Goodbye Pearl, hello Ruby

[RCZ1]

Well I've been to see Ruby this morning. She arrived at the dealership yesterday. She's had her protective coatings taken off and had her PDI but has not been cleaned or anything. She has bird mess and muck all over her. Had a good look all around her and sat inside. There are some little changes inside that are different to Pearl so she does feel like a different car. That was my main concern having never had the same car in succession

The black roof arches are a bit of a surprise as they are, as someone mentioned on here, textured. I can't really say what they are made of but they obviously have a coating of some kind which is a good thing because it will stop stone chips on the arches. I'm going to have to investigate what sort of protection to put on them but they are material like, so something like Gtechniq I1 will be useful here. It's used on soft top roofs as well as mats and carpets.

When we were there this morning I was observing the valeters washing a car. They were using a sponge and in another bay was another guy obviously giving a car it's last little touch up before being collected this afternoon, who was drying a car down, with a chamois leather and as I got closer, I saw the colour of the chamois leather [shock, horror] Having seen this I am going to tell them NOT to do anything further with the car - no cleaning, nothing. I will give it the full works myself when I pick it up.

Car's looking good though so just waiting for my leather man to get back to me now

 

[Anonymous]

Nice one :thumbup: These dealerships really do not know how to clean cars. I saw this with a spanking new Z at Spires, when we went for the Pugsey day. Put me off presenting Pearl2 for a charity wash I can tell you. :thumbdown:

 

[Anonymous]

Great stuff! I'm really intrigued to see these black arches in the flesh. Mind you, I'm intrigued to see a face lifted model period as I still haven't seen any on the roads and have been steering clear of the local Pug dealership.

Rather worrying news about the valeting that you witnessed! :-o Definitely not worth letting them near it with a bucket then!!

How long does it take for your leather to be retrimmed?

 

[RCZ1]

I ordered the leather about 3 weeks ago now and was told it would be about 2 weeks but when I spoke to them beginning of last week, there had been a bit of a delay. I'm hoping that will be sorted now and that it can be fitted sometime this week, for me to collect the car towards the end of the week. Fitting the leather should only take half a day or so.

 

[Anonymous]

Fingers crossed then! I imagine that all those studs and spikes you requested that has held things up! I'm surprised that it only takes half a day to fit. :clap:

 

[Anonymous]

Great news to hear your car is nearly ready, my build date is still 30th April

The black roof arches are a bit of a surprise as they are, as someone mentioned on here, textured. I can't really say what they are made of but they obviously have a coating of some kind which is a good thing because it will stop stone chips on the arches. I'm going to have to investigate what sort of protection to put on them but they are material like, so something like Gtechniq I1 will be useful here. It's used on soft top roofs as well as mats and carpets.

I described Black Arches as 'textured' I really like the look and feel of them, and like you not sure what they are made of/covered in.

 

[Anonymous]

Glad you've FINALLY heard grant! I'd be interested to find out what these new black arches are made of.

 

[RCZ1]

Great news to hear your car is nearly ready, my build date is still 30th April

The black roof arches are a bit of a surprise as they are, as someone mentioned on here, textured. I can't really say what they are made of but they obviously have a coating of some kind which is a good thing because it will stop stone chips on the arches. I'm going to have to investigate what sort of protection to put on them but they are material like, so something like Gtechniq I1 will be useful here. It's used on soft top roofs as well as mats and carpets.

I described Black Arches as 'textured' I really like the look and feel of them, and like you not sure what they are made of/covered in.

Grant, I couldn't quite remember who it was that had said about the arches being textured sorry, but you we're definitely right. They are hard to describe and it would be useful to know what they are covered in. I will message Liz, she may be able to find out for us.

Roll on the 30th April for you Grant. A bit of a mystery why yours has been so much longer ?

 

[RCZ1]

Well I had some bad news today (well to me anyway, in the context of what Ron is going through its a mere nothing ) but anyway, turns out my retrim is way behind schedule. The leather is only due to turn up in China in the next day or two. The machinists are in China - cheap labour and all that.... ). The guy is only just in the process of drawing up the design on the computer for them to make up to my specification. This means the leather won't be ready for at least another week or two, which means I will have to pick my Z up before its been retrimmed, which is what I didn't want to do

I wish now that I had gone down the original path of transferring my private reg, which would have taken about 3 weeks, just in time for the leather. Instead my dealer wanted me to put the plate on retention to speed up the process, which I've now come to understand as " if I get this new RCZ registered before the end of March, I'll get my sales figures in and get my commission " obviously now he wants the new Z off his compound ASAP as its taking up valuable space. Putting my plate on retention has meant me doing all the leg work. I've had to take time off work to go to the DVLA office because obviously they want the private plate off Pearl. It's cost me more money. I'll have to go back to the DVLA to complete more paperwork when I get notification that I can put the number on Ruby and then pay to get plates made up. Not to mention the admin fee from my insurance company when I first inform them of the 13 reg number and then inform them that's it's changed back to my private plate. I'm really not happy today

 

[Anonymous]

The joys of new car ownership :eusa-shhh: You already have the plates though? Simply remove them from Pearl. I do know what you mean about the hassle element though. Bright side....... you'll be getting three new cars for the price of one :clap: A new Ruby, A Ruby with new plates and finally Ruby, with plates and new seats :roll: Think of all those celebratory moments :clap:

 

[RCZ1]

The joys of new car ownership :eusa-shhh: You already have the plates though? Simply remove them from Pearl. I do know what you mean about the hassle element though. Bright side....... you'll be getting three new cars for the price of one :clap: A new Ruby, A Ruby with new plates and finally Ruby, with plates and new seats :roll: Think of all those celebratory moments :clap:

But my plates have my original dealer details on them. They need to have the current dealer or the name of the place that made them up, don't they? That's what I understood.

Actually Ron, I hadn't looked at it that way.... That's excellent. You've cheered me up now - you're a star :clap: :clap:

 

[Anonymous]

I know of the end of the month car registration that's why l had to take the st early and have 2 cars on the drive but damn eh...hopefully it Will be worth it when it all comes together rcz1 am having to pay for 2 cars right now.

At least the retrim will have more WHAOOH factor when its done :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

But my plates have my original dealer details on them. They need to have the current dealer or the name of the place that made them up, don't they? That's what I understood.

No you do not. Your plates are legal and will remain so. They have been made by a registered supplier and have the makers mark on them. However I know that for £30ish you will want to remove your previous dealers details but you do not need to legally

 

[Anonymous]

I'd be getting them made up elsewhere though. Why should they get this free advertising?! I also remove all dealers stickers from my windows.

 

[RCZ1]

One more sleep to go

However driving to work in Pearl for the last time this morning was quite emotional Yes sad I know to some, but I've loved this car so much since day 1 and apart from a day in the garage to have the timing chain and tensioner replaced, has been most reliable and fun to drive. Each day of ownership has been a pleasure and at times quite a surprise, with the reactions that it gets from people and motorists.
I hope Ruby proves to be just as much fun and reliable

 

[Anonymous]

Bet you can't wait. Sleep you will really be sleeping??? Can't wait to see pics and especially after you have your seats retrimmed, it's a shame for that delay but I'm sure it will look stunning.

 

[RCZ1]

Bet you can't wait. Sleep you will really be sleeping??? Can't wait to see pics and especially after you have your seats retrimmed, it's a shame for that delay but I'm sure it will look stunning.

Well when I say sleep .... It may be little cat naps...

Yes it is a shame about the seats but as Ron said, it will prolong the expectations and excitement.

Thanks for your comments Grant

 

[Anonymous]

I'm excited...and I'm not even getting her!!! I hope that everything goes smoothly tomorrow and leaving Pearl there on her lonesome doesn't break your heart!

 

[RCZ1]

I'm excited...and I'm not even getting her!!! I hope that everything goes smoothly tomorrow and leaving Pearl there on her lonesome doesn't break your heart!

Thanks Mr Rizz

Just been clearing everything out of the car. She's so empty...... Seems so final now ........

I am excited to see Ruby though

 

[Anonymous]

I'm excited...and I'm not even getting her!!! I hope that everything goes smoothly tomorrow and leaving Pearl there on her lonesome doesn't break your heart!

Thanks Mr Rizz

Just been clearing everything out of the car. She's so empty...... Seems so final now ........

I am excited to see Ruby though

Awww. It's the end of a chapter right enough but it merely signals the start of an EVEN more epic one!