Hi all

 

Been lurking on this forum for a while reading all your posts with interest..

I'm looking for a nice motor to use as a second car and I've always loved the 300 and I'm just after a bit of advice..

 

Basically I've got 10-12k to spend on a car..the Z would do me fine I've seen loads of them on autotrader for 5-7k all a bit different...millage/year stuff like that..

am I better to go for one of the really low millage ones that are selling for 9k+ or go for a 6k car and have cash left in the bank for any repairs or mods that need doing...

 

whats the worst case senario regarding costs of engine/turbo/gearbox rebuilds....

 

I really want the Z but the age and complexity of the car scares me a bit.....

Somebody please put my mind to rest....

 

Any advice/info really appreciated

 

Dan

a) £12k to spend on a car? You lucky, lucky b*stard - I always wanted crucifixion. :D

 

b) all things being equal, get the best condition, lowest mileage you can. I would have thought you would get a better overall result for by spending £9k on a car and £2k on preventative as opposed to £5k on a car and £6k on a rebuild. Another way of putting it is to say even if you spend £6k on a 10 year old car what you have is a 10 year old car in good nick.

 

c) don't over-mod. The 300ZX Z32 is a Japanese supercar with 5.something 0-60 and 280bhp as stock. Lovely lovely lovely.

 

d) if you want something to mod, it's safer to pick a more common / popular car. Count the ads in Japanese Performance or Banzai for specialists. Almost no Zeds, loads of Supras, Scoobys, Mazdas, and so on.

 

e) there are loads of experts on this forum who think that keeping stock is a bit limp-wristed. Fair comment guys but I just don't have the time or expertise to do complicated things. For my own opinion, stock is fine - and keeps risks down.

 

f) if you want to mod - either body or mechanicals, either make sure you know exactly what you are doing or make sure you have an expert on hand or loads of dosh and a lot of patience.

 

h) where's g?

 

g) oh there it is

 

i) buy a Zed

 

Cheers - Gio

Thanks for the info...

I'm not planning any mods straight off and when I do I reckon only small mods S/S exhaust...wheels that sort off stuff...

 

So you reckon I'm better off paying more for the car in the first place..the only thing that puts me off this is how confident can you be with an imports mileage.....

I've got my list of possible cars down to the 300ZX or a 944 Turbo

the Z's winni9ng at the moment though....ohh decisions decisions

:D

 

Dan

Before I bought my Zed, I was looking for a Porker. Number escapes me but does 944S2 make sense?

 

Anyway, three and a bit years ago, the best I could find was 1989 with 123,000 miles and the Z I found was 1990 with 45,000 miles.

 

No contest, really. Not regretted a moment since (well, mostly :D )

 

Cheers - Gio

Just a thought, have a look at the ones sold by members here. As someone said on another post, you can do a search and see what problems they've had with the car. You've got more chance of buying a gooden from someone on here I would imagine.............

 

Good luck.

 

Vijay

Dan,

 

Since you've got that much cash to spend on a Zed I strongly recommend you get in touch with John Newcomb. He is selling his Zed, which is in absolute top condition. He's not spared any expense on modding it and I can honestly say that it is one of the best (if not the best - no offense to anyone else on here ...) Zed in the country. Do a search on here for his e-mail address. He is selling his for just under £10k and it is worth every penny of it.

 

Good luck,

 

Danny

Dan -

 

I used to have a Porsche 911 (1979 SC) before my 300ZX (had a 200SX in between). I'd definitely say that the 300 is the fastest car I've owned. Mine isn't modded at all.

 

Don't be too afraid of mileage AS LONG AS it's offset by service history. I might be put right by some of the more knowledgable members here but it seems that if the oil has been changed regularly, these cars last and last.

 

Bought mine - a 1990 UK Manual with 90,000mls on the clock, for a little over 6 grand. It's going to cost me around 600 quid to get it absolutely perfect but it drives fine anyway, and I'm delighted with it!

 

I think the N/A 944 wouldn't be too much competition for the 300 (except from a status point of view). The turbos are all much more expensive for similar performance. The 928 is a different matter though, and was one of the cars on my list!

 

Good luck!

Russ.