Hello everyone.

 

At this point in time I'm not actually a 300zx owner, but chances are I will be very soon.

 

Before I make a purchase I do have several questions, however, some relating to the car I am interested in (i.e. it's value, whether it's worth it etc) and the insurance (of which I am having difficulty finding anyone to back me for a reasonable price).

 

If someone could point me in the right forums for these inquiries I'd be grateful.

 

Cheers,

 

JB.

Hi there bud, welcome to the club.

 

If you want any advice or help you've come to the right place.

 

Use the Help and Advice section of this forum for any technical queries and the Z32 - Related section for anything non technical. But no-one is gonna shoot you down in flames if you post in the wrong place - the moderators will generously move it for you!

 

What car are you thinking about and how much?

 

Is it on Pistonheads or Autotrader?

 

Good luck with the search:thumbup:

 

Oh, and quite a few people here use Sky Insurance (Jap specialists) - but give us some details - how old, any quotes yet etc

Thanks.

 

The car isn't in any magazines or websites etc, it is a car that has been standing for four years! The car is a 1990 Z31, single turbo. I randomly saw it the other day and tracked down the owner. We had a good chat about it and he essentially brought it to his garage to work on (it's his car) and never got round to it. He said that although it's been sat it has been started regularly and runs very well.

 

The paint is extremely damaged and would need to be redone (but that's not a problem for me).

 

Eventually we got talking and the end result is that if I wanted it he will;

 

- Change the cam belt

- Put in a new water pump

- Replace the front shocks

- Get 12 months MOT

- I can have it for £1000.

 

What are your initial thoughts?

Welcome to the club and hope you find a good zed plus good advice from Leo above:thumbup1:

Also, I should add that I am aware that typically stripping and repainting is a very expensive job, but through contacts I can get a complete respray done for £600. Please don't ask where, I'm afraid it is a mate who will just do a one-off for me! So the cost of repainting etc isn't so much a consideration.

You will need to be good with your hands to put a z31 back on the road and deep pockets imo.

You will need to be good with your hands to put a z31 back on the road and deep pockets imo.

 

I understand (I hope) but I have no problems with this being a project car.

 

The fact that he will get 12 months MOT on it before he sells it increases my confidence, as any serious faults will just not pass. I will not even consider the car if it does not get past its MOT.

You could get a Z32 that is fully running for that sort of price, would you not rather go that route?

 

not a bad price if he gets it all done, but I'd be wary about what else it may need after standing for so long.

Other than the price is there any particular reason you want a z31? They arnt exactly a speed machine in standard form (even a turbo is less powerful than a Z32 NA...) I will be honest although they have a tiny bit of retro cool and they are rare I dont think they would ever be put up on the mantlepiece as a showcase of Nissans engineering. Its from the era when they got fatter, heavier and slower!

I think I'm being tempted by its charm.

 

It's a little yellow thing, sat underneath a tree just looking sad. The more I think about it the less practical and worthwhile it becomes. It is a shame that it's just sat there though. I've got no real desire to have a Z31 over a Z32, so I think I'll give this one a miss.

 

The other problem is that I'm 22 and have no prior performance car experience. So far no insurer will touch me. Has anyone got any tips? Certain insurers? There are plenty of people on here who own 300's and are my age - I'd love to know what they've managed without getting a quote of £3000.

Typically UK models are cheaper to insure than imports, (only LWB TT's were avialale in the UK so it does limit your choice and there are other issues to contend with) From japan you could have either TT's or NA's LWB or SWB (targa or hard top or convertible) all sorts of options! Be aware though that NA's tend to be just as much to insure as imported TT's

 

I was 20 when I had my first one and paid about £1100 I think 3rd party fire and theft uk model. It subsequently went down when I was 21. (Then I had an M3 Evo for 18 months and then onto the silver one)

 

I'm 23 now and have a SWB TT (import) and pay around 700 on a cherished car scheme with limited milage through adrian flux, again third party fire and theft with 4 years no claims. I do live in the middle of nowhere though which helps as insurance depends as much on your post code as your age etc these days.

 

price comparision websites are generally fairly poor for interesting/unusual/performance cars. So i would stick to picking up the phone and looking for specialist performance/occasional car insurance.

 

(The z32 is 10x the car that tha z31 ever was - its why the 300zx has just a bad rep is that awful thing lol)

Welcome to the forum mate :)

Welcome to the club!

 

Richard:yes:

If you really like it and are prepared to put the needed TLC and money into it then why not?

The Z31 is a classic car in its own right and very very rare now. I can see the appeal.

As long as your fully aware of what sort of project it may be and you have your eyes wide open then go for it.

No point in stating how much better the Z32 is. Completely irrevelent. A completely different car with its own appeal IMO.

I have a mate that thinks I'm a complete sad git for investing in an 18 year old Z32 and spending thousands on it, another decade makes no difference. In his mind, a much newer car is superior in every way.

What is true is that the Z32 is far more supported than the Z31 in terms of spares, upgrades etc, the Z31 may be harder to source parts for, that said it is a simplier machine mechanically and probably easier to DIY on.

Rust I'd say will be the biggest problem.

Edited August 24, 201015 yr by turbocraigy

I must admit I think the Z31 is a hideous car and if you can get the 32 for the same sort of money then its a no brainer.

 

But i'd be inclined to get a different car at 22 especially if you have never owned a performance car. Get an old 316i or something like that to get used to a RWD for a start!