Hey all, I just joined and once I have sold my boring ass Scirocco I plan to get myself a 300ZX.

I'm sick of the way new cars are dumbing down the driving experience, I'm sick of playing it safe and I'm sick of mediocrity. I have always loved the 300ZX and if I don't do it now I never will. I have read buying guides online but I would appreciate any insight that you guys can provide with regards to things to look out for and things to avoid.

I appreciate your help.

Hi there, OK, do you have a budget ?

There is a buyers guide if you search " buyers guide" top right of page.

Buy one from a member, history & take someone with you that knows a Z.

So here you go! Rust, oil leaks,smokey turbos, worn gearboxes, noisey wheel bearings/ prop shaft, worn brakes, worn suspension components including bushings, put rust after every commer:shifty:

Are you looking at N/a, turbo, slick top, 2+2, uk or import? There you go & good luck with your search.

Art

I saw the buyers guide on here like 2 mins after posting...very useful. I’m looking at a 2+2, TT...probably import...just because that’s all that seems available. For now it will be my everyday car so info on reliability is most welcome. I really want something I can mod from standard..I desperately need something to play with.

Hi, and welcome to the club. Not sure if you are able to see the cars for sale section or the traders section, but I am the importer for the club. I have just got in a 1995 TT auto with full service history and no mods apart from a stainless exhaust. Its also on Ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Fairlady-Z32-300ZX-Twin-Turbo-Auto-1995-Metallic-Cobalt-Green-FSH-Fresh/232791418918?hash=item3633732826:g:gOgAAOSwNNVbEpB6

worth a look

I’m guessing it’s a new school scirocco? If so, if you can, keep it. Have the Z as a toy. As a daily they are a pain, your talking about a complex Japanese car that’s over quarter of a century old, whilst they can be reliable (can), when they do fail it can be costly and long winded. You won’t find many parts for it locally and will find often ordering parts with lead times or importing them. It braking down Friday and you rushing about trying to fix it by Monday for work is stressful.

Your not talking about an old VW or Ford that you fix with a shoelace, a 13mm spanner and a screwdriver and parts are available at motor factors. I’m not saying this to put you off, I’m saying it to be open and honest,

Welcome to the club Stephen and some good advice has been posted. Modding a 300zx is expensive and can lead to problems if you go for big power. A mild update on power is the best way to go as you already have around 300BHP as standard. Buy a good one and enjoy it and Gazwoz has a great Z for sale right now.

If your genuinely ready to look at a zed then do more research you have a way to go yet, get up close and personal with some, talk to owners in the flesh as it were and look at their zeds. There is so much to know and don`t feel the urge to short cut that part of the buying procedure, the old adage "buy in haste, repent at leisure" could not be more relevant when getting a zed, remember your looking to buy a near 30 year old car, nothing wrong with that, in fact as you say much good can be said about the design and driving experience of cars of that era

 

But know this, the killer to these cars is RUST, yep big fat capitals RUST, this was a problem ten years ago and is more of a problem now as many have been not well repaired and look ok but have a problems lurking.

 

Engines and gearboxes are as with any car in need of tlc, take care of them and they are fine in what ever guise you choose, wear and tear needs to be taken into account and typically a full service should be in the budget after buying one.

 

The price is not a clear one, and in keeping with cars of these nature there is no real "average price" with cars been values on their own merits.

 

Sure more folk will chip in here so listen to them and their experiences, be careful, buy wise and manage your expectation, they were a great car and can be now, but on the flip there are many money pits out there.

 

Good luck, post here any likely ones you see as it might be known here.

 

Jeff

Edited June 9, 20187 yr by JeffTT

I was looking at that this morning actually. I love the colour too. As soon as I have got rid of the VW I’ll be in touch. It all depends how much I get for it.

The above message was a reply to gaz offering import services. Sorry I don’t frequent forums.

The above message was a reply to gaz offering import services. Sorry I don’t frequent forums.

 

No problem, give me a call when you are ready

You're welcome to come see my zed, I'll give you some pointers on what to look out for.

You're welcome to come see my zed, I'll give you some pointers on what to look out for.

 

Oh crap you are only in the Wirral. I may take you up on that.

If your genuinely ready to look at a zed then do more research you have a way to go yet, get up close and personal with some, talk to owners in the flesh as it were and look at their zeds. There is so much to know and don`t feel the urge to short cut that part of the buying procedure, the old adage "buy in haste, repent at leisure" could not be more relevant when getting a zed, remember your looking to buy a near 30 year old car, nothing wrong with that, in fact as you say much good can be said about the design and driving experience of cars of that era

 

But know this, the killer to these cars is RUST, yep big fat capitals RUST, this was a problem ten years ago and is more of a problem now as many have been not well repaired and look ok but have a problems lurking.

 

Engines and gearboxes are as with any car in need of tlc, take care of them and they are fine in what ever guise you choose, wear and tear needs to be taken into account and typically a full service should be in the budget after buying one.

 

The price is not a clear one, and in keeping with cars of these nature there is no real "average price" with cars been values on their own merits.

 

Sure more folk will chip in here so listen to them and their experiences, be careful, buy wise and manage your expectation, they were a great car and can be now, but on the flip there are many money pits out there.

 

Good luck, post here any likely ones you see as it might be known here.

 

Jeff

 

Thanks so much for the advice, I didn't expect everyone to be so helpful at all.

Welcome to the club Stephen and some good advice has been posted. Modding a 300zx is expensive and can lead to problems if you go for big power. A mild update on power is the best way to go as you already have around 300BHP as standard. Buy a good one and enjoy it and Gazwoz has a great Z for sale right now.

 

The standard power will be enough for me for now I think. Any modding will be mostly styling...nothing crazy...just nice wheels...maybe a splitter and skirts depending on the ground clearance.

 

I am led to believe that the engine runs very hot and has a small radiator...is there room for a bigger one? Is this a mod that people generally do at all?

I’m guessing it’s a new school scirocco? If so, if you can, keep it. Have the Z as a toy. As a daily they are a pain, your talking about a complex Japanese car that’s over quarter of a century old, whilst they can be reliable (can), when they do fail it can be costly and long winded. You won’t find many parts for it locally and will find often ordering parts with lead times or importing them. It braking down Friday and you rushing about trying to fix it by Monday for work is stressful.

Your not talking about an old VW or Ford that you fix with a shoelace, a 13mm spanner and a screwdriver and parts are available at motor factors. I’m not saying this to put you off, I’m saying it to be open and honest,

 

Yeah it's a new school Scirroco and to be honest I really like it but I really miss having something I can play with and the Scirroco is definitely not one to be played with. Unfortunately I can't afford both...I always promised myself that I would get myself a "weekend car" but for a while at least the weekend car will have to be my only car. The plan is a 300Z and something like an Audi A4 estate to use everyday..I have a big dog so need the extra room.

This car is being advertised on eBay at the moment and, if I needed a daily driver and hadn’t owned a 300 before, I would seriously consider it. There’s a link in that post to work done on the car over the years which might interest you. :yes:

I'm not putting a downer on your idea of running a tt z as a daily driver!

It's a massive difference than running your scirocco if u don't mind me saying!

A 25 year old car 19 mpg at best & lots of tech under that bonnet!

Tyres will last u a year at best on 7 thousand miles some might get more & the cost of each tire?

As pointed out a problem on Friday will not be fixed by work on Monday!

Specialist of this car are also very limited. Get a cheap daily & use the z when you want, & it will bring a smile to owning it.

Just some advice or not, but keep looking & good luck!

This car is being advertised on eBay at the moment and, if I needed a daily driver and hadn’t owned a 300 before, I would seriously consider it. There’s a link in that post to work done on the car over the years which might interest you. :yes:

 

There are some nice parts on it.....but....

It was originally an Auto so doesnt have a 99 spec later g box.

Although its a late spec car it has been in this country for a very long time so its not like a fresh import.

Its had arch repair work.

My 1990 car hasnt had that and its 10 years older.

Daily driver.....ruuuuuuuusssssst it will and very fast in the winter.

There are some nice parts on it.....but....

It was originally an Auto so doesnt have a 99 spec later g box.

Although its a late spec car it has been in this country for a very long time so its not like a fresh import.

Its had arch repair work.

My 1990 car hasnt had that and its 10 years older.

 

I’m not trying to step on anyone’s toes here, my post is only to point out what looks like a solid 300 with history on the forum. It’s an NA making it a good daily for a new 300 owner. Yes it’s not got the late spec box on it but my early spec has 110k miles on it a seems fine and my chassis has been in the UK since “94 and has weathered well. Arch repair work is nothing to be worry about if it’s been done properly. Arches tend to rot due to a lack of proper cleaning and poor maintenance. Once the owner had fixed this I’m sure they’ve kept on top of that and if they have it should happen again. It’s a great colour and worth a look IMO. :wink:

Hey all, I just joined and once I have sold my boring ass Scirocco I plan to get myself a 300ZX.

I'm sick of the way new cars are dumbing down the driving experience, I'm sick of playing it safe and I'm sick of mediocrity. I have always loved the 300ZX and if I don't do it now I never will. I have read buying guides online but I would appreciate any insight that you guys can provide with regards to things to look out for and things to avoid.

I appreciate your help.

 

Hi and welcome to the club.....!!

 

Good luck in your search - and there's some sound advice above, to be getting on with....:wink:

 

Richard:thumbup:

Fwiw I ran mine as a daily for getting on for 2 years. I work on cars so always kept on top of it maintenance wise but it's pretty much the same as any older sports car- buy a solid one- ignore the shit covered with sugar i.e aftermarket parts and fancy bells and whistles because they can hide lack of servicing and blind you to its true state.

 

Mine was a good solid car that I really enjoyed owning and I've owned everything from brand new cars to late 80's.

 

Auto's ideal for daily driving but if it's the original box factor in a possible replacement/rebuild at some point- it might never happen but mine did after 2 weeks of using it and it never let me down again, and it even got me home on that occasion!

 

They're good cars and real head turners but they are getting on now and a lot that I've seen in the flesh have been bodged or spoiled by daft kits or poor aftermarket add-ons- look for an honest one that's got good history-whether that's dealer or an enthusiast owner that might not necessarily be perfect aesthetically and you won't go far wrong, obviously a fresh import is a good idea if you're willing to pay the premium.

 

Good luck with it.