Hi all,

We are in the process of putting together a member-rides calendar for the club. If you have some high quality digital images of your CLASSIC Zcar, we'd love to put it in the calendar!

We will be taking all of our submissions and adding them to a 2003 wall calendar. This calendar will be available in January. So, start sending us your images soon!

All submissions shall be at least 150dpi and 1725 x 1350 in size. Your car will be created with your username and location so other people will know how to get ahold of you on the site.

There are many many nice cars in our gallery and I'd love to see most of you get these submissions to me in the next month. So, go find those images and send them to me. This is going to be a fun project and I'm sure we can do it every year!

Send your image to the email address: webmaster@240z.org

Thanks everyone!

The Z-store and cd-rom are excellent ideas; however, the subscriptions are what the club needs to stay strong. And it only starts at only 10 monthly! For the wealth of information this site contains and the knowledgeable people always ready to give help and advice in just a matter of a few minutes or hours, 10 dollars a month is not very much at all. If everyone that could would just subscribe 10 dollars a month, the club would have no money problems.

I couldnt afford AUD$20 a month just to visit this site. Thats more than i pay for internet access.

Don't worry, we aren't going to start charging people to use the site.

Originally posted by bonniec75209

10 dollars a month is not very much at all. If everyone that could would just subscribe 10 dollars a month, the club would have no money problems.

Ten dollars a month is for some people equal to the cost of their internet connection. $120 a year may, to some, be a lot to ask for the privilege of participating in the helping others to enjoy their cars. Sure they also enjoy the camradeire of the club experience as well, but it could be more than some folks can comfortably contribute. IMHO, it should not have to be a "monthly subscription", but rather an annual dues, which could (perhaps) start somewhere around $40 to $60 for an annual "membership" in the Classic Z Car club. If others who are in a position to contribute more wish to do so, they might be considered as a "supporting member" (or some other prestegous term, i.e. "Gold Member"?).

While I agree with Enrique regarding the possibilty of making the access to photo hosting or viewing the Photo Gallery, and entering the Chat rooms, or specific "local Z Club" Forums to be available only to "members or supporting members"; I don't think that viewing or posting to any of the other forums should be off limits to the casual visitors to the site. My feeling is that if there were restrictions in this area it may turn some folks off to the site and actually drive them to ZDriver.com or ZCar.com instead of enouraging them to stay and join our party.

Just tossing around my opinions for comment or consideration or revisionary thinking.

Carl

Guys, nothing has changed. This was a simple discussion talking about the calendar. Now look where we are!

We will always remain a free site. But, also remember that it will always take money to run a site like this. Not to mention, it takes time to keep it going. Not just by me, either. We have a few volunteers who keep things in order.

The subscription-based method has always been available. If you want to participate, just click here.

The CD has been our biggest supporter so far. The store isn't that great because each item only brings $5. But, it's always good to get our name out there. And, why not help support the site at the same time.

The calendar would probably only bring in the same, so, it's not a huge thing.

I think the best way to keep the site going, other than someone like me paying for it out of pocket, is to ask members and/or businesses to help. The businesses get exposure out of the deal and the members get the satisfaction of supporting our cause. If it wasn't for both of these (and a little business savvy on my part), the club wouldn't be here.

Other sites are almost purely supported by some kind of business either by the owner of the site or through a friend. But, we are different. We have no ties to stay with anyone or any particular schema. The only thing we ask is that you always talk about Zcars here. Or, at least TRY your hardest to talk about Zcars. A few jokes aren't bad......

So, just keep in mind that everything you see here is all done on a voluntary basis and we can use your help. This doesn't have to be in the form of money. But, we also need that too... heh

Any ideas you have about this would be extremely helpful. Carl, your idea about an annual donation is good.

I'm glad to see Mike has an understanding of different people's varying financial situations. Otherwise, if there was a $120 (~$200 AUD) annual fee, I for one would simply have to leave.

Some of you have to realise that $10 USD every month is a lot of money for some people, especially students/unemployed living in a country with a bad exchange rate like camouflage and me... let alone the couple of younger members here who would in some cases get a monthly allowance of not much more than that! Is it right to block them from using this site? Is that what you want to see - some sort of elitist group?

By all means I think if people donate money to the cause, it would be nice to have an incentive, but in all honesty I think the warm fuzzy feeling (and the note under your avatar to remind you) would be enough for me, if I was out in the work force earning a substantial salary like most of the members here. In 3 years time when I finish my University and go out in the work force, I will be honoured to denote money to this site. But for the meantime, I'll be one who fills the petrol up to $20.02 and shakes out every last drop of petrol in the pump hose.

If I can donate money at the same time as receiving a useful product, such as a calendar, then sure, that's a great option.

Mike, you obviously know that this is a common attitude and that is why the shop is such a good idea.

I sincerely hope you can all see where some of us are coming from... if it was a Porsche website then I bet Mike would be rolling in it!!! LOL

Mike & all members,

What all of you have commented on is just great (seriously). I am also struggling with the economy, having graduated from college in Dec 2002, I'm just able to work part time at the college because of the lack of jobs. On top of that my wife was laid off last summer and can't find work either.

It just brings tears to my eyes how most of you feel about the club, Z cars and the way everyone stumbles over the others to help a newbie with car problems. It is just a great feeling that I love to share in. I feel that if at least I can help someone else with a car problem that it is the least I can do to help promote the club and build friendships.

When the time comes that I can afford anything at all, the site will be where my first dollars go. Without this club to entertain me and allow me to help others I would have nothing to do (can't even afford what bills I have already).

If I can figure out someway to help with the site or Mikes situation I'll post it.

Meanwhile, in this poor economy where so many are struggling...all I can say is, get over Iraq and get on with life!

Money isn't everything that is for certain. I myself cannot contribute much at all as far as helping others with their cars go. A large percentage of our members have considerable auto savvy and are very generous with their knowledge and time, and for someone like me who is mechanically stupid, that is something you can't even put a dollar price on. I love this site and you guys are all GREAT!!