Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - buying a roadster after warranty expired?

gbhrps · 09-18-2019, 08:23 PM

lkh5650,

These 370Z top systems are very complex (like Mercedes, Ferrari and others, lots of moving parts, all coordinated in a lovely ballet on opening or closing) that either work very well and trouble free ... or become a nightmare and horrendously expensive to fix.

A recent Ferrari Spyder developed an issue that required an entire top replacement to the tune of $35000 US. If after an initial inspection of a top issue, the fix can't be had in a short period of time and cost to the customer, guaranteeing no call backs .... the solution is an entire top assembly replacement. And most manufacturers have gone this same route ... including Nissan.

So few convertible models are sold today, that many service techs have never even worked on one. The Convertible top repair section of the 370Z factory service manual is 249 pages long, and that doesn't cover gutting the car of trim pieces, etc., in order to get to the top's mounting points and wiring that are in other sections of the manual.

Add to that ... Nissan will not sell you any of the electrical or hydraulic parts of the top so that you can fix it yourself. They have the cloth top, seals, metal bows, etc. as parts that you can buy, but that is it.

So, if you've followed the threads (there are a lot on our convertibles here on this forum) you can become knowledgeable of some of these issues and be prepared to fix them yourself, with help from "TOP HYDRAULICS" out in Oregon, local convertible top repair facilities, or the gang on board here. Do your homework before you jump in.

Myself .... I'm a backyard mechanic who has been in the backyard for a long time. My Z is just 4 years old with less than 13 000 miles. I've owned more than my share of convertibles over the years, have the factory service manual, and I will buy the entire top assembly from a 370Z Roadster wreck shortly (hit up front) so that I can get any parts Nissan won't provide for any future problems my car might have with the top.

I've spent hours reading the top section of the Roaster service manual .... and I know what I'm going to be up against if ever the top repair issue arrives.

I'm not trying to trying to turn you off buying the 10 year old Roaster you're looking at, but .... look at your situation, do your research, and think carefully before you jump. And this is coming from a 70 year old retired car nut who doesn't have to be concerned about the price of gas and other things.

09-18-2019, 08:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
gbhrps Base Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 213 Drives: 2016 RDSTR TS 6spd Rep Power: 7996	lkh5650, These 370Z top systems are very complex (like Mercedes, Ferrari and others, lots of moving parts, all coordinated in a lovely ballet on opening or closing) that either work very well and trouble free ... or become a nightmare and horrendously expensive to fix. A recent Ferrari Spyder developed an issue that required an entire top replacement to the tune of $35000 US. If after an initial inspection of a top issue, the fix can't be had in a short period of time and cost to the customer, guaranteeing no call backs .... the solution is an entire top assembly replacement. And most manufacturers have gone this same route ... including Nissan. So few convertible models are sold today, that many service techs have never even worked on one. The Convertible top repair section of the 370Z factory service manual is 249 pages long, and that doesn't cover gutting the car of trim pieces, etc., in order to get to the top's mounting points and wiring that are in other sections of the manual. Add to that ... Nissan will not sell you any of the electrical or hydraulic parts of the top so that you can fix it yourself. They have the cloth top, seals, metal bows, etc. as parts that you can buy, but that is it. So, if you've followed the threads (there are a lot on our convertibles here on this forum) you can become knowledgeable of some of these issues and be prepared to fix them yourself, with help from "TOP HYDRAULICS" out in Oregon, local convertible top repair facilities, or the gang on board here. Do your homework before you jump in. Myself .... I'm a backyard mechanic who has been in the backyard for a long time. My Z is just 4 years old with less than 13 000 miles. I've owned more than my share of convertibles over the years, have the factory service manual, and I will buy the entire top assembly from a 370Z Roadster wreck shortly (hit up front) so that I can get any parts Nissan won't provide for any future problems my car might have with the top. I've spent hours reading the top section of the Roaster service manual .... and I know what I'm going to be up against if ever the top repair issue arrives. I'm not trying to trying to turn you off buying the 10 year old Roaster you're looking at, but .... look at your situation, do your research, and think carefully before you jump. And this is coming from a 70 year old retired car nut who doesn't have to be concerned about the price of gas and other things.