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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

can't make it down my new driveway :(

Old Nov 5, 2006 | 08:39 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by Suretu
Here's a ghetto sketch of the situation. It's not even close to scale.
The first problem is that there's a slight uphill slope to the sidewalk, and the city says we can't change the sidewalk.
So as soon as the front wheel gets over the top threshold, the body bottoms out.
We've added a concrete "ramp" for a ways, but it's not as easy as it looks to get the ramp to proper height to allow clearance at all points, but not be so high that it'll affect the garage ingress!
Damn! I assumed uphill to the garage door!

What happens when it rains?
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 08:45 PM
  #22  
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There's a drain channel (covered by a grate) at the bottom of the slope, just before the garage door.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 09:00 PM
  #23  
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"...contingent upon my vehicle making it down the driveway, so the seller has motivation to make sure that things work here too."

Aha! leverage! In this market the seller does not to blow an escrow over a driveway. Get a civil engineer out there.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 09:48 PM
  #24  
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http://www.topsecretjpn.com/roberuta.shtml

Pricey, but perhaps you could get in touch with them and find out how much extra height you could gain and get some idea of whether or not it would be enough (although I'm thinking it's not likely going to be sufficient ).
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 10:04 PM
  #25  
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That's crazy, I didn't realize even the stock Z is often too aggressive.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 10:08 PM
  #26  
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buy two 2x4's then drive on up.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 10:23 PM
  #27  
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What's so hard to decide here.
MOVE
YOU CAN'T LIVE AT A PLACE WHERE U CAN'T FREELY PARK YOUR CAR.
Somehow, this thread reminded me of the episode of top gear when they
try to drive all the exotics out of small tight *** condo parking lot exit.
They had to get woods on the bumps so the cars wouldn't scratch.
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 10:31 PM
  #28  
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Wow it must be a hellava slope on that driveway.
My car's lowered 1.2" with low profile tires, and I can clear most slopes
by going up/down diagnally(u kno wat I mean).
I guess that initial slight uphill is a big problem.
Any way you can try to shave that off somehow?
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 10:40 PM
  #29  
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How about this??
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 10:45 PM
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wow man that sucks, try angling your car as much as you can
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Old Nov 5, 2006 | 11:25 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by bizcotch
How about this??
Damn that's what I was trying to display. Nice job!
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 03:35 AM
  #32  
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My uncle does masionary work on the side and some times i help out just to get a feel for how to use stone and concrete. IMO the picture above isn't that complicated and could be done by anyone with some concrete skills. the only bad part is concrete work isn't cheap and your talking abot grading and rounding off the top, and that coud get pricy depending on how much needs to be removed. I would call around and get some quotes if i were you. A driveway shouldn't make you look for a new place, just rip it out and make it work.
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 03:54 AM
  #33  
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Have you tried Backing Down?

Other than That, You could look in to an Airbag Suspension, OR, If you can find some "on-the-fly" adjustable Shocks that will raise/lower your car, you might be home free.
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 04:04 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by bizcotch
How about this??
Thanks for the idea. There are 2 challenges with this, though.
1. At the top, the sidewalk is owned by the city of SF. They won't allow modifications to the sidewalk. (I didn't say they couldn't be done... it's just not allowed....)
2. At the bottom, you've effectively lowered the garage height. It doesn't affect the Z, of course, but there are other vehicles parking in the building. It also affects drainage and the garage door.

That said, we're engaging driveway experts this week to help analyze the situation. With constraint #1 in place, though, some rough analysis suggested the stock Z would never clear the driveway.

http://www.topsecretjpn.com/roberuta.shtml

Pricey, but perhaps you could get in touch with them and find out how much extra height you could gain and get some idea of whether or not it would be enough (although I'm thinking it's not likely going to be sufficient ).
This is interesting. Does anyone have any info on this -- how much height gain is typical? Being pretty ignorant to the world of suspensions, I'm not sure what would be required - just cup kit, or aftermarket coilovers as well?
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 04:11 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by sq40
Have you tried Backing Down?

Other than That, You could look in to an Airbag Suspension, OR, If you can find some "on-the-fly" adjustable Shocks that will raise/lower your car, you might be home free.
That's my suggestion, air suspension/adustable shocks, probably cheaper than repaving yur driveway.
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 04:16 AM
  #36  
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My friends dad had the same problem with his Ferrari. He had to put 2x4s down every time he wanted to get up the driveway. it was a pain but at least he got to drive a Ferrari
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 05:12 AM
  #37  
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you'll need to get a new car...you'd lose so much money if you sold your condo now...air suspension would be quite an expensive solution...get a nice suv crossover or something...FX45 or 35 would be quick, but much more practical
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 05:34 AM
  #38  
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Get a rolling start, and make the initial jump fast. While you're in the air, yell "YEEEEEHHH HAAAAAWWW", and pray you land in the garage.
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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 05:48 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by jtabraham
Get a rolling start, and make the initial jump fast. While you're in the air, yell "YEEEEEHHH HAAAAAWWW", and pray you land in the garage.


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Old Nov 6, 2006 | 06:15 AM
  #40  
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go in sidewayyz
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