I have a Honda del sol art car (the H-Wing Carfighter) that's been around for about a decade. I take it to kids' hospitals, military events, car shows, and parades - up to 160 events a year - and use it to raise tons of money for charity. The sol is 14 years old, past 220K miles, and having small problems that cost big to fix on such a small-production-run car. It's about time to replace it.

I'm considering two cars- the 350z roadster, and the Mercedes SLK. Both have plus and minuses- if I could combine the two, I'd be in heaven.

I thought I'd go for some opinions from you guys to see what you, the owners, like and don't about your Z Roadsters and the 350z in general. I know off the bat that a lot of you will cry heresy at my proposed changes, but I get that all the time for the del sol, so I'm willing to take the chance for some honest opinions.

My Grandfather was a service manager for Datsun/Nissan back in the day, and I have a pretty big soft spot for the Z series, but want to make sure I consider the right year, trim and options on the 350. I plan to mostly do cosmetic mods; performance is an afterthought, but I'll get around to it after I get back on the road for my philanthropic ventures.

I plan to buy used, since I never charge for appearances for my car; all appearance fees go right to the charities I support (and there are 70+) so expenses come from my pocket, unless I pick up some sponsors as I'm hoping to do.

In the interest of full disclosure, I've appeared on your boards before. - and here. First time actually posting as a member. :P

If you want to take a look at the design (click the loaded pic to be sure it's full screen):

Nissan 350z Roadster

Mercedes SLK 350 (in case you're interested)

or geeky flash x-ray viewer at my website.

My guidelines for car selection are this:

Must be open-topped to allow easy viewing/access for guests at events, many of whom are mentally and physically challenged or differently-abled.

Leather, vinyl or plastic interior to allow me to disinfect the cockpit for visits by children at hospitals.

Vehicle design should be striking to aid the transition from stock vehicle to art car and evoke the “starfighter” theme without resembling a racing car.

Must be able to mount R2-D2, laser cannons and other signature artistic touches. Ability to mount a computer for passengers at events is ideal.

Must be reliable/robust enough to assure many years (8+) of service as both show car and daily driver

Thanks guys- I appreciate the input, positive or negative. I'm a fiercly loyal car owner- based on all the magazine, press and internet, arguably I have the most famous del sol in the world. I expect to achieve the same with the next car, 350z or SLK.

 

Welcome. Sure you can put laser cannons and stuff on a 350Z Roadster. There may also be enough room for the R2D2 head thing on the trunk.

Doubt if moon hub caps will work with OEM wheels. THey will work with steel wheels that fit a Mustang.

Lots of plastic inside the Z that cleans easy with soap and water. Avoid cloth seats.

 

On the back I would like to see a spinning amber light. Gets more attention than a R2D2 head. R2D2 just sits and does nothing.

 

Actually. R2-D2 spins, beeps, lights up, and collects phone numbers. Many 18-30-year-olds in So Cal think he's cute, and take pics with him. I find lipstick prints on his dome when I clean the car.

V 2.0 will have a camera and motion sensors. I find that I get more attention with R2 than the Deloreans, General Lees and Batmobiles I show with... I think the light would be a step down.

I should clarify- I know the R2 dome fits -barely- and that the guns will as well. I've been down to CarMax to measure and take pix -But you guys live with these cars daily; thanks for your input!

 

ha ha i love how casual you are about installing laser cannons on the ZR, I guess it happens more often than I thought!

 

My apologies for underestimating the full potential of R2D2.

 

I think that all of this sounds pretty cool... My vote is for a 2007 ZR (has the new engine that has proved low-maintence so far) and with the right amount of searching (especially in this economy), one can be had for a reasonable price... I wish that I could see the pics, but I am getting owned by my work proxy right now. However what you are doing sounds great, and I look forward to seeing pics and hearing the updates!

This world could use more people like you!

 

I've had laser cannons installed for a couple years now. They add to my blind spots, get in the way, and get me pulled over. I've been ticketed numerous times for illegal equipment.

If you install laser cannons, be sure to have them hide away when not in use.

 

get a slk or whatever. stay away from the Z with your bad ideas.

and please don't tout your connection to a Del Sol as anything to brag about. it's still a Del Sol no matter how popular or famous it is.

 

Seriously? People like him balance out the world because of people like you...

 

Go with the Z. Ignore the ignorant posts that you may get. The Z is pretty reliable and I would like to see the end result. Congrats on your charity work.

 

I just got back from speaking to a few mechanics and stereo installers (and dealerships)- learned a bunch:

1) the Z is superior to the SLK as far as after market mods are considered- something I knew, but was verified by those in the know.

2) the SLK electronics are too integrated to replace- stereo, nav, etc. A potential electronics sponsor says he wouldn't want to work on it for a ton of cash.

3) despide the amenities in the SLK, I really like the Z interior, as plasticky as it is. It reminds me of a WWII fighterplane, and is pretty comfy.

4) a used Z is up to $10K less expensive than the SLK- 'nough said.

So the SLK is dropping a few notches in rank, and the Z is climbing...

 

Go wit the Z. I love it to death and think it you would same a bunch of money with the Z over the SLK. Good Luck

 

Sorry for fast type!

 

I didn't want to read the OP's entire life story, so what exactly was the question? Don't people know the meaning of paraphrasing?

 

No worries... I get comments and hate e-mail like this all the time. Much of it is from the younger crowd, some even from guys that don't own the car in question but idolize it until they can finally get their driver's license.

I think it's lame when they make SUVs/Hummers into stretch limos- I can relate to not liking someone's mod plans.

I understand that what I'm doing will upset a few. I got it from the del sol crowd, and also from any other car I'm currently considering. I really didn't like the sol when it came out- then I realized what I could do to it, make it unique, and it clicked for me. It's smaller than the Z, sure, but I can still get a comfortable 130 MPH out of it. And what I can't beat, I can shoot down- that's why the guns face forward.

The del sol has the benefit of only a 75k car production run- they're pretty rare, so less people to get upset over them. Ask the average person to ID a del sol, they say Porsche or Fiat. But most of the hard-core crowd I know in Team Del Sol have eventually come around.

I don't mean to be a downer at all, but my Nissan contacts remind me me (as I'm sure you already know) that this is the last year for the 350z as they gear up for a 2010 370z roadster. So its days are numbered, and will soon be in a similar category to the del sol as a no-longer-in-production, 6-year-run rarity...

Which, like the del sol, will just make the hard-core people love it more.

Especially the more unique colors.....

 

Paraphrased:

What do you like about your car?

What do you hate?

How does it hold up as a daily driver?

Why might it be a better car then a Mercedes SLK?

 

I like the dipstick.

I hate the falling price that allows younger kids to buy them with their parents' help.

Holds up well as a daily driver. Not the most comfortable, but tolerable.

Nothing is better than a Mercedes. They're known for being some of the most reliable cars on earth!

 

Spent the day yesterday looking at small-dealership and private-party "pre-owned" Zs- I was pretty surprised how many of them looked as if they'd sat through the rain with the top down. Mildew smell, white drip trails coming from under the dash, fabric/carpet and storage box liners separating from their panels. Saw a lot of cracked/pinched tops as well, on 2005-2007s.

How much of this is normal, and how much is poor owner care?

On the plus side, really happy how well the seats "fit". My current ride had the stock Recaro and now S2000 seats, both really comfortable... the Z seats feel pretty good, but then I'm 5' 6"...

Mechanics I spoke to reccomend the Z as a car they don't see very often. Audio guys say it's awesome for customizing, so I'm getting even closer as the Benz drops lower in esteem. Still have the Saturn Sky under consideration, but it somehow isn't as sexy as the Z.

 

omg you're "that guy"!

Why not a coupe? I've always thought the coupes would look cool with the rear glass taken out. You can put R2D2 there. Then place the quad burners like the X-wing on the rear part of the trunk. Chop the Top for a targa.

Anyhow, as long as you lower it to all hell, it might look decent. I would turn a roadster into the landspeeder on Tatooine....omg omg omg...nerd out!