Hey guys,

 

for those who didn't see my newbie thread I'm looking at getting a Zed :)

 

I've read just about every piece of buying information I can find so I've got an idea on what to look for when viewing one.

 

What I was wondering is if any of you more experienced lads had any little nuggets of gold which i could get my teeth in to?!

 

The model im looking for is a manual TT with a budget around 3k :)

 

Also, I'm based in South bucks (Beaconsfield), is there anybody around me who'd be up for looking at a few with me if/when i find one nearby?

 

Thanks!

Good luck with the search.

I am often around the Hertford / St Albans area, so if your travelling West we could arrange something?

It's an auto but well worth the money and it's under your budget :)

Edited August 16, 201213 yr by vodkashots
removed link

Cheers Ben, if any crop up around there i'll drop you a line :)

Had a look at one today,

 

The boost gauge went from -7 to +7 and idled slightly off -7, I haven't read about the gauge that has that range, is there a difference between that and -14 and +14?

 

It was a 1990 (g reg) auto TT

 

Hicas light was on, I guess this means it was broken?

 

Oil pressure gauge on idle was just off 0 also

 

Bodywork seemed straight, leathers were in a sorry state.

 

The car is in slough, anyone nearby?

 

Thanks!

Had a look at one today,

 

The boost gauge went from -7 to +7 and idled slightly off -7, I haven't read about the gauge that has that range, is there a difference between that and -14 and +14?

 

It was a 1990 (g reg) auto TT

 

Hicas light was on, I guess this means it was broken?

 

Oil pressure gauge on idle was just off 0 also

 

Bodywork seemed straight, leathers were in a sorry state.

 

The car is in slough, anyone nearby?

 

Thanks!

 

The boost gauge will have been in mmhg as it was a jap car, this is milimeters of mercury. It amounts to the same as -14 to + 14 psi just a different unit. Idling towards -7 is good, shows there are no HUGE vacuum or boost leaks.

 

Hicas light could be on for a number of reasons, low power steeing fluid, or an aftermarket steering wheel without the correct boss is often the case.

 

Oil pressure gauge on most cars is normally about as accurate as a long range weather report so I wouldnt worry to much about that.

 

Seats are easy to replace but depending if you have new or good second hand can cost between £200 and £2000, bodywork in good condition is a good start, need to check underneath though along the sills and floor pan. Bearing in mind that particular old lady your looking at is 22 years yound dont be expecting wonders!

 

It sounds like it would need to be cheap from your description though...

It's Up for £2490 so hopefully so room to negotiate there.

 

 

Ah brilliant that's cleared that up, it's a little bit off the -7 but nothing huge. In the buyers guide on here it says avoid early Z's as they could have compression issues, this one is a '90, should I be concerne about that?

 

There is an aftermarket steering wheel so that might explain the HICAS light.

 

Also, I'm 6ft 6 so it's a pretty tight squeeze! Is there a difference in the size of a 4 seater? This one is a 2

It's Up for £2490 so hopefully so room to negotiate there.

 

 

Ah brilliant that's cleared that up, it's a little bit off the -7 but nothing huge. In the buyers guide on here it says avoid early Z's as they could have compression issues, this one is a '90, should I be concerne about that?

 

There is an aftermarket steering wheel so that might explain the HICAS light.

 

Also, I'm 6ft 6 so it's a pretty tight squeeze! Is there a difference in the size of a 4 seater? This one is a 2

 

 

I wouldn't worry about that any more. All the early zeds will have either died or had the compression issues sorted out by now. You could always ask him if he would do a compression check.

 

Also, there are a few big lads with swb zeds and I haven't heard any complaints about them not being able to fit. So again you'll be fine. :)

http://autotrader.mobi/used-cars/advert/201231480853293/viewing-7/0?PHPSESSID=rtq416u44svoijk2bntb158fv6

 

That's the link to it - don't know if thatll work as I'm copying off my phone heh

It's Up for £2490 so hopefully so room to negotiate there.

 

 

Ah brilliant that's cleared that up, it's a little bit off the -7 but nothing huge. In the buyers guide on here it says avoid early Z's as they could have compression issues, this one is a '90, should I be concerne about that?

 

There is an aftermarket steering wheel so that might explain the HICAS light.

 

Also, I'm 6ft 6 so it's a pretty tight squeeze! Is there a difference in the size of a 4 seater? This one is a 2

 

Probably less room in a LWB car if truth be told, not sure if the seat runners are any different? as there is only 8" between the two models and in that space they manage to get the rear seats in. At worst they are exactly as the same as its said that essentially up the back of the doors the LWB and SWB cars are the same. Ah thats why its at a reasonable value the SWB cars are normally more sought after.

 

The aftermarket steering wheel is almost certainly the culprit... did you drive it? Check the auto cancel works on the indicators. My first one had had an aftermarket wheel on it at some point, on sale they had refitted the standard one but left parts of the steering column behind the dash board so the hicas didnt work properly and the indicators didnt self cancel!

Hi Frazer

 

Get your self £6k and I'll sell you mine.

 

Andy

Edited August 17, 201213 yr by Andy Isherwood

Yeah I drove it, seemed fine pulled well through all the gears- gonna go back later today and have a closer inspection.

 

I'm guessing you're pulling my leg there Andy ;D

Yeah I drove it, seemed fine pulled well through all the gears- gonna go back later today and have a closer inspection.

 

I'm guessing you're pulling my leg there Andy ;D

 

He was perhaps meaning 6k :)

Yeah thought so :D also the guide says avoid early autos as they have overheating issues? Sorry for the 21 questions!

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Yeah thought so :D also the guide says avoid early autos as they have overheating issues? Sorry for the 21 questions!

Lol!!! Just put the missing K in there!!!

 

£6K buys it!!

 

Andy

You can't back track on an offer now

Lol!!! Just put the missing K in there!!!

 

£6K buys it!!

 

Andy

 

You can send me the keys in the post ;)

 

going back to look at it tonight - i'll grab some photos of the dials etc. Should i be concerned about the early automatic overheating thing? Or like the cylinder head problems would the issue would have been rectified by now? Rep for all ;D

going back to look at it tonight - i'll grab some photos of the dials etc. Should i be concerned about the early automatic overheating thing? Or like the cylinder head problems would the issue would have been rectified by now? Rep for all ;D

 

Ah yes, autoboxes are a typicaly fairly weak point on ALL ages of 300zx. I think when that guide was written it was simply that the newer cars were that bit newer and the older cars were that bit older. Now they are all old the boxes tend to be a bit delicate. Not always of course, however UK models had a seperate autobox oilcooler where as the JDM cars did not, kits can be had for £100-£150 IIRC in order to add an oil cooler which on a JDM automatic is recommended.

 

I thought you wanted a manual though? Be honest with your self, as the excitment can take hold and dont rush into buying the first one you see. Thats how I ended up with my first one and it was an automatic, a great and brilliant car but for me the manual was simply better so I converted it and the car was transformed!

at these prices perhaps i should sell mine... nahh the gf keeps trying to get me to, but its such a nice thing to drive

Yeah you are right mate I'm looking for a manual, but if this does turn out to be a solid model do you reckon it would just be a safe bet? Too right though. Buy with the head...

Mine will be up for sale in a week or 2. £3250 had loads done and is a uk tt maunal. hint hint! :)

Yeah you are right mate I'm looking for a manual, but if this does turn out to be a solid model do you reckon it would just be a safe bet? Too right though. Buy with the head...

 

Mate if your looking for a manual then hold out for a manual as ime sure peeps will agree with me in saying an auto zed allthough just as exciting and worthy is an all together diffrent driving experience and can ruin your 1st taste in zed ownership:wink:

My Manual TT SWB is for sale in the region of 4k

Mate if your looking for a manual then hold out for a manual as ime sure peeps will agree with me in saying an auto zed allthough just as exciting and worthy is an all together diffrent driving experience and can ruin your 1st taste in zed ownership:wink:

 

agree you really really need a uk TT manual in say red with rota wheels and tein coilovers and a new MOT. Cant imagine where you will get on of them from!!! :detective::innocent::whistling:

PM coming your way Dave.......