Caught in a rainstorm- my car is ruined
 

Today I was caught in a rainstorm in my car. There was no sign of rain when I left the driveway, then it started storming hard. I would never drive in the rain if I could help it.

I realize this sounds silly, but this is the first time my car has been driven in the rain and I feel like it has been damaged somehow. Also, when I opened the door to get out, the rain was angled right at my interior and it came in. This almost destroyed me.

I went to my car after the rain stopped and checked the interior. It was dry except for a few spots and I wiped them off. I surveyed the exterior of the car and everything was fine except for a little dirt.

Anyway, I feel badly about this experience so I came to this message board for help. Has anyone vowed never to drive their car in the rain yet was caught anyway? Did you need counseling?

Dude, you're crazy. I don't drive my car in the rain often, but I will if I have to. You're fine. Just don't drive in the snow without snow tires.

A little rain won't hurt.

It's been raining 2 or 3 days a week here for the better part of two months. The Z is just fine. If anything it's getting washed more often becuase of the water spots.

You may want to consider counseling.

I think the Z can handle some raindrops. Perhaps a good washing may be required, but other than that your car can take it.

I thought you were gonna say that you were in a Roadster and couldnt get the top up for some reason. :)

I get a little water on my door about every time it rains. I just wipe some off with whatever I have handy and it'll be fine.

Dude no need to be freaking out here. It has rained here every day for over 3 weeks now. Its getting very old, but the Z can handle a little rain with no problems.

are you serious ?

I had my car filled with rain/hail 3 inchs deep and it works fine, a few drops won't hurt.

Um, this car was made to be driven, thats why it has a top and windows that go up.
I don't think you are going to get any more out of it when the time comes to sell it by telling the prospective buyer that it never saw rain, and if you plan on keeping it forever, it is not going to look any worse either. Jeesh!

as much as i like my car, it's just a car. rain isn't going to hurt it.

whats the minimum age required to drive in your state?








12?

I don't know about NY, but in Manitoba rain is made out of the same stuff that I wash my car with.

Come winter, I'm putting some winter tires on a new set of rims... and just keep driving. I spent way too much on this car to drive it 6 months a year, less rainy days.

Since your car is ruined, I'm willing to help you out and take it off your hands... what are scrap yards paying these days... $250??? I think I can go $300. :D

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I have a beater for the rain and everyday occasions. So I decided my sportscar would be for dry days when the roads are cleaner. I really hadn't planned on getting it sloppy.

Also, I maintain my interior perfectly, using leather conditioner and damp cloths to keep it immaculate. Having to open my door in the heavy rain and let a lot of water in on the seats was very disturbing.

Yes a rainstorm can be both scary and very COol when your on AcID MaN!!!!

Somebody needs a life.

Coming from a guy who now has 70 layers of Zaino on his car.....YOU ARE CRAZY MAN!

I use to have a 93 RX7 that was immaculate, and never driven in then rain. I eventually got caught in it a couple of times, but it was no big deal.

The car was 10 years old and looked brand new, inside and out.

When I got this car I promised myself I would never be that anal again. In the month I have had my Z it has rained 24 out of 30 days, and I mean hard at times. The Z drove great, and cleaned up easily.

Don't stress the little stuff. If you have a problem dealing with it, talk to a counselor. It sounds more like a disorder than just wanting to keep the car in mint condition.

Re: Caught in a rainstorm- my car is ruined
 

i have never been judgemental about anyone here on these boards, but i am sorry, i think you might need somekind of reality check here. if you can afford other cars and choose not to drive the Z in the rain that is great but come on, lets be real. The Z is a great daily driver. I do know i need something else for in the snow but thats for safety only, not for damage to the car. In fact the Z is a great car to drive in the rain. Get yourself alone on an empty street, turn the TCS and/or VDC off and have a blast. Overall chill out!!!!

:icon18: :icon18: :icon18: :icon18: :icon18: :icon18: :icon18:

I feel the same way!
 

Hey Guys,

I wanted to say that I feel the same way - I thought I was the only one. I have a similar situation to share.

Yesterday the forecast called for cloudy skies so I took the car cover off my car and I was about to pull the Z out of the garage hoping for a wonderful 3-5 mile jaunt down the twisties (can't put too many miles on it).

Well as I pulled out, I notice that the landscaping company blew some chopped up grass onto my driveway so I had to get a blower to blow it back to the side - I don't want grass touching my tires - something about it being organic and the rot could transfer to my shoes - YUCK!

So I finally get out of my driveway and it was a great, cloudy sky. I was in heaven. Then all of a sudden, the sun broke though the clouds! :mad:

All I could think about where the Alpha and Gamma rays hitting my car. All that UV deterioration - I think I am going to need to get a new paintjob. Good thing my comprehensive insurance covers natural disasters!

I am NEVER going to drive again except at night with no chance of rain or shine.

;)

I use to be that way as well, in Dallas it has rained everyday from Late May to now. Our cars are trashed, at first it bothered me but I got over it after a week of it.

Dude you are nuts. I'm glad you don't live in Seattle or you would never drive your car. :icon8:

Re: Caught in a rainstorm- my car is ruined
 

It rained the day I took delivery, and three days straight after that. I had the top down, I had to pull over and put the top up. I almost cried. The dealer did a good job in the first detail, as the water beaded and I dried it off easily in my garage with a microfiber sponge. I have since waxed it twice and take it out in the rain with no worries.

black zebra you drive a 350Z.. not a ferrari enZo. Its a sports car that is a really good buy for the money.. but that doesn't make it rare or fragile, just really nice to look at. Your confused...

Treating it like a porsche is fine, as long as you understand it isn't one. Being this anal is just ODD..

I thank everyone for the help and replies, although some of them have been quite acerbic.

I guess I like to keep my car special, it's still new and I love it.

It's kind of like when you have a newborn baby, you are worried about relatives picking it up and breathing on it.

Um wow, its a CAR.

Ruined? sheesh buddy.

Drive in hail, rain, snow...who cares.

Re: Caught in a rainstorm- my car is ruined
 

Crazy as it may sound, I DON'T drive mine in the rain. I bought it used and I'm still AR about it. My wife thinks I'm nuts.
I know a few rain drops won't hurt it, but if it's raining the Z stays home! and I drive the 4Runner. :cool:

I used to be like that as well until a few weekends ago when I took her up to the Finger Lakes in New York. It poured all the way from Cleveland to NY. Trust me, I found a car wash the next morning.

At least I know the Injen CAI is OK in the rain.

Both my Zzzz and my sons have been rained on.

Both have survived nicely!

If Bonzer says your "nuts", you may wish to consider getting help.
The man is over the edge himself!

Re: I feel the same way!
 

Thanks for the laughs! zya......

i think youre right, its probably ruined. id call your insurance company and tell them what happened. you have full coverage right?

Re: Caught in a rainstorm- my car is ruined
 

No, you don’t need counseling, I didn't. You sound normal to me.

I’ve had my Z a little over a year and it has be rained on twice. The last time I was caught in the rain I washed it in drive (while it was still raining) before I pulled it in the garage. I then dried the off in the garage. I promised my baby I’d never do that to her again.

Thus, I don't even drive her on overcast days anymore.

This past winter was pretty bad, I didn’t drive her for 3 weeks in January. Even when the weather was clear I wanted wait until a good rain came and washed the roads of the salt and chemicals. So after the last snow I always have to wait until the next good rain comes.

I guess that explains why I only have 4,750 miles on her after a year.

Re: Re: I feel the same way!
 

I don't get it, what's so funny?

Re: Re: Re: I feel the same way!
 

:confused: :confused: :icon8: :icon8: :icon9: ......:icon18: :D

If you are so scared of the rain maybe you should move to Southern California.

i just got the z to sit in my garage. you guys drive it???

I couldn't bare the thought of anyone, including myself, looking at my car. I keep it in the garage under 6 covers. God Bless.

Whats Rain ? :D

what kind of damage can rain do? i would be more worried about lots of direct sunlight, which will eventually harm your paintjob.

See... that's what I'm talking about. UV is the devil.

But in all seriousness - the car is beautiful but prone to paint chips, rock chips, accidents, and people keying your car.

That's why god invested MAACO!

Alright all kidding aside - rain is okay for the car.

After 2 coats of Meguiar's Liquid Gold (or whatever it's called), I love the way my car self dries if I'm on the highway and it goes from rain to shine.

I also love the way the water beads up if the car is sitting in the rain. It looks like a gust of wind could blow it all away. Get some Zaino or some good wax and you'll appreciate the beauty of large beads of water :D

I think you should try making an insurance claim

Rain is ok for the paint... compared to UV IMO...

haha i know how it feels. I feel like something inside of me is destroyed when it rains on my car.. but hey i will drive in the rain if i have to.. used to it now.. it was just for the first couple of weeks when i got it.. now im over it :)

How about 3" of snow on the road? Happens often in MI

first off, relax. the cars not gonna melt. its water. much like the water used to wash your car. It was bound to happen. Drive your Z, dont make it a Garage Queen.

when i bought my car it rained (read:stormed) as i was leaving.

Don't forget about acid rain. j/k;)

Holy sh*t this is a 350z not an Enzo. Even the guys with enzo's and f50s drive in the rain down here. You will probably have a new car in 3 years, take the next 2 and a half years to make your car worthwhile. Drive it everywhere! ;-)

If it were raining refigerators, I could see why your Z would be "ruined".;) Not trying to be acerbic.

When and if you get caught in a rain shower or storm, you are rewarded with an opportunity to clean your car afterwards. For many this experience is a PITA, for others it offers an excuse to spend more time with the car and get to know it even better.

Zaino it, wax it, clay it, detail it, rub it, scub it, wet it, dry it, have your hands all over it. You'll learn alot about it . Grab a cocktail or five and treat your Z to some TLC after a rainy trip. Believe me, rain is not the worst thing that can happen. Enjoy your new car, worrying about it is normal.

(used "it" 14 times, sorry)