Hello Everybody,

 

I'm Andrew and I'm new to the forum!

 

I've been looking at the 300zx's for some time now and I am finally thinking seriously about buying one!

 

I currently drive a MK2 Golf GTI 16v which I love, however she's a high miler and is in need of a engine conversion ;) Therefore I am on the look out for some new wheels whilst I am doing this and I have settled on a 300zx!

 

I'm in no particular rush to get the golf off the road as she hasn't given up just yet, which gives me time to find the right 300zx. I've always found owners clubs the best places to buy my cars as generally the people on here know how to look after a car!

 

I'm after a manual for sure but haven't quite decided on whether she should be n/a or TT, I'm sure you lads and lasses can tell me the pros and cons of both!

 

Ideally im after a later 92-94 model, UK spec if I can get it, and one that hasn't been tuned to within an inch of destruction!

 

So I guess anybody who's thinking of selling, or knows somebody who is, get in touch!

 

I'm based in Sussex, but travelling doesn't bother me if the car is right!

 

Thanks for reading!

Welcome too the club mate your definitely at the right place for advice on your 1st zed and I'm sure the lads will help you out

All UK cars are TT 2+2 (LWB)

 

Any NA car will be an import.

Thanks ted! I'm learning already! I guess it's going to be a TT I'm after then Lexx, saying that have you guys found any insurance differences between import and UK spec models?

Welcome to the club, glad there's more interest in 300zx in Sussex,

 

It depends on your age along with other things when it comes to Imports, both my zed's are imports, never had a problem insuring either,

 

Although owning both a tt and an na, I'd say there's merits for both,

 

Out of interest whereabouts in Sussex you based?

I'm soon to be living in Crowborough, but live near Hailsham at the moment.

 

Although currently I'm studying at Sunderland University living a few miles from the Scottish borders, so I get around a bit!!

 

Would you say the TT was more fun to drive then the N/A? There seems to be lots of automatics for sale but manuals are thin on the ground it would appear!

Imo, that's hard to say, I had more fun with my na round brands hatch then anything else I have owned, but at the same time they definitely lack something at the top end, saying that, na's are geared lower, (different diff) and are generally lighter then their tt counter parts, so don't be put off by their lower power.

 

It really depends on what your using it for, I use my na as a trackday car, and as a daily drive, my tt only comes out for special occasions. Both of mine are manuals, having had auto zed's before I'd say wait for a manual.

 

I'm only down the road in Haywards heath, will be good to have another owner local.

I think I'm going to hold out for a manual. Yeah local owners knowledge is always a bonus!

 

Had a bit of a surprise with insurance, even for a TT its only going to be an extra £150 on top of my Golf premium, which at 21 I don't think is bad!

 

Seen this N/A on eBay which seems like its had some time spent on it, what you lads think of it?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-300ZX-manual-non-turbo-/321606279936?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ae13a6300

Have a look here http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?179641-SWB-Z-on-the-Bay

 

Although currently I'm studying at Sunderland University living a few miles from the Scottish borders, so I get around a bit!!

 

 

That's a helluva commute to uni, considering how far Sunderland is from the Scottish Border! :lol:

 

If you need a ride out in a Zed, I'm sure me or Bird could oblige :)

I would suggest you drop the specific year range you've suggested and just buy the best you can afford, this can be an early one just as easily as a later one.

There isn't much difference across the production run of the car, nothing of any real concern anyhow.

I have just recently bought another 300zx and strange as it seems the best of the bunch for me turned out to be one of the oldest available - an 89 G plate!

The car on the eBay link you've posted looks nice enough, but beware of the custom paint which will be a mare to match if needed. Its also a short wheel base which means a pure 2 seater, whilst most 300zx cars are 2+2 so offer a little more practicality if needed. The 2 seater is often seen as a little more desirable which is why he's holding out for a good price for a NA version.

Don't discount the imports, insurance wise it will make little difference, most UK specs are very rotten now, that said quite some imports are following suit.

Good luck:)

Cheers for that link coldel!

 

It's a 100 mile commute there and back Mondo! I might have to take you up on that offer, have you got a TT?

I had a talk with the insurance company today lonezedder, and yeah imports won't make a bit of difference so I've got a bit more scope now!

 

And yeah it looks smart and seems to have been looked after, I'm still used to MK2 Golf prices, which your looking 3-5k for a gooden with the 1.8t in... Seems you get a lot more car for your money with the zx though!

 

Only thing that is concerning me with a TT is reliability, seems turbo seals are a bit of a problem area?

The TT is NOT an unreliable car, but you've got to remember they are getting on and have often done a lot of miles, I'd guess quite a few more than often claimed - clocking the speedo is so easy and strange how all the imports come over with ~50-60k miles on them!!

My TT is 25 years old now and as an apparent 83k, but this is irrelevant. Take them as you find them, condition is everything, quoted mileage and age is not!

Remember back in 89 my TT manual was ~£35k a real lot of money back then and today the car still holds its own in terms of technology, the engine is still a marvel today! So parts are more expensive then a more normal car and the lack of space under the bonnet makes fixing them more awkward.

There is no inherent reliability issue with the turbo seals, my turbos still seem perfectly healthy and don't smoke hot or cold. There is more to go wrong with a TT of course, but they are much faster, especially a mildly tweaked one. Replacing the tubs is expensive, repair costs can soon exceed the current value of the car if your unlucky, but that's all part of owning what was a junior super car.

Edited December 9, 201411 yr by lonezedder

^^^ Well put,

 

Will say na's aren't exactly slow, not as tunable for the same budget, but easily can have 230-240 bhp, and are very responsive.

 

My na's not the nicest zed out there, but if your back in Sussex and want a look let me know. It's not for sale but might help you decide what you want.

Compared to a mk2 gti even an NA will be a massive step up, I've driven a few old golfs and I honestly think they are vastly overrated. A 5-10 year old Clio would be a better car imho. The z32 however is a 25 year old car that still feels special, it's certainly not a snore box.

 

Turbo seals can fail, for many reasons. They are old design turbos for starters. The zed is actually a mechanically sound car but the cost of maintenance means maybe have been neglected, so they break. Being able to get 600hp on a stock block without instant failure, being about to do 300k miles on an engine, it starting on the button after years of sitting and being able crack out a thousand miles without breaking a sweat is what makes a strong car. Expecting a 20+ year old car not to break when it's not seen a service for 5 years and driving it till it falls apart us what's given them an unfair rap. It's a sports car not a volvo!

Thanks for both your inputs lads. I'm going to go for a TT I think the gains that can be achieved outweigh the problems that 'might' happen. And I'm quite useful with a spanner and have some mechanic mates that can get me out the deep muck if something major does go wrong.

 

What can the TT's be taken to with standard internals then?

Stick with Twin Turbo models (my personal preference) and with a manual transmission. Also, don't be afraid to look at Japanese imports as many have better bodies than a lot of UK examples - however, that is changing!

 

Stock blocks are ok for 400-450 if tuned correctly. The actual crank and rods can handle a LOT more than that. They're vastly underrated and have, until recently, been a bit of an unknown in the tuning circles, but they're every bit as tuneable as their rivals...well, almost!

Edited December 9, 201411 yr by Funkysi

 

It's a 100 mile commute there and back Mondo! I might have to take you up on that offer, have you got a TT?

 

I have, mate - little 2 seater one!

 

Just to add into the NA v TT debate: I've only ever driven TTs - the two I've personally owned, Bird's black one and Tom's red one. I've seen Lexx's NA Slicktop go and I wouldn't class it as "a slouch" by any means!

 

I suppose, in stark terms, there is potentially less to go wrong with an NA... BUT there are good TTs out there so, if it's twin turbo power you fancy in your life, hold out for a good 'un! :thumbup1:

Difficult to say really because of the wild variance in engine condition after all these years, but all being well, a healthy TT, well maintained and correctly tuned should be able to manage ~500bhp (fly) IMO.

The general consensus is a healthy serviced engine should remain acceptably reliable up to 500fwhp, the more you push the more wear you and stress you can apply, there's a fair few in the states making 700+ on a stock block. However a poorly looked after pre knackered engine, 45bhp lol.

Thanks for both your inputs lads. I'm going to go for a TT I think the gains that can be achieved outweigh the problems that 'might' happen. And I'm quite useful with a spanner and have some mechanic mates that can get me out the deep muck if something major does go wrong.

 

What can the TT's be taken to with standard internals then?

 

700bhp and counting from my own personal experience mapping them. They handle over 500bhp with ease.

 

The weakest link is the ringlands. Even with the best tuning in the world, asking 20+ year old components to handle 2 bar of pressure and the associated in-cylinder temps at 100+hp per cylinder, eventually something has to give. And it will be the ringlands 9 times out of 10. Typical of most JDM engines. On my MR2 Turbo, it took 2.3 bar on a GReddy T78 and over 500bhp on a bone stock unopened 130k 3SGTE to damage the ringlands. Even the stock composite head gasket didn't give up!

Once you reach a point where cylinder leakage is unacceptable is it possible to reduce boost to the point where it because re acceptable? Or is that it they are permanently damaged?

Stephen just awnsered my question haha! 600bhp on stock internals sounds interesting!

 

The golf of mine has been one hell of a car, it's done 230,000 miles, I do 500 miles in it a week and drive it like I stole it where ever I go but not once has it let me down! It looks shit, cost me £750 quid, but I would have it over a Clio any day of the week! Probably for the same reason I'm not looking at a modern hot hatch or coupe that could keep up with a zx, is because the older cars have character!

 

That's impressive figures! Just having an argument with a Scooby owner, he's trying to push me towards a skyline or a bloody ek9 civic. lol!

Anyone know of anybody selling a smart TT manual then?

Remember you can convert auto's to manuals

F1s don't do manual these days! Do they?

Modern super cars do they all do manual too?

Isn't electric quicker than human reaction?

Man well is it for boy racers?

Just a thought