Am I the only one trying to keep the Z forever?
New Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 143
From: Tucson, Arizona
At 70 years of age I definitely intend to keep my Z alive as long as I am. It will be paid off in 4 years and will remain with me as long as I am alert enough to keep driving safely. I am maintaining the car according to the book and have enough faith in the reliability record of the Z to believe it will be with me for a long while. Rust is not a major concern since I'm living in Arizona. High summer heat and desert sand make it important to keep an eye on air filters and the condition of hoses. I bought the car in March of 07 and driving it today is as much of a kick as the day I got it. I never get tired of the elegant classic lines of the Z, that great steering and control, and that extra burst of power that is there when you want to pass someone on the highway. Awesome car. It was a terrific birthday present even if I gave it to myself.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (59)
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,517
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From: Raleigh, North Carolina
Originally Posted by Hoods
Anyone have any tips for cleaning the under body? I'll go and do some research but any personal tips would help. 
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 269
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by SuperBlack350z
i'm trying to be one of those guys that keep their cars for a long time. It seems everyone around me keeps wanting something new every couple of years.
If you are as well , i got some helpful tips .i talked to older guys who collect and restore cars for a living. They had cars in excellent condition. Couldn't help but ask them how they do it.
-don't drill into the firewall because of future rust and metal eating issues(people do this for electronics wires to pull in the cabin)
-Try not to use tar type sound deadening (ie: dynamat, ratmatt, ), stick to the fabric type sound deadening. Trapped in moisture will cause rust and is almost impossible to take off the sound deadener later.
-when jacking up the car, try putting a soft towel under the jack or jackstands so the undercoating doesn't get ripped up and go to the bare metal because of rust
-Don't drive the car with salt on the road
-Don't let water sit in the trunk, floor, or any other metal around the car.
-clean underneath the car once a year
basically, just try to get away from rust issues. These guys said it will become bad down the road and will be much more costly for a restoration. Some of their cars they had were from 1960, never had a rust issue. I thought that was pretty cool. I thought maybe someone would benefit from this.
Basically, these guys said
If you are as well , i got some helpful tips .i talked to older guys who collect and restore cars for a living. They had cars in excellent condition. Couldn't help but ask them how they do it.
-don't drill into the firewall because of future rust and metal eating issues(people do this for electronics wires to pull in the cabin)
-Try not to use tar type sound deadening (ie: dynamat, ratmatt, ), stick to the fabric type sound deadening. Trapped in moisture will cause rust and is almost impossible to take off the sound deadener later.
-when jacking up the car, try putting a soft towel under the jack or jackstands so the undercoating doesn't get ripped up and go to the bare metal because of rust
-Don't drive the car with salt on the road
-Don't let water sit in the trunk, floor, or any other metal around the car.
-clean underneath the car once a year
basically, just try to get away from rust issues. These guys said it will become bad down the road and will be much more costly for a restoration. Some of their cars they had were from 1960, never had a rust issue. I thought that was pretty cool. I thought maybe someone would benefit from this.
Basically, these guys said
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 339
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From: El Paso, TX
Originally Posted by SuperBlack350z
Dilute degreaser to about 5:1 ratio. Straight degreaser would start eating up stuff under there. let it sit for a couple of minutes, use a high pressure washer to rinse off and start using terry cloths and try to clean as much as you can.
In the past 5 years I had an SRT-4 and a STI before getting the Z. I finally found what was lacking in the previous vehicles. I plan on keeping it as long as my wallet allows it...
We dont get much rust in CA but everyone should keep an eye on the front sub frame, right at the lower front edge. I noticed quite a few rock chips and chipped paint. Could be a source of future rust. I cleaned mine up and put a coat of paint on it, just in case.
Chris
Chris
This thread depresses me because I planned to keep the Z forever but I already have some rust problems and I've been hit twice so the car has bondo on it. My subframe is rusted from scraping and I live on the east coast so I get the ocean air and the salt. Not good. Pretty sure I'll end up selling it.
Originally Posted by kamikaZ
This thread depresses me because I planned to keep the Z forever but I already have some rust problems and I've been hit twice so the car has bondo on it. My subframe is rusted from scraping and I live on the east coast so I get the ocean air and the salt. Not good. Pretty sure I'll end up selling it.
bondo? don't you have insurance?
my car is one of the oldest Z's on the road and it's a daily driver.....it's still fine.
Yes...
Originally Posted by 350z-noob
are you still around by then? lol
jk jk
jk jk
Last edited by Risky_Business; Jan 10, 2008 at 04:21 PM.
Now that the 2009 Z is only coming out with 330 HP I will definitely plan to stay with the Z for another 5-6 yrs. I'll wait till Nissan comes out with a Z with a minimum of 350 HP.
Hopefully I can drive the Z till it can go no more and then take the Z apart myself and part it out.
Hopefully I can drive the Z till it can go no more and then take the Z apart myself and part it out.
When I bought my Z 4.5 years ago.... I planned on keeping it forever and eventually turning it into a dedicated track car.
Now I'm not so sure about that. I think this spring I will be putting it back to stock and trading it in. It will be 5 years old by that time with probably 70k miles. It's been a great car... I've given her hell and she's held up well. But all good things must come to an end. I'm thinking about getting my kicks from a 125cc shifter kart instead... Much cheaper to race and MUCH MUCH faster. I'll probably end up with a sports sedan kid hauler...
Now I'm not so sure about that. I think this spring I will be putting it back to stock and trading it in. It will be 5 years old by that time with probably 70k miles. It's been a great car... I've given her hell and she's held up well. But all good things must come to an end. I'm thinking about getting my kicks from a 125cc shifter kart instead... Much cheaper to race and MUCH MUCH faster. I'll probably end up with a sports sedan kid hauler...
I bought mine close to 2 years ago. It will be paid off in about six months.
I plan on selling it in 3 years from now (it will be almost 5 years old then). I would sell it sooner but I spent too much on mods to get rid of it in 2 years from now.
If I hadn't modded it at all, I would consider getting rid of it in 12 months from now. If I could get 22 grand for it in 12 months from now, I would sell it in 12 months,........ maybe.
I plan on selling it in 3 years from now (it will be almost 5 years old then). I would sell it sooner but I spent too much on mods to get rid of it in 2 years from now.
If I hadn't modded it at all, I would consider getting rid of it in 12 months from now. If I could get 22 grand for it in 12 months from now, I would sell it in 12 months,........ maybe.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: O-Town
I lost my z ( Greddy twin turbo, veilside body kit and seibon carbon fiber hood )when the car hydroplaned and hit a tree....then I bought another z ( still driving stock ) but I totally lost my mojo for it because I keep comparing both cars....
