Hi guys. Ive been over on the vxronline forum for that last year but a change in circumstances (having another baby and trying to buy a house) means I might need to sell my astra. I've wanted a 300zx ever since Gran Tourismo 1 came out on the playstation so here I am! Looking for advice on buying, pros and cons of n/a, twin turbo, v6 etc, So...hi :)

Edited May 14, 201114 yr by vodkashots
registered user selling

Hi ya matey, I've had to edit your post as registered users are not permitted to sell, welcome to the club though, and good luck in your search for a 300zx

Welcome to the club Rick (I guess that's your name mate!!) - and good luck in your search.

 

You'll find plenty of advice on here, along with the possibility of a couple of members' cars for sale.

 

Richard:thumbup:

plenty of advice in the Frequently asked questions bit, and even more on here a very friendly lot ,welcome matey

Hi guys. Ive been over on the vxronline forum for that last year but a change in circumstances (having another baby and trying to buy a house) means I might need to sell my astra. I've wanted a 300zx ever since Gran Tourismo 1 came out on the playstation so here I am! Looking for advice on buying, pros and cons of n/a, twin turbo, v6 etc, So...hi :)

 

Hi and welcome,

LOL... so since your main aim is to save money......... DON'T GET ANY PERFORMANCE CAR!!!! you've got more important things to worry about!!!

 

If you get a cheap 300zx it will cost you lots in getting it to how you want it.

even if you spend a fair amount to start with (like I did) you could still end up spending heaps on it, these cars aren't cheap and it's difficult to find a garage that knows them. (if you can't afford to keep an Astra you won't be able to afford to keep a 300).

 

unless of course you happen to be very lucky.. its a bit of a lottery... my advice is get yourself a trusty cheap throw away car... and wait until you've got money to spend before you get a toy.

 

good luck.

Welcome to the forum ! :D :D

Thanks for the welcome guys! I can afford to run the Vxr, and the £278/month its costing in finance repayments. i need to clear off credit agreements so my credit score improves and I can get approval for the mortgage. if i clear the finance and leave a few quid for something less than 10 grand. These look like nice, cheap, fast alternatives. Are these really that tough to keep in good nick? Do they fall apart and need turbo rebuilds every few k? All info appreciated!

Edited May 15, 201114 yr by vodkashots
hinting at selling.

i think people are just trying to highlight just buy the best you can for the money you have

 

 

there are plenty of bad examples out there as in poorly maintained or just used and abused!! but there are also allot of well cared for ones too, if it was me i and given the ideal choice i would buy from a forum member or at least someone who has a love for the z32, as they will have likely put the effort in where it counts over just modding the way the car looks! (not that the oem look is not good enough) :D

 

but yes they are high performance so can be high maintenance, Uk 300zx's have been here since 1991 or so now so some may have faired badly with the british weather etc, all Uk spec are twin turbo (2+2) where as JDM models can be sourced in Non-turbo form, swb or even convertible etc

 

 

there are loads of threads on here for new buyers and even a brief buying guide, so take a peek at some threads when you have some spare time :D

 

Chris

Read a few threads now, had a look at a few adverts. Think I want the twin turbo but not sure whether to go 2 seats or 2+2. The buyers guide (sticky) looks pretty useful. Just need to start assessing my pricerange. If I only have £1800 probably best to hold off for a few months and save the money I'm not spending on finance to put another grand in. 2.5k - 3 shold get a reasonable runner ready for me to mod?

Edited May 15, 201114 yr by vodkashots
advertising a price range for his car.

yes i think 2.5-3k should get you something thats in good condition just go to see a few first and try and take someone with you from here if you can who can check it over fully! TT has allot more poke but the n/a is still a powerfull car, the tt can be more economical though depending on how driven!

 

 

what mods did you have in mind?

Not sure yet. The astra's problem (as I'd assume goes for most big turbo cars) is cooling. The astra mods usually start with bigger exhaust, fmic, remap and then more invasive stuff like manifold replacement, bigger turbo etc. Is there an accepted order to do things on a 300zx? Ie don't put big turbos or high lift cams until you sort out better manifold/cooling/valve springs?

Not sure yet. The astra's problem (as I'd assume goes for most big turbo cars) is cooling. The astra mods usually start with bigger exhaust, fmic, remap and then more invasive stuff like manifold replacement, bigger turbo etc. Is there an accepted order to do things on a 300zx? Ie don't put big turbos or high lift cams until you sort out better manifold/cooling/valve springs?

 

Entry mods usually consist of: exhaust system & intake, remap & boost increase, the sidemount intercoolers are best upgraded & keeping as sidemounts but FMIC's are used mainly for looks!

 

The clutch will struggle with a boost increase & will likely start to slip so an uprated clutch is required - a lightweight flywheel is a good mod at this stage too. A lightweight crank pulley is a nice addition as well.

 

Then it starts to get big bucks - bigger turbos & injectors are the next upgrade.

 

Decats are risky on stock turbos & can cause smoking due to the design of the turbo although many do run them.

 

The cams can be left unless you are chasing real big power - generally if you are going for bigger turbos a rebuild is a good idea with forged pistons etc.

 

good luck! :cool3:

^^^^ agreed!! :D

Cracking post paul! That's exactly what I (and probably more first 300 owners) need! There are 3 big vauxhall tuners that have 'stage' upgrades. Are there recognised tuners fir these or is it just take it to someone who knows tuning in general and buy buts through them? Sorry mods for not searching through old posts, these guys are too helpful!

Sorry for spelling! When is says "fir" read "for" and tried to write "buy bits through them" not buy buts!

the place to take your zed imo is zedworld in tamworth, they dont do any type of upgrade packs to my knowledge though, however there is plenty of stuff out there from the makes you would expect etc

 

take a look at the zed1 site top right corner of forum and also look up zed centre to start with some ideas :)

Hi ya matey, well after reading what you have put, it seems you believe these are quite cheap to run and maintain. if you plan on doing your own work, then yes they are. if you take it to a garage, labour costs can run quite high, very fast. as they are 20 year old sports cars. and usually something either breaks when taking it off, or you run into other difficulty due to age.

 

Personally id be wary about taking the 300zx to anything but a reputable garage, as there have been a few horror stories involving peoples cars around those who haven't worked on them before.

 

Up grades are good, and a nice edition, but get the engine checked property first before upgrading, it could save you a small fortune in the future as putting more power through a engine thats 20 years old with out proper maintenance usually things start to go wrong.

 

A few problem areas to consider.

 

AUTO's

 

If they haven't been maintained properly, can fail at the gear box, this usually means either sourcing a known good replacement as a temporary fix (around 250, to 300 for a good known working box) or going for a full manual conversion thats more reliable (usually anywhere between £500 and £700 for the kit)

 

Turbos spool up quicker, but also lose the power at the higher end faster than the manual, check for smoke being emitted from the exhaust (condensation is fine, but it shouldn't bellow out when revved, or idling after a 30min drive)

 

Check the undersides for Rust on UK cars, especially around the rear sills and bubbling on the arches. if the car has side skirts already, check the sills more so, problem area seems to be the rear arch sill as there is a targa drain whole down in this location, and also the front sill where the arch attaches to the wing underside of the car, as people some times jack the car here, and its not strong enough to cope with the weight, it then gets crushed and can rot in this location.

 

Take the car for a drive, if its a AUTO, make sure the gear changes are smooth with no strange noises, when you get back, leave it idling for a bit before turning it off, pay close attention to see if smoke is being emitted out of the exhaust, also check to make sure its holding its temperature

 

Good luck with your search. if you spot one you like, put a post up, it might be close to a forum member who may be willing to have a look at it for you.

Yeah, any work I'd do (or have a bash at) myself. Good point about bits breaking off, will have to consider that when doing things before starting I suppose to make sure I can get it back together (have bolts and nuts handy in case studs shear and need drilling out etc). I'd go for a manual, not auto I think. What mpg do you get around town in a standard twin turbo? I only get about 23-25 at the moment driving 10 mins across town in the mornings...

Yeah, any work I'd do (or have a bash at) myself. Good point about bits breaking off, will have to consider that when doing things before starting I suppose to make sure I can get it back together (have bolts and nuts handy in case studs shear and need drilling out etc). I'd go for a manual, not auto I think. What mpg do you get around town in a standard twin turbo? I only get about 23-25 at the moment driving 10 mins across town in the mornings...

 

14mpg is usually the average, raising to 25 - 27 on a motor way cruise, if everything is running ok.

 

Nail it though and expect to be in the 8 to 9 mpg bracket tbh

Wow. Damn thirsty then! Do you know how much 6 months tax is?

Wow. Damn thirsty then! Do you know how much 6 months tax is?

 

£118.25 now isnt it?

My Vxr is £132 iirc. Getting silly now. My first car was 60 for the year I think! 1.2 corsa though. 48 bhp!

that sounds about right ian :)

Wow. Damn thirsty then! Do you know how much 6 months tax is?

 

Hmmm, I smell trouble!

 

Good luck on your purchase bud - the cheapest zed to run, is the most expensive to buy. You don't want to buy something that sits on your drive collecting bird crap all day. That said, there are no guarantees - you could be lucky and find a well cared for car - or not.. Trying to find a standard Zed is pretty difficult - but buying a modded one will save you shelling out for the basic mods. If well maintained then I think its fair to say, they can be pretty reliable cars. You will probably think you've got a leak from the petrol tank though! If your astra was managing mid twenties, then like Vodkashots says - expect high single figures fuel wise. Or just push a little more gently with your right foot (like that's gonna happen - lol).

 

Good luck with the search - take your time and find the right car. Too many people have tails of woe on this site - which is a shame, because the Zed is a magnificent sports tourer. You will not be disappointed.

 

Use the members on this forum - I'd bet there is someone close to you who would show you what a good example is like and take you for a spin :scared:

Lol. No trouble, just surprising. The tax is less than mine yet economy (and so emissions?) lower? Crazy. You must admit, 14 is pretty low, my dads s4 gets 18-20. Always been concerned about buying a modified car although having had a quick car with a few bits stuck on it I know I care for mine much better than most standard ones and so should not be so sceptical of other modders. Lots of mods stress other components if not up to the job, when buying a lightly modified 300zx what should I look out for? Crap question I know, but whet I mean is do you need uprated recirc valve spring when running a map or decat? Do the standard coolers need updating if more than an induction kit and big bore exhaust fitted? Ps thanks for all the replies!

basic mods reprise of

 

Full decat Stainless steel exhaust

Performance Air Filter

Boost jets (sometimes)

ECU upgrade

 

stock they are usually good for around 380bhp on simple mods before you have to start changing internals and getting into silly money.

 

But if your going for the dogs *****cks in engine builds.

 

then it would be fully rebuilt engine with uprated pistons, con rods, injectors, chipped and mapped ECU, Uprated turbos, Bigger inter cooler, hi flow rad, uprated fuel pump, and high flow fuel filter, boost controller instead of boost jets, lightened crank, lightened flywheel, lightened pulleys and sprockets, uprated head gasket, lightened single prop, bigger brakes to stop it, fully adjustable suspension with all upgraded arms and tie rods, new nylon bushes.

 

to be honest there is so much you can do to the car once you get started and i know there are bits ive missed out as its not a comprehensive list.

 

if you go with just the basics then no, you don't need to worry too much about uprating the rad, though its always a nice addition as the engines tend to run hot. but do a search as running too cold can also damage the engine.

 

But before you start modding, make sure you get your engine checked properly or it could just end in disaster, also with changing to a fully decatted straight through exhaust, will hi light existing problems with turbo seals if it has them and you might end up having to recondition or change them.