I've had a Celica for a few years, and I fancy a change so I'd been looking around and had been thinking of getting a Honda Prelude (2.2 VTEC). So, I took one for a test drive last week - OK, but not that much quicker than the Celica and I didn't like sitting in it. The dash was too low! I know that probably shouldn't be a big factor in selecting a car, but I just didn't feel comfortable.

 

Cut to this week. I had arranged to meet my brother for an evening pub meal. I got there a bit early and was thinking of killing a little time when I spotted a ZX on a fore court at about £5.5. I've always liked 'em, but this one really struck me so I decided to check it out further. A cursory inspection in the dark was enough to get me thinking about it all through the evening so I decided to stay at my brother's and check it out the next day.

 

So, it's black, manual, twin turbo, split rim style wheels (approx 17"), recently imported by the current dealer, 73K KM, nice body work, G plate, cloth interior was in good condition, but was a little plain to my eye, targa top. Took it for a blast. Ha aha hahahah hahahah hhahaha! I want it! Got to have one! But unbelivably impractical. After I drove it I opened the boot and thought WTF? So, I lifted the carpet to look underneath and found a spare... oh, so that really is all the boot space you get! LOL! After the test I popped the bonnet and didn't like the look of the oily smoke which seemed to be coming from low down at the middle/back of the engine bay. Didn't much fancy that so I guess I'll not be getting that particular one (unless you're going to tell me they all do that - didn't think so...).

 

Now my friends are wisely trying to talk me out of getting one. I can see there are lots of reasons I shouldn't get one; fuel economy, my lack of mechanical expertise, my lack of mechanical empathy (very worrying), insurance, running costs, lack of boot space (not much worse than a prelude though), lack of space in the back (no worse than Celica/Prelude though). Turbos on a car of this age really worry me too.

 

But, I'm preaching to the converted right? We all know I have to have one, so what I need to know is what's the best purchasing strategy?

 

Are there any ZX clubs in the UK (and is it a good idea to get one from there)?

Autotrader might have a large number of turkeys, but also the occasional gem?

Max power and magazines like that - good hunting grounds?

Any value in an AA inspection?

What about buying from a ZX specialist (recommendations)?

How much should I spend (or, what can I get for around £5-6K)?

Are you guys running these as second cars or do you use them every day?

What about mileage (is it possible to get one with 50K on the clock - was the one I looked at likely clocked or not)?

Import vrs UK spec?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Rotty

I am a novice when it comes to ZX, but manual or auto, in extream the manual is faster, most of the time the auto is as good, then its down to your choice.

Smoking engine, take great care.

Some peeps on here have lots of problems, others seem to have almost none. I feel that there are good and bad as in all things.

As for boot space, look at a twin turbo Supra, makes the ZX look like and estate. Well almost.

As for price's, it allways surprises me at the difference. I have a 93 import auto tt, which can only be described as very nice, I suppose its worth about £6500. But G is getting old.

Just my opinion.

Have a read of the FAQ's at the top of the page, there's a buying guide etc

Are there any ZX clubs in the UK (and is it a good idea to get one from there)?

 

300ZX.CO.UK!!! You've found the best club out there! There's always a few decent Zed's popping up on here every now and then. Good idea to get a car from someone you know has looked after it!

 

Autotrader might have a large number of turkeys, but also the occasional gem?

True - but dealers really overprice the decent Zeds, and it's very difficult to work out what's a gem and what's not. Very complex cars.

 

Max power and magazines like that - good hunting grounds?

Hmmm... mods are good if done right. Disastrous if done wrong - not sure what quality of mods the normal max power brigade have but i'd be wary.... remember also that mods can severly affect your insurance. But then with mods, when you floor it it can seriously affect your vision so it's probably worth it!

 

Any value in an AA inspection? I'd say, unless you can get one of the expeerts off here to go along with you for a look. When these things go pop it costs muchos moola.

 

How much should I spend (or, what can I get for around £5-6K)? There seem to be loads of Zeds in this price bracket at the mo. Should give you decent choice, don't buy the first one you see!

 

Are you guys running these as second cars or do you use them every day? I use mine every day - it's fine. Heavy on petrol, wear, etc etc but it's worth it at the moment. If I start having to do massive miles every week though I'll probably get a second car. Mind, I drove a TVR for ages as my only car so I can put up with virtually anything!!

 

What about mileage (is it possible to get one with 50K on the clock - was the one I looked at likely clocked or not)? Not sure about whether yours was clocked or not - did the seats/ steering wheel / pedals etc look excessively worn?

 

As for miles - most seem to have over 50k on them (as you'd expect) but there are a few around with less (often top dollarr) - not always a good thing though, i'd rather get one with more miles that's been looked after properly than one that's stood for months at a time. Mine had 58k on when I got it.

 

Import vrs UK spec? Massive discussion point. Imports are more expensive to insure. Different specs. If you're after a manual you'll struggle to find a decent UK one for sale - may have to go import. Mine's an import and i'm very happy with it!

 

Have a look at the links on this site. They're very good.

 

Happy Hunting,

 

Chris

Originally posted by r0tty

my lack of mechanical empathy (very worrying)

 

I just wouldn't bother if I were you.

 

Treat a Zed badly and it'll bite you so hard in the wallet, if it doesn't kill you in the process, that you'll be reeling from the effect for months.

 

Tim

Over the past week I've had a very close scrape with what could have been a catastrophic bill... a bill only a zed could have produced.. looked like I was facing two new turbo's and an engine refurbishiment/repair... possibly even new engine.

 

My experience when buying the zed in the first place... basically do what the others said, read that buying guide.. and above all, make sure decent people look after it. From the work Jeff has had to do with mine, I'll never trust a main dealer *ever* again with my zed (see the warning) for services take the trip to Tamworth to zedworld, or the other service centres recommended by the club, the owners club itself has proved invaluable to me!

 

They are amazing cars, and even though it looked like I was going to have to spend thousands on repairing it, I still couldn't tear myself away from my zed... they're very personal cars, but just be prepared to spend money and pay them more attention than you would to less delicate cars!!

 

Just after I got mine the gearbox oil cooler failed, and damaged the gearbox to some extent as well... £1300 bill.. which made me very unhappy, especially as the car was off the road for over a month... but no matter how unhappy, it's no comparison to the smile that zx put back on my face when I drove it back from the transmission specialists...

All the Buyers Guides I can find are listed here :- http://www.300zx.org.uk/tech_20.htm

 

Be careful - these things are addictive and expensive ! ;)

Thanks for the responses everyone. What a great club - I can't believe how many responses I got so quickly. Takes me back to the days of my first car (MG Midget) when everyone looked out for everyone else. That's probably where I got my high console fetish from too now that I come to think of it.

 

I've pratically made up my mind to get one... later. I just don't have enough moolah to get the right one at the moment and buying the wrong one is madness.

 

Mark - its got to be manual for me. I've got nothing against automatics - just a purely personal preference for manual in a car like these. Boot space, I mentioned that for a laugh, not because it's something that would seriously influence my decision on getting one or not. £6,500 for a good G - definitely worth knowing.

 

Chris - cheers, I should have pointed out that I had already read the faq's, but wanted some more general advice on where to get one. It would be interesting to go back to the one I looked at with buyers guide in hand to give it a thorough going over. After the smoking engine scenario though I lost a lot of enthusiasm for that particualr one and only gave it a cursory look.

 

Cerb78 - you're right about this club. I'm pretty much sold on the idea of buying one from someone here. It's got to be manual so I guess it'll be an import with as few mods as possible.

 

TT Tim - thanks for the straight talk! I have a little trouble saying exactly what I meant by 'mechanical empathy'. I understand and can apply concepts such as weight distribution, friction circles, cornering technique and braking technique (oops nearly put breaking technique) so I'm not saying my lack of empathy extends to driving skills (although I'm not saying I'm Michael Schumacher either). Most mechanical problems I have had in the past could have been prevented (or at least minimised) by noticing warning signs and reacting accordingly. I seem to have bad judgement in that area - I'm gonna have to give some serious thought on how I can improve.

 

Nix - I think I may have read about your recent troubles. If not then those of some of the other posters here. I think when I get one it'll have to be as a second car. I live out in the sticks (by myself at the moment) so if the car was off the road for an extended period I'd be shafted without another car. On the plus side if I get something like a Fiesta for that second car then I'll enjoy jumping in the zed all the more!

 

AndyP - I'm proceeding cautiously, but fear that I'm already addicted. :rolleyes:

 

Rotty

You can tell if you are addicted, because you start to "Make Plans" for your car ;)

 

"Hmmm, induction, then exhuast"

You think,

"And you cant trust the gauges so a new boost gauge and I may as well get a oil pressure and water temp too."

Now you want more speed and its

"Turn up the boost, but I will need a controler for that and new ECU cos it will detonate"

Now you have a faster car, but it needs to look faster

"I will want a high spoiler wing, new side skirts and new front bumper."

 

Then you realise out of the 6 months you have owned it, its been in the garage for 5 months of the time.

 

Thats when you know you are addicted ;)

 

Hope you join us with a Z, and happy hunting.

 

Stuart

The list thing is *so* true... there's a list somewhere on my laptop, just a simple one in notepad.. just lists about £18k's worth of equipment and work I'd have done subject to a lottery win! :)

Wonder if we could apply for a lottery grant from the arts council "Zed Improvements for forum members... contributing to automotive art in the UK" :)

ha ha