Yes, unfortunately, I for one am almost too scared to drive my new Z also. Mine is still showroom perfect with only a few hundred miles on it and in my garage and I will hold my breath each time I take it out (after the weather improves). I got full clear bra and a body shop on call and we'll hope for the best. I just don't want to wind up like my neighbor who bought a special edition Corvette 5 or 6 years ago and simply pulls it out onto his driveway and sits in a lawn chair all day looking at it! He has put no more than a thousand miles or so on that car over at least 5 years! What a shame as someday his time will come and some less caring buying will have all the fun.

Sounds like we're similar. Don't want to let it sit and be perfect but don't want to put it in "harm's way". I find I follow much further behind cars now than I did in my RSX. Still comptemplating clear bra but worried I'm just swapping chipped paint for something that will (after a few years) become two different shades of red (at the cost of $700 !). I've already toothpicked up my single paint chip on the front).

BTW, someone told me I wasn't the oldest guy on here. Said there was some guy here in his 60s. Considering your nick, that wouldn't be you would it?

Yep, that's me. Bought the Z for 62nd birthday late last fall. It's actually a good time in life for such things, as the kids are grown and gone and neither time nor money are limitations on my fun. I'm a "semi-retired" lawyer and plan to spend even more time in the years ahead enjoying my Miata (50th birthday gift), my Z and whatever the future might hold. Bet you're still a kid?

Yeah, is anyone with lawyer skills EVER retired? :ughdance:

As to being a kid, remember I said I thought I was the oldest on here. So, that equates to 59 in April. This car is my early retirement gift. Wife said I could go ahead and get me one, it would be my retirement gift, it's just that I would have to work one extra year to pay it off at $2,500 per month (but I get the money now). So, somewhat in the same boat. ;)

my car was perfect until today. a peeble came out of nowhere and hit my windshield. luckily it only left a tiny mark.

since i drove far away from the cars in front and it still happened, i am not too sad about it. there was nothing i could have done to prevent it, except to drive my other car.

It's just part of driving cars isn't it?

what i don't get it is how people with ferraris and astons work up the balls to take their car on to the public roads...

i think it doesn't bother them because they are so rich. when their cars are worn out, they can easily get another one :)

I have enough nicks to count on two hands. My windshield had a ding until sun. New windshield being installed tomorrow because the ding hatched into a 8 inch crack.

I'm with ya and it does not bother me that much, its going to happen no matter how much you try to protect/baby it..... I am use to Nissan paint of recent after owning 2 Z's and 2 Maximas, the paint will chip not only on the front but also on the sides near door edges etc for no reason....

...It's a nice boat we're lucky enuf to be in. Thanks for your help with the logo and drive your car and enjoy it. The years fly by all too quickly!

Yeah, no matter what precautions you take - clearbra, waxing, etc. As long as you drive the vehicle something WILL happen. It just depends on how big or small. Again, in your case blink, I think you have nothing to worry about. The damage you cited is less than 99.9% of the members of this board have, lol.

Rock chips, dings, scratches... hate 'em all and I'll spare no trouble to avoid and/or repair them. You're not alone.

Kids grown and gone. Time/money no problems. Semi-retired lawyer.

If i were you, i would get a Ferrari, not a Z.

Im goint to tell you what I do----------Touch up paint, and Sharpie......I suck with the touch up paint, but I am a Sharpie master!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have lost sleep at night thinking about the scratch I have underneath the car........I destroyed a pair of slacks, and spilled paint all over my shoes trying to touch up my side mirror after the sun had set......You should have seen me I was so stupis, with a flashlight in hand........Spilled the paint all over my clothes, shoes..........

It kills me!
Today I hit a puddle that was 9 -12 inches deep on the front right side, destroyed the front right bumper---(by destroyed I mean that underneath its all scratched up and missing paint............I feel like crying........of course like someone said, the only way you know its there is if you got down on your knees......still it fn makes me crazy.

I hear you. It's just frustrating knowing the only way to "fix" the scratch is by replacing the bumper essentially.