Yeah I know you've probably given the same advice to 100 other people, but I'm serious about getting a 300 TT. So here goes:-

 

I'm looking for an unmodified (less likely to have been ragged to within an inch of it's life I figure) 300ZX TT. Ive looked in the auto trader and there are a few about in my price range. I'm not to bothered whether its an jap import and I'm considering the auto as preferable. I've looked on the web sites and basically they look fairly stirdy, but I've got an MR2 at the moment and I'm aware that a small problem can be a big price tag, which I want to avoid.

 

I've had insurance quotes from confused.com around £1300 which is expensive but hey its a 3 litre twin turbo supercar whatcha-gonna-do!

 

I realise that I'm asking every one to gripe about there own car but it would financially kill me to get a lemon, so could you let me know what the bad points are about the car, baring in mind I have a completely impractical car now, so thats not a problem:)

 

Basically what do I look for in a 300ZX that's going to tell me that it's a dog. I'm going to test drive a few for the first time this Saturday from a dealer and I want to at least sound like I know the score.

 

Cheers in Advance

 

 

Rod dude

click here :)

Yeah I'd read that (I'm taking it with me on my test drive)- which is cool - I was looking for more personal gripes and experience.

In that case look here :- http://www.aus300zxclub.com/tech/reliability.htm

 

(and here :- http://www.300zx.org.uk/tech_20.htm)

Rod,

 

Without reading Paul C's link, I'll tell you what's wrong (recently-ish discovered) with mine, so it can help you some more with what to avoid.

 

1) Needed front tie bushes (done - £160) and still need rear subframe bush (£560).

 

2) Needs needs new disks and pads (bout £500)

 

3) Personal preference, but I want the timing belt done soon as I can afford it

 

4) The leather isn't great either (near £600 - ZCentre, Notts)

 

5) I need new exhaust boxes x2 (£300, Powerflow)

 

6) Needs a respray (again, me being picky, mainly, at least £1000 via Jeff TT)

 

7) Make sure the air cons working!...that's near 100 bloody quid alone to re-gas!!!

 

Most of the work is based on prices quoted by Jeff TT, because I wouldn't let anyone else near me touch it, but if anyone can tell me of anywhere cheaper for the exhausts, or if I'm out on any of my prices, let me know!

 

Oh, and one more thing.....I know that I've had mine nearly a year, but I've only done about 2000 miles in it overall, AND I got it from a dealer who I suspect saw me coming, so to speak. My point being that most of these things were probably wrong then and, being a dealer, he probably knew that too.

Cheers for that Blue, thats just the sort of advice I need - I would never have thought to turn the AC on, as I've never had that on a car before and wouldn't see it as a priority. The brakes and pads are a little scary too. But cheers - I don't think anything that anyone says will put me off buying one. Its a car I just-godda-have:)

 

Regards

 

 

 

Rod

Originally posted by Blue

Rod,

 

Without reading Paul C's link, I'll tell you what's wrong (recently-ish discovered) with mine, so it can help you some more with what to avoid.

 

1) Needed front tie bushes (done - £160) and still need rear subframe bush (£560).

 

2) Needs needs new disks and pads (bout £500)

 

3) Personal preference, but I want the timing belt done soon as I can afford it

 

4) The leather isn't great either (near £600 - ZCentre, Notts)

 

5) I need new exhaust boxes x2 (£300, Powerflow)

 

6) Needs a respray (again, me being picky, mainly, at least £1000 via Jeff TT)

 

7) Make sure the air cons working!...that's near 100 bloody quid alone to re-gas!!!

 

Most of the work is based on prices quoted by Jeff TT, because I wouldn't let anyone else near me touch it, but if anyone can tell me of anywhere cheaper for the exhausts, or if I'm out on any of my prices, let me know!

 

Oh, and one more thing.....I know that I've had mine nearly a year, but I've only done about 2000 miles in it overall, AND I got it from a dealer who I suspect saw me coming, so to speak. My point being that most of these things were probably wrong then and, being a dealer, he probably knew that too.

 

(1)Tie rod bushes can be had for 50 pounds

(2)Brembos for around 149 for front discs 149 for rear discs http://www.3gbrakes.co.uk/

(3)Leather wellit can be treated, but i suppose only so much

(6)respray Phone Peter at PPS im sure hell suprise you on the price front, and since pretty much everyone on here that has used him cant stop raving about him, well then i guess hes the man -600-700 respray

(7) aircon is around 65 pounds to fill.

 

So if you hunt around a bit you can get far better deals than you think.

Rod, noticed you're in the north west - I'm near preston so if you want a hand let me know ;)

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

300z - does the prices for disks includes pads and fitting, like Jeff's?

 

Also, do you have more details for Pete at PPS? Is he on this forum?

 

Cheers for the info!

Originally posted by Blue

300z - does the prices for disks includes pads and fitting, like Jeff's?

 

WTF???? £200 for pads and fitting??? :eek:

According to Jeff's site, it's £230 for Brembo disks and pads, and fitting (that's 230 front and 230 rear)....unless I read it wrong???

Rod Dude, Where abouts in the North West are you from?

 

Stuart

I'm from Bolton - I'm having a look in Derby for the 300ZX's. Are there any good dealers in the area - people keep talking about Jeff TT I assume that's fairly far South.

 

Cheers Andy - might take you up on that (hopefully not due to anything too disasterous though!) ;)

Rod from Bowton.........

 

If you're looking at Ram in Derby, be VERY VERY careful mate.

Take someone who knows Zeds!

Originally posted by Rod dude

I'm from Bolton - I'm having a look in Derby for the 300ZX's. Are there any good dealers in the area - people keep talking about Jeff TT I assume that's fairly far South.

 

Cheers Andy - might take you up on that (hopefully not due to anything too disasterous though!) ;)

 

I'm only in Wigan so if you need a hand this way just ask.

 

You been in a Z TT yet?

 

Stuart

Rod....

 

If you're going to Ram, let me take this opportunity to save you the bother. I went there with a mate of mine to look at an import Celica, and I saw all of his 300ZX's...they're sheds!!!

 

I saw one "white" one (that'd be the one with the bumper that has a chip, and the underneath is yellow), andother red one with a kit which I believe he still has, and it was dog rough.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't go near him if he was the last ZX dealer around.

 

Naturally, it's only my personal opinion!

Dang!!! Thats where I was headed! Well, I'm out in Congleton on Friday, thought I'd have a look while I was in the neighbourhood. I really need a dealer as I need to part-ex mine.

 

I've not been in a Zed yet which was half the reason for going on Saturday - just to give them a whirl. The autotrader says that he has 5 now in but last week he only had 4, am I being stupid thinking that it's worth going on the off chance that the last one is a good 'un! Me thinks so!! Thats really scuppered me.

I'm in Leyland & hoping to purchase one on Monday. We'll have to have a meet when we're all Zeded.

 

Blue, I don't recon dealers know about half the things you mentioned.

Originally posted by Blue

 

Also, do you have more details for Pete at PPS? Is he on this forum?

 

Cheers for the info!

 

 

YES,he posts under the name of LEONARDO and this is his contact;)

 

http://www.modifiedatpps.co.uk/

this info is very useful, i own a 200sx (s13) and am seriously considering getting a 300zx..... still in the making my mind up bit.

i got a link to this site from http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/index.php

where i am a member, so far the advice posted has been very helpful in spotting dogs, but what about your own personal feelings, even though the expense of keeping them running, would you go back to sensible cars???!!!

I've never had a sensible car in my life and I've no plans on changing now. Really have no idea what I'd buy in place of my Zed, the only thing I would even consider is a TVR. If things were utterly desperate (and they ain't too clever right now) and I was really up against it then I'd probably get a 200sx S14 (is that the newest one ?)

I'm with Mr P on this. I've had loadsa cars, but the 300 is satanic in the way that once you've got one you feel that you can never sell it!

Originally posted by snurdf

I'm in Leyland & hoping to purchase one on Monday. We'll have to have a meet when we're all Zeded.

 

Blue, I don't recon dealers know about half the things you mentioned.

 

There is a meeting on Sunday the 30th about 20-30 miles from you. Why not join us then.

 

Stuart

Originally posted by Timmy_Turbo

I'm with Mr P on this. I've had loadsa cars, but the 300 is satanic in the way that once you've got one you feel that you can never sell it!

 

You're not wrong.....I've considered selling mine many times, and I've even put it up for sale twice, before I knew what problems it had, because I thought I should if I wanted to save £££........but I just can't go through with it!!

MAC1 - by the way....where does the body kit come from that is on the car in your picture??

Originally posted by snurdf

I'm in Leyland & hoping to purchase one on Monday. We'll have to have a meet when we're all Zeded.

 

Blue, I don't recon dealers know about half the things you mentioned.

 

Erm so am I :D In leyland that is! Just say 'near preston' so no one can burn me house down :D Email me - I could help you out if you want....