Senior Citizen with a new 350Z
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New Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
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From: Tucson, Arizona
How careful are you Z owners when you leave your car in parking lots? I have to admit I am almost paranoid about it and park way back in an open area. Have you had many bad experiences where cars have been vandalized or broken into? My wife's only gripe is that she fears we can't use the car if we go out for the evening to a show or event somewhere and will be relegated to traveling in our 04 Honda CRV. The Z really stands out next to other cars. Man what a looker but it can also be a problem magnet. Would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Bob
Bob
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From: FM (DFW) Tx
park away from the herd!!!
, some ppl get jealous and take keys to the Z paint, others just always open their door like a gust of wind caught it, leaving dents often right on the crease-line or fender
, some ppl get jealous and take keys to the Z paint, others just always open their door like a gust of wind caught it, leaving dents often right on the crease-line or fender
Last edited by trefittyZ; Mar 16, 2007 at 02:55 PM.
Most of us have the same fear, Bob..........with reason; there have been several threads posted about cars being egged or "keyed".
We take our Z lots of places but NEVER to locations where lots of kids might be such as shows, malls, or large concerts. Our SUV is our vehicle for such places.
In parking I look for an out of the way area or at least a corner spot where another car can only be on one side. In the latter case I park as close to the curb of the corner space as I can. (Let your wife out first; mine is always fussing me that I get to close to the curb making it hard for her to get in/out). Only problem: in pulling out I've cut it to close & scaped my rims on the curb 2 or 3 times.
Strategy has worked so far: not a single dent or scratch to date after 4+ years and 40,000 miles.
We take our Z lots of places but NEVER to locations where lots of kids might be such as shows, malls, or large concerts. Our SUV is our vehicle for such places.
In parking I look for an out of the way area or at least a corner spot where another car can only be on one side. In the latter case I park as close to the curb of the corner space as I can. (Let your wife out first; mine is always fussing me that I get to close to the curb making it hard for her to get in/out). Only problem: in pulling out I've cut it to close & scaped my rims on the curb 2 or 3 times.
Strategy has worked so far: not a single dent or scratch to date after 4+ years and 40,000 miles.
on your pics. Hey Bob, when you go to the movies, you park way in the back & if it's a hot night when you come out of the theatre....take your key fob & hold down your unlock button a few seconds....your windows will roll down automatically. So by the time you & your wife get to your Z, it's been sort of cool down a bit. BTW don't worry about a thing....that's why you have insurance. Zzzya...
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From: in the trunk of my dad's buick
just wanted to throw out a quick congrats. Of all the cars i've had the Z is the easiest to get in and out of for my grandmother. She loves it, "just not to fast around the turns" as she says.
Originally Posted by trains1937
How careful are you Z owners when you leave your car in parking lots? I have to admit I am almost paranoid about it and park way back in an open area. Have you had many bad experiences where cars have been vandalized or broken into? My wife's only gripe is that she fears we can't use the car if we go out for the evening to a show or event somewhere and will be relegated to traveling in our 04 Honda CRV. The Z really stands out next to other cars. Man what a looker but it can also be a problem magnet. Would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Bob
Bob
I generally look for the following when I park:
- Corner spots so I can huge the sides. I hate door ding!!!
- Well lit areas.
- If 1 fails I go for the spot in the very back.
- If 1 and 3 fails I find a nice BMW or Mercedes to park next to. They value their cars just as much as we do.
BTW never ever take the Z to places like Walmart.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: North East
Originally Posted by The Brickyard Rat
Most of us have the same fear, Bob..........with reason; there have been several threads posted about cars being egged or "keyed".
We take our Z lots of places but NEVER to locations where lots of kids might be such as shows, malls, or large concerts. Our SUV is our vehicle for such places.
In parking I look for an out of the way area or at least a corner spot where another car can only be on one side. In the latter case I park as close to the curb of the corner space as I can. (Let your wife out first; mine is always fussing me that I get to close to the curb making it hard for her to get in/out). Only problem: in pulling out I've cut it to close & scaped my rims on the curb 2 or 3 times.
Strategy has worked so far: not a single dent or scratch to date after 4+ years and 40,000 miles.
We take our Z lots of places but NEVER to locations where lots of kids might be such as shows, malls, or large concerts. Our SUV is our vehicle for such places.
In parking I look for an out of the way area or at least a corner spot where another car can only be on one side. In the latter case I park as close to the curb of the corner space as I can. (Let your wife out first; mine is always fussing me that I get to close to the curb making it hard for her to get in/out). Only problem: in pulling out I've cut it to close & scaped my rims on the curb 2 or 3 times.
Strategy has worked so far: not a single dent or scratch to date after 4+ years and 40,000 miles.
Remember this guy is your senior - he has more experience than you.
Very cool, Bob! As a senior member myself (48, but I let these guys have their fun, they'll be here soon enough!), here's a question.
Do you still have the impulse to get on her? I do, but I'm finding the older I get, my nerves and my reasoning intervene. Do you think "sports car enthusiast" is in your makeup?
Do you still have the impulse to get on her? I do, but I'm finding the older I get, my nerves and my reasoning intervene. Do you think "sports car enthusiast" is in your makeup?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Tucson, Arizona
My love of sports cars go way back. I remember the Austin Healy and Mgs from my teen years. They were some of the early "real" sports cars seen in America after WW2. Always dreamed of wanting one but never could afford them.
Bob
Bob
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From: North East
Glad you all like the classic British sports car. 
Austin Healeys fetch loads of money now if they are in tip top condition.
At one stage My Dad had an MG Midget and my Mum had an MG F which had an overdrive switch on the gearshifter. They also had a couple of Minis one of which was a Traveller and, my personal favourite, a VW Fastback.
When I turned 17 they gave me a 1968 Triumph Herald which still had the plastic on the doors from the factory. Seems like an old lady had from new and kept it locked away for years. I eventually took the roof off it which was just a few bolts and drove cabrio style for the summer. In the end I sold it for a healthy profit to an enthusiast.
One of my friends in the UK has a couple of Morris Minors and an original Mini Cooper which up until recently he was using to drive to work!. He also has a very rare MG GT V8 in black which he has had from new. That car is so nice.
Austin Healeys fetch loads of money now if they are in tip top condition.
At one stage My Dad had an MG Midget and my Mum had an MG F which had an overdrive switch on the gearshifter. They also had a couple of Minis one of which was a Traveller and, my personal favourite, a VW Fastback.
When I turned 17 they gave me a 1968 Triumph Herald which still had the plastic on the doors from the factory. Seems like an old lady had from new and kept it locked away for years. I eventually took the roof off it which was just a few bolts and drove cabrio style for the summer. In the end I sold it for a healthy profit to an enthusiast.
One of my friends in the UK has a couple of Morris Minors and an original Mini Cooper which up until recently he was using to drive to work!. He also has a very rare MG GT V8 in black which he has had from new. That car is so nice.
Last edited by Black Duck; Mar 18, 2007 at 10:23 AM.
trains, another tip here. I find looking out the back window to back out of a parking space difficult for these somewhat aged bones (LOL!). So I usually back into parking spaces & pull out forward.
Can't participate in the English car discussion but rode BSAs & Triumph Bonnevilles for years. I'd still give my left nut for a couple hours on a Vincent Black Shadow.
Don't miss the Lucas, "Prince of Darkness", electronics, though!
Can't participate in the English car discussion but rode BSAs & Triumph Bonnevilles for years. I'd still give my left nut for a couple hours on a Vincent Black Shadow.
Don't miss the Lucas, "Prince of Darkness", electronics, though!