I think, on a serious note, what we are witnessing is the Zed dropping into a different price bracket, a few years ago the purchase price of a Z32 precluded it from all but the most determined people. I seem to recall AndyP saying something along the lines of 'I bought my car at a time when you had to make a real financial commitment' (please excuse the misquote Andy) a sentiment that, I feel sums it all up.

 

IMHO anyone who buys a ten year old twin turbo '80s supercar should at least have a basic grasp of how an internal combustion engine works and how to carry out basic fluid checks and servicing. Otherwise, I think, you are looking at nothing but trouble. If you don't know what the warning light means...buy a bloody handbook!

on that one.

'

 

Tim - I think you are spot on. This post really got me thinking, so much so that I've had a change of heart. I made my 1st post a few weeks ago (having read threads interestedly for weeks beforehand) which eventually ended up with me persuading myself I definately wanted to go get a Zed.

 

Now, I confessed there that my 'under the bonnet' knowledge is pretty limited :o (tho I think I understand the internal combustion engine!) even tho I was prepared to get my hands dirty and learn. I was gonna go to the Bristol meet on the 23rd to start my education:) What I hadn't really figured on is that, inevitably, a ten-year old plus supercar is going to go wrong now and then (or more often than that!) and I'd struggle to find the time to tinker with it in the same way a real enthusiast would make time.

 

The upshot of that is - I've decided I'm going to try to find a '97 Scooby :eek: - it'll cost a couple of grand more to begin with, but I figure I won't have to worry about it going wrong etc. Over time, the cheaper servicing/repairs and better mpg will balance out anyway. I'd prefer a Zed in my heart - but my head says go for the sensible option. How sad!:rolleyes:

 

:( :( :( :(

Sensible is good - if I'd been sensible, I wouldn't have pumped £23k (so far) into keeping a 10 year old car running (well, two, actually, one after the other). Hell, I could have had an R33 for that! (And, sorry, but yes, I would rather have one of those.. I think..)

 

But...

 

Originally posted by Icecool

The upshot of that is - I've decided I'm going to try to find a '97 Scooby :eek: - it'll cost a couple of grand more to begin with, but I figure I won't have to worry about it going wrong etc.

 

You might want to speak to a guy called 'marty_t3' on the 200sx boards (http://www.sxoc.com/vbb), and he's probably on Scoobynet too - he owned a Scoob, that he just got rid of for a 200sx (he got rid of a 200sx for the scoob originally) - his reasons? Two fold;

 

1) The 200SX was a damned sight more fun.. (Looked at an S14 at all btw? Same sort of age, same sort of money I believe)

2) The scoob was always breaking down..... His general opinion is that their famed reliability is actually a fallacy...

Aaron

 

Cheers for sharing your view. Encouraged (althougth slightly surprised! :p ) to read from a tried and tested Zedder that maybe it's not right for everyone.

 

I'm not convinced about the styling of the 200 (S13 or S14) so that had kind of gotten written off. Same goes for fiat coupe 20V turbo too (just looks a bit crap from many angles). And yet I'm happy with the way a Scooby looks!!:rolleyes:

 

Truth is, I don't think the Scoob looks thaaaaat great (like a piece of dog turd next to a Zed), but most other coupes (which also have half decent grunt) in the price range don't float my boat either.

 

PS I drive a Saxo VTR at the mo, so just about anything will seem quick in comparison!:D

Yeah - you could go out and spend 10+ grand on a scooby or a mondeo - even. But yes it is commitment with a 300ZX or any supercar. Owners of the Loyus Esperit - which I love - pay 1000+ for just a service!!!

So bottom line with any marque is commitment!!!

 

Geoff.

Icecool,

Have you driven a Z yet?

Before I test drove a Z I didn't know what car to get......:confused:

Then I did and I was hooked!

Go to a meet before you make your mind up and make sure you test drive lots of different cars as well.:D

I know what you mean, 10 year old car....lots of probs etc.

Well not necessarily so!

I know of people buying brand new cars and having nothing but grief. It all depends on the car(no matter how old)

I bought my Z with my heart and not my head..big mistake I hear you say..but , no , it was the best thing I've done in a long while.

I love my Z , as no doubt do most of the peeps on this forum , they are a part of your life and therefore I intend to enjoy it to the full!:D

If you don't know what I'm on about then maybe it's best you do go for the Scooby, if you do, then get a Z .:D :D

Cheers,

F.T.

Before I test drove a Z I didn't know what car to get......Then I did and I was hooked!

 

That's what I'm afraid of!!:D

 

You're right, of course, possibility of repairs etc dependent on whether you get a "good 'un", regardless of what model/how old. (Even More difficult to find for me as it would have to be a manual Z)

 

But the ramifications of problems with the Z seem so much... worse.

 

Zed: Gotta get it to a friendly place where the guys know what their doing (eg Jeffs in Tamworth - good trip from where I live), poss delay to get parts..., cost....

 

Scoob: So many about that (I hope/assume) main dealers know what their doing, parts readily available, cost a bit less...

 

Maybe should still make the effort to test-drive a Zed (but what if I love it!!!;) ) Might still go to Bristol meet on 23rd.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll make the right choice.

Cheers,

F.T.

 

(I did!!):D

Originally posted by Icecool

Scoob: So many about...

 

You said it mate! Seriously - test drive a 300zx before deciding. There's a few Zedders in the Bristol area, maybe put a shout out for a spin? Most Zed owners love the chance to take out an appreciating passenger, I'm sure you wont have much trouble :)

 

Regarding the good 'un/bad 'un thing - that "uncertainty" i'm sure is what has driven Zed prices so low, and does scare everyone. Bide you time, I spent 8 months researching and saving for mine before buying from someone off the forum - that way you've got a good history of the car basically. Trouble is that people on the forum ARE enthusiasts so by their very nature do not often sell their pride and joy.

 

And when/if you do get a 300zx, the wait is well worth it! Passengers in my zed have commented on, despite the amazing acceleration & handling, the ride is smooth. In contrastm I was a passenger in a mate's Impreza once - I didn't feel faster but boy did I have a stiff neck. And it was v rough at low/crawling speeds, whereas the 300zx is at smooth as any new car.

 

Take a sift through the Rides section above and tell me you are not in love ;)

 

Bl0ody 'ell, I've gone on a bit, I'll shut up now and let someone else convince you!

 

Cheers

 

Pete

Biggest mistake I ever made selling my Z.................

 

Now I'm on the lookout for another one..............

 

It has to be black, manual, twin turbo and a SWB though......so I have to get it imported, even though I have to wait for them to source me one I'm prepared to wait (maybe 3-4 months!) but I will be back in a Z, no if's no but's..........

 

........But in the meantime I'm buying a 200SX and keeping this as a daily driver and guess what? It's black, manual, single turbo (okay so it's missing one!) and looks the dogs........it's on 17's and has loads of mods, pushing 220bhp so it's no slouch either!

 

Means I get to keep the milage down on the Z when I get it and I can still look cool in my 'daily driver'

 

It's all good!

 

:D

 

Matty.

Originally posted by Matty

It has to be black, manual, twin turbo and a SWB though

 

You have impeccable taste Matty, what can I say :D

If mine got kidnapped by aliens, that is also the exact spec I would hunt around for! :D SWB's look nice and chunky!

 

(had to whisper that in case my silver auto tt heard from in the garage!)

Thought I'd spotted you on SXOC Matty..

 

And I just reread my original message.. Wow - I must have been feeling bitter or something after seeing a nice R33 last weekend and thinking 'if only'..

 

Having said all I said, and lets bear in mind I remortgaged my house to keep these cars on the road (!!), if I had to do it again?

 

I WOULD! :D:D

 

An R33 would be nice, an R34 even nicer, but the Z will do me just fine for now..

 

It has looks that are seriously hard to beat for it's age, it's one of the nicest handling cars I've ever driven (and I've driven a few, despite my young years), it's got enough power for some ar*e out action, and some serious fun, and as Senna said on another thread - off boost it's a Nissan QX (read: pussycat) to cruise around in..

 

Seriously, Icecool, take a test drive in a Z.. ;) You know you want to!

 

If you still don't think you can stomach the running costs - and lets face it, any performance car will be expensive to run, I don't care if it's a Scooby, a Z, an R33 or a Ferrari - just to slightly differing degrees (A Scoob is still going to cost you a fortune in petrol and tyres, at least! And I bet the clutches take a pounding from the 4x4 transmission, too)..

 

Oh and - what about a Pulsar (GTI-R) - 4x4, mad looks, rapid as hell up to 60, handle well even as standard.. But beware of older ones, as they to tend to have a few problems..

GTIr suck, and scoobys arent reliable! ;)

 

Any fast car will break down and cost big. Simple as that. People put cars into crude brackets; Ferrari - tempremental unreliable Italian car, just like they all are - apparently. etc etc

People say Japanese cars are bombproof and reliable, now I havent seen this in any of fast japanese cars, apart from the NSX and Skyline and Ill bet they go wrong too, just I havent heard of any.

 

At the end of the day whatever fast car you pick will cost you a friggin fortune, and those who say it doesnt, are lying. ;)

 

Drive each car properly and see what you think then make a decision. and have plenty money in reserve and be prepared to get pissed off big time! :D

Depends like any vehicle how well its been treat, a bad scooby will cost you much more than a good zed, and vice versa of course, there is a wealth of knowledge on here that could potentialy save you a fortune anyway, and for me theres nothing finer after youve parked up for the night and have a last look over your shoulder to see a zed looking back at you !!

Icecool, If you want something different its got to be a ZED.

If you want a car that looks wonderfull get a ZED

If you want a car that goes.... get a ZED

If you want a car you can take the lid off when the sun shines get a ZED

If you want a fast, superb road holding car that can take 4 people?, has a rear hatch, rear seats fold to give a fair load area get a ZED, see versatile to.

 

Ive got an NA and use it every day, its what gets me up in the morning! I just love driving it.

 

Come along on 23rd, you can certainly have a drive in mine and I expect somebody will give you a ride in aTT.

 

Now as a comparison, I have not had a go in a Scooby or GTR, but I have driven Ferraris 355F1 , 348 and 512 all on tracks, they were all great, the 355 the best one, I would like one, but ££££.

 

The ZED is pretty close on ride, feel, road holding, driving pos/comfort and some would say better looking, but most of all it is affordable fun!

 

You pays yer money and makes yer choice?

Here's a pic of a really nice Scooby! ;)

 

 

 

 

I used to love them but you see them everywhere :D :D :D

 

Chris.

Chris,where did you get your bonnet from,or did you do it!looks wicked,me would love that(in black of course:D )

It's from the Z Centre or Paul Bailey.

Double vented - hole in the bonnet and underneath the windscreen.

It made a noticeable drop in temperature around the engine.

 

http://www.zcentre.co.uk/bonnetbulges/zc010a.htm

Thanks mate:)

Holy fcuk!!! Chris - your ride looks the bollox!! And there it is - the Zed has my heart - 10 years on and it still looks like a supercar. I fear some external mods would be necessary if I wanted to make it look as good as I wanted, but hey, it's only cash ( and not even that much when you consider that you'll pay a couple of extra grand for the scoob.)

 

More and more likely to go to the Bristol meet - a ride in a TT would definately be appreciated. As you may be able to tell, I have been supping tonite => heart is currently ruling head.

 

So many imprezas out there, would really love a Zed in truth. But ownership.... make the fu**ing effort - you're a petrolhead - you're young, how bad can it be?? (23K according to 1st post!!!). God, it's so difficult. I reckon, if someone came to me with a pukka unmolested manual at the right price, I might just have to take them up.... I think I have tyo at leeast give the Z a try before making the final decision - so I guess see you on the 23rd!!!!

 

Apologies for random ramblings and stuff - it's been a heavy session!!

LMFAO! :D :D :D

I thought I might be able to persuade you down the path of supercar vs family 4x4!

Chris - that is tremendous, marvellous - incredible -- really really great.

Geoff.

Originally posted by tanzx

Chris - that is tremendous, marvellous - incredible -- really really great.

Geoff.

 

LOL good then?