Q: Would you take a Z on a trip?
 

I'm debating...

I have (try to have) an annual run from Oklahoma to Michigan to see my family (I moved here 10 years ago)...

I'm debating on if I should take my Z on that long of a trip - I mean, would someone take a corvette on an 850+ mile, 12 hour trip?

I'd love to show it off, but, I also know how many bugs it will collect, and how many road-dings, etc it'll probably have by the time I return with it - and - I generally drive straight through, so it's 12 or so hours in the seat stopping only for gas and a snack.

I've thought about a radar detector to help decrease the time, but then again, I also don't want to get a ticket in another state (no chance of fighting it and the cops love to write down whatever...ask me how I know!)

The other option would be to drive our 2005 Honda Civic Sedan, which would be more than capable of handling the trip...

Thoughts?

a road trip like that needs a nose mask or at least a clear bra....dead bugs and paint chips FTL

so how do you know cops like to write whatever??

I got a nasty ticket in Missouri. Was doing 75 in a 65, he wrote 80 on the ticket, and no seat belt, which was also false...kind of a funny story, he pulled me over and I told him I needed to **** (which was true, stupid breakfast burrito...), he told me to go to the next exit...he followed me, and waited 30 minutes for me to come back out....

Since the ticket was in Springfield, MO, and I'm near Tulsa, OK...yeah...


As for the clear bra / paint chips - bugs are at a minimum except at dusk/dawn/overnight - I'd drive during the day. Short of sand/gravel trucks, the paint could be ok...

That, and I don't have money for a clear bra =/

The Civic is looking like a better option. Just between now and then, I need new tires on it!

Take it, buy a bra 1st and take it

I took my 350Z on a 7,000 mile road trip last spring. It was great. I only got one ding from the Detroit->Laredo->St. Louis->Detroit trip. I was on a curvy country road I used to love driving fast on when I lived in southern Illinois. A tiny chip on my left rear fender.

This spring I have already been to St. Louis and Atlanta in the 350. I'm trying to come up with someplace fun to go with the 370 when I get it.

put some saran warp and blue tape on....i'd do that..lol.....
i ride bra less.....haha

Do it! I refuse to own a car I am scared to drive. I'm taking my Z from southern MD to northern Maine for the 4th of July and will enjoy every single minute of it.

Two weeks ago we went on a road trip from Portland, OR to LA and back. Curvey, scenic coastal roads on the way down, quick shot up the 5 on the way back. One of the reasons we bought the Z was to make this trip. Yes, the bugs were a nightmare. I took the car through quick car washes and scrubed those bugs out every opportunity I had during the trip! I'm sure I collected a few little chips here and there. But the drive was worth it. The Z is the most amazing car I've ever owned. It shines on a road trip.

I'm doing a Middle-Tennessee to Oklahoma (Tulsa area) round trip in August. No way will I drive anything other than my Z.

After reading this, though, I will purchase some "protection" before I go. Any recommendations for easy-on, easy-off, effective nose protection?

They need to make a Z Prophylactic.

$600 for "some" paint chip protection...vs spending $400-$600 for paint-chip repair.

Dunno...


I'm planning on having it professionally detailed on the 27th of this month, so, maybe that'll keep the bugs from sticking (I can always spray it off when I get up there)

Just buy the Nissan Bra for $125 and put it on for road-trips..

Nissan Nose Mask - 2009 370Z :: CourtesyParts

Knowing my luck, I'd probaby do more damage with that than any road debris would do.

Yes I would Im going to take my 370Z to South Carolina in Sept. 2010 for a friends wedding............ I plan on hitting the Tail of the Dragon on the way back :)



DAN

I'd love to do that...Z or bike...

Watch out for bikes though - they tend to underestimate the corners...

2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe Accessories - Nissan USA


140 from Nissan.....i think it's worth it

Absolutely do it! I can't wait to take my Z on roadtrips. It's so much fun cruizing in your Z in a new city/county.


Def look into a bra. How about blue painters tape? Do they work?

^^ yea, it does work....that was my original idea...lol


i'll find a good pic for the blue tape idea

wasn't there a car that did cross country road trip with blue tape all OVER it? (every single inch?)

yea, it was a team Solo G37....i beleive he was taking his G37 to the Sema show,

blue tape was all over the car....hahah...he spent hours putting it on

then took it all off at the sema parking lot and display his car at his booth.

Painters tape is a good option, specially on fresh paint like my buddy and I had here! Not quite the cushion of a soft bra, but good in a pinch. If it rains it gets a little messy, but peels off pretty easily at the end of the trip. These are a little sloppy, but I've seen some really nice tape jobs!

http://images114.fotki.com/v646/phot...SC00741-vi.jpg

Nice! How long was the trip? I plan on doing the same thing, but coming from San Francisco up to Portland, OR then back.

from LA to Sema show

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...EMATrip092.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...EMATrip067.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...EMATrip062.jpg

Keeping the HRE's fresh on arrival

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...EMATrip041.jpg

Result

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...EMATrip161.jpg

Get a front-end bra; they work and they provide a lot of protection; I've used vinyl front-end bras for 30+ years; they are a bit of a PITA but if you want to actually protect your car they are well worth it. I have the Nissan branded one for my 370 and unlike the one they did for the 350, it's a quality product.

I am doing a 3,900 mile road trip starting Friday the 26th traveling from here (Nashville) to Amarillo to pick up Route 66 (which is where I left off two summers ago when I did the route from Chicago to Amarillo); then I'll take the route as far as Oatman, AZ, shoot up to Las Vegas for a couple of days then over to the Grand Canyon for a day before heading back.

My other car is an M45X but I'm taking the 370...the M is a good performing four door sedan and would certainly be comfortable but when it comes to having real joy in driving; it wasn't hard to pick the Z for my trip (since I don't need the room as I'm doing this trip alone this year).

So yes...take you Z...enjoy it (and show it off!). :)

Griots Garage, Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789 , has a self adhering clear film in 100' rolls for $29.99 (item #77898 - surface protection film). Griots Garage carries a lot of good car care products. I use them on my two classic Triumph TR's.

I took mine on a trip right after I bought it from Missouri to Oklahoma. One of the best roadtrips ever!!!!

We did it two days down, two days back. We weren't in a hurry. I bet you could get from SF to PDX in a long day.

Here's the car I was talking about


Freshly washed car before the taping:
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s..._com/audi1.jpg

Work material, Nogaro blue tape:
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s..._com/audi2.jpg

And a job well done:
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s..._com/audi3.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s..._com/audi4.jpg

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s..._com/audi5.jpg

Source: 2 guys, an Audi S4, blue tape and the Coolest. Road trip. Ever.

Take the Honda.
As for me, I'm going for a road trip to Newfoundland next month, 2000 miles return, unprotected!!! Blue tape, bras, wildlife whistles, etc ain't gonna do diddley squat to protect my Z if I come up on an 1800 lb bull moose. I'll take black flies on the bumper anyday. They wash off easily with bug remover or a pressure washer. Stone chips? One or two maybe. It's not the end of the world.

I say just go out and drive it!

I planned on using blue painters tape on the front end of my 370z for the trip down & back from ZDAYZ, but just didn't have time to do it the day before. I kinda thought it was a bit silly anyway. I think I might have picked up a few new chips on the front end and a decent chip on the windshield but otherwise no big deal. BTW, it was about 2,000 miles total for the entire trip, from NJ to NC and back.

I've taken my vettes on long trips. That's why you buy these cars, not commuting back and forth to work. :D

agreed..and they are meant to stretch their legs not be stuck in bumper to bumper.

^^+1

Im excited for this I just had my buddy over lastnight the one that is getting married next Sept. 2010 I was talking to him about the tail of the Dragon....I told him I would take it on the way back home to illinois that way if something happened to the car I at least made it to the wedding which im in ha


DAN

You buy these cars to drive them, not let them sit in your garage. I have a neighbor who has a pickup but refuses to use it as such... he will use his suv with a trailer to haul anything.. what's the point of having a truck ? He has kittens everytime I throw things in the back of mine ! lol.

The point is, get out there and enjoy your car ! Don't let it sit ! I know too many people with ten year old Harleys that only have 1k miles on them because they don't want to put too many miles on them, or don't want to get them dirty or some other such sillyness. I know a guy with a Viper who has the same problem, he doesn't want to put too many miles on it, again, why buy it ? My thought is unless you are buying an extremely rare car to store as an investment, drive it and enjoy !!

VROOM !!!!!!

bigger question, would you take a "lowered" 370 on a long trip.

I have KW's on my Z with a decent drop on it. I want to drive long distance, but am scared of hitting shitty roads that I am not used to. Houston is rough enough.

Agreed - even got mine wet today :P Driven hard and put away wet.....

I drove 250 miles in my 370z to and from the dealership. I had 2 goto MD 2 pick up the car. The drive back 2 NY was a lot of fun. The seats can begin 2 get a bit uncomfortable after a while. My other car is a Benz so I'm use 2 a relaxed ride. The Z is just so much fun 2 drive. I already have a few paint chips so I just picked up the invisible mask 4 the vehicle. This is a must. I am all about protecting the paint. I already have 6 coats of wax on the car in only 2wks of ownership. Don't take the trip without paint protection of some kind.

I've already done a few road trips. This car is great on the freeway, in my opinion. I hear people on the noise complaints, but it doesn't really bother me. I just love driving the thing.

Oh my goodness. U drove ur 370 n the rain lol. I actually drive my other car when it rains. The 370 only comes out when the weather is nice. Sorry guys.

I'm pretty sure I read it here but for removing bugs from the car, used laundry sheets work great!