How reliable are your cars? I've heard some real horror stories when it comes to the 300zx. I can't understand it though, the 200sx (which I have) is a pretty reliable car so how come the 300 isn't supposed to be?

 

The problems I've heard of are:-

 

Autobox- Overheats and goes pop

Driveshaft- UJ's have factory fault that makes the car unstable

Turbos- Cost an insane amount to replace when they blow, and to add I've heard that they are "fragile"

Headgaskets- To quote "I had to do a headgasket replacement on one of those before, I called Nissan and they said its easier to replace the engine!

HICAS- Prone to failure

4WS- Prone to failure

Idling- Lumpy idling and stalling

 

Theres some more that I can't think of right now. Is any of this true? I originally went off to buy a 300zx but was put off but these "stories". Anyone shed some light please?

naaahhh thats all a load of bollocks lol, My car has run faultlisly (bad spelling) ever since i had it...(except for the engine rebuild after dropping two pistons lol)

 

it is an expensive sportscar and people forget that, you have to maintain them then they are beutifull..

best car on the road, and my pal,s got a 200sx and it gives him constant shit, so its debaitable

Hi Dave sound loke someones really done a job on you.Speaking from personal experience of owning two Jap import TTs I can say u get a lot a car for the money but dont think u r buying an everday mondeo or escort the fact is when buying look at as many cars as u canand do some research.Once you have got one look after it and as they say it will look after you.I do however thing as a rule Jap import models seem to fair better,when I look around at Zs for sale,generally UK models dont know why seem less looked after in fact I recently looked at a UK spec L reg TT 57k on the clock £8000 at a BMW dealer

and it was a complete shed! so answer that? I love em and i cant think of a bad thing ...oh yeh PETROL!!! dam! I have had no major probs in fact a dam site more reliable than a20 grand Rover I once owned ....YUK Jeff TT

 

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I've had my Import TT since February this year, and so far it hasn't caused me the slightest bit of grief (touch wood). its done 73k but it seems like its been well looked after. It was the first and only one I looked at when I bought it (knowingly realising it could have been a mistake), and I haven't regretted it since!! (apart from being a bit on the juicy side!!)

The 300zx is not a unreliable car for a 300bhp daily driver - they need care and if you expect to pick one up for 5K with 100K+ on the clock you must expect to spend at least half that again in the coming years.

 

Looking at all of your points the only one 2 i can really say is valid is the Autobox problems on 1990 - imports especially. And the 4ws system altho the only part that tends to wear are the ball joints on the steering arms that are easy enuff to change.

 

Prop shaft bearings will also fail late in life but hey its a bearing and bearings fail. about 200 quid to correct the problem

Thing is that so many people have no idea what they are doing they blame the prop bearing for - trackling / alignement problems to HICAS joints to damaged wheels - ive seen them all.

 

Turbos - A few guys here have 120K plus on stock turbos pushing over stock boost with original seals - weak no - if they are not cared for they will fail in the 60K other wise its all a matter of luck. Expensive to repair - yeah not cheap but i wouldn't say 900 quid is too bad for the bare minimum rebuild ! how much does a single new turbo for the sx cost.

 

HeadGaskets - whichever Nissan dealer told you that i would never go back there ever again. They are good and stong and no too bad to replace. People that blow them generally do so because they have poorly maintained imports with Hi Boost on High Octane maps or Cooling systems problem again which are common on bad shape car that have not been looked after but easy to fix if you know the score.

 

Idling - can go out now and again - usually a 20 min job for anyone with a couple of screwdrivers and some card cleaner.

 

The only thing that makes these cars notorious is when a dealer / independant see them there eys light up with pound signs and attempt to milk the owner for everything they can regardless of if they know what they are doing ot not.

 

Anyway Rant over.

 

Enjoy

 

Z ya

Nico91TT

 

Ok, thanks for the replies. Most of what I was told was when I was going to buy a 300zx, no-one had a good thing to say about them.

 

Starting to reconsider now. I as I said before, bought a 200sx instead. However after that I was thinking about getting a MKIV Supra instead of the 300zx but I would still prefer the Z.

 

So if I paid about 7k for a 300 would I get a fairly decent one? I had a quick look in autotrader and saw them going for about 5-6k with about 60-70k on the clock! Seemed rather good to me!

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

 

I'll try to keep calm here, I've driven my car for a couple of weeks in seven months.

 

When I test drove it the idle was a little bit on the rough side(I had seen worse!) which suggested to me that the car might need a tune-up. When I say a "tune-up" I mean a new set of plugs etc.

 

Now the reason why I thought this is, I once bought a Saab Aero, C reg with 165,000 miles on the clock. On the test drive it was spot-on, but on the way home after buying it the car starting pinking.

 

I called out a guy from ComputaTune who had worked on my cars in the past and had always sorted me out(unlike with my Brother's cars...LOL!). Anyway, he turned up, connected all his shit up to me Saab monster and told me that a couple of plugs were shot and I needed a few HT leads replacing. He fiddled with my mixture a little and then sent me off down the road to see if it was better. Well, put it this way, I scared the shit out of me Bro! The car was absolutely flying like f**k!

 

So, for the cost of 30 squid callout charge, a new set of plugs and a couple of new HT leads(which all came to about 80 quid I think) my car was fixed. And it went on to do 185,000 before I chopped it in for a mk3 Supra Turbo without so much as a squeak. I cained that car every day to the max, would race anything...BMW's, Porches, etc. and I couldn't kill it if I tried!

 

So, you can understand how I felt when I bought my Z and experienced the same sort of thing. However, symptoms like a little rough idling on a Z are not usually just a case of plugs, and certainly not HT leads as there aren't any! Just the bastard wiring loom shite contraption which Nissan masterminded apparently. Sounds like a way of making you spend thousands instead of hundreds or a trip to Harry Halfords personally!

 

Anyway, people on 'ere firmly believe that the 300 is a completely reliable motor...which we all really know is complete bullshit! Mine is awaiting a rebuild at SE even as we speak and most of you will probably see the internals of my engine on Monday as I spoke to Pete last night and he may use my block for some tech. demos.

 

So, I paid 7500 quid for a nice motor with a drippy idle, result is engine needs to be rebuilt(although Pete did tell me that it's not that bad!) I'm replacing the wiring loom with new to be on the safe side and still not sure if all this will sort out my stalling problem which was there before. Dealer I bought the car off had increased the base idle to hide the stalling.

 

Total cost of ownership so far:-

 

Purchase £7500

Nissan Consult and compression and load balancing tests at local Nissan £120

Trip to Middlehurst inc. new PTU £485

Trip to Arriva Nissan, Peterborough inc. new heater matrix £285 inc. some of that on the warranty I had

Engine pull and diagnosis at Arriva Nissan £895

Car now at SE and looking at £2300 rebuild plus wiring loom £2-300

 

So where is all this going, yes I am frustrated that I bought a lemon but at the end of the day loads of other people on here have had similar problems. Quite a few have had gearboxes crap out and when I mentioned the fact that I was getting my engine rebuilt a number of people suggested a "group build"!

 

I love my car, have spent so much money on it now that I am committed to it like a f**kin' marriage that I can't get out of! So, all I can say is this, if you are lucky then you are turly blessed when buying a 300, if you are unlucky...god help you and hope your bank manager is a man!

 

Tim

:-|

 

P.S. See you Monday!

 

Big Smile Everyone!

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: Prep'd 4 Major Surgery!

1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth Auto. Current Status: Operational

 

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...P.P.S.

 

My car has only covered 75,000(I think, haven't seen my odo for ages!) and has full Nissan service history. What I will say is this, some of the bills and receipts I got with the history border on SCAREY! What about everyone else? What is the history like on your cars? I would love to know!

 

Tim

;-)

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: Prep'd 4 Major Surgery!

1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth Auto. Current Status: Operational

 

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I bought an import 1990 Auto (apparently it should be dead by now...) and its been great, never broekn down once, I've had a few bits done to it, but then it is 11 years old!! I drive it to work everyday ( as I did when I had a 200sx!) and its a great car. My advice is try and get someone to go with you, and find a garage who is recommended for Z stuff and take it to them for an inspection. Nissan have the Consults etc for checking eror codes....

Originally posted by ChrisF:

I've had my Import TT since February this year, and so far it hasn't caused me the slightest bit of grief (touch wood). its done 73k but it seems like its been well looked after. It was the first and only one I looked at when I bought it (knowingly realising it could have been a mistake), and I haven't regretted it since!! (apart from being a bit on the juicy side!!)

 

me exactly the same as above but purchased in october last year and 55K on the clock. also like to mention i had NO jap service history, only 1 years uk for odd oil change etc.

 

cheers

 

martin

 

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martin@farrin.co.uk

www.farrin.co.uk

I have a 1990 jap TT auto, which now runs like a dream. However it has been a baptism of fire in most respects. When I pruchased it I was sold a bad one, but never having owned a vehicle of this type I still thought it was perfect as it handled better and accelerated faster than anything I had ever owned.

 

Having owned it for three months the auto box on the car died, and it then took me 3 months to get the car repaired and returned from the dealer, 1 week after returning it the new gearbox expired in a spectacular way and the car went back. The third gear box lasted until february last year and then expired. The dealer by this point had gone bust (can't imagine why). This time I took the car to SE who had been doing all my other work. they diagnosed the problem as the car having had a blocked oil cooler for the auto box probably from day one.

 

Before this I had them do a full engineers report on the car and had £1900 of rectification work done as the front wheel bearings where shafted as well as most of the front suspension and silicone bushed things (technical discription).

 

After all this had been rectified with SE rebuilding the autobox and fitting a larger cooler the car drove like a dream. Until the rear seals on my turbo's failed, 52K on the clock.

 

The rectification, and a few mods, was again carried out by SE and the car agian runs like a dream.

 

The moral of this story, get an experienced person to do a full report on the car before purchasing it. Look at the car to see if it has been loved (figuratively speaking).

 

Even after all the financial pain I have had with this car I would not trade it for anything else.

Cheers Nexus,

 

Nice to know that I'm not the only person on 'ere who will admit that they've had more than a little trouble with their car...RESPECT!!!

 

Tim

;-)

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: Prep'd 4 Major Surgery!

1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth Auto. Current Status: Operational

 

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The 2nd day I had my car the Power Transistor failed causing intermittant misfires, I got it fixed (after diagnosing the problem myself thanks to this forum - the garage didn't have a clue), 3 days after getting it back the gearbox gave a nasty grinding sound and reverse gear is now unusable (have you ever tried to push these monsters? I had to get my Dad out of bed at 1am to winch it into the garage). As I've only had the car on the road for 5 days I haven't had time to experience the other problems

Oh, except the prop which shudders from 40-70mph, it's fine at the speed I drive it

 

Just a quicky,

 

Don't think that it's just 300ZX's, it's not, all sports cars are a nightmare. If you get one that doesn't play up at all...well done!

 

My Brother was duped into buying a Renault Alpine GTA-V6 from AidenPiers in Altrincham. Now they are supposed to be Alpine specialists, so you would have thought that when he handed over his cheque for 10 large he was getting a minter? WRONG!

 

Of course they look nice anyway, they're made of plastic so no probs. there then. His engine is f**ked basically, I was with him outside the showroom when Aiden himself gave me and my Brother a lovely sales pitch about how "we want you to keep coming back, if that means that you aren't happy with the car then just bring it back. If I have to take a loss to keep you happy so be it!"...absolute bolloxs!

 

He tried to take the car back, they wouldn't have it, they tried to sting him for an engine repair which he shouldn't have had in the first place. That was nearly two years ago, the car has been off the road and is now part of a massive legal battle between them and my Brother.

 

Solicitors, massive bills spent at Renault in Chester, storage costs etc. etc. and it's still not resolved.

 

So I will say one thing, which is why I winge about my 300 but at the end of the day I would rather get it sorted as quickly as possible. 7 months is better than 2 years of pain and suffering but this can happen to anybody. Matty very nearly got stitched up in the same way, but was lucky that he got his money back(most of it).

 

If anyone is thinking about buying a Z, get someone off this forum to go with you, could save you shit loads in the long run!

 

Tim

;-)

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: Prep'd 4 Major Surgery!

1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth Auto. Current Status: Operational

 

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Hi Dave.

 

Don't be put off too much!. When I bought my UK Zed it was stock and I used it for a year and half without any troubles at all. My troubles only started when I made modifications to the car ( chip, exhaust, intake etc...... ). Having said that, most of the other things I have changed are parts that have worn over the years. You are probably wondering why would someone want to modify one of these cars and don't they go fast enough as standard!. BUT once you start messing with these things it can become addictive (I am sure some of the other guys would agree!!). Just modifying the ecu and a boost upgrade turns this already fast car into a complete animal. Great fun to drive, can't wait for the bank holiday..WOOHOOOOO!.

 

You will have to make your own mind up and be aware that these cars are not cheap if they do balls up!. If you are not put off take your time and find a good one.

 

Good Luck Hunting M8

 

Simon H

I think the way to aproach it is that buying the car is the tip of the iceberg.

 

When a car is advertised as a 5 grand minter read:

 

I got it through the MOT but the bloak said it won't get through the next!

 

Amend the price to 5K plus 2K of work and your sorted. You get yourself a fantastic car that you can trust for 7 grand. And hey, if it isn't shagged then you've got 2 grand to blow on mods!

 

Phil.

Jeeezz Tim,

 

Sorry to see both you and your brother are having such a bad time with your motors. It's terrible when these firms promise you the earth and then take a shit you from a great height!. Hope all gets resolved within the near furture.

 

Seez ya

 

Simon H

CheerZ Simon, appreciated!

 

Tim

;-)

 

1991 UK 300ZX TT Auto. Current Status: Prep'd 4 Major Surgery!

1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth Auto. Current Status: Operational

 

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No matter how carefull you are when buying a car im afraid some of it still comes down to luck (or lack of it). I got my import almost 2 years ago and have not had any faults other than a small petrol leak. where as my mister sensible golf diesel is on the drive with 3 bent valves and a sheared crank pulley :-(

Things have changed loads since I got mine. Parts and help are so much easier to get now than a few years ago and the truth is that the electronic gadgets will cost a fortune whether you have a primera, mondeo or a 300.

SO BUY ONE NOW!

Paul

 

Without wishing to detract from what others have said, take into account that you're not likely to get people posting on a site like this saying "Hey everyone, had another week without anything going wrong" !

 

I owned my Z for 2 years and took it from stock to 430 bhp. On the way I had leaking rear seals on the turbos (at around 70,000 miles but AFTER increasing boost) and the auto box went after I topped around 350 bhp.

 

Other than those two faults, both of which I consider were due to upgrading, I had NO problems. Despite those problems, I never broke down and was never stranded anywhere.

 

I've owned many cars, most of them performance cars and I wouldn definitely buy another Z. If you have someone who knows the cars look at them then you have a much greater chance of success with your purchase.

 

And when you consider the performance of these cars, the repair costs are NOT great. Believe me, I've just had new front brakes fitted to my TVR - around £500 !

 

Dave

I bought my 93TT just under 2 years ago. The one thing that I noticed while searching for a decent one (which took me 9 months and travelling all over the country) was that they seem to have a problem with cam-belts. Ideally, every car should have them changed at 12000, but the Zed's seem to blow at 50000 causing untold damage. Mine had previously been owned by the Manager of Nissan UK so had the works in it, but equally he probably thrashed it without too much care and attention. The cam belt blew, taking the turbos with it, costing him (or his company) a tidy sum of £11,000. I have the invoices to prove it. Shortly thereafter he sold it, complete with a brand new engine, having done just 20K (and yes, it is on the log book) and new turbos.

 

The only problem I have had since is with turbos seizing (yes, seizing, I didn't believe it either, at first). One of them was just locked solid. But simply idling the engine on start up and shut down for a few minutes solves that problem as it heats the oil up to a suitable temperature. Or you can purchase a turbo timer, which does the job for you. Costs about £600 last time I looked into it.

The £5000 car + £2000 to sort seems about the best approach.

 

I bought 92TT Jap. Spent £1200 ish to sort it. (Radiator+Pipes, CAM belt, Water Pump, CV joints, Iridium Plugs, service, consult..etc)

 

Run fine now for 12 months (Touching wood).

 

I wouldnt swap it for the world. (Cost £5500 looks £30000).

 

Advice.....convince "er in doors" that its a hobby and your laughing...

 

Regardz

 

 

Submarine,

 

I'm single, wouldn't have that problem! lol!

 

Hmm, well I'll have to see how I feel. I love the 300zx and equally the MKIV Supra. I would prefer to try and stick with Nissan cos I plan to get a Skyline one day. Prehaps I'll go take one for a test drive and see how I feel.

 

Thanks guys.

 

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There is a better way to get round your better half. I started raving on about motorbikes. It only took me a fortnight before she begged me to buy a supercar!

 

Phil.