That was a good read. Thanks!

While it addressed the lack of racial diversity a number of ways, it didn't offer a historical explanation for why Vermont is considered one of the most socially progressive states in the country, behind Massachusetts. It certainly seemed that way to me while vacationing there, although it's not like I did any kind of study... I was high on my bicycle most of the time, LOL. So admittedly, my opinion comes from a small sample, but I'll say this: Vermonters are way nicer than people in MA. And more nice than New Yorkers by far. People in Boston (now that's a city!) seem kind of like New Yorkers, but with a cool accent.

We used to think that VT would be a great destination to retire soon. But its largest city (Burlington) is quite small, hardly a city at all. And overall the place seems kind of boring. Plus, the winters there scare me. But I like the geography and the people a lot... the lack of diversity notwithstanding.

 

Take a nice little trip to South FL, it will take away any desire at wanting more diversity than where you are.

 

I found Burlington a wonderful village during my extended stays there. Albeit I spent most of the time in the woods, forests, mountains far out of town but the entire region is one of my favorites. Although what does it say about the weather when someone accustomed to the winters in New York has the hell scared out of him by the winters in VT?

 

I'll be doing my first Autocross event this Sunday, just a parking lot and cones. I'm planning on leaving the transmission in DS and just going for it. Do you all have any suggestions for a novice in an auto AWD car?

 

Don't forget to turn of traction control before each run. Well, maybe not your first run, but after that, absolutely.

Don't worry too much about clipping cones. Also, understeer is a helpless feeling, so if your car understeers (like all G's do with stock swaybars), it's OK to slow down. Better to stay on the track then push helplessly off it. But don't beat yourself up if you go off track, because it happens literally to everyone. The important thing is to have fun.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret....jsp?techid=58

 

It's better if you do manual gear selection. The rev up feature upon down shift will be faster manually than done by the car for when you quickly need to drop to 1st on a tight corner.

 

Other than what was already suggested, seat time!

Don't worry too much about your car, seat time will be the king here. Remember to look ahead and have fun!

It would be helpful if you can ask for an instructor, and don't forget to walk the course! since it's your first time see if your instructor can walk it with you.

 

What he said - seat time is KING.

 

I had actually stumbled across that link in my search for how to prep. I'm also on my puny stock rear swaybar, I've been keeping my eye out for a Z swaybar to replace it. I'm going in with a open mind and low expectations. Main objective will be having fun and learning.


Thank you for clarifying that, I'll keep that in mind and try to apply it as needed.

Thanks! I'm going to use this outing as a learning experience. Luckily I'm going with coworkers that have all done this event as well as other SCCA events. One guy in particular has done about 5 seasons of our regional SCCA. So I'm planning on getting some advice from and doing a ride along.

 

Walk the course so you get a better idea where corners are, but keep in mind that when walking it you're seeing it from 3' or more higher than you will in the car. I think the best way to explore an autox course is on a golf cart if not an actual car, but that's usually frowned upon LOL. Some corners look different from slightly above and pointer cones get confusing.

Ride with someone else FIRST. Doesn't matter what kind of car.

When you drive it, if you can get an instructor or way more experienced driver to go with you that helps immensely. Drive your first pass about like you would at parking lot speeds. Ramp speed up when you're comfortable with the corner placement and how your car reacts to the surface changes - there will be wrinkles and gravel and camber changes you just can't see with the eye.

Being your first outing, DGAF about time, except that it should get a little faster each time. Don't go full throttle and end up (poorly) drifting the whole thing - for one, the cone ******** will hate you, and for another thing you'll have slowest time of day doing that, easy*

*does not apply if you're a pro drifter, in which case... carry on.

 

Just a sanity check question - I've been eyeing the 370Z Nismo 19" wheels... are they really worth $2500/set used? Seems high to me, even for a rare(r) wheel option.

Talking about these: https://conceptzperformance.com/item...original/1.JPG

 

Look at it another way, Mike. Are these wheels worth $625 a piece? Remember, these are forged wheels, so there's a premium for that consideration.

For context, Z1 is selling those wheels at $773 a piece. https://www.z1motorsports.com/wheel-...14-p-9611.html

If they're in good condition, I'd say yes, they're worth it.

Are you looking for a square setup with two Nismo fronts? Isn't the rear offset kind of severe for the Sedan?

 

I haven't gotten to that level of planning yet. I know some folks have put them on, but not sure of offset or spacer issues. IIRC the rears are 10.5 with like a 25mm offset... I don't have oem mufflers or heat shields any more so they *might* fit LOL.

At $2500 + shipping in 'average' condition... at that rate the extra 500 for brand-new-with-a-warranty is something to ponder.

Sigh. I just wish there were more 5-spoke ish options from wheel brands I actually have heard of - in 19". So far I've not seen anything that I like enough better than the Coupe wheels to spend the cash on.

 

Worth it? No. A good deal compared to new- sure. Those are forged Ray's wheels which are usually $1,100-$1,300/wheel from Nissan. The forged BBS 19's on my STI are $1,100 each. I would never pay that for wheels to add them to the car, but they do look damn good on the car (especially since they came with it).

 

It is really hard to find strong and light wheels with the right offset for our cars if you don't want to run spacers. I had a hell of a time finding a wider and lighter rim with the right offset for my G sedan. I finally found TSW Interlagos and then TSW discontinued them.