Convertible Top Rotted

[kschroeder]

I have a 350Z Roadster. After 3 1/2 years, the top faded to a pale gray and began tearing around the rear window. the spread everywhere. The local service rep said it was an absolute material defect, and he'd never seen anything like it. He put me in touch with the Nissan Customer Service, who told us that it was out of warranty, and they wouldn't do anything because of "service record", which they never asked for...(I've done all the service the owners manual recommended) Oh yes, there is no service to be performed on the top.

It is disgusting how they handled me--wouldn't let me talk to a supervisor, and just brushed me off.

I put a sign on the car and drove it around. NEVER BUY A NISSAN CONVERTIBLE.

For pictures and a little more explaination, goto http://www.nissan-convertibles.com

[Razi]

That is terrible.

The sign is quite hilarious though.

Have you called 1-800-NISSAN1 ?
That line is for product comments and customer affairs.

[RED_DET]

This should get major attention that NISSAN doesn't need and hopefully they will correct the problem.

Good Luck!

[370Z/28]

That is rediculous. Sorry you had the problem. I would get that duct tape off of my paint in the Florida heat though.

It is funny you posted this. I just posted on the "G" side about a product called Ragg Topp. If you get a new top, make sure you treat it with that. It repells water like wax repells water off your paint. It is a pain to use, you have to tape off the car like you were painting it. It can't get on the paint. I bought some of those cheap plastic drop cloths and covered my car.

Good luck on getting a new top. It is a beautiful car otherwise.

[Rev_D21]

I'd start taking it to Z car shows, as many as I could. This new Ghosn-era Nissan seems to be a piece of s***. Nissan Sport Magazine might want to hear about this. Hit up Nissan's Facebook page. Hell, I'd alert Hemmings Sport and Exotic Car magazine too.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Wow this really upsets me. Things like that just put a bad taste in peoples mouth for Nissan...

[RED_DET]

I'd start taking it to Z car shows, as many as I could. This new Ghosn-era Nissan seems to be a piece of s***. Nissan Sport Magazine might want to hear about this. Hit up Nissan's Facebook page. Hell, I'd alert Hemmings Sport and Exotic Car magazine too.

I have already talked to David Muramoto and sent him an email with a link to this thread....

[dmuramoto]

It would help to know the mileage on that '07 ZR when this occurred. Also, was it the district parts manager who turned it down as a warranty item, or someone on the 800 line?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

That is horrendous.

Sometimes I wonder if Nissan remembers where it's roots and loyal fanbase stem from. Certainly not instances like this.

[dmuramoto]

Still haven't heard from the OP on any of the details. Typically, if a vehicle has no service history or the defect isn't brought up until long after the warranty has expired, that's when a claim is denied. Nissan won't talk about another owner's warranty issues, so no help there. As for the "Nissan vs. Nissan" link in his message, it has nothing to do with warranty or car issues, only trademark stuff that doesn't shed any light on the subject.

So Mr Schroeder, if you're still out there, please post up some additional details. Important facts like were you the original owner of the ZR? If not, what was the mileage when you first bought it and when did the discoloration first occur? Where do you live and which dealer did you take it to? It appears you've posted a Nissan CSR, but when did they get involved? Hard to help much with the scant details posted so far, but you've certainly got some sympathy here at NICO!

[raremotive]

Seems like it's post and run.

I looked the domain register of the website. It's owned by a Ken Schroeder, which matches the OP.

You can send him an email, found at the registry, for a follow-up at:
[email protected]

[Psycelo]

Look for a TSB related to 5th bow strap. Depending on year of car there is a recall or something to that effect about the 5th bow strap. What happens is when the top is opening to go into the tonnou bin the strap is not pulling the 5th bow back as it should.

If this is the case you would notice that when opening the top at the last point of going into the bin it kinda drops in quickly or stops all together at that last step and you have to go up and down again to gey it in the bin.

If that is the case its those straps and also the reason you have the tears near the back window due to the stress put on the material when it wont go down. I had the same issue and i replaced the top with a sonneland top which is the same fabric tops they use on jaguars and bmw's. Nicer richer looking top and claims to be 20% stronger that the one on the 350z. The new 370's finally use fabric tops now.