TomoHawk

Carl, I'll send you my spare white-out pen. It's great for those typos you make on the screen.

Bill's point was right. The PROBLEM is our own economy! If we eliminated ALL the imported GOODS, and instead concentrated on doing busines within the U.S., then prices of domestic products would go DOWN, and prices of foreign stuff would go UP. Another reason why imported stuff is cheaper is that people in other countries are willing to get paid minimum wage for what Americans get $20/hr to do. Those foreign companies put those profits back into the system to further improve their products. why do you think people want to emmegrate to the U.S.??? To buy imported cars?? No. For the higher pay & living standards. It's a conundrum, that we revere our Japanese cars that were built and imported with so much respect and admiration, and we turn up our noses to all the ricers who are doing the same thing to their Hondus, Lexus, etc. Of course WE think WE'RE different, because we're dealing with historic or antique treasures.

Isn't it funny how you appreciate it when your wife "Gets you a gift?" WHO is actually PAYING for it, her, or you? I would assume that if she got it for you, then she's got a job.

Did anybody get any Z-car related gifts for ChristmaZ? I was hoping for the A&E Z video, but got "Bagels for a Year" from Einstein's, which is just as important.

Instead of complaining how 'misinformed' people are, why don't YOU spearhead an effort to get all the foreign ownership, manufacturing, importing, outsourcing, (and what else?) out of the U.S!?? Make "american made" mean just what it says.... Have a nice new year.

I'll bet Carlos had a Nissan in the garage at the time, as well as the Porche. He was probably referring to 'the car other than the Nissan.'

really?.... There's a Ford plant nearby to me, and when I drive by I look in the parking lot to see what's there, and I'm surprised EVERY TIME to see all theToyotas, Chevys, Dodge, etc. cars and trucks parked there.

Yeah, I'll agree with that. I can't explain it, but It has to do partly with the use of all the new materials used in new cars, like plastic & CF. It seems to cheapen cars. Only the really expensive cars have real wood stuff on them. Then you have the new 'cults' like ricers, who add cheap, stoopid things like wings, turbos, shift lights, 10,000 watt sound systems & DVD. Just to go fast and to show off useless junk. You don't need that stuff if you really like your car. How often have you seen somebody waxing a car in the driveway lately? Pure gead and vanity. Plus, how many people do you know that travel in their cars? Families used to go cross-country camping. Now, it's easier to fly across the country, then rent some car for a weekend. RVs are nice for camping too. REAL camping, in a tent or primitive cabin! I hope that after we get ourselves off this petroleum-dependency, things will get better, back to the point where people will take vacations with their families, and adopt a much more honest lifestyle. Weren't some domestic company people mentioned? There are some very influential people at Ford/Jaguar, GM, even European companies. IMO, FWIW

I'm concerned about that mounting position becauise it's behind the seat, and that the sound might not get to your ears and might get either muffled or bounced away by the back of the seats. Perhaps mounting the speakers high would help. Also, you could start by making a metal speaker bracket that attaches to the bolts on the top of the struts.

You might want to look into what the tuner guys do, or the hotrod people. Speakers can also be built into the dash, kickpanels under the dash, or other places. Speakers mounted to the side of the console is do-able; the sound can be aimed at the driver/passenger. I even saw one TV show where the side vents on a car dash were replaced by speakers. I think you can even get 'eyeball speakers.'

You must be driving around with the sound off then.

You should match speakers to your intent, not vice versa. An analogy would be to go road racing on street tyres- not a good idea. If you don't have the right speakers to start with, your sound will not be up to your expectations. I have 4-inch speakers in the stock mounts under the quarter windows. I can hear the music when I drive, which is all I want. I still want to hear what's OUTSIDE the car- like other car/bike horns, emergency vehicle sirens, etc. You really should have the right tool for the job. OR, lower your standards/expectations.

Instead of just a plethora of suggestions, I think it would be a better idea to define the goal of this speaker system. the speaker size basically dictates where they will have to go, unfortunately (sorry). What, exactly, do you want to do with your speakers? Do you have a receiver/amp? thx.

I like the two 4- inchers under the quarter windows! It's an 'older' car, so I go with the older-style sound. I even have some tapes with music from the 70's (yeah, they had cassette recievers in the 70's). If you want new-car sound, get a newer car.

Is that the value the insurance companies will use, or would they go with the N.A.D.A. book value of about $3,000 - $8,000 because the 240Z "isn't a very desireable car."

Do we get the discount rate on the book that comes from all this?

That's all that you needed to say, or just "Try it, You'll like it." : thx

Enrique- I looked up the Sylvania bulbs, and those are supposed to be 14.4 volts? At 4W, they must have a higher current draw than the standard bulbs, but not much. I was expecting them to be 12V, 4W bulbs. thx

The horizontal wire system is used on many cars now because only a small amount of wire shows- at the top. Otherwise, you'd have to run an unsightly wire down one side to the bottom.

I know, Why not just switch the position of the lock & the striker bar, like they have on car boots? That way it's already designed for remote release.

Yeah, Make sure you got a fuel pump for a f.i. 280Z, not the carbed 240. The parts guy might have gotten the part# for a 240Z, since it's probably the first Z-car he saw in the book. Look at your receipt to see if it was for "fuel-injected 280Z." !

By vice I mean "a moral weakness." Vices get you to do things you don't really need to do, like a $50,000 car when an $18,000 one will do. When people let vanity, greed and fear control their actions, it's bad, IMO, because you take from one place to the other to satisfy the vice. FWIW

You're probably right Carl, but I thougtht I'd stick to what I know "for sure."

Hang on to the bumper, if it's the small one. You could get some fast cash for it.

Those are your typical American vices: 1- Vanity 2- Greed 3- Fear In that order. "Americans" do everything for one or more of those reasons. (Vanity) "I DESERVE a $50,000 car because I have a good job, and I'll look great." (Greed) "Look at my $50,000 car. It's great." (Fear) if I don't have a $50,000 car, people will think I'm a loser." Even people who drive a Zed do it: (Vanity) "I love my cool Zed with the rust spot and the worn seats." (Greed) "I want a Zed with the carbs and the 150 hp L24." (Fear) "I want to get a Zed before they're all rusted apart or cost $50,000!"