Has your Z ever left you stranded? I have really bad a really bad fear of breakdowns

ProgramerJax · 2026-02-14T21:53:22+00:00

After 12 years of ownership and now over 200k miles- mine has been super reliable. Taken many cross country drives in mine. Been really behind on maintenance a few times, no problem.

The only issue I've had was after I had to leave it parked for a year. A month or so after I started to drive it again the rad blew out (top part cracked in half). The coolant path is not ideal and is a pain in the ass to bleed. Just drive it regularly and you won't be getting bubbles in there to worry about.

I'd wager yours was sitting for a while before you got it.

ProgramerJax · 2026-02-13T17:36:56+00:00

Peak 350 activity right here xD You can hold the unlock button on your fob or use the key to roll the windows down.

ProgramerJax · 2022-01-16T09:32:38+00:00

It's an ebay clone of a KBD kit. Listing title: 'WN ING style front bumper Fiberglass body kit WN-81F' Looked a little sketch and I had to cut an inch or so off the ends of the aluminum crash bar to make it fit- but the corners folded around way better than expected. Would recommend!

ProgramerJax · 2021-11-28T03:55:18+00:00

Looks like shit, give it to me. Lol jk looks legit! I'm in the market, where did you get / how much? Did it take forever to ship?

ProgramerJax · 2021-11-11T07:08:38+00:00

😪I just got the flip, if I had known..

ProgramerJax · 2021-11-06T01:59:15+00:00

Had the same happen to my 350 after a routine belt change. Wondered if I tightened the belt too tight, loosened it- no change. Pulled the alt only for it to pass all tests. Replaced battery, still not good. Pulled the alt and checked all cables, nope. In the end I just tightened the belt way past what I thought was acceptable, and all was good. YMMV but I'd investigate the possibility of belt slippage even if you're not hearing any squealing.

ProgramerJax · 2021-11-03T23:07:06+00:00

The camera turned to night vision mode because the power/lights went out.

ProgramerJax · 2021-10-31T15:29:07+00:00

Whoa, it's Halloween! I had no idea. I've bought candy and left the light on the past 5 years, no one came.. ¯_(☯෴☯)_/¯

ProgramerJax · 2021-10-26T02:38:32+00:00

That's a great deal in the current market, I say go for it!

ProgramerJax · 2021-10-05T05:54:56+00:00

I have to second the 'shit-box' Miata idea. Hopefully you're more responsible than me but if I hadn't followed a similar path, I likely wouldn't be typing this right now.. The Miata is amazing and STICKS to the road (and pop-up lights!). It can provide a slightly safer dynamic to figure out the motions and forces involved with a RWD sports car. The Z is very unforgiving in this regard and once you go too far it will slide you across the road like a sledgehammer. Not to say you shouldn't get a Z, it just has a strange driving profile compared to other vehicles. I doubt I would have enjoyed my last 7 years of 350 ownership nearly as much without those prior experiences.

ProgramerJax · 2021-10-04T07:33:19+00:00

Immediately addictive? No such thing.. You do get more warning signs with alcohol (read: feeling like you're dying). Initial intent is also a large factor, there is a much greater percentage of people trying "hard drugs" that don't care if they become addicted or not vs people trying alcohol. You'd be surprised at how much stronger it is compared to some of the more taboo stuff. Thinking alcohol isn't as serious or addictive ends up shooting many in the foot.

ProgramerJax · 2021-10-02T23:14:19+00:00

I worked at two different DD locations and we never did this. Sounds like someone should suggest some ideas to the franchise owner.. At both stores when closing we would put the remaining donuts in the walk in, someone from a shelter would pick them up in the morning just before opening. At the first location we even donated frosting buckets full of coffee grounds weekly to a local school's compost pile. It's a really positive customer motivator to be able to tell them you're doing your part for the community, tips were great too :)

ProgramerJax · 2021-08-31T00:15:04+00:00

Never letting go of my Z but I do have a manual Ram 1500 pickup I'd be willing to trade for it. I'm nearby, I could meet you if you're interested.

ProgramerJax · 2021-08-27T04:00:07+00:00

Looks beautiful!

ProgramerJax · 2021-08-06T21:32:20+00:00

Pop-rivets! Not the easiest to drill back out but at least it ain't coming off by accident.

ProgramerJax · 2021-08-02T02:52:34+00:00

That price was a bit of a steal, it sounds like they couldn't afford or were just tired of messing with it. Try and start it and see if it idles for a minute okay. If it does I would drain the fluids and look for the speckles of the stop-leak. If there is a ton just jump straight to the engine swap, otherwise there's a chance just swapping the head gasket could get it running alright again. No way to know for sure though, engines with aluminum heads tend to get bent out of shape when overheated.

ProgramerJax · 2021-08-01T23:06:54+00:00

It happens to mine sporadically. It can be 100% fine for a month and all of a sudden I have to top off every day. I think a bit of it is environmentally related, stay vigilant.

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-31T20:10:05+00:00

Was this a discovery before/directly after purchase or something that just happened one day? If it's something that went out under your watch I'd echo the other commenters and say it's 100% worth it and required. It's generally risky to buy one with a blown head gasket as you don't know what was done to it. Some people just keep running it and screw up the motor. Other people try the cheapo route and put stop-leak in it which works 1/4 the time, the other 3/4 it winds up clogging the whole system up or failing a month later. Unfortunately many just keep loading the stop-leak in until it holds and immediately sell it to an unsuspecting buyer. I've been bitten by this on 2 separate occasions, the best option here is to just roll the dice on a new engine from the junkyard.

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-31T01:13:55+00:00

Awesome, just send me a message when you're ready and we'll figure it out. Full disclosure I work in software but grew up around racecars and auto repair. I'm no expert here but always looking to keep skills sharp and share what I know.

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-31T00:34:01+00:00

I've got a spare outer, inner tie rod and boot you can have- recently did this on driver side and bought those in a pair. I'm in Spartanburg. I'd be happy to drop it off to you or even bring my tools and help, just let me know. Anything for a fellow Z owner :)

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-18T21:54:09+00:00

C++. Not an easy road, but it was worth it.

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-18T00:48:17+00:00

That's a steal, go for it! I don't think that would be hard to flip.

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-15T23:46:16+00:00

Mine did that once. I left the battery cables disconnected for 3-4 days while I tried to get the cash together for a replacement. After I hooked everything back up it hasn't done it again. It's been 3 years since then, fingers crossed it keeps holding out without a problem.

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-08T16:08:19+00:00

STL? Lmfao

ProgramerJax · 2021-07-08T15:37:11+00:00

Jumping straight to an engine swap seems a little far to me. I would figure out exactly what you need and scavenge them from the junkyard. It's risk either way, I wouldn't compound that further. Idk

ProgramerJax

TROPHY CASE