After the winter up here, you have no choice but to drive in gravel. It lasts until early May. Really sucks!

shyt roads
 

No way . no how. find new friends or a car

I know what exactly you mean. I got killed on my last trade in too (probably happens everyone who trade in their cars), but unfortunately i can't change my behavior :)

I take the long way to work when in the Z as to avoid this same situation.

And, the stock tires pick up pebbles even in 15 degree weather. Even, when going 15mph. (reason why I take the long way)

I would avoid it. The gravel can kick up and give you paint chips but to me, more importantly, the excess dust will find its way in crevices which would stay clean otherwise. I know because I used to drive my car (not a Z) through areas like what you described and it didn't end too well. It makes you lose the "new" car feeling and allows you to justify trashing it faster too, imo.

While I won't say find new friends, I would say consider getting a cheap pickup. Sounds like you could use it.

I wouldn't hesitate to drive my car up a gravel driveway. Why? Because it's just a Z! Now if it were an original AC Cobra, I would still drive on gravel but a bit slower.

All the time. It's a 370Z, not a Ferrari. You guys and your garage queen Z's ;)

I live in the Midwest too and gravel roads are a fact of life around here. Sometimes it's a driveway, sometimes a section of a favorite paved road suddenly becomes gravel. Sometimes it's the only way to get to the party.

I've never noticed any problems with paint chips with any other cars from gravel roads, including a Solstice GXP that was lower than the Z. A gravel road will make a car dusty as hell, but thats the only "damage" I've ever experienced. Easily "fixed"; wash it!

Just take it easy; Don't peel out and spray rocks everywhere. Do not follow someone closely, as they can kick up rocks for quite a distance.

OTOH, I do avoid freshly tarred+chipped roads, as those suck because fresh tar will get thrown up onto the rocker panels and it's a PITA to remove.

:iagree:

well said! it's a high performance sports car have fun with it. don't get me wrong i take care of my car. since i took the hit on depreciation i'm getting my money's worth. i'm not saving it for the next guy. but slow down on gravel

I've driven it on some rocky turnouts and parking areas when I went to the Valley of Fire State park outside of Vegas. Made me nervous and I tried to avoid rocks that looked bigger than my tires are thick. Went slow and did fine, though I would definitely avoid it if I could.

I have driven on gravel on base. Pretty unavoidable especially, if I didn't coordinate to go with someone to the designated meeting. I just go slow and take it easy. I hate going to the motorpool...............

haha. my dad once told me, your car (370z) is like your 1/18th scale model toy cars, it never goes anywhere :)

Bingo. I've got a gravel horseshoe drive, slow speed, our tires=no issues. can't "hear it" get more stuff on the roads from dumptrucks etc.

Not by choice but if I had to sure I would, super slow

It would just make my ears bleed the whole way.

My Z is my DD but I do try to avoid putting it in harms way when I can avoid it

I remember those cobble stone roads in Montreal... my heart beat raise to the same rate as how's the suspension travel.... :icon14:

It is hard to avoid gravel or whatever "harmful" road surface, some don't care some do, I think we DO CARE A LOT because we want to keep our car in good shape and minimum damage. ;)