Hard Top Option...

ParkStr8

If it was done well I'd buy one, too. There was a thread along time ago on the 350Z site where a guy had developed it...but I'm not sure that it was sold in any real quantity. Maybe reach out to him for a the 370ZR?

Smooth Line: Hardtop: Nissan 350Z

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blueranger

Great option I have emailed them!

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blueranger

I started this thread because like many others I have had many issues with my top. Of course when you are out of warranty Nissan will not fix your top they will only replace the entire system for $16,000 - $18,000

Thanks to this most recent lead I spoke to the manufacturer and explained to them that many of us roadster owners have top issues. We need to have an option when we are out of warranty. This is not only for "looks" (love the hard tops) or track use but to simply have an affordable option.

In order to get this process started they only need the following:
1. At least 15 buyers to develop and manufacturer
2. A loaner vehicle (in PA) that would actually get their top for free!

I asked if they can provide a price estimate and was very surprised it was very similar to the current 350z hardtop they already make (approximately $2500.00 with options).

I think this can really help many of us and I for one would definitely buy a hard top if it looks as good as their 350Z top on our platform.

Please share your thoughts.

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F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 | E85 FlexFuel | Built 7AT | F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler | F.I. Flex Plate | F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler | MT ET Street S/S | ECUTEK Tuned by Seb | RPM Roll Bar

ParkStr8

This option would ease my fears of buying a new to me ZR. So count me in.

My only call out - I do want it to keep the same basic profile of the soft top when up. Don't want a bulbous version...lol. 2500 is really good considering it would extend the length of time we all keep the car. And 15 is not that many.

OldGuyFla

I wouldn't be considered as one of the 15 buyers as I still have 4 plus yrs. of extended warranty on the Z. I would get the soft top replaced. Down the road this sounds real good.

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blueranger

That is exactly what my conversation included... I said to the company it is critical that the hard top have the same profile as the soft top and not look like a bubble. He said that was good feedback to know.

I'm with you and even if my top was perfect I would still love to have a nice hard top option with a carbon fiber look

__________________
F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 | E85 FlexFuel | Built 7AT | F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler | F.I. Flex Plate | F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler | MT ET Street S/S | ECUTEK Tuned by Seb | RPM Roll Bar

highrpm

I'm in for the hardtop.

And, Old Guy, where did you get your ext. wty. from? My factory wty runs out this November, and I'd buy an extension from Nissan if any dealer offers one online at a reasonable price (ok, I'll search too).

rob

Bummer

I'm not sure this will help you, since I rather doubt you can get it this far into your ownership, and I'm not at all sure what "reasonable" means for you since it varies so much from person to person, but...

I have the Nissan Platinum warranty. Everything but wear parts - brake pads, clutch friction plate, tires, in general the standard wear items. The fabric of the top is not covered but the mechanism is. According to the paperwork I got at purchase I'm good for a total of 100,000 miles or seven years, whichever comes first.

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Steve

Bummer

I think I'm interested.

My main concerns are attachment and construction.

There really needs to be some form of attachment at the sides behind the windows to go with the windshield and center rear, with no disassembly of the existing vehicle required.

As to construction, it needs to be robust enough to serve the purpose without going overboard - not necessarily an easy point to hit.

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Steve

blueranger

I'm with you and my willingness to buy is we are dealing with a company that manufactures hard tops. This is what they do so I would hope they are very good at it. Like I said before even if my top was 100% I would still want a hard top for my roadster. I'm hoping that since we have an estimate on cost we can get more to want this options and start the next phase of conversations


Please note I have no affiliation with any company or source that I discuss. I simply want an option to an issue that I see many of us have with these tops now and in the future.

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F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 | E85 FlexFuel | Built 7AT | F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler | F.I. Flex Plate | F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler | MT ET Street S/S | ECUTEK Tuned by Seb | RPM Roll Bar

OldGuyFla

I too like Bummer got mine when I purchased the Z. It is for 7 yrs. which is actually only 4 yrs. longer than the basic Nissan warranty. I paid a little over 2K for it & it gives me peace of mind in the event of a top failure. I get offers all the time in the mail for extended warranties from different companies. They don't give pricing in the letters but want you to call for info. You should be able to fine the company's names on the internet. Good luck.

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ParkStr8

I'm glad you guys got extended warranties that covered the operating part of the top...when I took delivery of mine, the first time i put it down it ripped. Immediately back to dealer and they had it for almost a month.

I tried to buy an extended at that time due to my first hand experience...and none were available that covered the mechanism. Maybe because they just replaced the entire top?

If I end up buying this slightly used ZR with 4k on the clock, I will see what is available warranty wise. Its at a Nissan dealer - but so was my last one. And you REALLY HAVE TO READ the fine print. LOL

Either way...a good hard top option would be great because these cars are designed to last and provide years of enjoyment.

blueranger

Come on guys this is a great option that will turn heads!

How many do we have so far?

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F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 | E85 FlexFuel | Built 7AT | F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler | F.I. Flex Plate | F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler | MT ET Street S/S | ECUTEK Tuned by Seb | RPM Roll Bar

gbhrps

Gentlemen,

I've been watching this thread from the sidelines for some time now, and thought I'd share a few thoughts.

First, this is the ideal time to consider a hardtop fabrication, but the worst time to publicly try to get many people on board, as many cars are stored for the winter, and many roadster owners are away from this forum for the winter as well.

I implore those who have interest in this idea to continue, don't give up, but be prepared for pushing forward again come spring when cars start to come out of the garage again.

And that brings up another issue, those who live in areas where we must store our cars for the winter, are going to have no need for a hard top, and therefore no interest in one. But it does factor in as a selling feature for the next owner.

And the final point is based on my own experience with convertibles with a hard top option. I sold my 1955 Thunderbird this last September, which I had owned for 17 years, which had both the soft top and hard top. I also have worked in a restoration shop and helped restore and maintain Mercedes 450SL's and the year 2000 series of Thunderbirds, which had the two tops.

Without exception, the hard tops were used once or twice during the total ownership of the cars, and were a pain to install and remove, taking two persons to accomplish, and then were either suspended on a lift mechanism to the ceiling of a garage, or stored on an upright rack up against a wall in the garage. A great deal of money tied up in an accessory that was never truly utilized.

My point being, if you know you will use the hard top for driving in winter weather (say Portland, Oregon, and places where winter is more rain than snow and ice) or because you fear a fatal soft top failure), think wisely and consider how you would really use it.

My apologies to those trying to get this option fabricated, I'm sure you didn't need this downside pointed out, but having been there myself, with a car with a hard top I never used, I felt it should be voiced.

Gene

blueranger

There are several reasons why a hard top option is valuable. If you look at a glass half empty it will always be half empty.

Reality for many 370z Roadster owners is we love our cars but have many top issues. Once out of warranty how many are willing to spend more than half the cost of the car to replace?

The benefits I see are several...

Option when top breaks out of warranty.

Looks!

Theft and safety

Track use

And like you said it can also be a benefit if you offer as an option to the next owner if you decide to sell.

It is simply an accessory option just like spending $3k plus on wheels or a sound system. Hell I spent over $25k on a twin turbo kit because I enjoy my car. At the end of the day if developed it can benefit many because it is now an option we have that we didn't have before.

A great example is I own a 1970 Ford Bronco and use the hard top during the winter and a bikini top during the summer. I enjoy my Bronco all year and have the option of a hard top when I want it.

Cheers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

__________________
F.I. Stage 1 Twin Turbo #48 | E85 FlexFuel | Built 7AT | F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler | F.I. Flex Plate | F.I. 19 row Trans Cooler | MT ET Street S/S | ECUTEK Tuned by Seb | RPM Roll Bar