Love/Hate Relationship with the 370
 

Let me preface what I'm about to say by stating that I love this car, the way it drives, looks, and feels is amazing. However, I'm really starting to hate some things about it too. I bought my magnetic black Z in September and so far I have about 5 chips in various areas, quite a few micro-scratches in the paint, a couple of tiny marks on the wheels, and a scratch in the plastic in the bumper. Now mind you, I only have a shade over 2000 miles on my car and I've had the leather bra on it since day 1. I also take meticulous car of my car, so it's not a neglect issue.

Everyone warned me not to buy a black car and I did anyway, so I guess it's partially my fault. I just didn't think it would be THIS bad. Sorry for ranting, I just really needed to vent because I'm honestly so frustrated that I'm thinking about selling the car.

that happens to every car man don't worry about it i care a lot about my cars too thats why i didn't get black again but it will be fine just drive the car like its supposed to be driven and don't get so frustrated

Yep, happens to everyone. Just enjoy the car, you're the only one who knows about it's imperfections. Everyone else probably admires your car. The car is in good hands based on your comments, you have to accept these things happen.

P.S. My last Z was black and it was a pain...but nothing looks better than a clean black Z on the road.

I had to debate long and hard about whether I wanted a 370z now or in 4 months.

the catch? Now would mean it has to be black, in 4 months it could be PG. man that was the worse 4 months ever but totally worth it when it arrived ;) . I love the black color but there's a reason why I didnt go with it ;)

anybody that did, I applaud you for taking up on that task!

I had a black Mustang GT that I traded in for my Z and it was a bear to keep clean. But Black is still my favorite color so if you can do the upkeep it's worth keeping. Don't sell.

nothing beats a properly detailed black car... but, i definitely don't want to be the one properly detailing it every day!

i luv everything about my 370z (less factory base HU) except for the side mirrors. which ill fix later.

Move to the country...:tup:

and hit a cow instead of a car?

Let me help you out man, im pretty sure this process will make you fall in love once again.:
Z-18 ClayBar: Zaino Store
Miva Merchant: Fatal Error
ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive: Zaino Store
Z-5 PRO Show Car Polish for Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches: Zaino Store
Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes: Zaino Store
Z-7 Show Car Wash: Zaino Store
Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray: Zaino Store

I hate the stock head unit as well. Looking for a decent DVD/NAV headunit.

yah, i went with pioneer DVD on mine and added a rearview camera. works great. :)

:tup: They are softer....

yep my 350 was black and i think black is the best color for a sports car. its gorgeous when clean from 15 feet away. Get up close and all you see is chips and nicks and "spider webs" and imperfections. Like others have said its a car and its going to have blemishes no matter how much you take care of it. they just show up so much more on black.

hence why I went with white on the 370!

I had a black GT too and needless to say it looked great but ill never have black again

I took my chances with a black car 2 cars ago (warned not to like you), all I can say is never again. since you have it now although just enjoy it!

I love my Z cuz its got good power and I hate my Z cuz its good power makes me want more.

I once bought a gorgeous new big black Chrysler Imperial, triple black with leather seats oike a sumptuous couch and deep, rich black paint and black leather top---fit for a king or potentate. So beautiful but it exhausted me keeping it clean. After 3 years I was burned out, sold it and said never again. But when that beautiful black car was clean it was sooo magnificent. Everyone's gotta' do black once. Enjoy.

Had a big black truck before the Z. Truck looked amazing when clean but keeping it that way was awful. It was so time consuming and because of the size everything to twice as long to finish. I always wanted a black ride, I got one, and got it out of my system. With the Z I wanted a car that wouldn't show scratches easily and was a color that didnt show alot of dirt. Monterey Blue so far is a breeze to keep clean compared to the truck.

I've owned an awful lot of black cars and although they are beautiful, they are such a pain to keep looking nice all the time.

My husband also points out every little new chip I get on my Z....I have no idea where they come from, they just magically appear via osmosis from the pavement to my paint. :)

Just enjoy your STILL beautiful Z :)

keep the car..black is one of my favorite colors but i got white cuz im lazy..lol..oh btw way i have chips on my bumper too..these cars are meant to be driven.

I feel your pain man, lol. You could drive this car around in a plastic bubble and it would still get chips and scratches it seems.

What would you do if you own a Lambo man, jesus, drive that thing. **** happens

I have to agree with you, black can be frustrating to deal with. It's had me pulling my hair out some days.

Yeah this car is the ultimate catch 22. I love everything about it, but it's just so damn hard to maintain.

To be honest, I keep changing my mind every day as to what my top color is for these 370Z's - at first I started out with either White or Black - White to me has always signified a classy look and is much easier to keep looking good while Black to me has always signified a more aggressive look and is much more difficult to keep looking good. Now, I'm pretty much open to any color except Brilliant Silver and Platinum Graphite. I'm a bit of an old timer and still remember some of the worst silver/grey cars ever made in history - the things looked horrible after just 5 years.

How do you guys feel about the BS and PG colors? Was behind a 350Z today that looked PG and you could see the difference in color between the body and the bumper. This is also the one thing that's keeping me from considering the 40th AE because I'm just worried the finish isn't going to do well over time.

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm just really frustrated right now, I doubt I'll sell the car, but there is just so much to fix it is overwhelming sometimes. Would you guys reccommend having a detailer go over the car and fix the chips and scratches and then maybe apply the clearbra?

positive: everything

hate: fuel

I used to own a black megane coupé 2009 model.

beautifull car but the black was horrible to keep clean.

I got the grey 370 much easier to keep clean

Yeah, I had a silver 350z and had many more miles on it than I have on my 370 and didn't see half the imperfections. Now, they may have been there, but I just couldn't see them. On black they stick out like a sore thumb.

So it's not the Z per se, it's simply the color black..? I too have a black Z and I live in the country down a gravel driveway, so you can imagine how my car looks, dusty in the summer and muddy in the winter. But you know what? It's still a blast to drive, I have not entered any car shows nor do I plan to in the future. So when I can I wash it and admire it for a day or two that's great, and when it's dirty I just shrug my shoulders and give it some gas, and you know that always makes me feel better.

I had a black car for 3 years and I was a slave of the car. It is a biatch to keep clean. No more black car for me!

Very true....but I'm not even really worried wiht the aspect of it constantly being dirty - I can deal with that. It's just it's inherent proclivity to get (or rather show) scratches and chips. It's driving me crazy because it seems like I find a new one everyday and that's with having a leather bra and partial hood covering!

Would it be wise to touch them up and then put the clear bra on? Or can that not be done over touch-up paint.

You can try Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems - How It Works: Simple 2-step touch up paint kit repair or LANGKA Paint Chip and Scratch Repair

I had leather bras on past cars and they caused more damage and more hassle than they were worth. I have a clear bra and it works very well.

Love -
- Look - curvy, yet beasty looking 2dr coupe
- Feel & handling - absolutely unreal compared to my last mazda 6
- Power - constant power and acceleration unlike anything I have driven
- Exclusiveness - the only one in my area, grabs attention

Hate -
- Damage - any imperfection ***** me cos it's brand new
- Paranoia - everytime I park at the shops i have a small prayer there's no damage when i get back
- The want for more! - can't believe I'm constantly considering performance mods
- Maintenance - love this car so much i can't help but clean any spot when i see it, bordering on becoming OCD (i'm never like that, my room and office is like a pig sty)