Hi all,

 

I am looking to buy a 300ZX TT but would like some knowledge on the car in general before I purchase one. I have been looking at adverts etc. Looking at a 95 -96 model and just wanted some help on what to look for and what problems the car develops etc etc.

 

Any help would be great and hope this post is in the right place?

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Jay

If you want to get a Z that young you are going to need an Import. UK at that age are like rocking horse droppings.

 

How much you looking to spend?

 

Stuart

Well I dont mind an earlier model, for an earlier model I've got about £6000.00 to spend. Later models more money I know but would pay for later car.

 

Anyone here got one for sale ?

 

Have been looking round dealers etc, but would like to buy from someone here. Because as it has been said " you all knoe each others cars "

 

Cheers

 

Jay

I know you would rather pay for one from the board, but there are not that many on here that young.

 

Have you looked into importing one. They can search for what you want.

 

 

Stuart

Hi Jay

 

I would say the most common (major) problems on cars of this age are turbos and gearboxes...plus the components you would expect with other cars (clutches etc)

 

If you do a search on buying advice you'll get plenty of threads come up, some with links to Twinturbo.net (I think) which has some good buying guides which I used.

 

I'm actually selling my 300zx - it's a...

 

UK Twin Turbo Manual

1992 (K plate)

Super Black

98k miles

Completely stock

Just had major service

Fully loaded

Brand new rear Toyo Proxes

3 months MOT, 6 months tax

 

I am looking for around £5,750.

 

The car runs perfectly and has been very reliable whilst I've had it. It's a very reluctant sale but a company car is on its way and I can't afford to run 2 cars.

 

For a full spec look in For Sale and Wanted for '300zx for sale'. (Ignore the flaky spoiler bit - I am getting a new aftermarket fibreglass spoiler fitted that doesn't flake like the OEM spoiler)

 

The car's got a FSH and has had regular oil changes

 

Also, I noticed you live in Southend, well I'm in Billericay which is just down the road. You're more than welcome to come and have a look round the car just to familiarise yourself, and I will take you out for a drive. If the the car's not right then fair enough, at least you'll have a benchmark (although this is the best car i found when i was looking).

 

If you want photos and more info email me

 

edhessel@hotmail.com

 

or call me 07966 342991

 

Speak to you soon hopefully

 

Ed

Hi Jay i am one of the few on the forum that do own a zed that young mines 1995 tt import as has already been said you will find it verrrrrrrrrrrrry hard to find a uk car that young trust me i tried!!!!! So that basicaly leaves you with two options have one imported to your spec or look around the importers for one that has already been imported both have good and bad points. With importing your own this obviously has the advantage that you can pretty much specify exactly what you want eg body kits mods etc and then they will go and find it for ya as for one thats already been imprted with this you can actually go and get hands on with the car flick every switch etc before you shell out 6k+ the second is the route i went and i like to think i found a good clean car a few people on here have seen it so can ask them (burf2000 blackzx/sussex and dave seargent to name a few) The company i got mine from was AutoBMC who are in rickmansworth they quite often have late model zeds for sale (although not at the moment I checked for ya) but they were verry good deal with in my experience heres a link http://www.autobmc.co.uk all the best in finding ya zed hope ya get a good one

Yeah that AutoBMC sounds good, I was gonna have a look at one of theirs in January and I asked if they'd throw a full cambelt service in and they agreed. I cancelled in the end though cos I got one from the board :cool:

 

Pete

pete shrimp

 

Yeah that AutoBMC sounds good, I was gonna have a look at one of theirs in January and I asked if they'd throw a full cambelt service in and they agreed.

 

yeah the deal i struck with them was if i paid asking price they would do what i asked which was cambelt service repaint front valence had all flaked and was showing yellow touch up any stone chips that were on the body re bond rear spoiler as one side had come lose where it had been used to open the boot remove the jap sat nav which is useless over here convert to uk tax mot and cut a new key the only thing they didnt do was the new key was verry happy with their service and attitude seemed to know their stuff as well as told me that the boost gaugue was an option on the latter models which when checked on here (possibly one of my first posts!!!!) was confirmed well worth a look

Errrrrrr there's no such thing as a UK spec Z32 after '94?????

Thanks for the replys above, nice to know some helpfull people out there.

 

Question: Are the manual gearbox cars harder to find ? Automatics I think are not really a drivers car :( sorry to those of you who have auto's.

 

Question: UK or import plus and minus about the two?

 

Question: is there a website site somewhere thats tells you about specs etc on the cars throughout the years etc?

 

That's enough for now.

 

Thanks again guys and might see some of you soon on the road :)

 

Cheers

 

Jay

I will probably see you on the road as I am in southend also ;)

 

there are a few of us around the area now on the board.

 

You may have seen me around, white 300zx, usually around a127 tescos area or rayleigh.

 

good luck, and maybe pop along to the essex meet on june the 22nd at lakeside :)

 

Mike

There are very little differences through the years.

 

1992+ became series 2 which had very few differences. The Air Con controls where changed and I think the master brake cylinder was changes along with a few small changes.

 

1994+ had pre-cats, which are just another type of catalyst converter, which caused a slight drop in performance. Again few smaller changes.

 

1996+ Variable Valve Timing was dropped to comply with new emissions laws. This caused the power to drop to 280bhp (TwinTurbo ovbiously)

 

 

Most of the 300ZX's are Automatics.

 

As for UK v's Jap

 

UK:

Pros

UK cheaper to insure.

Parts are usually cheaper from Nissan

Suspention harder and should thus handle better.

Most are leather interior

All are 2+2, Twin Turbo, T-Top.

Have wider rear tyres.

Top Speed resricted to 155mph.

 

Cons

More rust because of salt on the roads in winter

Higher millage

 

 

Japanese Import

Pros

Most have a lot less mileage than UK cars. I have seen G reg with 40,000 miles.

Body work usually better, as they dont use salt on Japanese roads.

More choice of 300ZX. Non-Turbo or Turbo. 2+2 or 2 seater. T-Top, slick top or convertable.

Most have some sort of modification, from just turbo timers to the power upped to 400+bhp.

 

Cons:

Speedo in KPH and but can be converted.

Top speed restricted to 112mph. (But can be removed)

Insurance usually more expecive, but its getting better, and some places wont insure imports.

Newly imported cars need some work to make them UK legal. Good importers should include this in the price.

Dont usually get any history with the car.

Use a different head light bulb, so no going to Halfords for new ones when they blow. Jap bulbs not too hard to get hold of though.

 

 

There seems to be more cons for the Japanese cars, but less important than high milage and rust for the UK ones, it makes it kind of even at first.

Well after searching for a week I have found one I like the look of, details below " what you all think "

 

1992 Nissan 300 ZX (Twin Turbo)

Manual, 1992, J reg. 48000 miles, red, 2-seater, leather seats, ABS, cruise, alloys, air con, p/s, e/w, no dents/scratches. £5,800 . eve day.

 

Phoned the guy tonight = UK car full service history = and he says "perfect"

 

Well I'm off to have a look on Saturday, but going on holiday on Sunday so if good will have to wait a week. Just a bit nervous because I aint got a clue what the hell I am looking at lol.

 

Oh well, wish me luck

 

Cheers

 

Jay

If its 2 seater it is not a UK car (they only did 2+2's) in the UK, apart from that it sounds good, but my best advice is take a person who knows a bit about zeds with you to see it (you should get a few volunteers from here).

Like b19rks says. If it is just 2 seats its 100% a Japanese Import.

 

Another way to tell, is the badge inbeteen the headlights. If it's got a Nissan badge its UK, if it has a Z badge it's a Japanese import.

 

Stuart

Ok, the person I spoke to the first time wasnt sure about the car it seems. I have now spoken to the dealer = its a import car, imported two months ago into the UK.

 

He's a jap trader and a jap himself, he says he will give me a 3 month warranty on the car and has some jap service history but not much. He says " a very clean car " and its just had a full service including the cam belt. 10 months MOT no tax and a very clean car, was his words.

 

Ok im getting all dizzy about buying one now lol. Planning to go and have a look tomorrow, anyone fancy a drive with me? who knows there stuff about these cars. Local to Southend - on - Sea anyone?

 

Post a message here tonight and I will drive to you and pick you up, could be a laugh! or PM me and I will call you later.

 

Let me know anyone!

 

Cheers

 

Jay

"I want to but one"

 

Should say " I want to buy one " a zx that is "

 

I can assure you all I don't want to but one, lol

 

Cheers

 

Jay

Don't rush into it though - especially if you go on your own to this test drive. If you haven't driven many then even a poor one might impress you!

 

:D

and no, I wouldn't recommend butting one!

 

:D