hello all,

just joined the forum this pm as I am at the moment in the process of looking for a 300ZX to buy.

 

However as I am a member of the Almera Owners Club, I know better than to buy a car without consulting people like yourselves to find out what I should look out for when buying a ZX...

 

So - can I ask:

 

What is everyone's take on the N/A version - is it good or do I stick to the twin turbo? What is the difference in performance like?

 

What should I look for as give aways that a car has had a bad past other than the obvious?

 

What do you guys pay in insurance and are there any good deals for insuring these cars?

 

I can't think of any more at this time, but if you guys can share the benefit of your knowledge with me I'd be really grateful.

 

 

Cheers

 

 

Phil

Surfless

Welcome.

 

What is everyone's take on the N/A version - is it good or do I stick to the twin turbo? What is the difference in performance like?

 

NAs are good. But after you've driven a TT, they feel slow. NAs tend to be more reliable though and less prone to piston damage and of course there's no turbos to worry about. Personally, for a car of this calibre, I'd only have TT with manual transmission.

 

What should I look for as give aways that a car has had a bad past other than the obvious?

 

Most of this is covered in the buyers guide. Basically steer clear of cars with rust, smokey engines, cars with poor panel alignment, cheesy paint schemes/colours, tacky bodykits. Basically, keep a look out for the cleanest one you can.

 

What do you guys pay in insurance and are there any good deals for insuring these cars?

 

How long is a peice of string? Depends on age, modifications, location etc.

Hi Phil and welcome to the club.

 

The N/A is a good daily driver with enough power to make you smile, more fun in a manual though and you will find many convert to manual from auto whether its a TT or an N/A.

 

TT is a more serious smile factor and can be modded to gain greater horsepower.

 

Its all down to budget at the end of the day, that will depend on how good, bad, little work, lots of work is required. Take a look in the faq section at the buyers guide http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43

 

Insurance really varies, dependent on age, NC, points, location again lots of threads on insurance, use the search at the top right menu. Its a group 18, so one of the top groups. Some companies try or will charge more for imports rather than a UK model, but in some cases there isnt alot in it.

 

Take a look in the for sale section http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75

Might be something you like or at least give you an idea.

 

Personally i love driving the zed, always turns heads and is an enjoyable experience rather than a necessity.

 

Good luck with the search

Welcome mate, this may be a bit biased, but i would go for a TT Manual.

I have driven N/A's both auto and manual, and also still own both an auto and a manual TT.

dont get me wrong, the n/a is still lots of fun, but the difference between a n/a and a TT is alot.

My first zed was my TT Auto, which was a huge jump from my prvious car. Love it to bits, but a manual TT is something else.

Look at a few, and test drive them to which suits you and your bank balance best.

There are some total dogs out there, but when you find a good one you will know.

 

There are few of us along the south coast, if you need help looking over a zed, were happy to assist

Stu

Hi Phil

 

Welcome to the club!! You've come to the right place for everyting 300zx related.....

 

Some sound advice there already - all I would add is once you have decided on the NA/TT issue, buy the cleanest example you can! Manual TTs are rare now and will command a premium; but don't write off the auto.

 

Performance figures for the TT auto and manual are pretty close; although the feel and the way they seem to deliver the power are different. But if you do end up with an auto, you can have it converted for about £1600 later.

 

As for insurance, a lot of us have daily drivers and use the 300zx as a second car - so we have classic car policies. This can cost as little as £200 f/c; but you do have a mileage limitation (either 3k or 5k per annum, for example). Plus some of us are advancing in years now............:innocent:

 

Good luck in your search - and check our for sale section!

 

Richard:cool2:

thank you all for your comments - I had a feeling that I would have Turbo envy if I got an N/A - I'm off to drive a manual N/A tomorrow in Bognor Regis - guy wants £1500 for it - not likely to buy it but I need to drive one to see what they are like....

 

Nothing in my budget at the moment on here for sale - may have to save a little longer :)

 

 

Cheers again.

What is your budget?

 

NAs will feel quite a bit different. Sure, you'll get the feel of a Z, but the power delivery on the TT is completely different.

welcome to the club Surfless - good luck with your search.