New Car Smell
 

My new Z didn't have that "new car smell" I usually notice in my new cars. I'm thinking that it might have sat on the showroom floor with windows open, etc., for a while before I bought it. It was not a demo and the production date was the normal couple of months prior to my date of purchase. I guess I'm asking if most of the other new Z's came with that expensive smell. I'm told it is the smell of oxidizing plastics and other chemical reactions and I'm just as well off not inhaling it for the couple months it usually stays with the car. But I was just wondering.

Not sure why yours doesn't have it, but mine did and it was very strong.

and a quick FYI, that is a toxic smell thats bad for your system to breath too much of. It is however, not toxic enough to make it considered a big concern (kind of like smog). so its not a big loss not to have it.

i had the new car smell for almost six months lol, granted i only put about 2100 miles on it

2600 and still have it, I heard some dealerships have a spray that gives off that smell and put it in pre owned cars to make the owner feel good

That scent has made many of us bite into the fishing hook! To sit into a brand new car is dangerous to your pocket!

My Roadster sat in my garage for the first few days after I bought her while Texas did its impression of The Day After Tomorrow earlier this month. With the top down, it made my whole garage smell like that. It was the out gassing of plastics coupled with a new tire finish -- A delicate and delicious bouquet.

Now, with several top-down days under her belt and 1100 miles on her ODO, she smells like Lexol and Meguires, which is also nice.

My car had it. Lasted for at least 6-7 months.

Since May, and 4900 on the clock, and still smells New..

My Z is camping out in the garage all winter. Almost 10,000 miles and 1 year later, I go out and sit in it at least once a week. The new car smell is still there, although a little less faint...LOVE IT!

I can smell mine when I walk into the garage.

I can only guess that the absence of "new car smell" in mine is due to it having been on the showroom floor, with the windows open, for a month or so before sale. Since it had no significant miles on it (70miles) and was built only about 3 months before purchase, does anyone have any other theories to explain the absence of that delicious, intoxicating fragrance? I think I should have gotten a couple of hundred bucks more off the price!

ABC News, 2005:

Some people can't get enough of that new car smell, but studies show the odor can be bad for your health.

"New car smell" is caused by volatile organic compounds that can cause headaches, sore throat, nausea and possibly cancer, according to studies.

The smell comes from the plastic, glue and carpeting in cars. When those materials are new, they're unstable and give off gases, including benzene and formaldehyde, two known carcinogens.

The United States doesn't have any standards to protect against volatile organic compounds, but other countries do. Research shows new car interiors can contain 128 times the legal limit in countries like Australia.

The harmful gases are even worse on hot days. The Environment Working Group says opening the car window or vents will help clear poisonous gases. But the group cautions to roll windows up in heavy traffic where smog could be an even bigger health threat. Pregnant women should use added caution, and drivers should not exacerbate the problem by using stain guards or cleaning solutions in a new car.

The health risks subside in about six months, when the smell fades.

Several companies are testing healthier vehicles in Japan first before exporting them to the United States. Once the new cars are on American soil, it may push American and European automakers to take action as well.

But I Like The Smell!!! :crying:

Still Got that Smellin Feelin...
 

Purchased her new w/~25 Miles on 6 Jan, definitely still have "the smell" - of course she's spent most of the time buttoned up in the carport or back at the dealer having the "after market stuff" installed -- is it Spring yet?