crazy280

lol you're paranoid, man. I live 15 minutes from SF, and it is definitely not the place to find unregistered cars. The East Bay is a whole 'nother story though.

I read that site and it said that the aluminum oxide ("rust") is a super-thin but hard substance like saphire or ruby that, once formed, protects the aluminum from degrading further. They said it will not "rust" any more once that initial layer is formed (except when in contact with Mercury, which explains the photo). Very interesting stuff

Turns out the areas with the most suv's (and light trucks) were South Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, and so on. Another interesting fact is that 50% of SF residents don't even own a registered motor vehicle. That surprised me. And 54% of NY residents don't own one. I guess it's not practical in densely populated areas. But I agree, anyone in those areas with an suv is just trying to show off and get status recognition. You're totally right about them not going off road. The excuse I always here for owning an suv in the city is "I go to Tahoe".....yeah, like once a year, tops! And then they stay on the street the rest of the time. HA

I always see a white 240z with black wheels passing through Fairfax (north bay area) going to and from the valley. I've exchanged waves with the guy a couple times. I once tried to get him to pull over but he didn't get it. Is this anybody on here? BTW I drive a silver/grey 240z with mags (needs paint badly though lol).

Nissan should produce a vvt version of the Titan's 5.6 liter v8 and put it in the Z! That would be awesome But it'll probably never happen (BTW Gollum, based on US census data, in 2003 there were 25 million suv's out of 230 million total registered automobiles in America ~ only about 10%.)

I seriously doubt "most" people in cali drive luxury cars or suv's (I live in Cali). There are a lot of suv's, but I would almost guarantee that the most common type of cars in cali (and all of America) are 4 cyl sedans. The only reason there are as many suv's and luxury cars as there are is because the population density here is nowhere near as bad as it is in Japan. That was my whole point

Word is the new skyline will have a twin turbo VQ-series v6 in it (probably 3.5 liters) which means at 15psi of boost it is mathematically equivelant to 7 liters! That's enough displacement for me! Micheal- I don't think the Japanese have any "cultural bias" against big engines or v8's. For those who can afford them, there are plenty of Japanese cars with v8's. (They are luxury cars though). Remember, Japan has a population about half of America's, but the whole country is only about the size of California. Imagine if half the people in America lived in California, and gas cost way more. It just makes sense for their cars to remain small and cheap and have excellent gas mileage and low emissions. But there is always a market for "high end" cars with big engines which is why the wealthier in Japan buy the v8 luxo sedans, many of which aren't even sold in America (I have no clue why not).

I don't know if this is possible with the site software, but it would be cool if there was a setup so that whenever a new member tried to post a new thread or question, they would first be re-directed to a page that said "DID YOU USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION FIRST?" or something along those lines. Then they could choose to continue to the search page or the posting page. Then after a certain number of posts, they wouldn't be re-directed anymore and would go straight to the posting page. This would save the older members the stress of having to tell them to search all the time. I don't know if it's possible, but I hope it helps.

I've seen a few threads recently about members' opinions on what a modern Z should look like and I'd have to say the Sagaris embodies what a modern Z should look like and be. Freakin awsome car in all aspects, with plenty of noteworthy features. I especially like the clear rear spoiler.

LOL Owen- nice! A friend of mine also pointed out that doors are only 10 bucks at PnP, and lots of things fit inside of doors....not that I'd ever do that or anything.....

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll try Rancho Cordova next time.

I think it was just the cashier being a d!ck....and yeah I felt stupid when I looked at the receipt, cause I didn't even need the vacuum advance or the cap, and I didn't realize I was being charged extra for them until I checked the receipt, so that's 6 bucks for nothing dammit. That's what I get for being in a hurry. Oh well, I'm not going back there until prices come back down again. I haven't been up to the Fairfeild one or the Oakland one in a while, anyone know how bad they are, or are they all the same these days? Maybe I'll have Slownrusty send me some cheap parts from Colorado Springs? LOL (BTW this was Richmond, Cali)

So I went to the Pick'n'Pull in Richmond today and found a '79 280zx distributor for my 240z. I nearly sh!t my pants when they charged me $50 for the damn thing! I was pretty surprised at the price, because I've been to plenty of J/Y's and would expect something like a dizzy to sell for like twenty bucks. The price broke down like this: $31 for the bare dizzy, $3 for the cap, $3 for the vacuum advance, $6 core charge, and $7 or so in tax/envir. charges. BULLSH!T. I would have just walked but I needed the part ASAP. I think the guy at the window was just a jerk, because he tried to charge me for the ignition module on the side of the distributor, and I had to explain to him that it was PART of the dizzy, and it wouldn't function without it (what a dumbass). I think Pick'n'Pull is raising prices now that they put all the mom and pop J/Y's out of business and there's less competition. Maybe it's just this one........anyone else having this problem?

I've always said "Hybrid Z" two words. But it would be cool to have a double-Hybrid-Z, like a v8 Z that runs on nitro-methane or something

If I start to have any cooling problems, I will check the radiator. But my car never runs hot with the vents closed. Ever.

Ah, I was wondering what those black tubes were used for. I guess they are pretty small holes. Still, it is enough to significantly raise engine temp when I open the vents up. I've been using the vents to warm up the engine in the morning quicker LOL. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep them closed. Thanks guys.

Speeder2000- I do know that there is a big drop in price after you turn 21. Also, if you are a student (with good grades) you can get a discount. Try shopping around some more (like on the internet) you might find a better rate. Hope this helps

jmortensen: Gee, I've never looked at the front of my car before... *sarcasm* But seriously, sorry if this sounded like a "help I'm overheating" post. Really my Z has no overheating issues; never has. I gave it a new thermostat, water pump, temp sending unit, and hoses when I bought it, just to be safe. The car does not have any overheating issues....UNLESS I open those vents (and even then it never quite boils over, it just gets extremely hot). I could easily demonstrate it if you guys were able to ride with me, but I guess that's the limits of the internet But still, has anyone noticed this before? Where do these vents draw in air from anyways? Thanks

I searched this but found nothing. I went for a drive Saturday, and it was really hot, so I opened the floor vents on my '73 240z (you know the knobs just under the dash on driver and passenger side? I'm NOT talking about the normal vents for heat and a/c. I'm talking about the small round knobs that you slide in and out to open and close the flow of air to your feet). After driving on the highway, I noticed the car was running much hotter than usual. When I stopped, I checked the engine myself to make sure the gauge wasn't misreading the temp. Yup, the engine was super hot. On my way back home, it was still running hot, so I got an idea and closed the vents. Soon after I closed the vents, the engine temp went back to normal. I've tried this again since, and it has the same effect. Maybe these vents are drawing air away from the radiator and into the cabin? Anyone ever heard of this? Any input would be great guys.

I'm 23, with one ticket, and I pay $74 a month for my 1973 240z, liability only. When I was 18 I was on my dad's policy and the difference in cost for him adding me was the same as I pay now for my own policy. Hope that helps.

Yeah, 400 horses in a 944 would be fun. The LS1 probably doesn't weigh any more than the big turbo 4 that came in the car originally, so its a win-win. Plus you never have to pay out the @ss for porsche engine parts again! That's what kept me from buying a 944, even though they're so cool. Too expensive to maintain

A 914 with a WRX STI engine would be pretty damn fast! 300 horsepower stock, and extremely low and light engine. I also like the kit Renegade Hybrids has for the 944. I always liked the 944.

LS1 power, baby! http://www.toy-jet.ls1fun.com/index.html

The link I posted to "Road and Track" quotes 4010 lbs for the Murcielago. That's still heavy, but quite a bit less than 4500 lbs.

The Saleen S7 comes with 15" front and 14" rear brakes (stock) and it weighs 2750 lbs. It also has no ABS. Of course, it reaches higher speeds on the track thanks to that huge V8. But a much heavier Lambo with smaller brakes actually outbraked it in a comparo, thanks to ABS Beautiful 510 here, by the way. I've always wanted one of these, but I'll have to finish my Z first...damn. I can't believe the level of detail, must have taken a long time to get everything that clean.