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!

Big job converting an auto to manual? Or more or less straight swap?

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��

 

Auto box from 1990 vs an auto box on a car designed and built in 2014...big difference there haha lets just say the older autos are quite as smart or quick as their latter day cousins.

 

Even so, I still enjoy the manual shift so much more - I still want to be in control of some of the car, steering, braking and gears - no bother to me!

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?

 

Clio Ph1 172 is probably the best car I have ever owned. I also have a nice Blobeye WRX PPP Wagon. Great cars too.

 

I have a low mileage (~65k) Manual TT that will be for sale in a month or so, JDM model. Black, standard at the moment but can pretty much spec it to your requirements. Base price will be around £2.5k.

Not saying the clio's a bad car at all Noz, it's just not my style!

 

I like the sound of the TT, what's the history of the car?

Swanie, I live in Willingdon. When you are next down this way, do you want to have a look around my NA jap import? I just bought it and love it. Insurance wise, I was with Tesco for my last car, but I had to drop them as they wont insure imports, so I went to Lancaster instead. Was £300 fully comp (I'm 29). My friend has a couple of Auto TTs and Ive driven them a few times, maybe one day in the future ill get a TT manual, but right now im glad I dont have to sit in the car for minutes on end waiting for the turbos to cool :p PM me if you want to meet up

Shall do nips, I'm heading back home soon for xmas break, so might give you a message! My insurance company, Sky insurance, said they couldn't cover me fully comp because of my age, but £1150 TPFT doesn't seem too bad. To be honest I haven't shopped around yet, but I have a feeling that's going to be the best I'll get!

For our area, that's about right, when I was 21 was paying roughly that on a import tt auto.

 

Now I have all my mods declared and pay less then that to insure both my import zed's fully comp, (25 now)

 

Think we'll have to arrange a mini meet get some zed's together see what we can temp you with.

Sounds like a plan. Hopefully it won't be too long until I can meet yous in a zx though, seeing you lads in yours is only going to make the fact I can't find any I want for sale worse!

Just found these lads - JM Imports

 

They're based in the north east so I might have a run down and see them. They don't have any imported stock over here but the links to the stocks in Japan are interesting!!!

 

Plenty of TT Manuals!! Loads of them with very few Km's on the clock and in good nick!

 

I wonder how much of a ball ache it'll be to get one imported?!

Lots of info on importing online - generally it will cost you more to import than to buy the equivalent here - it used to be a good deal but the Yen is much stronger nowadays so bargains are not really to be had any more. When you import you need to pay import duties, VAT, shipping, registration and on the road costs plus an import version of the MoT.

 

Torque GT are in Devon but from what I have heard are one of the better rated importers in the UK - worth looking at what they can do for you - they can also do a direct import service which reduces cost but puts more emphasis on you sorting out the paperwork on getting the car registered etc.

Spoke to a lad down at Torque GT coldel.

 

He said he imported a zx for a client, a TT manual '96 with about 70000 miles on the clock. Good auction grade, nice car for £4500 all in.

 

It is tempting as generally the cars on the auction seem in really good nick, I think I'll have to give it a bit more thought though, finding that extra cash would set me off budget a bit!

 

However if I sold my golf.... :tongue_smilie:

Not saying the clio's a bad car at all Noz, it's just not my style!

 

I like the sound of the TT, what's the history of the car?

 

Imported over here some time ago, been off the road for a few years in dry storage, so underneath is nice & clean. I was contemplating keeping it for a daily or low-level modification R&D, but the fact is I have pretty much covered all aspects of 300zx mapping/tuning up to 600bhp (several times over) and my main TT has always been, and continues to be, a great test-bed. So that is getting all the R&D time (new MAF system, open turbos (no intake pipework), 850cc injectors, uprated fuel pump etc).

 

For the black TT, new Japspeed decats are available, along with a Mongoose quad exhaust. It currently has a stock exhaust system on, which will require new cats or decatting. The car is down at PowerZed in Bristol where it will be having all the work done to the highest standard possible. The best thing about the car is the engine. It's like new to listen to it :bow:

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��

 

Most modern cars are still manual yes.

In a straight line an auto even old ones is often faster than a manual due to that and the smooth launch. However bring corners into the equation and these old fashioned autos are dim witted power sapping thickis, drive it hard and enough and you will become vastly annoyed with it.

 

No manual isn't for boy racers, auto is mostly for grannies. Mine was auto originally, going manual transformed the car.

Most modern cars are still manual yes.

In a straight line an auto even old ones is often faster than a manual due to that and the smooth launch. However bring corners into the equation and these old fashioned autos are dim witted power sapping thickis, drive it hard and enough and you will become vastly annoyed with it.

 

No manual isn't for boy racers, auto is mostly for grannies. Mine was auto originally, going manual transformed the car.

 

I agree to a point, but generally, that's only when the traffic-light Grand Prix is in full swing. Autos take more power to run them, ie transmission losses - the Z32 has a lower power rating in Auto format than in manual.

Statistically, the manual Z is quicker to 60 than the auto car, the engine producing more power, transmission losses being lower and slightly better ratios for acceleration, but in reality the auto has a far more repeatable performance off the line, driver skill not required, where as the manual driver can mess up a change or clutch control.

My 1st Z (TT auto with chip + 15psi boost) put out a very repeatable ~5sec 0-60 dash, dare I say sometimes 4.9. It takes some skill to get the manual version with a mild power increase to do the same, especially twice in a row!

I do prefer them as a manual though, that said the auto's 50mph kick down performance was always highly entertaining often producing foul language from unsuspecting passengers!

Who wants to go to santa pod to settle this one?

We need a club Santa pod day!

Hi Swanie999,

Welcome to the club!

I imported my Z from Japan to Southampton & sourced it myself!

I think if someone from the forum has recommended a Z (& u like it) I would go with it.

Saves u a lot of hassle & will cost u less in the long run!

Here's my Z!

Happy searching.

I think if someone from the forum has recommended a Z (& u like it) I would go with it.

Saves u a lot of hassle & will cost u less in the long run!

 

Was importing a bit of a ball ache then art213? I've seen some nice zx 's on the Japanese car auctions!

But by all calculations it's going to cost me more then any I've seen advertised here!

She's a beaut that Z of yours though!

 

Noz I've sent you an email, can't for the life of me work out how to PM :stupid:

Was importing a bit of a ball ache then art213? I've seen some nice zx 's on the Japanese car auctions!

But by all calculations it's going to cost me more then any I've seen advertised here!

She's a beaut that Z of yours though!

 

Noz I've sent you an email, can't for the life of me work out how to PM :stupid:

 

Received & replied. You need to be subscribed to send PMs :)

We need a club Santa pod day!

 

I like idea look forward to that lol mine wont be racing mine is grandas tootin aboot cars.

Who wants to go to santa pod to settle this one?

 

No need. Automatic is way faster up the strip. Even a broken automatic that slipped at 7000rpm rather than find 3rd is faster than a manual up the strip with more power.

 

If I could have sourced a slush-box that could handle 700lb·ft for the same price as my manual box, I would have kept mine automatic. Just point, squeeze & hold on. Leave the corners to my Clio.

 

Saying that, I'm always game for some Santa Pod fun :D

I need you to map my new zed first noz, not convinced an autos faster, particularly when accounting for good clutches and lightweight bits.

 

think we should have a zed meet on a rwyb day,

Hi, I found my Z in http://www.tradecarview.com from the willbe company car trader!

 

All my corrispondence & payments were done through tradecarview.

 

There site is pretty good & sound & they give u total cost of buying + shipping+marine insurance+inspection al in $.

 

When here in UK u still have import duty + VAT + MOT+getting the car home + clearing agent! Thats about it really:biggrin:

Swanie, saw this on ebay this morning. It might need some work though...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-300zx-twin-turbo-1993-/251758024260