I noticed your sig and thought maybe your were a fellow Metroploitan DC area native.

Most natives of the ares refer to Washington, D.C. as "DC".
While also our major highway system is "495" aka "The Beltway".
So I put two and two together and came up with obviously zero. : )

A "Beltway Bandit" has two local defintions;
1) A person who travels on, within or around Interstate 495 and/or 95 throughout MD and VA inclusive of DC (which technically is inside the Beltway).
2) A company based in MD, VA, or DC that makes its money off of the Federal govt. and agencies based within the area.

- Janq

 

As promised I headed out with my car buddy Tom to our local Infiniti dealer in hopes of test driving a G35 Coupe.
All we got was a price quote (MSRP), a very nicely developed catalog on the G35C and an opportunity at more sitting time in a 6SMT model minus NAV awaiting pickup by its owner.

What sucked is that they had no more models in stock and that the one we sat in was sold just last night. <Argh!!!>

So, with a Nissan dealer right next door and a 350Z 'Track' model sitting out front we mosied on over to take a peek and see what kind of trouble we could get into. The sticker on the Track model which was fully loaded indicated $37,555!
Thats a lot of samolians for a frog trying to act like a prince. Especially when right next door there is a real prince and he costs nearly a grand less yet provides more creature comforts & functionality.

A salesman rolled up on us asking if he could help and I responded with a smile; "Yes, I'd like to test drive this car today."
From the reaction of the salesman you might think I had asked to borrow the socks of his feet to use as gloves.

The salesman gave me some lip about not allowing test drives, which resulted in a loud and in his face laugh from my buddy Tom as well as grousing about stupid people buying cars without trying them first for fit & finish. I responded that there is "zero chance that I will buy anything above $10" without seeing it in action and giving it a spin. The salesman then had the nerve to get into a staring contest with me, a potential paying customer! Well little did he konw he'd lose that contest every day for a month. After about 10 seconds he got uncomfortable and commented that the car has to be kept at low miles for a potential buyer. I responded curtly; "And I'm not a potential customer?". Again, he stared me in the eyes directly and I returned his gaze. He tried again with a comment that the 350 Z is "a special production" vehicle and that most come in and buy them sight unseen. I responded; "Yeah really? We'll I'm not most people and this to me is just a car." With that I feinted as though I were going to walk away shifting my left foot away from him. Before I took a complete step he interjected; "Let me talk to my manager and see what I can do?". I responded with a smile; "Thank you, I would appreciate that."
Again, Tom laughed out loud.

He loves going with me on our 'auto adventures' as I take no guff and am almost always able to weasel my way into what I want. I stood my ground and we hung out by the car looking into the windows being a bit obvious. Tom commented about the arrogance of a _Nissan_ salesman over a car that nearly anyone with a job could get a loan for. After about 5 minutes the salesman returned with keys in hand and requested my license. Another 3 minutes later and after he had copied my license he began referring to me as "Sir". I had the keys in my hand and right foot to the pedal. A crowd of onlookers including drooling kids and grown men circled the car and a guy asked me to "Rev it man..I want to hear it rev!". So I complied. Vrrrrroooooommmm...ccchhhhhanng!!!

What the hizzy!?!

When I first turned over the engine it immediately brought back memories of my high school buddies stroker kitted and lusty Husqavarna dirt bike. I think it was an 800cc or something in that range. Even my buddy Tom noticed the odd for a car harmonic and high frequency shrill it produced at nearly the entire rev range from just off idle through to about 4K when I revved it several times. Think Honda CBR 600 and you're right on target. Not a bad if you like that kind of thing, not good if nails sliding across chalkboards bothers you.

So we buttoned up the doors and headed on up the road.
Due to the mileage concerns of the salesman I was restricted to a very short 5 mile round trip street 'course' which was 3/4 of theimt through a VA suburbs neighborhood streets with speeds limited to 25 & 35 mph. I of course obeyed all posted speed limits.

After exiting the neighborhood I did open her up a bit in a brief 300ft or so straight away. Damn if that harmonic didn't come back eveytime. Odd. The throttle felt as though it might be an electronic unit but the salesman responded that he wasn't sure. The transmission shifted very nicely though the clutch let out was a bit soft/light for my tastes. Nothing bad though, just a personal preference.

Upon return I parked the vehicle back in its original position out front and exited. We stood about chatting for a moment, Tom and I, and the salesman gave me his card. He made a comment that they wer emaking "great deals" on the Z (I'm sure) and I replied to that; "I'll call you". We walked away, disappointed.

I'm going to check with other dealers in VA & MD to see if anyone has units in stock we can try. I'll of course post and update if and when I get my foot in a G...

- Janq

 

Yeah, I just couldn't ignore those 'brrrrzzzttttt' (up rev) and 'chhhhang' (rev down) sounds though the exhaust & tire noise mutes it somewhat when rolling. The noise wasn't as bad as the sound from a loose CAT heat shield but it was in that region of annoyance.

As for the salesman, I can't blame him too much as when I drove up the Nissan sales guys were standing out front smoking and they all saw my car. I was driving my 'sports activity' car which is a '93 Subie Legacy with roof rack and all kinds of 'battle scars' including dirt and mud splotches from being off-road last weekend. Plus it didn't help that I was wearing slightly grubby clothing with a banged up baseball hat.
But hey, I don't mind a challenge...and expect to be respected as a consumer. Besides, if it gets real tough then I just hand over my license and/or business card which after a quick review changes opinions quicker than you can say 'Experian'. My buddy is less stubborn than I though and will just walk away mad.

I'm really trying to hold out for the STi though, really.
Hopefully by June the list I'm on locally will dwindle down to just one or two before me. Keep your fingers & toes crossed...

BTW, I'm going to Western Mass. to visit inlaws during Memorial day week. Guess what I'll be doing while I'm there? Calling on the local hole in the wall Subie dealers in the New England region (MA & VT) about their expected STi allocation numbers and try to weasel myself into a low number on a list. I'm gonna work every angle I can to get an STi. Even if it means I have to fly back up to MA/VT and drive the car 12 hours back to VA. After of course a test drive and some haggling.

- Janq

 

ohh i'm sorry, i had idea

i'm not from the US originally

the DC4 is a chassis code for an non-vtec 2-door integra
not as good as the DC2R (integra type-r)


that was an interesting story about the nissan salesman. I had a similar experience with a toyota salesman back in 1995 when i wanted to test drive a 1995 celica. I drove a 91 corolla back then and was dressed casually and had an approved loan already( but they don't know that) . I did "not" get a test drive there were 3 celicas in the lot. Being a minority probably did not help either.

I then went to the acura dealer instead an got the integra that i got to test drive for 5 miles

 

Heh. But don't be too quick to confuse the $30k STi and the $250+k WRC car. They do look similar, though.

 

go drive a G35 already and wait for 2004, cuz 2003 is waaaay buggy...
Service pack 1 anyone?

 

Yeah, I'm black and I get 'type cast' alot but I know the game and don't let it stop me.

My trick is to be persistent and serious without being argumentative. Also, I won't hesitate to go around a salesman and introduce myself directly to the Sales or General Manager.

- Janq

 

Why would u post this stuff in GT35 vs STi thread?
and nobosy knows yet, tuners didnt have enough time to play with it..

 

What there are balck people on the internet? What about the great digital divide. Just kidding man. My father gets the same think when he goes to look at a new Benz and he is a suit. It blows my mind that someone sellling something would have an such an attitude.

 

I was speaking of me in the 'real world'.
On the net were all 'Battleship Grey'.

All of us regardless of color get 'assessed' by the new car sales folks. Its part of the job. I know as I've done the job before.

- Janq

 

downshift,

Just a few wacky ideas to better the STi power to weight ratio...

* Mockup _reinforced thermoplastic_ bodypanels ala Saturn including bonnet & boot lids as well as the front fenders and f&r door skins . That alone might save 200+lbs in weight.

* Does anyone know what material the driveshaft is made from? An aluminum unit might save a few lbs and inexpensive to commision as well as pickup several HP.

* Delete the OEM gas tank and run a racing fuel cell at a lighter weight, although smaller fuel volume (more gas stops).

* Another performance upgrade and weight reduction item might include a full ceramic braking system from Porsche (conversion) or Movit.

* Rear wing delete or replace with a full CF setup.

The above should gain you that time you seek.
Remember there are two sides to the speed equation; power and weight.

- Janq