trains1937

Turned 84 on April 29th. Still healthy. My 87 year old wife and I are both vaccinated. Starting to dine indoors at restaurants and attended first indoor movie a few weeks ago (Godzilla vs Kong). The Z has been running fine. I’m putting about 3000 miles on it at most during the year. I over stated the mileage last year. There is only 127,000 miles on it at this point. The car runs great and I continue to enjoy riding it. A few weeks ago I had a chance to drive a 2011 Tesla roadster owned by a young neighbor. Even with its original 100,000 plus new car price, the roadster is nothing close to the Z in handling, room, and comfort. It does beat the Z in initial acceleration (0 -60 less than 4 sec) but I don’t think top speed is much higher. Very small cabin and major challenge getting out.

Have one problem with the Z. The stitching running along the length of the driver’s side seat is starting to separate, mostly where I slide in. The seat is cloth. This has happened twice before. Each time I had an upholsterer repair it but it lasts for a while and the separation begins sgain. I am considering again having it done but wonder if I would be better off getting a seat cover. Any opinion on this and, if you favor a seat cover, any suggestions on the best brand.

Signing off for now. Look forward to reporting back next year.

oldfreakingguy

Thanks for the report.
I'm feeling like a piker in comparison.
So happy to hear that your interest in the driving the Z is still fun.
Take care.

NiLL

I look forward to this every year, One day ill be the same way. Fun cars until death takes me!

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

Bob- it's always great to read your updates. Glad to hear you' continue to enjoy your Z, it remains my favorite even though I test and review new cars every year. For your question, why not have your upholstery shop completely strip the front seats and put fresh covers on them? Perhaps you'd like a different color with different stitching? Shouldn't cost too much and be more durable than fixing your old seat covers.

trains1937

I never thought about having the whole seat cover replaced. The fabric would be a lot stronger and give me at least 10 years of use. By that time I may consider passing the car onto someone else and he wouldn’t have to worry about seat repair. I will check out the cost. Thank you.

Zendem

iTrader: (2)

Awesome. ill hopefully be doing the same if i make it to that age. I'm 39, but i feel like that's old already.

oldfreakingguy

Really like Bobs suggestion: "die young as late as possible"

trains1937

With reference to my worn front seat. Went to a reputable auto upholsterer and I can get the cloth seat recovered for $450. It will be a close match to the passenger seat. I am only having the one done since the passenger seat has gotten little use and is in almost new condition. If you‘ve guessed my wife doesn’t like riding in the car you’re right. She complains about the ride being too hard and finds it awkward to get in to. I try to explain about sports cars but it does no good. She is happy with her CR-V. Bless her.

MicVelo

We have wives in common. Haha! In eight years - not including when we were first dating - we've ridden together in my Zs (yes, any of the four 33/34 varieties) maybe 8x for the same reasons! She also finds the seats uncomfortable where I find them a perfect fit for me. More comfortable even, than the Recaro LS, LW in previous cars and the factory Recaros in my Shiro. Oh well, no issues with any of the other cars so all good.

And yes, she's happy with her Highlander.

Oh, belated Happy birthday, Bob!

trains1937

I agree with you on the comfort of the seat. In 2009 and 2010 I drove to Pebble Beach riding 3 hours at a stretch. No problems at all. Have taken many 90 minute trips to Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale and was relaxed all the way. None of the cars I’ve owned were comparable.

chatcher

iTrader: (3)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17460900448...UAAOSws19gDQ2C

A little bit more $$ then fixing but an alternative that may work better. I got leather seats with the z I have now had cloth in the first on prefer leather.