New Car Break In

iridefast

I bought my Z with 9 miles on it. I babied it the first couple days I had it, but accidentaly went way over 5k rpm's. I am used to shaking my shifter left and right in neutral due to all the short shifters I have owned. I did that on the freeway when enjoying the car and I think it almost redlined due to the syncro rev match. Crappy. Well, after 3 days of owning my 370Z (Anniversary ;-)) it got parked for 5 months (I am a deployed serviceman), I just drove it again because I was only home for a week, and I drove it conservatively for the most part, but definately got on it a few times. I am sure driving it hard before the scheduled break in period will shorten the overall life of the engine, but so will alot of the mods people will do to the car anyways.
In my opinion, follow the break in if you are able to. If you have owned your cars for 5 months like me, have 385 miles on it, and wont see it again for 7 months, well, enjoy your car when you can. Best of luck on whatever decision you make.