Was just musing about how many 300ZX owners you see around these days. For me there has been a definite drop over the past five years or so – and even on here there have been a few of the most Z-crazy posters selling up.

 

I can't envision not owning a Zed for at least the next 5 years. Part of the reason its practical to keep it is that I live about 3 miles from a Z-specialist and I find the advice and sourcing of parts through here fantastic. Added to that my insurance was £380 for a kickass-fun car.

 

But what about you? At what point is it no longer worth the bother? Do you think you'll grow more attached to your Z as they become even rarer or will you go for an alternative and if so, which one?

Hi,

I think it's going to come down to "not worth spending any more money on it" irrespective of how much I want to keep it.

 

been a Zeder since i was 19 and 33 years later still want to be.

 

the thing that might make me change is what will the new 240Z look like if they bring one out... :)

I loved mine and would have kept it in a heartbeat if it wasn't for having to drive it 200 miles every time there was a problem with it and as we all know with a zed its only a matter of time before your next problem!!! Lol the only thing that's tempted me away is an rs6 its the only thing I've driven that has the same excitement and grin factor as the zed but at twice the cost!!!

I would like to think I would always have a Nissan 300zx even if I got to old to drive it I would keep it just to look at as you would a piece of art.Or pass it down to my son if he was willing to put the care and love I have invested on her.

In my life I have had many cars and I mean a hell of a lot but none come close to the Z32 on looks or the way it drives so it staying.

 

By the way I like the Tommy Kaira link:thumbup1:

I have always wanted a zed since it first came out, but couldn't afford it at the time lol. Its not a car to me, like an everyday tin can on 4 wheels, its a passion and i love it as much now as the day i bought it in 2007.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to do all the work on it myself, which may make the difference to those who cant and i can imagine its a pain in the ass when something goes wrong and you have to take it to a garage, but at the end of the day its a 20+year old car and cant expect the reliability of a new vehicle, although if well maintained there should be no reason not to have the reliability.

 

Apart from a handful of cars imo, there isnt alot on the road that gets any where close to the presence and looks of the zed.

I will be keeping it till i die and probably have another with it, either a TT or V8 conversion :thumbup:

I sold mine thinking "thats it" but just could,nt stop wishing i had kept it. Ive recently bought another one that was destined for the scrapyard and i know that the sum of the parts ime going to put into it will be 5 times its true value but i cant help it as these cars once under your skin turn into automotive Heroin:scared:

I bought my first one as a daily driver back in 2003, but when I changed jobs and started driving 250 miles per week I bought another car and kept the ZX as a toy; not for economic reasons, but in order not to kill my 300zx. When the time came to sell it in 2009 I replaced it with another, newer, better lower mileage 300zx - which is still a weekend and holiday toy; in which I cover 5000 miles per year.

 

I have since owned faster (although it is close) and much newer daily drivers, but I still love the 300zx. If I don't drive it for a couple of weeks, maybe I don't miss it - until I get back into the ZX that is. Then I realise just how good these cars are and how much I trully love the way driving it makes me feel. Brian is right - the 300zx is automotive heroin - it is so adictive!

 

True, there has been a drop in 300zxs on the road in the last 5 years - and naturally a corresponding drop in members - and as the cars get more rare then only the good, cherished examples will survive and the appeal will still remain. As long as people can continue to afford running one - be it as a toy or daily drive - that is! But with dedicated clubs like this (and the continuing presence of specialists like Zedworld) then ownership costs and troubles can be kept down; and we can carry on enjoying the cars.

 

I don't know of many modern classic cars that would have the same appeal for me, or give me the same thrill of ownership. The 300zx is still a good looking car that hides its age well; it's fast, comfortable and (yes, really) reliable! Not to mention great value for money, considering what you get for your £££s. If I didn't have my 300zx, then the only other modern classic that would do it for me would be a Porsche 928 GT or GTS... I also wouldn't mind an old Merc SL (the pre-1989 cars that began life in the 1970s) or an XJ-S V12 either; but they are older and (with the jag) potentially troublesome. So considering the options I think I'll stick with the 300zx, thanks!

 

Richard:sorcerer:

I bought my 1990 uk car in 1995 from the original owner who paid £35k . Had 75k miles , in the next 5 years did another 75k miles. So in 2000 camshaft seized. New engine bought but taking old engine out easy but putting new one back in !!!!. Fast forward to 2012 found Zedworld on this. Forum . Car trailered to Coleshill where it is gradually taking on a new existence . I am fortunate to be regular visitor to USA to buy parts so cheaper for the major refurb going on . High praise for Jeff and Jamie experts and enthusiasts.

And no I won't be selling the car , it will be left in my will for my children to share.

Nick

Liking this thread:thumbup1: great reading into members ownership. More please.

Thanks Gary re: TK link!

 

This is the third Zed I've owned - remember absolutely loving them as a kid - whenever I doodled sports cars it was always the side profile of a Zed. Just loved that pointy look - was a big fan of the MR2 (which had nowhere near the same presence) and the Triumph TR7 (I know).

 

 

Then I kind of forgot about them when I bought my first 206 then a 3 series Beamer then a Mk II golf. One day a black Zed bloated past me on the motorway and I was suddenly hooked again!

 

I started looking around for a good example without having much of a clue what's was doing. Found one in London - slick top dark blue - took the train down to see the guy who had two for sale. He picked me up from the train station, while I was waiting outside it I heard the car before I saw it - when it came round the corner I honestly just fell in love with it - which was a shame as I paid way over the odds and the turbos gave up a few months later - but I was hooked.

 

Second Zed was a gorgeous Sllver SWB with silver double-three spoke silver Advan alloys. By then I knew a lot more about Zeds and had this one imported after playing with every conceivable combination on Gran Tourismo - checking how it looked from various angles (sad I know). I upgraded loads of different bits on it and loved the damn thing so much I'd deliberately park it miles from anyone else just in case someone accidentally dinged or scratched it - sadly whilst I was sleeping one night some ******* crashed into it and drove off in the early hours - the buckled chassis and rear corner damage was too much to fix so I had to get rid of it.

 

Given the money I had sunk in it my parents were shocked to find that even as I was happily driving that around I had invested in ANOTHER zed - the one I have to this day. Short wheelbase, special body kit, updated engine, exhaust, dials, wheel, fantastic service history from a genuine enthusiast. They couldn't understand why I got it but I couldn't pass up a Tommy Kaira Special Edition. You can always tell when you love a car when you have to have one last look at it when you park it up!!

 

Just love everything about these cars and I would always envisage myself owning one if I could afford it. Also I love the Zed community and the way other Zedders wave when passing (not the 350 crowd). It takes a certain kind of unhinged madness to continue running one of these and there's no better sight on the road!

Would have sold it long ago, but there is just something about them, it's not a car it's a relationship.

 

As impractical, unreliable, expensive to run, mocked, leaky as it is....

 

They just inspire something in ya.

 

In saying this, i'm at a point of getting out of them soon, as they are getting old and i just can't be arsed spending my weekends with my head under a bonnet anymore.

 

A great car, if just a weekend playtoy, but a Z really is something you can't have as a daily car and trust it will never let ya down. It's simply not that kind of car given its age.

 

A beautiful car, a stunning piece of engineering for it's day.

 

But we are now 23 years later, and there are some really nice cars out there for sensible money.

Thanks Gary re: TK link!

 

This is the third Zed I've owned - remember absolutely loving them as a kid - whenever I doodled sports cars it was always the side profile of a Zed. Just loved that pointy look - was a big fan of the MR2 (which had nowhere near the same presence) and the Triumph TR7 (I know).

 

 

Then I kind of forgot about them when I bought my first 206 then a 3 series Beamer then a Mk II golf. One day a black Zed bloated past me on the motorway and I was suddenly hooked again!

 

I started looking around for a good example without having much of a clue what's was doing. Found one in London - slick top dark blue - took the train down to see the guy who had two for sale. He picked me up from the train station, while I was waiting outside it I heard the car before I saw it - when it came round the corner I honestly just fell in love with it - which was a shame as I paid way over the odds and the turbos gave up a few months later - but I was hooked.

 

Second Zed was a gorgeous Sllver SWB with silver double-three spoke silver Advan alloys. By then I knew a lot more about Zeds and had this one imported after playing with every conceivable combination on Gran Tourismo - checking how it looked from various angles (sad I know). I upgraded loads of different bits on it and loved the damn thing so much I'd deliberately park it miles from anyone else just in case someone accidentally dinged or scratched it - sadly whilst I was sleeping one night some ******* crashed into it and drove off in the early hours - the buckled chassis and rear corner damage was too much to fix so I had to get rid of it.

 

Given the money I had sunk in it my parents were shocked to find that even as I was happily driving that around I had invested in ANOTHER zed - the one I have to this day. Short wheelbase, special body kit, updated engine, exhaust, dials, wheel, fantastic service history from a genuine enthusiast. They couldn't understand why I got it but I couldn't pass up a Tommy Kaira Special Edition. You can always tell when you love a car when you have to have one last look at it when you park it up!!

 

Just love everything about these cars and I would always envisage myself owning one if I could afford it. Also I love the Zed community and the way other Zedders wave when passing (not the 350 crowd). It takes a certain kind of unhinged madness to continue running one of these and there's no better sight on the road!

 

Am I reading this right have you got a Tommy Kaira 300zx?:shock:

ha ha yesiree!

 

EDIT: Manchester is DEFINITELY the home of great Zeds - should be called Zedchester!

 

Since working my way up the Zed ladder I thought i'd end up sticking with the Tommy Kaira - especially as its in such great condition.

 

However now ive had it for a few years i would be tempted to sell it and spend the money on a turbo slicktop which i could transform into a track-eating beast!! Always loved the thought of having a car sitting on my driveways with decals, racing harnesses etc!!!

 

The addiction just gets worse!

Edited October 12, 201213 yr by SirMixalot

I love mine! Had it since 2002, it's lived outside all it's life, in Cornwall as well close to the salty sea air, it's also UK SPEC and it's always been my daily drive!!! I think if you can do most of the work on it yourself or with a mate, keep it running good by yearly oil changes and giving the underneath a good waxoyl at least every couple of years then no reason why they shouldn't go on!!! Golden rule, maintainance first then do all the tarting up bit's and modifications when there running right! Not like I've seen on this forum over the years, so many people do the tarting up, big brake kit's, suspension, big body kits then the thing still isn't running right and never makes it on the road!!! This forum is invaluble source of information and we can all learn a lot for it! How too's etc! Long live 300zx.co.uk!!!

its a love and hate relationship with mine, i love it but it hates me lol, im on my 3rd z32 now and just love everything about them, i cant see me being without it, i have spent far more than i should have done on this one and still changing things when i can, i know ill never see anywhere near close to what i spent if i was to sell but thats not the point of owning it.

In the last 12 months its not moved from my drive, i have it running great now but i have put so much into it i dont want to take it out in the rain lol!!

There have been time when i thought through doing the long build that it would never get done and i just wanted rid, even put it up for sale too....but after sitting in it and starting the engine i went back on line and ended the listing!!

There is just something about the z32 that makes me feel like a kid again with a big stupid grin! cant lose that feeling or thats just like giving up on life and slowly turning beige!!!

ha ha yesiree!

 

Manchester - home of great zeds!!

I bought my 1st zed in 2005 when I lived in Bournemouth. I had always wanted one and decided it was time to take the plunge. I searched for over 18 months literally trawling the country with the wife searching for 'the right car'! After about a year of searching, and having seen 'lots of zeds', I'd pretty much given up, 85% of the cars I looked at were in a sorry state and the others didn't tick the boxes. My only criteria was to be a tt manual in good nick for a daily driver.

 

After about 6 months of not actively looking a lad from work came in with a local newspaper that id never heard of called the 'new forest post' with a 300zx for sale in it. The ad was very vague and didn't have much info so it thought I'd give the seller a call. Turned out to be a grey UK tt auto with almost 100k miles. As it was only up the road I decided to have a butchers and knew I'd buy it as soon as I saw it! I sacrificed the manual for the sake of finally owning a Z32 and as it ran very well and was well maintained I wasn't too worried about the mileage.

 

I did around 30k miles in it over the next couple of years as a daily driver and it didn't miss a beat, I actually quite enjoyed many aspects of the auto box as a daily. Once I hit about 120k it developed a smoke issue on idle and I also noticed small areas of bubbling on the sill. By 2007 my situation had now changed as I had relocated to Stansted and I no longer used the car as a daily drive. Due to the smoke I very rarely used the car and devised a plan. My options were, get it tidied up/repaired or sell up and buy another. Having now been in this community for a while, it was more common to see 'decent cars' up for sale fairly regularly, I sold my UK spec and started a new hunt for a tt manual. I quickly stumbled across my current car from a forum trader which was a fresh import manual tt and I took the plunge! I had some early mechanical issues with the car but after some warranty claims (long story but a good ending) and ploughing some money in I came out with a product that far exceeded my expectations and have been enjoying it ever since.

 

I have no plans to get rid at this stage, although I have been tempted by a porka 997 911. However, as it would be the cheaper, 'carrera' model, not the turbo, I can't help but feel I would be regretful for the relative lack of power. The refinement would be nice but I can't see myself parting my zed in the near future.

Edited October 12, 201213 yr by Joely P

Sir Mix alot where is the Zed specialist in Manchester mate?

 

Well I got liking Zeds when I was buying and selling cars part time about 8 years ago, I had 4 in total which I sold on varying from slicktop maual twin turbo to one I bought off a Lord down in Warwickshire and ever since then i really wanted one to keep as I loved the fact that no matter how old the car was it always looked good and you could take the roof off in nicer temperatures and the sound from that engine was just awsome. The Zed also appealed to me as they are not a common car which really made them special. however the kids arrived and put a damper on things.

 

The kids arriving did not put me off but only delayed the time until I got one to keep and that time was this year when I grabbed a bargain £500 Zed totally solid and with history and MOT although not the TT I still love it. Currently work in progress as I would like to give it an even fatter arse with a subtle look.

 

Then buying this Zed also brought me to you guys which help wherever possible. My Zed will be with me throughout my lifetime as my boy already keeps asking me when is he having it (only 5 years old) I will pass it onto him. He currently comes in the garage and trys to help where he can or I give him meaningless jobs to do to make him feel as though he is doing something on the Zed.

 

 

To summaries yes Zeds are becoming rarer and in my short time owning one ive seen Zeds being broken and sold however I dont think they will faze out.

 

 

Oh and I agree Zedchester is the best:tt2:

I'm 26 now, I first noticed the Z32 when I was about 15-16 years old and I said to myself; "one day..."

That day came two years ago when I sold my Primera and decided that now was the time. So I found a swiss imported, original tt and I loved it. But this summer I sold it, dumbest thing I've done this year. Bought a 76' 280Z, as I've always loved the S30's too.... But it's not a ZX, it doesn't have the power, the presence, the interior space or the comfort of a Z32....

Driving a Z32, it gets in your blood, it's a car 20 years old that's still setting a presence wherever it goes, it's got 300 horsepower and pulls like a train, there is not much competition in my eyes...

I'm probably heading to sweden next weekend to buy and import a 90 modell TT, as there is virtually none for sale here in Norway...

Much like me on that one spiff, there was a Z32 that used to pick up a chick in my class from school back when i was about 13.... used to miss the bus looking at it and talking to him about it, decided i had to have one someday, then many years on after motorbikes, then getting into cars a bit i decided i didn't want a fwd toyota anymore...

 

They really do have a presence though, everywhere i take it it seems every head turns and i get alot of comments on how good a choice of car it is...

 

It's still a really silly car to own, but what old sports car isn't...

yeah, I remember driving home from picking it up, a 500km trip. Refueling and two kids on a bicycle goes wild upon seeing it, the older people are more reserved, but they still take a glance from behind the wheel of they're 7seater underpowered minivan :P

I could probably have driven it even further that day, didn't want to leave the car once I got home, thats 500km's of road going over three mountain passes, sunshine, it was perfect.

I never had any problems with it, except for a fuel pressure regulator that got stuck, probably from winter storage and not being driven that much.

I thought about selling it many times but every time I took a drive that question wasn't no more... Until I finally sold it this summer, been regretting it ever since. So I need a another one!