Hi guys.

I have loved these cars for many years now and am very close to buying my first one... However. I have found one for 1750 pound. Tt manual. But it's a 1989 model. I hear these have problems... mileage is 114k. Is it worth it?

Thanks

Sounds a bit cheap? What's the body condition like?

Hi guys.

I have loved these cars for many years now and am very close to buying my first one... However. I have found one for 1750 pound. Tt manual. But it's a 1989 model. I hear these have problems... mileage is 114k. Is it worth it?

Thanks

 

is that the yellow one just gone on the ebay?

Yeah that's the one on ebay. Personally thinking about it. It may not be worth the hassle as it does need a bit of work. Bit of a mark near the t bar

Yeah that's the one on ebay. Personally thinking about it. It may not be worth the hassle as it does need a bit of work. Bit of a mark near the t bar

 

from what I can see it needs a respray but its priced well if it runs good and has no rust problems ect not to put you off getting one but any zed between the 1500-3000k mark your be having to spend money on something at some point I speak from experience I payed 2k for mine shell was good everything else had gone wrong in 6 months total spend is 6k and still got labour on the engine build to gio lol so best to have alot off money saved up in case u have any problems there are a few rebuilt zeds that come up gor sale every so often but your talking around 5-6k mark

from what I can see it needs a respray but its priced well if it runs good and has no rust problems ect not to put you off getting one but any zed between the 1500-3000k mark your be having to spend money on something at some point I speak from experience I payed 2k for mine shell was good everything else had gone wrong in 6 months total spend is 6k and still got labour on the engine build to gio lol so best to have alot off money saved up in case u have any problems there are a few rebuilt zeds that come up gor sale every so often but your talking around 5-6k mark

 

Yeah that's true mate. Not bothered about the colour. I used to be a valet so I am good with cleaning a car paint work up. The seller did say however that there is a slight knocking when engine is cold... I ain't sure personally

walk away or be prepared to dig v deep , and v often, plus loose your sanity , blood sweat and tears,

walk away or be prepared to dig v deep , and v often, plus loose your sanity , blood sweat and tears,

 

Haha that's what I was thinking XD. I asked him what the engine number was. He gonna get back to me tomorrow but like you said... perhaps walk away. I have put a wanted thing up on the forum so if anyone knows anything let us know please :D

best thing to do is ask him to send you a video off the engine running from cold so you can listen but sounds like this one probably wants a rebuild

best thing to do is ask him to send you a video off the engine running from cold so you can listen but sounds like this one probably wants a rebuild

 

Yeah true mate... could that be the valves going? Just read the email again... The exact words were "the engine is a bit tapperty when cold but don't know if that's normal or not"

And a rebuild , if your lucky will cost 2 K, and that's before the dreaded upgrade bug bites your ass. So the wise move ( for most anyway) is to bide your time , choose a known forum car and minimise the risks that come with a 20 odd year old car

Welcome to the club Joel and good luck on your hunt for a 300zx.

Welcome to the club Joel and good luck on your hunt for a 300zx.

 

Cheers buddy :)

And a rebuild , if your lucky will cost 2 K, and that's before the dreaded upgrade bug bites your ass. So the wise move ( for most anyway) is to bide your time , choose a known forum car and minimise the risks that come with a 20 odd year old car

 

Yeah. I was thinking of biding my time. Have a 93 celica at the moment so just want something a bit more powerful. What are the price ranges I will be looking at? For a decent one?

as you have seen prices vary, I would expect 5 K for a half way decent machine and a fair bit more for something sexy ,

Doncaster hey! Where about? I'm just up the road, near side of Scun thorpe. If you want an up close look at one you'd be welcome. I'm also reasonably clued up with these cars now having been on the Zed scene since 2007.

The fact the car is a 1989 model should not be of concern. I'm saying this a lot recently, but condition is key, age and mileage much irrelevant with these cars now. At 25 years old, a 1989 car will have had its 'problem' if it were going to!! Buy the best you find.

As for spec across the range, a lot of that can be retro fitted should it be wanted, even autos can be converted to manual for a reasonable price.

Bear in mind being old cars, you'll struggle to find a minter, if you want one, buy a good one and then make it a minter. There are a few on the forum, but the owners aren't likely to part easily with them due to the effort and brass they've invested!

Good luck!

Edited January 3, 201510 yr by lonezedder

as you have seen prices vary, I would expect 5 K for a half way decent machine and a fair bit more for something sexy ,

 

From an owners point of view, optimistic! I would like prices to head reliably that way, I'm sure they will.

There have been a number of half way decent machines sell for well under £5k on here recently!

3.5k is a reasonable price to pay for a mechanically and structurally sound Z, if you want something spot on and of high quality a long wait and a budjet of 5k or so would be sensible. A few have come up for sale over the last year or two for 6-10k I could tell you wether they are worth that I haven't viewed them. There are certinatly a hand full of cars in this country that are worth 10k, they arnt for sale though.

Doncaster hey! Where about? I'm just up the road, near side of Scun thorpe. If you want an up close look at one you'd be welcome. I'm also reasonably clued up with these cars now having been on the Zed scene since 2007.

The fact the car is a 1989 model should not be of concern. I'm saying this a lot recently, but condition is key, age and mileage much irrelevant with these cars now. At 25 years old, a 1989 car will have had its 'problem' if it were going to!! Buy the best you find.

As for spec across the range, a lot of that can be retro fitted should it be wanted, even autos can be converted to manual for a reasonable price.

Bear in mind being old cars, you'll struggle to find a minter, if you want one, buy a good one and then make it a minter. There are a few on the forum, but the owners aren't likely to part easily with them due to the effort and brass they've invested!

Good luck!

Haha S****horpe wow. That's awesome mate. I live in woodlands in donny. Thanks for the offer by the way. To be honest. The car I looking at is in need of a respray. Think I would change it to be honest. Nice white. Don't know yet. Want to see if it's structurally sound and mechanically sound. Anything to look for?

Right. He has got back to me today and basically said bit of rust in 2 places... I am walking away. Found another for 3600. In championship white. Very nice. Veilside kit on. It's the works but it's London. .. bit too far lmao

Right. He has got back to me today and basically said bit of rust in 2 places... I am walking away. Found another for 3600. In championship white. Very nice. Veilside kit on. It's the works but it's London. .. bit too far lmao

 

Be prepared to travel if it's the right one, I travelled from Edinburgh to gatwick to get mine and then drove to j.a.e at wickstead park then drove back upto Edinburgh, so just be prepared they ain't gonna be on your doorstep or round the corner.

Haha yeah that's true. I was at jae last year with my celica. First time there. Going again this year. :)

Haha S****horpe wow. That's awesome mate. I live in woodlands in donny. Thanks for the offer by the way. To be honest. The car I looking at is in need of a respray. Think I would change it to be honest. Nice white. Don't know yet. Want to see if it's structurally sound and mechanically sound. Anything to look for?

 

Where to start?

Check for smoke from cold start through to hot idle and smoke on boost or overrun.

The engine should be pretty smooth, with no knocking. Don't worry about the oil pressure reading - many of the gauges read very low especially when the car has warmed up, this is normally just a tired pressure sender unit - I've replaced it on both my Zeds.

My major concern when looking was corrosion. Remember body kits are very good at hiding rot. Look every where, but especially the rear sills, rear arch well - particularly where the bumper meets. Also look at the front sills and the radiator support bar. Some get jacked up there and some rot badly. Turret tops under the bonnet can rot.

Check the carpets for wetness, especially either side of the centre console as water here normally indicates a leaking matrix - mine was, check cooling system for signs of leak sealer. I could go on! Hopefully others will chip in some more.

Otherwise, check just like you should any other car - tyre wear, panel gaps etc.

Try to find one with a pile of papers and receipts to help indicate a well looked after car, there are many rough examples with owners would can't really afford to maintain them (properly). A cam belt change with genuine parts would be preferable.

They are old cars, will need constant love and they don't use Fiesta parts. Once in a reasonable state maintenance costs will drop to a tick over amount, however an owner should be prepared to drop a grand on it at anytime!

Where to start?

Check for smoke from cold start through to hot idle and smoke on boost or overrun.

The engine should be pretty smooth, with no knocking. Don't worry about the oil pressure reading - many of the gauges read very low especially when the car has warmed up, this is normally just a tired pressure sender unit - I've replaced it on both my Zeds.

My major concern when looking was corrosion. Remember body kits are very good at hiding rot. Look every where, but especially the rear sills, rear arch well - particularly where the bumper meets. Also look at the front sills and the radiator support bar. Some get jacked up there and some rot badly. Turret tops under the bonnet can rot.

Check the carpets for wetness, especially either side of the centre console as water here normally indicates a leaking matrix - mine was, check cooling system for signs of leak sealer. I could go on! Hopefully others will chip in some more.

Otherwise, check just like you should any other car - tyre wear, panel gaps etc.

Try to find one with a pile of papers and receipts to help indicate a well looked after car, there are many rough examples with owners would can't really afford to maintain them (properly). A cam belt change with genuine parts would be preferable.

They are old cars, will need constant love and they don't use Fiesta parts. Once in a reasonable state maintenance costs will drop to a tick over amount, however an owner should be prepared to drop a grand on it at anytime!

Yeah thanks for the info mate. I will have some saved in my rainy day account just in case. Always have done with cars... you never know what's around the corner

Right. He has got back to me today and basically said bit of rust in 2 places... I am walking away. Found another for 3600. In championship white. Very nice. Veilside kit on. It's the works but it's London. .. bit too far lmao

 

One of the advantages of a forum is the geographic diversity of the owners - if one is properly far away, I am sure an incentive (beer?) could be offered to a friendly member who is very local to the car to give it a once over before you invest in a £150 round trip - nothing better than having an enthusiast look a car over for you in any case.

One of the advantages of a forum is the geographic diversity of the owners - if one is properly far away, I am sure an incentive (beer?) could be offered to a friendly member who is very local to the car to give it a once over before you invest in a £150 round trip - nothing better than having an enthusiast look a car over for you in any case.

 

Yeah I agree with you there. Can't go wrong there. Already loving being in the 300zx club aha