I bought my Redline Z on Dec. 27th and had problems with the paint since Dec. 28th. The next morning after I bought the car I went out to wash it and noticed about 20 white spots the size of a dime all over the car. I rushed to Southern States Nissan in Raleigh, NC to find out what was going on. They sent my car off that Sat. to have it buffed out and that didn't work. Monday they called Nissan and found out that there was a bulletin out for this. The bulletin said if any moisture got under the shipping plastic the paint would suck it up like a sponge. The "fix" believe it or not was a heat gun. Well I drove the car home and washed it and then dried it with a towel just like all my other cars and found scuff marks all over the car. Southern States recommened I take it to their detailer. They had to buff the car to get them out. After they buffed the car they washed it and dried it. I watched them dry the car and guess what they put another two foot scuff (using a towel) across the hatch and had to buff it again. Southern States said the next time this happened to leave it so the rep could see. I got another scuff the next time I washed the car on the back so I left it. The rep came and looked at the car and four weeks later agreed there was a problem and said they would paint the back 1/2 of my car. I asked what about the rest of the car and the said it was only scuffed on the back. Their own detailer said that he has now buffed the car 5 times and that this happen all over the car. They would only agree to paint the back.

 

The rest of the story....

I asked Southern States Nissan to sell me another car. My car had 1600 miles on it and they wanted my car and $5000.00 for another car the exact same. I told them they were not being reasonable. I offered $2500.00... That's how much I loved the car. They would not budge. They general manager said they didn't paint the damn car and if I wanted something done I would have to deal with Nissan. We went round and round and they would not help. Finally today I just asked them to help me get rid of the car because I was fed up. There answer "we are not going to do anything for you". Some dealership.. Keep in mind that I never swore or raised my voice. I tried to be reasonable the whole time and even offered $2500.00 for a new car. I went and traded for a convertible vette. Sorry for the length of this. I just wanted to let everybody hear my experience. I still love the car except for the sorry paint. By the way Nissan Consumer Affairs told me they have no plans to change the paint or painting procedures. Good luck to everyone else that is having problems.

 

Am I the only one that gave in and got rid of the car?????

 

I had a redline red i purchased in NJ on nov 22 of 2002 and Nissan repainted it on Jan2nd due to orange peel in the paint..did you have an excessive amount of orange peel in your pain...well i sisnce got rid of my redline (divource!!)and purchased a lemans sunset and the paint is crappy on that one too..plus My transmission just went!!!i am really regreting buying this car and not the convertible vet i was going to get...any how let me know on the wheels dude...

 

Yea I had the orange peel also. I ould have lived with that as most new cars have some orange peel. I had a Black Jaguar 4.0 S-Type and it had orange peel also. It is the chips and scuff marks I could't live with.

 

Check your pm's...

 

I know other people have gotton rid of their 350z you are just not admitting it. I have talked to two of you.

 

I had a quarter sized white spot on the hood that went away with engine heat, that I assume is similar to the spots you are describing. It kind of scared me when I found it at delivery after going to St Louis from Nashville to get the car.

 

Yes that is the same type of spot and it goes away with heat. The proble I had was the dealer didn't know what it was and they sent it off and the guy buffed and buffed trying to get them out. I think he buffed so much that he damaged the clear coat and the car scratched real easy.

 

I don't have anyhting CLOSE to that, but interestingly enuf, I have heard of VWs haveng a similar prob, they use a HOT HAIRDRYER to fix it. My car paint is GREAT, my dads new SL seriously has similar amount of orange peel

 

You guys should cheack the lemon laws where you live. Usually, a car that needs to be repainted (anything that hurts its resale value) should be taken back as a lemon, with your choice of another or your money back minus mileage.

 

That's how they fixed the white spots on mine... With a hair dryer. I had an Jaguar S-Type 4.0 that had quite a bit of orange peel also. Again I could have lived with that.

 

My dealer wouldn't do anything. Nissan North America agreed to paint half of my Redline. I am sure that would have looked great.