Thursday. Was gutted lol but alas got myself a good one now.

wee set of spacers & springs would be nice.....
Thats a bummer, its hateful when people arse you about like that, never meant to be i guess.

Spacers would help fill the arches for sure, recommend anywhere for them?, Probably usual suspects, Torqen, Tarmac etc?
Not sure on the size also, probably 15-20mm?

Not convinced it needs the springs, but im def considering the spacers.
 

da.murf

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Nissan 350z
Thats a bummer, its hateful when people arse you about like that, never meant to be i guess.

Spacers would help fill the arches for sure, recommend anywhere for them?, Probably usual suspects, Torqen, Tarmac etc?
Not sure on the size also, probably 15-20mm?

Not convinced it needs the springs, but im def considering the spacers.
I’ve 20mm and 25mm spacers here. Eibach is the branding on them and they where used for my oem wheels. Could be tempted to sell them
 

PDM

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PDM
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Well the sun has returned for a few days, hope you all enjoyed the summer. Finally got round to fitting some spacers to the zed, Cheers @da.murf and please no one tell lynn the previous owner.

Zed was badly needing a 4 wheel alignment and camber setup. The bald inside edges of the 4 existing tyres confirmed this as did the weird unidentified rattle from the rear axle.

So on went some new boots and the spacers, the drive is a much improved experience as the original bridgestone rears were runflats ( i know, i know!!!! Dont ask, they came with the car).

Arches are certainly filled now with 25 rear and 20 fronts. Still getting used to the new stance. Some of you might be saying you should lower it.
No, mmm-mmm, nah, nope, aint happenin, cant, not allowed, lynn will kill me.

So if the sun ever shines again i just might find myself asking, how much are springs for these? 🤔

P.
 

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da.murf

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Nissan 350z
It actually does look lower than oem. Wouldn’t surprise me if you had a set of tein springs already in there. Tein springs will give you a very sutble drop

eibach will be a more aggressive drop, both are progressive springs so still feel decent. I have the eibach springs. Once you drop 30mm you move into the world of needing adjustable camber arms etc to get geo set properly. From chatting to you i maybe think the tein would give you the drop you want (if they aren’t already in there lol) without having to further mess with stuff.

Also rumour has it Lynn used the money from the zed and bought a RB swapped Silvia and literally hammering every junction in scotland. Free yourself from her judgemental tartan gaze and get mod’n. The zeds where made for it!
 
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PDM

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"Also rumour has it Lynn used the money from the zed and bought a RB swapped Silvia and literally hammering every junction in scotland." .....Lol!!!

Im pretty sure the springs are standard and from other angles it looks that way.
Unless lynn has been tinkering.

Probably just keep it standard unless the springs need replaced at some stage.
 

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thefool1983

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Mines the same... I think they are standard springs and wouldn't want to go any lower as it already is a struggle getting on ramp n over lip into garage
 
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PDM

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Just back from taking the zed around scotland including the NC500. What away to mark the zed turning 40k.

Thought sod it and bought a Mishimoto intake to replace the standard airbox. Didnt notice any performance gains but the intake noise just makes you constantly grin when you open it up!

The routes up there are just fantastic and some the roads do show up the 350's limitations, but its a 17 year old car!

Managed to keep pace with the rest of the lads and there were no grumbles from the old zed. Averaged 27mpg and we were not being shy.

The NC500 is a must for anyone who enjoys motoring, hope were doing it next year!

P.
 

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Boydie

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It is a fantastic trip, one I would love to do again, maybe next spring or summer. Where did you stay?
 

PDM

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Did a 5 day tour - 4 stay overs.
1st day 3.30 boat, stayed over at Kilmarnock.
2nd day Kilmarnock to Ullapool.
3rd day Ullapool to Inverness via John O'Groats.
4th day Inverness to Perth through the Cairngorms.
5th day Perth to Cairnryan, headed south then across as to not travel on the Motorway or coast road too much.

About a 1000miles.

The lads I was with have done the NC500 on bikes many times but this was their first time in cars and my first time ever, it wont be the last.

P.
 

Burt2000

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Did you visit Lynn? She will be pissed if she hears you were over and didn’t call in
 
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PDM

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So nearly 2 years of ownership and over 7k miles driven, the 350z has been a love hate relationship.
Love it when im in it....hate it when I have to put it away!

In that time its had.
P2 Service
Couple of suspension arms
Boot struts - only to avoid any confrontations with the wife - see first post!
4 wheel alignment
4 New tyres - because of the wheel alignment
Eibach spacers.
Mishimoto intake
Wax oiled
Finally got round to having the wheels refurbed at Polished Alloys.

Just clocked 42k. So hard to keep the miles down, still such a fun car.


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