Hi, I've been looking to purchase a 300zx recently. I've got a Primera GT at the moment, so I'm looking for something different.

 

I'm looking for a manual NA model. I cannot afford to maintain a twin turbo model, but finding them seems to be quite difficult. The other problem I have is insurance. I've been using comparison websites, and I can't seem to get them to recognise the car registration plates. I'm wondering if most of them have had their plates changed at some point? If I don't use the registration plate look up and put it in manually, there is no option for a NA model. According to the websites, the only models that exist are a Turbo and Turbo-Auto. So finding a reliable quote is not possible at the moment.

 

Another one of my concerns is the issue with imported models. A lot of people that I have seen selling a "300zx", are actually selling the Fairlady model from Japan. I'm worried that people might be selling them as a "300zx" so they can get cheaper insurance on them. I don't want to buy one, provide the insurance company with false information, have my insurance voided, and then be done for insurance fraud.:(

 

Furthermore, it seems that everyone who is selling their 300zx/Fairlady, has stuck body kits on and messed about under the hood. I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I would like something completely unmodified.

 

I've had a look through the buying guide, but I'll be honest; I don't really understand it. I was just wondering if anyone had any pointers for buying a first 300zx.:wacko:

Speaking of miles per year, I would be doing about 12,000 per year. Pushes the insurance up a little bit, but it's still bascially the same as what I'm spending at the moment.

 

How unreliable is the twin turbo model? Or more to the point, how unreliable is the 300zx in general? I have heard the 300zx described as an "unreliable money pit". But then again, that was coming from someone who drives a Vauxhall Omega. But seriously, if I buy one, how long will it be before a turbo gives up? I don't drive fast, so it's not as though I'd be thrashing it.

Speaking of miles per year, I would be doing about 12,000 per year. Pushes the insurance up a little bit, but it's still bascially the same as what I'm spending at the moment.

 

How unreliable is the twin turbo model? Or more to the point, how unreliable is the 300zx in general? I have heard the 300zx described as an "unreliable money pit". But then again, that was coming from someone who drives a Vauxhall Omega. But seriously, if I buy one, how long will it be before a turbo gives up? I don't drive fast, so it's not as though I'd be thrashing it.

 

Buy a good one and you wont look back I have a TT auto for nearly 3 years with not one problem and thats saying a lot for a 18 year old car thats driven fast (but well cared for)

I've never had major traumas with TT manuals in the last 3 years of daily zedding .

Only silly things. e.g. flat remote alarm batteries, leaky targas, a leaky brake master cylinder, a fan that blew only hot air, a few split pipes.

Most problems i have had involved a rubbish garage, apart from frozen doors making me late a couple of times- just spray WD40 on the seals+ it lasts a week or two.

............How unreliable is the twin turbo model? ..................

 

There are horror stories but I reckon that's mainly down to people purchasing cheap Ebay Zeds or poor maintenance. Or both!

 

I used my first ZX twin turbo as a daily driver for 2 years and it never let me down; in fact when I changed jobs back in 2004 I was driving it over 250 miles per week! I then relegated it to a second car and the auto box went at 90k-ish miles but that was it.

 

I'm on to my second one now - and that's also proved very reliable in the short time I've had it. I like to use it for holidays; in JAnuary I drove it over 1000 miles on a 5 day trip to Cornwall. I didn't hang around either yet the car proved faultless.

 

Buy a good one and look after it and it will be fine - it's a Nissan after all and comes with the reliability one would expect from Nissan or any other Japanese car. Just bear in mind that at 15+ years old things will need replacing if they have not been replaced already; especially considering it's a junior supercar. I mean, you'd have the same issues with a 15+ year old Porsche as well......

 

Thing is, on any car forum you only hear the worst bits - this has gone wrong etc etc. No-one posts "my car is running fine" threads!!

 

Good luck in your hunt.

 

Richard:cool2:

i happened to own 94 3.0 liter laguna

and of course 92 300zx tt and cheap auto tt

laguna fell apart last year . half of electicity stoped working too . french pile shi.te ..was low miler too !!

on the other hand 300zx proven that on both vehicles majority elec. working well and not a lot going wrong . also its important that you start understand that car . as some problems are very obvious but some less.its very forgiving vehicle that people steer at all the time )) . superb machine and well manufactured !!! well fast when working properly )) majority of boy racer cars (and not only them ) will leave behind ..

The reason why insurance companies are not recognising the plates is because ALL N/A's are imports, ie fairlady's like you said. The only UK models are the twin turbos, hope this helps, and welcome btw ;)

 

Just a quick one lads, did japan do a 2+2 twin turbo model that was imported to the UK, or is it if you have a TT it is a UK model.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

Just a quick one lads, did japan do a 2+2 twin turbo model that was imported to the UK, or is it if you have a TT it is a UK model.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

 

Yes you can get import TT's mate.

Cheers Bigman,

 

Nice engine bay, hope to get mine like that one day..

 

Rich

All options were available in jap land. The only thing you couldn't get at anytime is a factory tt convertible. Although there were other restrictions such as aug94 you couldn't get a swb with an auto box or after a certain date you couldn't get a factory manual convertible. (although you could at some point!)

Im after a primera gt to replace my zed as cant afford to keep it, how much u selling the gt for?

.... I have heard the 300zx described as an "unreliable money pit". But then again, that was coming from someone who drives a Vauxhall Omega.

 

lol...had both at one time a couple of years back...the vaux cost more to run :D

 

a zed doing 12k miles pa is going to be an issue....IMHO you'll need a back up/loan car when the zed is off the road getting fixed, serviced etc

 

saw a na on sale here for £500 last week...auto but convert her once you have more money etc

 

good luck

Been speaking to Adrian Flux, the insurance on a UK twin turbo is only about £100 more expensive than the Primera, but they will not insure me at all on an import. I would have preferred an import, since the UK cars are in much worse condition than the Japanese imports. Modifications don't seem to be a problem either, exhaust modifications didn't make any difference to the premium, so I'm not sure they wouldn't insure me on an import. Can anyone recommend any other insurance companies that deal in imported vehicles?

I JUST GOT MY FIRST ZX FAIRLADY IMPORT FROM jAPAN 97 REG, PUT DETAILS IN GOCOMPARE, AND ADMIRAL RECOGNISED CAR, AND GAVE ME QUOTE OF £297.00. WORTH TALKING TO THEM DIRECT. NUMBER IS 0871 882 0000

no manual convertable after october 1994

The second one at Crest Cars is only 8 miles or so from me - so if you wanted someone to come and take a look with you, I'd be happy to help!

 

Oh, and welcome to the club Alex!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

 

Careful with Crest cars, I remember we had a thread about them last year....Not good

Me and my dad actually went to Crest Cars today funnily enough. They guy seemed really nice, he had a red TT manual that looked in good condition, and I have to say that all the other cars he had looked in good condition too. But if you say I'm wasting my time, then I can't really argue with that. It was an import however, and I still have not got that sorted with my insurance company. I don't understand why I need the vehicle insured for 12 months claim free before they can insure it. It's the same as the UK model, so the risk is the same, but I think I'm making too much sense.:confused:

Not having much luck on the insurance front. I phoned about 15 companies on Saturday, most of which were import specialists, but I couldn't get a reasonable quote from any of them. Some were about £5000, and one company quoted £6200!:ohmy: So I'll be looking for a UK car, but there doesn't seem to be many about. Do most people on the forum have a UK model or an import? (Out of curiosity more than anything).

imports i would of thought

I insure through a local agent but the policy is with 'Sabre Insurance Company Limited'.

I'm still looking for UK manual. I'm beginning to wonder if my budget is too small. I'm looking to spend £2500 - £3000 at the very most. There is a nice white one for sale at the moment, but it's £5000, and I just can't put aside that much money. How much should I be looking to spend on a UK TT manual?

£3k will buy you a good one. Any reason in particular you are after a UK model?

£3k will buy you a good one. Any reason in particular you are after a UK model?

 

I cannot get insurance on an import.

Fair do's.... thats the reason I bought my first one. There are nice UK models kicking around for under £3k, but you'll nearly always find they are a lot higher mileage than the imports. (not always a problem though)