I've noticed since getting the ZR that I'm a more paranoid driver.

- Don't like to ride behind trucks. (to prevent rock chips)
- Park at the back of the lot no matter where I go. (to prevent door dings)
- Travel on less busy streets whenever possible. (less bad drivers)
- Careful to enter and exit steep driveways. (to prevent scraping)
- Take evasive maneuvers whenever I see road debris (same as above)
- Always take wife's car when grocery shopping or running normal errands. (no room to carry anything anyway)
- Considering getting an extra car to drive in bad weather and when I need to do normal stuff.

Just wondering if I need professional help or if this is common among ZR owners or Z owners in general.

 

I don't know if it's common, but if not, I'll need a reference to your shrink cause I'm the same way. I hate when I take it to work and I can't park it in sight... I already scraped the underneath of the front bumper on a parking curb (ARRRRRGGGGGHHH!!), but I don't even drive it when it's raining. I have my Cavalier still for the winter and regular driving. I suggest you get a craptacular car for the same reason. Especially if you have a place to winter store it. Wait a sec.. You're in Florida.. Never mind.
grumble grumble. stupid snow.. grumble.

 

Hey 350zRoadster04,

You should take that act on the road, it is so true. By the end of your list I knew we were brothers. This is the most that I have ever spent on a car, and by far the best sports car I have ever driven long term. I have two alarms on it with proximity sensor.

I have developed more defensive driving skills since I have had the roadster. It pays to be paranoid when you are on the road. Everyone really *is* out to get you.


But once the car gets that first imperfection, I actually start to enjoy the car more, and worry less. You can't drive without taking damage around here. I have the xpel clear bra, and I wash it with a $70 boars hair brush, but it is slowly and steadily getting swirl marks in the paint.

There is a big difference between a polisher and a driver. Which do you want to be? One road has less worry involved, and is more fun in the long run. Relax and enjoy your car. It's probably not the last one that you will own.

It is true that the things that you own end up owning you, if you aren't careful.

 

Dang, I thought I was the only one. I've owned Porsches, Vetts, BMWs and Mercedes before but I have never been as paranoid as driving my roadster. Now I don't feel so bad knowing I'm not the only one...

 

I guess we are all weird.I also do all of the above. I also have a 93 300zx convertible (roadster) that I treat the same way, except that I race it in HPDE events and Auto X. I drive my 93 the same as my 350 on the roads then I take it to the track, yeah that makes a lot of sense. I am far less paranoid on the track than on the local roads. Neither car has a nick or scratch anywhere yet. My daily driver is either a Subaru Outback wagon or a Sebring convertible. As long as it is not raining when I leave the house I will take either of the Z's to run local errands (park way out at the end of the lot) or on long trips or just drives to nowhere. As long as it is not raining the tops are down, the windows are down and if it's above 30 to 45 degrees out the heat is pumped up. But, the top and windows are never up. It's my convertible thing. Since 1966 I have never not owned at least 1 convertible. I live in NJ and pretty much drive my cars with the top down all year.

 

Yup, me too-- this is my first nice convertible sports car- but boy am I in love with it! I cursed like a sailor the first time I ground the side/undercarriage on a curb.

 

Driving home from the dealership I was VERY paranoid. Now I just curse the slow drivers in my way, park in 'safe' spots and watch for police more. There are so many trucks in Atlanta, it's impossible to avoid them.

 

Thanks for all of the comments. Feels good to know I'm not the only one.

I would normally agree that once you get a door ding or when the car starts to get a little worn, you worry less about it, but my wife hit my ZR with her car 2 days after I bought it when backing out of the garage and I had to take it to the body shop to get repaired. My ZR didn't even have 70 miles on it at the time. I think I actually became more paranoid after that incident and now no one is allowed within arms length of the car.

The things you own can end up owning you is definitely true.

 

Yeah, I'm paranoid about it, too, but you do get over it after a few months. It's a car, it's on the road, and things are going to happen...you just try to prevent them. However, this car IS my daily driver. I told myself when I bought it that when it rained, I'd drive my old Ranger pick-up, when it got cold, I'd drive my pick-up, just once every few days, I'd drive my pick-up. Well, guess what, all of the above has happened and I just can't walk by my roadster in the garage and drive my truck! I feel as though I'm spending so much, I ought to enjoy it! And I have a nice long commute to work in which I can choose a variety of country back roads to really, really, enjoy the car. I guess the new just hasn't worn off, and I hope it never does. My only gripe, if you can call it that, is just getting use to the wind-noise that picks up at highway speed. Takes some getting used to. It seems below 65 or 70 or so, the rushing of wind is not as noticeable, but 70+ for the most part, there is the constant rushing...anybody notice that?? Oh well, different topic...

Anyhow...I keep mine in the garage of course, but have just today started to put a piece of plastic (actually, a poncho) across the top because our outdoor cat has occaisonally taken an interest in SLEEPING ON THE TOP!! That will have to come to an end, one way or another.

Anyway...interesting thread...

 

Mr Chew and Zmann and other Roadster owners.

I know most Roadster owners are still in the break in period.

But how does it feel to do 120 to 140 Mph, with top down or up?

Even in my Coupe at 125 to 135 the car feels like 90 or 100 Mph in other vehicles.....

Cheers AMy -