Hard Top Option...

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?

__________________
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

OldGuyFla

I believe that Gene has a good point about the members that live in the cold country. There are some names that I haven't noticed lately, so you might not be reaching everyone at this time of year. Might have to put it on hold for a while.

__________________

blueranger

Might be the case OldGuyFla I just thought most upgrade in the winter time when the car is parked. I do all my upgrades in the winter and enjoy it all summer. Although we do not have snow that sticks for more than a couple of days and we do see highs of 50 degrees and sunny. When these days come in the winter I am out running my car

My scheduled winter list so far is:

Lightweight Racing Seats
High Stall Converter
Carbon Fiber Pieces
Custom Headlights
17" or 18" rear wheels with Slicks
And this hard top if we can develop

__________________
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

Bummer

What is this "car is parked" of which I keep reading?

My Z has about 3" of road clearance. If it snows more than that I borrow either the wife's pickup or SUV. MY other car is a touring bike. That's the only thing I park for the winter.

__________________
Steve

Sprinkguy

I am interested!!

blueranger

This is great... Keep it coming!

I wonder how many owners we have so far that are interested?

If I lived near the manufacturer I would definitely let them use my car to develop and get this top for free!

__________________
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

blueranger

Hey guys...

Checking in for any new roadster owners that may be interested in this Option.

I created a list on the first post with the list of owners that are "interested".

Please let me know if you are interested and I will add you to the list.

__________________
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

kentmo280z

Interested

wyolancer

Interested. Wyolancer

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

blueranger

Awesome!

I will add you to our list

__________________
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

suzook

interested

blueranger

This is great... We are up to 14 interested owners!

List updates on post #1

Keep it coming I know we have more that are concerned with our tops in the future and would love to have this option developed!

__________________
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