Nissan needs to do a better job with paint, I got 200 miles on my Z and already go a paint chip on the hood, it went all way to the primer.

 

Yep, me too. One on the door as well. I expect having to do a complete paint job in a year or two and will add a clear protectant coat.

 

I think I gonna see my dealer and file a compliant to Nissan. I would expect better paint for a car like this.

 

...it won't get any better----I'm at 2500 miles and at my last wash I counted 5 chips on the bumper and 2 on the hood--yuck!! Kinda makes me sick to my stomach, but it IS a daily driver and can't be new forever!

 

back off of peoples bumper. rocks wont hit your car. there is no "super paint" that resists chips, hence why the clear bra and reg bras are so popular.

only way to stop chips is to stop rocks.

 

Not too sure how your traffic is in GA, but in CA if you allow 3 to 4 car lengths ahead of you, someone will QUICKLY fill it.

 

well if thats how you drive, then dont be suprised by chips. sorry if you dont have an alternative, but dont blame the paint. any car can chip. show me a car with paint that doesnt chip(delorian prohibited).

 

Wow, you must be less of a man if someone gets ahead of you. Reason #125 of why I am glad I don't live there anymore.

 

...it has absolutely NOTHING to do with being less of a man--being less of a man is spouting off comments like that on the internet when you KNOW you wouldn't do it to someone's face--if there is enough space ahead of you to be filled by another car, it will be filled. Your next move (in trying to keep the space open), is to slow to allow the space to re-open. By this time, another car has pulled in front of you, and you're beginning to **** off the fast lane. Sure, you could sit in the right lane at 45 and cringe when rigs merge with you and you could give them a mile of space, but get real. **** happens and so do rock chips.

 

Red350Z has a point. When I get on I-5 up here in the Seattle area it's the same way. Leave enough space and some clown in the 50 ton SUV will whip into the space. I take the backroads to work just to avoid the fookin' interstate.

 

well, thats a problem then I guess. I just drive along about 5 or so car lengths back, assuming your lane isnt doing like 50mph faster then the lane next to you, people shouldnt be so anxious to pull in. now if your talking traffic, then your not moving fast enough for a chip... it usually happens when like your doing 70mph on the highway, people wont move over unless they have a good reason...

anyway, my point still stands, whether you have a choice or not, the problem is not in the paint. if you cant back away from other cars, then thats how it is, owell.

 

I have never understood the idocy that requires tailgating another car just so no one will get in between. Is it limited to California? No. Is it a pervasive method of driving there? Yes. Am I speaking from over 20 years of firsthand California driving experience? Yes.

To your face I would tell you what a very poor idea it is to drive like you say you do.

 

Nissan paint on the Z is $hit.
This topic has been beaten to death on more than one occasion.
Let's move on ...

 

Fatzo, any thoughts on tailgating - the topic at hand? Or is that beaten to death also in your opinion?

 

1300 miles and not a single chip nowhere! No its not a daily driver but when i do drive it I do my best to stay atleast a few car lengths behind the next car. On the interstate I even try to stay farther back. !

 

I'm not sure it's every car has poor quality paint.. maybe all the new cars do but the folks GS300 is almost 10 years old and it's almost 100% chip free from the front. I say that's a good paint. My commuter car has a decent amount of chips but it's a Honda so I wasn't expecting much.

 

my moms C320 mercedes 2001, has chips ALL over it, and the chips are also rusted. so Im curious what manufacter at this point has "good" paint.

 

I had a Honda that I use for traveling, and rough weather driving. It's a '98 and I had absolutely no paint chips until I bumped into another car at 5mph

Driving on Oklahoma highways is murder on your car. There are so many truckers that you're bound to be the unfortunate recipient of a rock or two

 

Me too. The E46 3-series guys on bimmer.org complain about poor paint quality as well.

Have paint, will chip. The only sure ways to reduce the likelihood of paint chips are: as you suggested, a bra, or don't drive it. No thanks to the latter...

 

no thanks to either for me, its like putting plastic over your furniture. whats the point? better to enjoy it, take the good with the bad. if it gets horrible, theres always repainting/touchup.