I currently own a mk4 supra N/A and my insurance is killing me on anything that is an import (I prefer import over UK models though), My insurance was £1000 when I first bought the supra (I was 23) im now 26 and they want more than 2 grand off me. Most companys want over 7k or wont insure me because of the area I live.

 

Basically Im looking at a UK model car next and the Z is one car I need to own at some point in my life. Again I would normally go for the import version but its not an option now.

 

I have three questions......

 

1, Which year is the best model to buy? I would prefer atleast 94 model.

2, Could someone either tell me or show me a link to where it list the differences between the UK and import model? I want to know if the UK model is not as good?

3, How likely and how much would it cost to get a UK, 94+, TT, manual, LWB model for with less than 100k miles and in good condition?

 

Ive been looking on pistonheads but not seen on that would do for me, I dont want the SWB version.

1. UK Cars were only available up to 94, to be honest there isnt much between the years although 92+ become series 2 cars which have different trim and seat belts on the B pillar rather than on the door

 

2. UK cars have advantages over imports, and vica versa. The link below will help!

http://www.300zx.org.uk/mod_comp_1.htm

 

3. UK cars were ONLY TT and LWB (although you could get auto and manual models). You could pay up to 6k or 7k for low milage 1 owner cars although they are rare and hard to come by. Budget 3.5k-4.5k for a good UK car although they do come up for less, often with issues.

 

Always Always Always buy on CONDITION not milage/age etc

 

Hope this helps!

Ok big help, Im gonna have a look at that link now. Im planning on selling my supra abit cheaper so I get a quicker sale and my total budget would be around 4k. Im not after a Mint one, Just a good example with lowish miles.

 

With supras the UK models tend to be high milage and more likely to have rust compared the Imports (and more rare too) im guessing its kinda the same with Z's.

 

Gonna have a read through that link now anyway.

Yeah largly the same for UK cars tend to be more affected with the tin worm, be aware though at most imports tend to have been clocked (funny how all japanese cars all have 60k when they come to this country ;) )

 

Are you after an NA or a TT? Obviously if you want a UK car then it has to be a TT... have you tried an import for insurance? Mine is a SWB slicktop (ergo an import), im 24 and pay less than £700 fully comp including breakdown cover etc

Yeah largly the same for UK cars tend to be more affected with the tin worm, be aware though at most imports tend to have been clocked (funny how all japanese cars all have 60k when they come to this country ;) )

 

Are you after an NA or a TT? Obviously if you want a UK car then it has to be a TT... have you tried an import for insurance? Mine is a SWB slicktop (ergo an import), im 24 and pay less than £700 fully comp including breakdown cover etc

 

Yeah, I'd check out the insurance because there isn't much of a differance between import and UK now...

On the mkivsupra club ive been getting help from people with insurance, ive tried loads of companys where people get cheap quotes but with me it comes up with either they wont insure me or its over 7k. I have a friend in wales with the same supra as mine, his driving background is the same as mine (he only has 3 points like me) and he pays £600 fully comp. They always say its the area I live being a high crime zone ect ect.

 

Im gutted I have to sell my supra but im refusing to pay over 2k for this car, when I was 21 I owned a Pulsar GTiR with only paying £1800 a year.

 

Back to the Z's, My insurance on a N/A import is over 2k whereas a UK TT manual (Thats the one I want) is £1200.

 

Its the same with supra's, my N/A is now over 2k, If I got a UK tt its would be £800 to insure.

^^^ what he said^^-If you get a classic Policy it's even cheaper.

That's the route I'll go come renewal time!:detective:

Yep, try Heritage for a classic quote.

Yep, try Heritage for a classic quote.

 

I think I may have tried them but I believe I was not allowed to use the car as a daily driver. I will need to be able to drive it as a daily driver.

1. UK Cars were only available up to 94, to be honest there isnt much between the years although 92+ become series 2 cars which have different trim and seat belts on the B pillar rather than on the door

 

UK cars only came with the seat belts on the B pillars regardless of year. None of this silly jap on the door stuff:whistling:

 

Spec wise they're very similar. However UK cars had a nicer trim in the interior (no tweed), wider rear wheels, thicker roll bars, extra rad, etc

 

But very similar all the same.

Spec wise they're very similar. However UK cars had a nicer trim in the interior (no tweed), wider rear wheels, thicker roll bars, extra rad, etc

 

Ive seen some stunning examples then looked inside to see or horrid grey stitched type interior. I dont want that, I would prefer leather or a dark cloth.

 

Do UK ones come with leather?

Just saying hi matey, another boltoner :)

Just saying hi matey, another boltoner :)

 

Mee Too

Look out for a decent well maintained zed over an old dog. it will pay in the long run. UK TT zeds do come cheap sometimes, but give a good look over, if your unsure of what to look for, post up on here.

I bought my UK manual TT for £1500. have owned it for 4 years and has only cost me £220. for a new clutch, flywheel etc.

I do all my own work. Apart from that, runs pefect.

Plus UK zeds are great

However UK cars had a nicer trim in the interior (no tweed)...

 

My UK car has tweed interior, but it's the dark version that looks much nicer than the light grey :)

@ Tudor & Paulbrem, hardly ever see a Z round here I cant think the last time I seen one. I live in Salford now ive just not updated my profile but still close, If you have seen a black supra with black & chrome deepdish wheels then its most likely me (had to take the car off road as i recently got made unemployed).

 

@Sussex Stu, Thats a comforting post you made, I cant believe someone sold a TT manual for £1500, you got a great deal by the looks of it. I will look into what to look for when buying one closer to the time if I end up getting one.

 

They're alot of car for the money but I suppose they lose their value not only to age but because its hard to afford one now with todays running costs.

 

I did have a question to Quavey or if someone else knows, He posted a link with differences between UK/JDM/USA models and It didnt list mechanical part differences i.e. Turbos & brakes.

With the Supra some differences between UK & import are, UK has better brakes, better (glass) headlights, softer suspension, stronger yet I believe not powerfull turbos, things like that, is the 300zx the same?

 

I did have a question to Quavey or if someone else knows, He posted a link with differences between UK/JDM/USA models and It didnt list mechanical part differences i.e. Turbos & brakes.

With the Supra some differences between UK & import are, UK has better brakes, better (glass) headlights, softer suspension, stronger yet I believe not powerfull turbos, things like that, is the 300zx the same?

 

Largely no they are the same, subtle differences with the UK cars as PhilP mentioned, wider rear wheels, thicker roll bars, extra power steering rad I believe. Also, it appears that the UK cars had adjustable rear shocks, actuated by "one click" on the handbrake leaver. Although the chances are, 20 or so years later this no longer works (if it ever? I think we have discussed it on here and the findings were fairly neutral!) US cars did have a "sport setting" for the suspension though, a button on the centre console near the mirror switches.

 

However, at some point most cars end up with aftermarket wheels, the power steering rad I dont think is essential and thicker anti roll bars, well yes an improvement but if anyone was that bothered they could soon fit aftermarket items.

 

There are differences in turbo sizes and cams between manual and auto models (ergo Auto models converted to manual, although My first zed I had converted from an Auto to a Manual and it did spool up quicker than this one which has been a manual all its life!)

 

 

Essentially they are the same car, other differences in badging, speedo clocks (boost and oil pressure are in different standards)

 

At PhilP, I was unaware that all UK cars had seat belts on the B pillar! I knew they had 3 point rears as apposed to the JDM lap belts but you learn something new everyday!

 

The point being, Insurance is the only serious reason to choose a UK over an import, any differences/advantages the UK cars had when new are almost certainly either matched by the JDM cars, or both have been upgraded/modified. Standard cars are almost impossible to come by, especially TT's!

Thanks Quavey, Yeah from what you said the main difference is for insurance reasons & for me the UK model is the only option. I prefer the JDM badges (fairlady) and JDM style numberplates.

 

Is it the Auto or manual that comes with the better cams and turbo?

Well the manual turbos are slightly bigger, basically the Auto cars are less powerful but generate a flatter torque curve to better suit the 3 speed + over drive... There isnt a huge amount in it. As I said before, my auto converted to a manual did seem to spool up quicker due to its smaller turbos but that might be in my head!

 

Personally having owned both I wouldnt have an Auto through choice again. It was OK just it always seemed to be in the wrong gear, it either changed down at the slightest throttle input (like when climbing hills) or when you need the power it considered the downchange and thought "actually no, we'll stay in the wrong gear"! Joys of late 1980's auto boxes, modern stuff is beyond belief better

when you need the power it considered the downchange and thought "actually no, we'll stay in the wrong gear"!

 

lol at that, looks like I will want the manual version then.

 

Im gonna stick my car on pistonheads maybe tomorrow or something, I dont want to sell it but I have to because of insurance.

 

Im looking at the s14's I like them & I like drifting but I the Z still looks better.

Yep, try Heritage for a classic quote.

 

I tried heritage for a quote online, it came up with £1300 for my supra so I went to change the car to a 300zx and it came up saying I have to ring for a quote. So I ring them up about the supra quote first and they say my quote doesnt count and that they quote me £4000 on my current supra:mad2: I then tell her I want to change to a UK model 300zx and she says she cant insure me till im 28.

 

Im 26 with only 3 points why wont companys insure me:mad2:

I tried heritage for a quote online, it came up with £1300 for my supra so I went to change the car to a 300zx and it came up saying I have to ring for a quote. So I ring them up about the supra quote first and they say my quote doesnt count and that they quote me £4000 on my current supra:mad2: I then tell her I want to change to a UK model 300zx and she says she cant insure me till im 28.

 

Im 26 with only 3 points why wont companys insure me:mad2:

 

Im shocked at the quotes your getting. Im a little older, at 30, but I just got quoted £390 on my Import TT, without any ncb.

 

That was just using the regular comparison sites like comparethemarket.com and confused.com

 

If it its down to your address....got any relatives that live elsewhere... ;)

good thinking yowser, I'm 28, no NCB, (did have, but they took it all off me because i went travelling and didn't insure a car for 2 years) 92' JDM TT, can't get below about 1200 quid, haven't tried classic yet tho, think the area i live in is pretty nice tho? I might see if I can find a list of the best areas :)

Im shocked at the quotes your getting. Im a little older, at 30, but I just got quoted £390 on my Import TT, without any ncb.

 

That was just using the regular comparison sites like comparethemarket.com and confused.com

 

If it its down to your address....got any relatives that live elsewhere... ;)

 

We are all manchester lot im afraid, I tried Go compare and the cheapest on the list was just over £7000 thats on my current car that ive owned & insured for over 3 years.

 

Sky insurance specialise/cater for the supra club members & it seems im one of the only members on there that they wont quote. Its crazy as when I first bought my car (age 23) I was paying a touch over £1000.

Hey Tudor does Westhoughton come under a BL postcode? I keep getting told Bolton & manchester are very high crime zones.

yeah mate, BL5 where I am...