Hello all,

 

My name is Sean and I've just joined the forum today. Let me explain a bit about myself. I'm a student at the University of York, but live in Bromley, South London. I currently drive a Mazda RX-8, which I'm very happy with, but unfortunately running costs are becoming slightly too much for me, especially as it looks like some very expensive maintenance might have to be done soon. For this reason I started looking for an alternative, but was convinced the car I wanted didn't exist. I wanted a Japanese turbo that was faster than the RX-8, seated four, looked good and was in some way convertible. Then I discovered the 300ZX! I've been doing some research of late and looking at adverts. I have a few specific questions (and I'm sure I'll think of more) to ask before I make the decision whether to change or not, and I'll put them in the appropriate area of this forum if they haven't been answered yet. My initial question, however, is are there any members in the York area who would be happy to let me see their car in person and get a slightly better idea of it?

 

Many thanks,

 

Sean

hello mate, are you looking to buy a 300zx to use every day

Yes Dan, that's the plan. I've just realised that coming on and complaining about running costs wasn't the cleverest thing to do, as (just from what I've read) the 300ZX isn't exactly a cheap car to run. However, I've done some maths and overall it would be cheaper than my RX-8

most people have a 300zx as a toy like myself i would not want to run it as a every day car its just for fun they are getting on a bit now. i would my self buy something else as a every day car but that's just me

What kind of problems can you (and other forum members) see coming up running a 300ZX as a daily?

you have to think its a 20 year old car performance car all i can say if as a 2nd car just as a hobbie and for fun not probs but as a daily driver its not for me there are a few on here who use the car daily but its not the best idea

Welcome to the club Sean, i have an NA ( none turbo) which i use daily, although fuel cost can be a little higher than a normal car, i never have any major issues. As long as you keep it well maintained and look after it, you should be fine.

 

My TT will be a weekend toy when ive finished it, but it wouldnt bother me if i ran that as a daily either.

I know an Rx8 is juicy on fuel as you have to rag it everywhere, so not going to be a great deal of difference if you drove the zed sensibly ( most of the time lol) and the cost of the engine rebuild, usually an inevitable scenario isnt cheap either, but it is a more modern car and i would suggest having a drive of one before going for it.

Hi Groover,

 

Yes, on my latest all motorway run in the RX-8 I got 22mpg. From what I've read the 300ZX isn't necessarily going to be any better but A.) As you say I wont have to work it as hard to get the same pace and B.) When I do feel like putting my foot down there'll be more straight line speed.

 

I'd love to test drive one but I haven't found any dealerships selling any nearby, and I couldn't test drive a private sellers due to insurance reasons.

Ha ha, seats 4 !!! 2 adults and a couple of legless pygme dwarfs maybe. Welcome sean i use my tt most days during the summer months and would have no problems running it every day. As has been said keep it well maintained with regular oil changes and theres no reason why you shouldnt enjoy zed ownership. Take your time looking for one and get the best one you can for your money . Check check then check again for rust , and im sure if you find a car just ask and someone will either know it or possibly be prepared to go look at it with you, we have very knowledgable members all over the country.

Im not a million miles away from york so more than happy to meet and let you look at mine.

a 300zx a daily driver your crazy ian. sod that rite off lol :hammer:

Im just mad dan i just like to drive mine as often as possible

Aha that is another thing I need to see in person, exactly how much room there is in the back. From the pictures, it does not look like much. I'm happy keeping up with maintenance, in fact find it (sadly) enjoyable.

Im just mad dan i just like to drive mine as often as possible

 

yes as a toy great do you have another car tho as well as the z

Im only 5'9" and with my seat in its normal position theres pretty much zero legroom behind my seat, you could get someone in the back on the other side with the passenger seat well forward but its a 2+2 sports car not a true 4 seater.

A well cared for in its past life Twin Turbo thats well maintained and running pretty much how they came out the box is still well capable of being a reliable daily hack. Start banging mis-matched performance parts on it and drive it like it was 2 years old and it will end in tears...Welcome Sean:cool3:

yes as a toy great do you have another car tho as well as the z

 

I have an estate car but if i was going to run a zed daily i would get an NA and would happily run it every day

I have an estate car but if i was going to run a zed daily i would get an NA and would happily run it every day

 

see you have a estate car so you have the best of both worlds. i would hate to have to drive my z as daily driver i had my Porsche as a daily driver never again its like saying i got my tranny van as a family run about about lol. rant over :1eye:

Hi, my dad had an rx8 the 231hp one. It had all the optional extras full factory aero kit etc, he drove that car back and forth from bournemouth to derby every week and regularly through France. It was reliable but very thirsty often as bad as 16mpg on average low 20s at best and having worked on it for him it was a bit poorly made tbh. I raced it a few times and walked by it every time, I've raced the lower spec one as well which was truthfully poor.

 

Onto zeds, your not going to gain a lot in fuel economy at best you could get 30 to the gallon out of it, it's more likely you will get 25 on a long cruise. Round town significantly less. When it breaks which it will eventually unless you buy one with a lot spent on it parts arnt cheap or easy to get your mits on. Mechanics than will or are experienced are far and few between. Don't get me wrong it's a strong 3l v6 but it's also upto 25 years old, it's verging on a classic car.

 

If you want a daily z the z33 aka the 350z is about a grand more to buy but much more modern and reliable for everyday use. Also being non turbo it's less complex. Sure it's not as tunable or fast out the box but it's a better daily driver.

 

Lots of research to be done. If you really want Japan's orginal super coupe then dive in they are awesome. Be prepared to spend a few quid though, bargain ones are few and far between.

this ^

Welcome to the club Sean!!

 

Hello all,

 

My name is Sean and I've just joined the forum today. Let me explain a bit about myself. I'm a student at the University of York, but live in Bromley, South London. I currently drive a Mazda RX-8, which I'm very happy with, but unfortunately running costs are becoming slightly too much for me, especially as it looks like some very expensive maintenance might have to be done soon. For this reason I started looking for an alternative, but was convinced the car I wanted didn't exist. I wanted a Japanese turbo that was faster than the RX-8, seated four, looked good and was in some way convertible. Then I discovered the 300ZX! I've been doing some research of late and looking at adverts. I have a few specific questions (and I'm sure I'll think of more) to ask before I make the decision whether to change or not, and I'll put them in the appropriate area of this forum if they haven't been answered yet. My initial question, however, is are there any members in the York area who would be happy to let me see their car in person and get a slightly better idea of it?

 

Many thanks,

 

Sean

 

I was going to say, that's just about any Japanese coupe pre-1995, but that might appear disrespectful mate:wink: Suffice to say, I'm not a fan of the RX8 as, like the 350z was to the 300zx, it appeared to be a step back from the car which came before it....

 

And whilst I don't want to put you off - as the 300zx is a great car - but if you're becoming concerned about the running costs of your "Rex" you might want to consider your car choice carefully!! The 300zx is reliable enough; like any other Japanese car. However the majority are now pushing 25 years old and, unless the one you chose has been looked after all its life (or had sufficient money spent on it by an enthusiastic owner) then you may find you are buying a similar issue to the one you have with your RX8. Which is a newer car!!

 

I don't want to put you off - but many of us now have the 300zx as our second car - a weekend "modern classic" toy - rather than a daily driver. We're all here to help you Sean; but seeing as you're a student, I'd not want to actively entice you into the world of 300zx ownership if you are paying your way through college and watching your outgoings!!

 

Best of luck in finding the right car my friend...!!

 

Richard:cool:

Welcome to the club Sean!!

 

 

 

I was going to say, that's just about any Japanese coupe pre-1995, but that might appear disrespectful mate:wink: Suffice to say, I'm not a fan of the RX8 as, like the 350z was to the 300zx, it appeared to be a step back from the car which came before it....

 

And whilst I don't want to put you off - as the 300zx is a great car - but if you're becoming concerned about the running costs of your "Rex" you might want to consider your car choice carefully!! The 300zx is reliable enough; like any other Japanese car. However the majority are now pushing 25 years old and, unless the one you chose has been looked after all its life (or had sufficient money spent on it by an enthusiastic owner) then you may find you are buying a similar issue to the one you have with your RX8. Which is a newer car!!

 

I don't want to put you off - but many of us now have the 300zx as our second car - a weekend "modern classic" toy - rather than a daily driver. We're all here to help you Sean; but seeing as you're a student, I'd not want to actively entice you into the world of 300zx ownership if you are paying your way through college and watching your outgoings!!

 

Best of luck in finding the right car my friend...!!

 

Richard:cool:

 

perfect well said

Welcome Sean and life is to short to worry about running costs and break downs buy a good 300zx and enjoy :yes: